Is the F-16 difficult to fly?

“The F-16 was the quintessential dogfighting airplane of the late 20th century,” says retired colonel Mike Torrealday (call sign, T-Day), who flew the aircraft for about 25 years and even ejected out of one over Utah after an engine failure. “It’s probably one of the most physically demanding airplanes to fly.”

How long does it take to learn to fly an F-16?

The IFF program varies based on your eventual aircraft, but as a rule it is about 16 flights and around six weeks in length. If you are going to an F-16, you’ll get twelve formation and BFM flights followed by four or five BSA flights.

Is flying a fighter jet difficult?

Becoming an Air Force fighter pilot is extremely hard. A very small amount of US Air Force pilots fly fighters, and it’s tough enough just to become a pilot. Most pilots end up at one of the many equally important support roles. For example, a lot of USAF graduates may end up in a refueling ring.

How much does an F-16 cost?

The estimated total cost is $2.43 billion.

Can you pay to ride in a fighter jet?

Make your dream come true and ride in a fighter jet no matter your profession. You can fly a jet fighter such as the Supersonic MiG-29 Fulcrum interceptor, the Aero L-39 Albatros or the Hawker Hunter fighter-bomber aircraft. We offer fighter jet rides from various airfields all over the World.

Did you ever push the F-16 as fast as possible?

There was one time, though, that I pushed the F-16 as fast as it could go. I was stationed in Korea and there was a jet coming out of maintenance; the engine had been swapped out and they needed a pilot to make sure it was airworthy.

Is the F-16 the most physically demanding aircraft to fly?

“The F-16 was the quintessential dogfighting airplane of the late 20th century,” says retired colonel Mike Torrealday (call sign, T-Day), who flew the aircraft for about 25 years and even ejected out of one over Utah after an engine failure. “It’s probably one of the most physically demanding airplanes to fly.”

Can you ride in an F-16 Thunderbird?

The Air Force sometimes offers journalists the chance to ride in an F-16 when the Thunderbirds are in town. The team, which is to the Air Force what the Blue Angels, with their F/A-18 jets, are to the Navy, performed in New York in May.

Why is the F-16 called the “Viper?

Pilots often refer to the F-16 as “the viper,” a reference to spacecraft that appeared in the original Battlestar Galactica and to the fact that the plane is so maneuverable, it can seem to snap around like the head of a snake. (The official name is “The Fighting Falcon,” but come on: “viper” sounds so much cooler.)