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tors wear the same Navy Wings of gold, and Marines —in addition to flying the F-35B
— will also have USMC squadrons of F-35Cs on board Navy carriers.

In this interview, we had a chance to discuss the results to date and the way ahead with
LCDR Daniel “Tonto” Kitts, a VX-23 Test Pilot who is working on F-35C carrier suitabil-
ity. “Tonto” is now working as a test pilot focusing on carrier suitability, but he also has
significant operational experience with the “Rhino,” otherwise known as the Super
Hornet. He was the det officer-in-charge (OIC) for the second phase of carrier landing
testing in CVN DT-II and is preparing for CVN DT-III later this year.

Also participating in the interview was CDR Theodore “Dutch” Dyckman, a fleet com-
bat pilot and now a VX-23 Test Pilot and the Pax River ITF Operations Officer. CDR Dy-
ckman flew in both DT-I and DT-II and is preparing for DT-III later this year.

We discussed a wide range of issues, which demonstrated the breadth of knowledge
and experience of these two pilots, but the interview presented here focused on the
demonstrated flying qualities of the F-35C and the perceived impact of those capabili-
ties on carrier qualifications and operations.

We also touched on the significant gap between their experience and the broad percep-
tion that the Navy is reluctant to become an F-35 force, which is most definitely not true.

Question: Carrier landings are challenging.

They are dangerous and require a lot of training to get them right and to enhance the
safety of the pilot, the crews, and the ship.

In fact, during the Vietnam War, there were tests done of carrier pilots’ heart rates
which we actually higher when landing on a carrier than when being shot at over
Hanoi.

How does the F-35 affect the landing challenges associated with trap and cat opera-
tions?

Answer: The plane flies very well.

Second Line of Defense Lessons Learned at Pax River
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