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The flying qualities are excellent and the machine systems built into the plane signifi-
cantly enhance the ease of landing and taking off from the carrier.

                        The F-35C Aboard the USS Nimitz during DT-1. Cred-
                        it: US Navy Media

Basically	with	the	F-35	you	get	your	mission	cross-check	time	back.		Normally	once you
start the approach your scan is solely meatball, line up, and angle of attack. Your mis-
sion cross-check time behind the ship is zero because you're just doing that scan.

With the F-35 and its enhanced flight controls and superb handling, the aircraft doesn’t
deviate much from the desired flight path, which greatly eases the workload on the ball
and frees up your scan. It almost makes flying the ball a relaxing task.

Question: Ease of flying can clearly translate not just into safety but training time.

What do you see as the impact?

Second Line of Defense                                                     Lessons Learned at Pax River
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