Page 20 - Aerotech News Edwards Air Show Program 2022

NASA F-15B/D Eagle
NASA photograph by Jim Ross
NASAF-18F/A Hornet
Three F/A-18 Hornet aircraft are flown at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards, Calif., for research support and pilot pro- ficiency.
The aircraft was obtained from the U.S. Navy between 1984 and 1991. One has a two-seat cockpit while the others are single-seat aircraft. NASA research support aircraft are commonly called chase planes and fill the role of escort aircraft during research missions.
Chase pilots are in constant radio contact with research pilots and serve as an “extra set of eyes” to help maintain total flight safety during specific tests and maneuvers. They monitor certain events for the research pilot and are an important safety feature on all research missions.
Chase aircraft also are used as camera platforms for research mis- sions that must be documented with photographs or video. Aeronautical engineers monitor and verify various aspects of a research project by extensively using photos and video.
The two-seat F/A-18 support aircraft is normally used for photo or video chase. The aircraft is configured to transmit live video back to Armstrong so engineers can visually monitor the mission as it is flown. This feature greatly enhances flight safety.
The F/A-18 fleet is also used by Armstrong research pilots for the
NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif., currently flies F-15D Eagle aircraft for research support and pilot proficiency.
The F-15Ds have a two-seat cockpit and like the 2 seat Support Air- craft F-18, they are normally used for photo or video support. They will be transmitting live video from the air back to Armstrong so engineers can visually monitor the mission as it is being flown. This feature greatly enhances flight safety.
NASA research support aircraft are commonly called “chase planes” and fill the role of escort aircraft during research missions. Chase pilots are in constant radio contact with research pilots and serve as an “extra set of eyes” to help maintain total flight safety during specific tests and maneuvers. They monitor certain events for the research pilot and are an important safety feature on all research missions.
Chase aircraft also are used as camera platforms for research missions that must be photographed or videotaped. Aeronautical engineers use this pictorial coverage (photos, motion pictures, and videotape) extensively to monitor and verify various aspects of research projects. The F-15Ds are also used by Armstrong research pilots for routine flight training required by all NASA pilots.
NASA photograph
routine flight training and proficiency required of all NASA pilots.
The formal designation of the aircraft is F/A-18, corresponding to the dual fighter-attack role of the Hornets in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. McDonnell Douglas, now The Boeing Company of St. Louis,
Mo., built the aircraft.
NASA ER-2
NASA operates two Lockheed ER-2 Earth resources aircraft as flying laboratories in the Airborne Science Program under the Agen- cy’s Science Mission Directorate. The air- craft, based at NASA Armstrong’s Building 703 in Palmdale, Calif., collect information about Earth resources, celestial observations, atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, and oceanic processes.
The aircraft also are used for electronic sensor research and development, satellite calibration, and satellite data validation.
NASA photograph by Lori Losey
20
Aerotech News and Review
October 15 & 16, 2022
Edwards Air Show 2022