![]() ![]() There were 94 Block 1, 197 Block 5, and 312 Block 10 aircraft produced. Most were later upgraded to the Block 10 configuration in the early 1980s. The USAF bought 375 F-16As and 125 F-16Bs, with delivery completed in March 1985.Įarly blocks (Block 1/5/10) featured relatively minor differences between each. The F-16A (single seat) and F-16B (two seat) were initially equipped with the Westinghouse AN/APG-66 pulse-doppler radar, Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 turbofan, rated at 14,670 lbf (64.9 kN) and 23,830 lbf (106.0 kN) with afterburner. Over the years, these aircraft have been used as test demonstrators for a variety of research, development and modification study programs. The first FSD F-16A flew on 8 December 1976 and the first FSD F-16B on 8 August 1977. In January 1975, the Air Force ordered eight full-scale development (FSD) F-16s – six single-seat F-16A and a pair of two-seat F-16B – for test and evaluation. Both YF-16 prototypes participated in the flyoff against the Northrop YF-17 prototypes, with the F-16 winning the Air Combat Fighter (ACF) competition, as the LWF program had been renamed. The second prototype first flew on 9 March 1974. The first YF-16 was rolled out at Fort Worth on 13 December 1973 and accidentally accomplished its first flight on 21 January 1974, followed by its scheduled "first flight" on 2 February 1974. These types of discussions are certainly not going away, as is evidenced by recent events.Two single-seat YF-16 prototypes were built for the Light Weight Fighter (LWF) competition. There is also the issue of training pilots on the complex new systems, and about what information should be hidden from pilots either during training or in operation of the aircraft. However, the report also identified issues with crew members becoming "complacent" due to more automation, and some tasks actually became more difficult with the new systems. The study shows that the pilots had an overall positive view of the new technology, since it reduced their workload and made tasks easier in many situations. ![]() It covers the effect on the pilots and their opinions of the new technology. Here is a study from 1989, focusing on the "glass cockpit" in the 757. Was there any resistance or difficulty in getting these systems adopted amongst pilots or their companies?Īlthough there was certainly a sense of caution with the introduction of new technology replacing the most important instruments in the cockpit, the benefits were enough to get the changes adopted. The use of the vertical "tape" format allows the same visual sense of direction as a round dial while taking up less space in the display. There was also a second display for navigation which displayed the aircraft's heading.Īs RedGrittyBrick points out, adding the speed and altitude to the PFD was natural due to their typical position on either side of the PFD. For commercial aircraft, there was a primary flight display (PFD) showing the pitch and roll of the aircraft. The first displays were generally dedicated to specific functions. How was the current layout developed, were other layouts in use beforehand? The A320, entering service in 1988, was the first aircraft regarded as having a "full" glass cockpit, replacing traditional instruments for the primary flight instruments. The Airbus A310 entered service in 1983, and also used glass cockpit technology. This was based on work with NASA, including testing on a 737 aircraft beginning in 1973. While the SST never entered production, the work on glass cockpit technology was used in the design of the 767 and 757, entering service in 19, respectively. The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 had a glass primary flight display and navigation display, and entered service in 1980.īoeing started work on glass cockpits in the 1970s while developing the the Supersonic Transport (SST). The commercial side of the industry took a bit longer to adopt the technology. The North American F-111D was equipped with a multifunction display and entered service in 1970. The Blackburn Buccaneer was the first production aircraft with a HUD and entered service in 1963. ![]() Which planes first used these glass cockpits? First for specific uses like navigation or targeting scopes, and later gaining more functionality. The military appears to be the first place where electronic displays were used. It depends on how you define "glass cockpit." Technology has progressed in steps to the modern "glass cockpits" of the latest aircraft. ![]()
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