F-117A Stealth Fighter

When your eyes first see this aircraft, a look of bewilderment comes over you, as if looking at the instructions to begin your new flat pack bargain cupboard, from a Scandinavian manufacturer. It all looks so simple on the box, but when you get inside and see the detail, this is where it gets a little more confusing. The unusual shape is the first obvious sign to send your brain whirling around, with angular edges and the box like construction, the whole outer frame seems awkward in design and not really more than some idea from a young child at play, with a load of egg cartons. However, beyond the dark construction, lies a truly remarkable aircraft, something which may never be seen again.

The F-117A was originally designed and built from 1975 onwards and not until 1988 did the general public have any idea of its existence, albeit a few extra UFO sightings were reported over that time! So lets take a closer look at the design that has gone into this aircraft. The original idea was to have an aircraft, that would be able to punch through radar undetected, hit the target and leave the scene, before anyone knew what had happened. Primarily used on night missions, the black surface, as portrayed on this model, simulates the radar absorbent material, to give the aircraft a very crisp sheen effect. Everything on the model was designed to block radars, even down to the doors, panels and trailing edges, which have a sawtooth pattern, to reflect the radar away.

When you do not feel like flying over some terror filled terrain, with a major target to lock on too, and the idea of flying on a more sedate trip to a local air force base, to show off your piloting skills, takes your fancy, then why not entertain the crowds, who have paid good money to see this aircraft. The other liveries provided with this model, certainly allow you to put on your Sundays best for the folks. Nine in all, with the American flag scheme being the most showy, which was actually painted on one aircraft for three months, specifically to cover air shows.

So how does this one wing wonder fly? Lets take a look at the internal workings and how we can get her off the ground!

To complement the release of this model, from Just Flight & CLS, they have provided a short 12 minute movie, showing you the insider moves, to getting airborne and landing safely. This is something new and will please many sim pilots, who prefer pretty pictures, rather than pretty much ream, after ream, of paper instructions, to get through. I found the easiest way was to watch the movie and make some notes as you go, this way it's easy to return to the movie and catch up on minor points you may miss. By seeing the action rather than reading, everything slots the information into place, quickly and easily. For those of you who like to read, then a PDF file accompanies the program and can be found on the disk.

With two versions of the cockpit, the standard 2D and the virtual 3D, a choice is given, where both can be selected and loaded on your choice of model. Now, before you get too excited, this is no ordinary aircraft, it's not one of your Cessna’s where you push forward on the power and up she goes, oh no. We have a completely new beast in our hands here and believe me beast is a very good word to describe it.

There is, of course, nothing to stop you from putting the pedal to the metal and flying off into orbit, but, you may get a surprise when looking for flaps to slow down for landing! A drag chute can be deployed to bring you smoothly to a stop. Even at speeds of 160kts, which is the required to bring this aircraft down safely. The flaps, by the way, do work, but not in the conventional style. Many of you may well have heard or read about this. As the aircraft decreases speed, the hydraulic system allows the flaps to lower causing drag. The faster you go, the higher the flaps. It’s a weird phenomenon, but it works. A good view of this, is just after you switch off the engines at parking, watch the flaps slowly wilt! Another issue, with this aircraft, is stability, well, if you have ever wondered what it must be like, to try an eat a bowl of soup, while travelling around on the meanest rollercoaster in the world, you will probably know, it's not that good, besides the speed the wobbles will overcome you at times and it's a fine balancing act to bring her down sweetly on the centre line. Crosswinds can cause even the most professional of pilots to get a little worried on approach, but do not, for one moment, allow this to alarm you, this is great fun, so think for a moment, where and when, in real life, are you going to let some national air force, let you take their pride and joy for a spin, erm NEVER, so, enjoy the ride. It was not called the wobbly goblin for nothing!

The cockpit, has been modelled perfectly and designed with ease of access, the icon bar being central to everything, makes navigation around the cockpit easy and should hold no problems for even the newest members to flying simulation aircraft, of this or any other variety. With the main pfd (right) and mfd (left) both can be zoom toggled. Flight director switches are available on here and on the autopilot screen, which is top centre, all the usual readouts are available here, as in any standard autopilot unit. Wing leveler, is an option and in certain circumstances well worth starting. The aircraft is nothing short of twitchy at times and hand flying, while trying to do other tasks, could put you into a serious dive!

Just below the autopilot screen, are the HUD controls, these can be switched on/off, for day or night activity, with the bonus of changing the colour of the display to suit your own needs green, red or white. From this point on, very little else needs to be done initially, so you can depart the airfield and take the shadow for a spin!

The autopilot can be started, while you check the radios. The first icon, that appears in the lower bar, opens the panel and from here you can release the aerial, which, if you get an outside view in the spot mode, you will see the mast magically rise from the top of the aircraft. Full details on operating the radios com are contained within the handbook.

Now for some fun, switch the target display ON, this is the central screen on the cockpit, you can toggle different views, similar to watching a TV show, while you fly. The main image is of the outside world, which puts a whole new perspective on flight sim! (how cool is that) along with the moving image, are some stills from actual missions and when you get your vision corrected, then, you can think about dropping a couple of bombs! To the left of the target screen, is where the bomb bay door switch is located. It has two modes safe and arm, while in arm mode, you can switch the knob to open the doors, left or right, and take a look at your payload from outside!

The navigation display, to the right, has an abundance of buttons you can switch for differing view points, location of airfields, zoom facility and much more. There is so much crammed into this cockpit, yet, it all still leaves an airiness around the place and you never feel overwhelmed by what confronts you. Experience tells you this may look a simple aircraft to fly around, but it holds a few surprises along the way, the dark shadow maybe small but packs a punch.

To conclude, there are many great aircraft to choose when using flight simulator, you may, be a fan of airliners or general aviation, maybe fighters are your thing, but the F-117A is something else. This aircraft is a Jekyll and Hyde character, on one hand its ability to entice you may be majestic and even lull you into a false sense of security, but beware of the other side, a dark demon, lies dormant, waiting to play tricks on any unsuspecting person that dares accept, with ease, anything this aircraft has to offer.

A stunning model, A stunning piece of software, A stunning experience. The sheer, fun filled, fun packed, exuberance, will last many many hours and if like me, you will not tire in a hurry, for more of the same adventure. Forget the mile long queues at your local theme park, look no further for the ride of your life, then the F-117A, possibly the best near death experience you will ever have, without having to leave your PC!