If you look at this photo you will see that the back half of the cockpit,
where the co-pilot normally sits, has a hood blocking the view. The hood is
pulled forward and makes it very dark inside the cockpit. The pilot in the
back then flies the aircraft on instruments even though it's not night time.
The guy in front is probably an instructor or flight inspector making sure
the flight is being conducted safely and within the parameters of the
mission. We see different types of trainers (T-34 Mentor, T-6 Texan) with
the same type of hood installed. It's better than training in a simulator
because the aircraft is moving and subject to all of the normal buffeting,
crosswinds, etc. I don't know if a simulator flight is as realistic.
Probably not or they wouldn't spend the money to do it in a real aircraft.

Hope that explained it, Tom in Pensacola


"Mike Barnard" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 29 Mar 2008 08:56:15 -0500, "Pensacola Beachcomber"
wrote:

It's great when I can just stand in the yard and catch'em flying by. This
guy/gal made a number of approaches under the hood. Guess the have more
fun
here than at Eglin AFB.


For those of us who don't live aircraft, unfortunately, what is "under
the hood"? No comments on big block chevvies please!

Lower than normal?