On 4/4/04 5:55 PM, in article , "Tarver
Engineering" wrote:


"Doug "Woody" and Erin Beal" wrote in message
...
On 4/4/04 1:46 PM, in article , "Tarver
Engineering" wrote:


"Doug "Woody" and Erin Beal" wrote in message
...
SNIP

Missed the front part of the conversation, John. What exactly did he
say?

I made a claim WRT the break out force of the F/A-18 stick and monkey
came
by to correct me.


I'm not sure what break-out force you're talking about. Granted, my only
experience with MECH is during FCF's, but when you motor the right engine
(no generators on line), the stabs just move--period. If there was any
sensation of a "break out" force, I'd down the jet for binding flight
controls.

There is a cable system connected such that the stick continues to work for
a total electric failure in the F-18ABCD.



Yes. Truly. It's in the NATOPS and everything. My confusion with your
statements is this occasional mention of a "break out" or "break out force."
There is nothing like that.

As I explained before. If while starting up the aircraft, if you simply
windmill the right engine (battery power only, no generators on line, RPM
sitting at about 26-32%), you can wipe out the stick and observe the stabs
move--differentially for roll and together for pitch. There is no binding
and the only force is that of the artificial feel system trying to return
the stick to the neutral position--the same as when the jet is in CAS mode.
They even have more pitch authority with the flap switch in HALF or FULL.
That's MECH in a nutshell.

It is mechanically controlled and hydraulically actuated, so you must have
at least one engine windmilling to make it work.

--Woody