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Stupid questions about the Rhino (Super Hornet)

OUSOONER

Crusty Shellback
pilot
^---- Search is your friend. I say this because those questions always open up a can of worms. They are discussed ad nauseam on here.

All Hornets are multi-role. They both do air to air and air to ground.
 

Ken_gone_flying

"I live vicariously through myself."
pilot
Contributor
So I realize that I'm thinking about step 437 when I've just barely gotten past step 1 (final select SNA), but I'm really curious about some things. I've been looking around on this site and others trying to find out as much as I can about the various models of the F/A-18, since that is my dream assignment.

I know that the main difference between the E/F models are single vs double seats, but what are the pros and cons of the different arrangements? Do they (in general) receive different types of missions? I.E. ATA rather than ATG?

On another note, for those of you guys that have flown one or the other: do you have a preference? Are there clear advantages or disadvantages to one or the other? Again, these are questions that just aren't published anywhere that I can find.


If I were you, I'd just be happy that I got selected SNA for now and not even be concerned with platforms at this point. About midway through primary, start thinking about it. Because you might end up flying an E-2, C-2 or a P-3. or god forbid, a helo. :D
 

beaverslayer

Member
pilot
^---- Search is your friend. I say this because those questions always open up a can of worms. They are discussed ad nauseam on here.

All Hornets are multi-role. They both do air to air and air to ground.


I tried searching, but the search engine and I were having some trouble getting along... can you point me in the right direction?
 

beaverslayer

Member
pilot
If I were you, I'd just be happy that I got selected SNA for now and not even be concerned with platforms at this point. About midway through primary, start thinking about it. Because you might end up flying an E-2, C-2 or a P-3. or god forbid, a helo. :D


Oh don't get me wrong, I'm excited to do whatever I get assigned to, because any way I end up (barring a massive screw up) I'm going to be flying something. I was just curious if there were strong opinions one way or the other.
 

OUSOONER

Crusty Shellback
pilot
Just type in key words. IE.... super hornet, advantages/disadvantages of, etc...etc.. until something comes up.

Search "post" instead of thread title...you might get a lot of chaff, but separating the wheat from the chaff is half the fun.
 

KCOTT

remember to pillage before you burn
pilot
Does it really matter? Are you going to be bummed if you get the E instead of the F or vice versa?
 

OUSOONER

Crusty Shellback
pilot
I've always wanted to fly something fast and fixed-wing. However, now...I'll fly a Ford Pinto with wings, if it means I can class up faster.

Keep an open mind...bust your ass and you'll love whatever you get.
 

beaverslayer

Member
pilot
Does it really matter? Are you going to be bummed if you get the E instead of the F or vice versa?

No not at all, I'd be through the roof if I got either one. It's purely hypothetical and I was curious what people thought. No one's forcing you to reply if you aren't interested in the discussion.
 

beaverslayer

Member
pilot
I've always wanted to fly something fast and fixed-wing. However, now...I'll fly a Ford Pinto with wings, if it means I can class up faster.

Keep an open mind...bust your ass and you'll love whatever you get.

Guys I'm really just looking for opinions on the two planes.

I know I'm lucky to have been selected SNA, I know I'm going to bust my ass all through the years of training, and I know I'm going to love flying whatever the Navy sees fit to give me. No arguments here. I'm just interested and wanted to pick the brains of those who are more experienced than I am.
 

AJTranny

Over to the dark side I go...
pilot
None
The differences are very small. It all boils down to the single seat v two seat philosophy. Currently, they perform the exact same missions with the exception of the two seat squadrons taking the forward air control (a) role. Guys that have flown both say the visibility in the single seat version is better for acm because there is less glass behind your shoulder. Also, the E carries a little more gas since there is no back seat. Like I said, some guys would perfer the extra gas while others would rather have a wso. There are some non flying differences between single and two seat squadrons. In general, in a single seat squadron, you can expect to stand a little more duty and possibly have more ground jobs because you have half the people for the same amount of work. This is one guy's observation but should be good enough for someone who is years away. There is plenty of time to figure out the more subtle differences if you get to jet advanced.
 

SteveG75

Retired and starting that second career
None
Actually, the E and the F have the same mission.

It is not ATA
It is not ATG.

It is the dreaded 2Q6, SUPT MISC N-CMBT REFUEL.

On cruise, expect to fly about 40% tanker sorties. That was the average for every other tanker platform out there.

hornet-on-hornet.jpg

prowler-tank.jpg

e2-tank.jpg

f-14_fa-18e.jpg


Note both E and F can function as tankers, not the G (at least not yet).
 

beaverslayer

Member
pilot
The differences are very small. It all boils down to the single seat v two seat philosophy... Guys that have flown both say the visibility in the single seat version is better for acm because there is less glass behind your shoulder. Like I said, some guys would perfer the extra gas while others would rather have a wso.

This is good stuff, but I'm also curious about your thoughts on single vs two seats. I can't think of many advantages (besides the visibility and extra gas like you said) to only having one brain/pair of eyes. It seems to me like having two people in there would almost always be a better idea...? Or is the amount of gas you gain in the E really enough to make a significant difference? Thanks for the response!

Actually, the E and the F have the same mission.

On cruise, expect to fly about 40% tanker sorties. That was the average for every other tanker platform out there.

Note both E and F can function as tankers, not the G (at least not yet).

I had no idea. Thanks for the info!
 

Jim123

DD-214 in hand and I'm gonna party like it's 1998
pilot
It seems to me like having two people in there would almost always be a better idea...? Or is the amount of gas you gain in the E really enough to make a significant difference?

That's a design philosophy question and neither answer is correct 100% of the time. In practice it depends a lot on which two people are paired up. That is not to say one or the other is good or bad, it's how effective they work together. When the crew concept works it works very well and when it works badly it is worse than a single pilot. Think of it like a very complicated version of taking a road trip somewhere with one of your buddies.

FWIW before the F-18 a lot of night/all-weather platforms used to be two-seat/two engine while day/VFR was single seat/single engine... which goes back to design philosophy...


<br>
SteveG- I laughed out loud at your tanker answer. I looked on google images for a picture of a four-ship refueling daisy chain I've seen somewhere but no joy.
 

mmx1

Woof!
pilot
Contributor
<br>
SteveG- I laughed out loud at your tanker answer. I looked on google images for a picture of a four-ship refueling daisy chain I've seen somewhere but no joy.

There's one of four 1950's era jets (one of them an A-4 I think) hanging up in the NASWF academic building. I'll try to get a shot tomorrow.
 
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