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Stupid questions about Naval Aviation (Pt 2)

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Rookie F18 question

I have noticed in a lot of pictures of F-18s launching off the deck of carriers with both rudder control surfaces angled in towards each other. I was wondering if someone would give me an explanation as to why this is.

Thanks
 
Helps the jet capture the correct angle of attack off the catapult for flyaway.
 
Generates a nose-up pitching moment. I heard that in some loading configurations the F-18 can't generate enough negative moment solely using control surfaces as intended at take-off. Whether or not that is true I don't know, but it would explain it.
 
I heard somewhere that it was due to Boeing/McDonnell Douglas engineers miscalculating something in the design process, and that was the easiest fix.
 
nittany03 said:
I heard somewhere that it was due to Boeing/McDonnell Douglas engineers miscalculating something in the design process, and that was the easiest fix.
Click to expand...

I think it's to help the nose pitch up during cat shots. Can't remember where I read that. (Sarcasm.)
 
Thanks for the quick answers, at what airspeed after the plane leaves the deck do the rudders move back into their normal configuration?
 
Well, I hate to ruin the fun, but now my curiosity is piqued. When do the rudders return to normal? And is it only for cat shots or is it done at the field as well?

A PM would be nice, if anyone in the know feels it not appropriate to post in the thread. I'm just curious, as an engineer, as to how that works because no other plane I've seen does the "rudder trim thing." If I'm out of my lane on this one, feel free to flame.
 
Nerd question, but is there a common nosewheel strut assembly between the E-2 and the A-6/EA-6 family?
 
I believe the (E)A-6 and F-14 share main landing gear, but maybe it just looks that way in photos. I do know that the Hawkeye and Prowler share ICS panels, after jumping into a jet where one was labeled "PLT, CPT, CICO, AIO, RO" instead of "PLT, ECM1, ECM2, ECM3, [blank]."
 
nittany03 said:
I believe the (E)A-6 and F-14 share main landing gear, but maybe it just looks that way in photos. I do know that the Hawkeye and Prowler share ICS panels, after jumping into a jet where one was labeled "PLT, CPT, CICO, AIO, RO" instead of "PLT, ECM1, ECM2, ECM3, [blank]."
Click to expand...

This it?
 

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