We're Going Ballistic

"Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager" (Nighthawkwill7) 08/25/2013 at 15:09 • Filed to: Planelopnik

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Blondude > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/25/2013 at 15:15

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That looks loud.

(Judging sounds based off sights FTW!)

pdthedeuce > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/25/2013 at 15:17

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...go get him !

Victorious Secret > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/25/2013 at 15:25

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That son of a bitch cut me off!

ttyymmnn > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/25/2013 at 16:48

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I read, somewhere, that "going ballistic" really means the point, such as at the top of a vertical climb, when the plane is no longer under control of the flight surfaces, and has become a ballistic object subject to the forces of gravity. The pilot of the ballistic plane radio the others in his wing to alert them to the fact that they are temporarily out of control. I don't know if this is true, but it makes sense.

Anyway, here's a shot of an F-15C going ballistic (or not). This is the C model, the last of the great single-seat dogfighters. I love how, in the second shot, the elevators are still parallel to the ground as the pilot rotates.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > ttyymmnn 08/25/2013 at 17:10

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Well when they refer to a ballistic trajectory, they are referring to an arc shaped path. I just remember in Top Gun, Goose telling that to Maverick during a training exercise when he pitched the F-14 into a vertical climb.

ttyymmnn > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/25/2013 at 18:14

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I remember it as well. I think, though, that while it sounds cool, it's an incorrect use of the term.