TF-104GM Pilot POV Full Flight Video

[tartare]

Originally Posted by RAFEngO74to09

A tenuous link to current military aviation but the F-104s of Starfighter Aerospace are used for R&D and test pilot training at Kennedy Space Center.

Here, former Italian AF pilot Piercarlo Ciacchi - who is now Director of Flight Ops at Starfighters Aerospace - talks through the entire flight describing use of controls, what to look for on instruments etc. He was a front-line pilot on the F-104S and an instructor on Frecce Tricolori.

Pilots might find the handling aspects interesting.

Needs 83% mil power to maintain altitude with flap in a base turn at min speed of 245 knots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1TvxAYxxxs

https://www.starfighters.net/ciacchi

Just. Wow.
The energy management and need to stay ahead of the jet is pretty intimidating.
It really was a missile with a man in it...