G-forces
(a bear of little brain)
Join Date: Aug 2001
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It's also quite good if you have two X chromosomes. Child-bearing hips and lady bumps make for better G-tolerance
So no more tall willowy looking FJ pilots, they should all be short and squat.
Funny old thing, but back in the days before the gym queens invented the RAFFT, pilots with no mandatory requirement for any exercise (apart from raising the odd pint pot) coped quite happily.
The Bulldog, JP, Gnat and Hunter exposed us to a fair amount of +Gz; the JP didn't have an anti-G system and we learned through experience how to cope. On the Gnat, the infamous 'MLT' exercise (medium level turning) involved a lot of high G manoeuvring "Pull to +5, squeeze to +6" whilst looking back at the QFI holding up anumber of fingers for you to call as you buffeted away and spiralled downwards. Quite knackering, but we all coped. The Hunter GT6 would even climb at sustained +6G at low levels!
Same in the Hawk - I recall doing those 'extend, accelerate and pitch back' manoeuvres during the ACM phase at up to +7G without anything more than experience and a set of turning trousers to help with G-tolerance.
We used to laugh at the pompous US-made movies at North Luffenham showing their approved straining maneouvres - we just got on with it without any need for jockstrappery or centrifuges.
Although, of course, the EuropHoon takes things to much higher levels, for which appropriate training is indeed essential. But experience is really the key to G-tolerance and that means plenty of high G practice, particularly during flying training!
The Bulldog, JP, Gnat and Hunter exposed us to a fair amount of +Gz; the JP didn't have an anti-G system and we learned through experience how to cope. On the Gnat, the infamous 'MLT' exercise (medium level turning) involved a lot of high G manoeuvring "Pull to +5, squeeze to +6" whilst looking back at the QFI holding up anumber of fingers for you to call as you buffeted away and spiralled downwards. Quite knackering, but we all coped. The Hunter GT6 would even climb at sustained +6G at low levels!
Same in the Hawk - I recall doing those 'extend, accelerate and pitch back' manoeuvres during the ACM phase at up to +7G without anything more than experience and a set of turning trousers to help with G-tolerance.
We used to laugh at the pompous US-made movies at North Luffenham showing their approved straining maneouvres - we just got on with it without any need for jockstrappery or centrifuges.
Although, of course, the EuropHoon takes things to much higher levels, for which appropriate training is indeed essential. But experience is really the key to G-tolerance and that means plenty of high G practice, particularly during flying training!
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Indeed, when I was given a backseat trip in an F3, admittedly not the most agile of chariots I came out wringing with sweat and knackered and I was a fit tubby little prop. The driver up front climbed out with only a mild sheen on his brow. What I remember most was while I was fighting the g and grunting like a pig he was chatting normally.
Fit for purpose - definately, ever been inside a gym - probably not, a runner - absolutely not.
Fit for purpose - definately, ever been inside a gym - probably not, a runner - absolutely not.
In the old days 'real' pilots didn't use oxygen either
The RAF's fighter pilots have always known about G tolerance - and it has nothing to do with gel haired gym queen poseurs making people scuttle about in response to beeping noises. It comes with training, experience and practice.
As a 30 year old fart during my refresher TWU course on the Hawk at Chivenor, I used to get the better of the young Turks during 1 v 1 base height brawls by application of knowledge, experience and low cunning. And the only routine exercise I got was walking from the huts to the mess and the squadron each day.....
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Indeed my old mucker, just as there was a significant lack of desire to provide those new fangled parachute things. I mean imagine the effect on combat effectiveness if you could just jump out and run away....
You can't beat the blind application of rose tinted spectacles combined with an utter disregard of the costs in pilots lives that gaining that experience without exposure to amongst other things lectures in how to increase your g-tolerance or indeed practice it in a centrifuge required.
Of course in hindsight it is easy to add:
Apologies, my bold.
One of the biggest most infuriating brick walls I've metaphorically smacked my head against through the years is the RAF's wholly unnecessary attitude that we have nothing to learn from other operators. An attitude not solely limited to the old and bold I must add.
Enough of my whinging however, what do I care, after all I fly a swing role single seat 9g fighter and certainly know nothing about g-tolerance or indeed the not very effective training we used when I went through courses various.
Fortunately those in the relevant jobs have had the magnanimity to learn from being in fortunate postions such as mine and take that knowledge back home in an effort to breakdown prejudice and ill conceived opinion to make us a better, more effective force.
And breathe............
Ps Smoke, drink like a fish and believe I once saw a gym once.
Same in the Hawk - I recall doing those 'extend, accelerate and pitch back' manoeuvres during the ACM phase at up to +7G without anything more than experience and a set of turning trousers to help with G-tolerance.
We used to laugh at the pompous US-made movies at North Luffenham showing their approved straining maneouvres - we just got on with it without any need for jockstrappery or centrifuges.
We used to laugh at the pompous US-made movies at North Luffenham showing their approved straining maneouvres - we just got on with it without any need for jockstrappery or centrifuges.
Of course in hindsight it is easy to add:
It comes with training, experience and practice.
One of the biggest most infuriating brick walls I've metaphorically smacked my head against through the years is the RAF's wholly unnecessary attitude that we have nothing to learn from other operators. An attitude not solely limited to the old and bold I must add.
Enough of my whinging however, what do I care, after all I fly a swing role single seat 9g fighter and certainly know nothing about g-tolerance or indeed the not very effective training we used when I went through courses various.
Fortunately those in the relevant jobs have had the magnanimity to learn from being in fortunate postions such as mine and take that knowledge back home in an effort to breakdown prejudice and ill conceived opinion to make us a better, more effective force.
And breathe............
Ps Smoke, drink like a fish and believe I once saw a gym once.
If you must quote selectively, please note that I also wrote:
No doubt a more 'agile' 
force as well, whatever the f*** that's supposed to mean.....
Although, of course, the EuropHoon takes things to much higher levels, for which appropriate training is indeed essential. But experience is really the key to G-tolerance and that means plenty of high G practice, particularly during flying training!
...a better, more effective force....
force as well, whatever the f*** that's supposed to mean.....
Join Date: Dec 2010
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(though may be a little too late to reply…)
it is the physical cost of performing AGSM correctly that determines how high can one hit - 7, 8 or 9G and for how long...
it is the physical cost of performing AGSM correctly that determines how high can one hit - 7, 8 or 9G and for how long...
We used to laugh at the pompous US-made movies at North Luffenham showing their approved straining maneouvres - we just got on with it without any need for jockstrappery or centrifuges.
... But experience is really the key to G-tolerance and that means plenty of high G practice, particularly during flying training!
... But experience is really the key to G-tolerance and that means plenty of high G practice, particularly during flying training!
