First F-35 Returns to Flight at Edwards After Parachute Reinstallation

First F-35 Returns to Flight at Edwards After Parachute Reinstallation: AF-1, an Air Force F-35A test aircraft, resumed flying at Edwards AFB, Calif., after technicians installed a properly packed parachute for its ejection seat. F-35 spokesman Joe DellaVedova said AF-1 returned to the skies on Feb. 3. It is the first of more than 15 F-35s to resume flights after test officials discovered improperly packed parachutes in them—six F-35As at Edwards and six F-35As and three F-35Bs at Eglin, AFB, Fla.—and temporarily suspended their high-speed ground and flight tests. DellaVedova said more head box assemblies containing properly packed parachutes are expected to arrive at Edwards, allowing additional aircraft to return to flight early this week. Other assemblies will arrive in the coming days at Eglin and at Lockheed Martin's production plant in Fort Worth, Tex., for jets in assembly, he said. The temporary suspension did not affect the eight F-35 test aircraft at NAS Patuxent River, Md., since they have properly packed parachutes, said DellaVedova.

2/6/2012

On the Record

Mission One
"The health and safety of our pilots—all of our pilots—is our utmost priority. Our operational flight surgeons and our medical staff interact with our pilots on a daily basis."
—Brig. Gen. Daniel Wyman, Air Combat Command command surgeon, speaking to reporters during a teleconference, May 9, 2012. He was emphasizing that the Air Force is doing all it can to ensure the safety of F-22 pilots as service officials continue to home in on the cause of why some Raptor pilots have experienced hypoxia-like symptoms in the cockpit like difficulty concentrating, fatigue, headaches, and nausea.

On the Record

Message to Congress
"If you give us force structure back, give us the money, too. Because the quickest way I know to a hollow force is to give us structure without money. Simple as that. . . . 'Make it work' is not a satisfactory solution."
—Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz articulating his message to lawmakers on the Air Force's Fiscal 2013 budget proposal during a speech at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C., May 1, 2012. The Air Force leadership has proposed reducing force structure and personnel next fiscal year in order to maintain a ready and capable force as the service absorbs significant spending cuts.