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Lockheed F16

Lockheed F16

Aircraft

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). More than 4,600 aircraft have been built since its introduction in 1976. The aircraft is no longer purchased by the US Air Force, but is still built for sale to other countries.

Notable features of the Fighting Falcon include a bubble capsule for good visibility, a side-mounted control stick to make it easier to steer while manoeuvring, an ejection seat tilted 30 degrees from the vertical to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot, and the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire control system that helps make it an agile aircraft.

The F-16 has an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and 11 places for mounting weapons and other mission equipment. The official name of the F-16 is "Fighting Falcon", but "Viper" is commonly used by its pilots and crews, due to a perceived resemblance to a viper snake and to the Colonial Viper starfighter on Battlestar Galactica, which was broadcast at the time the F-16 entered service.

The F-16 has also been purchased by the air forces of 25 other countries.

Brand Lockheed
Type F16
Pilots 1
Maximum Take Off Weight 12020 kg
Empty weight 8573 kg
Payload 3447 kg
Maximum Speed 1176 knots (2178 km/h)
Maximum distance 4217 km
Fuel Capacity 4000 liter
Maximum altitude 58000 feet (17678 m)
Span 10.0 m
Height 15.1 m
ICAO code F16

These specifications are intended to give you an idea of the Lockheed F16. They cannot be used for flight preparation. Often there are many different types of aircraft released with varying specifications and prices. Check the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) if you want to know the exact values of the aircraft you are going to fly. Your flight instructor will be happy to help you with this.

Frequently asked questions about the Lockheed F16

How far can a Lockheed F16 fly?

The range is about 4,217 kilometres. The distance also depends on how fast you fly and whether there is much wind. A possible diversion to another airport is also taken into account.

How much does a Lockheed F16 weigh?

Empty the aircraft weighs about 8,573 kg. Including fuel, passengers and baggage, the aircraft must not weigh more than 12,020 kg. The maximum amount of fuel, passengers and baggage that can be carried is 3,447 kg.

Flying in a Lockheed F16

Would you like to fly yourself in a Lockheed F16? Then take a look at these flying experiences. Order and book easily via our website:

About Eveline van den Boom

The author of this article is Eveline van den Boom. In 2006, she received her first flying lesson as a birthday present; a beautiful flight over Rotterdam. That tasted like more!

In 2010, she got her PPL licence in Lelystad. In 2011, an aircraft was purchased: an Aero AT-3. This aircraft is still flying in the Vliegles.nl fleet with callsign PH-EVB.

She wrote the theory books "Theory of Flying" and "Theory helicopter flying". These can be ordered with your flying lesson and are also separately for sale on Bol.com

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