UK receives 3rd F-35B and Brit pilot makes first vertical landing

A British pilot has completed the first vertical landing in an F-35B for the RAF:

Squadron Leader Jim Schofield has become the first Royal Air Force pilot to complete a vertical landing of a Lockheed Martin F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) Lightning II military aircraft. Following the flight, Schofield commented on the F-35B’s handling capabilities:

“The F-35 has truly revolutionized STOVL flying. With legacy types, such as Harrier, the pilot was always working hard to land the aircraft onto a hover pad or ship. Now with F-35B, at the press of a button the aircraft transforms into ‘short take-off or vertical landing’ mode whereupon the aircraft can take off or hover hands-off. This means pilots will require less training and operating the aircraft will be much safer than legacy types. It’s a fantastic aircraft to fly.”

Listen to any old Harrier pilot (who, by the way, loved those old birds) about the ease of landing in this compared to the Harrier and you will hear a fan of the F-35.

Additionally, the Brits took delivery of their third F-35B this week.

Graff