I can understand what he's saying. It's the same with motorcycles too. Throttle response with ECU-controlled injection lacks the direct natural feeling that carburetted engines have and I've read that the latest "ride-by-wire" motorcycles are even worse in this regard.
I heard the opposite about the F-16. Experienced F-16 pilots were describing their time in the F-16 in comparison to a watch, as you wear the plane instead of flying it, it's like something you equip instead of something you use. I don't think it lacks the "feeling".
The F-16 is small inside and out. Yes. But it has absolutely no feedback through the controls. Its just numb mechanical resistance. Electro/Hydraulic servo actuated controls driven by electric signals from a video game controller. I've never heard the F-16 described as a "pilots airplane". - Even though it vastly outperforms most others. A pilots airplane must provide feedback through the control stick. You should be able to tell your speed and angle of attack and proximity to stall when looking behind while blindfolded. Just by the aerodynamic forces, the feel through the stick.
The F16 is not built for enjoying the pilot but for attacking
And the F16 computer still get beat by an experienced Mirage pilot
I can understand what he's saying. It's the same with motorcycles too. Throttle response with ECU-controlled injection lacks the direct natural feeling that carburetted engines have and I've read that the latest "ride-by-wire" motorcycles are even worse in this regard.
As a pilot, I agree. I fly an A330 and I don't feel my inputs. The aircraft is very smooth and reacts appropriately but I agree, it's not the same.
Same holds true with today's wannabe "muscle cars"
I heard the opposite about the F-16. Experienced F-16 pilots were describing their time in the F-16 in comparison to a watch, as you wear the plane instead of flying it, it's like something you equip instead of something you use. I don't think it lacks the "feeling".
Do you know what you have just said?
The F-16 is small inside and out. Yes. But it has absolutely no feedback through the controls.
Its just numb mechanical resistance. Electro/Hydraulic servo actuated controls driven by electric signals from a video game controller.
I've never heard the F-16 described as a "pilots airplane". - Even though it vastly outperforms most others.
A pilots airplane must provide feedback through the control stick. You should be able to tell your speed and angle of attack and proximity to stall when looking behind while blindfolded. Just by the aerodynamic forces, the feel through the stick.