GolddiggerPatriot (@GolddiggerPatriot)

Air Safety #OTD by Francisco Cunha @OnDisasters F-18 carrier launch (note how the pilot keeps his hand OFF the yoke until he's airborne to prevent G-force of the cat shot from causing them to pull back on the stick) Once it's all set, depending on aircraft weight and conditions, it will take about two seconds to cover the deck´s 300 feet and reach 160 knots in 2 seconds, while the pilot is hit by 3-4 Gs. I´ve seen this often compared to F1 car performance: do note the F1 car IS NOT built for top acceleration - F1 cars are built to, within a set of rules, to have the better lap time around a track, not just speed. As a comparison, a top fuel dragster can outpace an F-18 catapult launch*, because the dragster is built just for that: fastest acceleration from a standing start. BUT with one note: it can´t fly! 😎 https://x.com/OnDisasters/status/2027363008981135863?s=20