What It Takes To Become A Fighter Pilot----Top Guns Of The Air Force

Well,some have asked,why's your name Maverick....Didn't your parents like u or something...Lolx... =) And so,i've to go on explaining how my real name isn't Maverick but a nickname i use on the net.And how i choose that name after watching Top Gun,where the lead actor,Tom Cruise,who is a fighter pilot,call sign "Maverick".

I totally love the movie and his character since it reminds me alot about myself.Head-strong,determined,dangerous but with an edge...And so that,i adopted the name Maverick as a nick name to use in real life & in the cyber world.

Anyway,flying has always be something i've always wanted to do since a child.Not started on it as yet,but definitely will one day.Maybe too late to become a fighter pilot,but a commercial pilot could be possible. =)

For todays topic,we'll be talking about fighter pilots.

What is a Fighter Pilot?

-A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained to engage other aircraft and typically pilots a fighter aircraft.Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting (close range aerial combat).

Fitness Of A Fighter Pilot?

-Fighter pilots must be in excellent health in order to handle the strange bodily effects caused by modern aerial warfare.Excellent heart condition is required,as g-forces have a tendency to suck blood away from the brain.

Although a strong heart and stamina are required,fighter pilots also require to have strong muscle tissue along the extremities and abdomen.Excellent vision remains de rigueur for the modern pilot.

Strong muscle tissue is required for when the fighter pilot performs an M1.When he flexes his arms,legs,and abdomen,the muscles in those areas press veins and arteries up between the skin and muscle,restricting blood flow to and from the head,but mainly from the head,since arteries (the carriers of oxygen-rich blood) are generally deeper beneath the skin than veins.

What is G-Force?

- When a fighter pilot is performing rapid turning movements in a dogfight or when avoiding missiles,pilots are exposed to high g forces.G forces are expressed as a multiple of the normal gravitational force, e.g. a force of 2G is equivalent to twice normal Earth gravity,meaning everything would feel twice as heavy.

Modern fighter aircraft can make much sharper turns and sustain a lot more stresses or g-forces.With the advent of the jet engined aircraft these capabilities exceed that of the human body.

When executing a "positive G" maneuver like turning upwards the force pushes the pilot down. The most serious consequence of the this is that the blood in the pilot's body is also pulled down and into their extremities. If the forces are great enough and over a sufficient period of time this can lead to blackouts (called g-induced Loss Of Consciousness or G-LOC) ,because not enough blood is reaching the pilot's brain.

To counteract this effect pilots are trained to tense their legs, arms and abdominal muscles to restrict the "downward" flow of blood. This is known as the "grunt" or the "Hick maneuver", both names due to the sounds the pilot makes, and is the primary method of resisting G-LOCs.

Modern flight suits, called g-suits, are worn by pilots to contract around the extremities exerting pressure, providing about 1G of extra tolerance.

And as usual,for all my readers,i've included some vidoes of pilots in action in their fighter aircrafts.Enjoy the show guys....Please fasten your seat belts first. =)