After almost 32 years of Government Service with the USAF and the FAA, I retired in 2004. 12 years Active Duty with one break and Two years Active Reserves, I served in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and Ten CONUS assignments as a Jet Engine mechanic (B52's and KC135's) an Air Traffic Controller ( Tower/ Radar and the MOB) and an Airfield Management Specialist (Reserves) and I can say I enjoyed all of them. I just enjoyed some more than others! I left the Air Force in 1984 when the FAA gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. I spent two more with the Air Force Reserve at Greater Pitt. After 30 years of telling pilots where to go, I hung up my headset and now I watch my 16 year old son grow up. And Yes he wants to be an Air Force Fighter Pilot. He's a Plane nut just like his dad!
Other Comments:
The Aircraft in this profile I either worked on as a mechanic, or controlled as an Air Traffic Controller in the US Air Force or the FAA. Some have interesting stories if you click on the photo.
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin F-16A Fighting Falcon Length 49.31 ft | 15.03 m Width 32.81 ft | 10.00 m Height 16.44 ft | 5.01 m Engine(s) 1 x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 turbofan generating 14,670lb dry-thrust and 23,830lb with full afterburn. Empty Weight 14,566 lbs | 6,607 kg MTOW 32,999 lbs | 14,968 kg Max Speed 1,521 mph | 2,448 km/h | 1,322 kts Max Range 339 miles | 545 km Ceiling 50,000 ft | 15,240 m | 9.5 miles Climb Rate 50,000 ft/min (15,240 m/min) Hardpoints 9 Armament 1 x M61A1 20mm cannon
* F-16A - Single-Seat and Base Production Model; 1,432 produced with 670 sent to the USAF. * F-16B - Two-Seat Variant; 312 produced with 122 sent to the USAF. * F-16C - Single-Seat Improvement Program Model; 1,823 produced with 1,222 sent to the USAF. * F-16D - Two-Seat Improvement Program Model; 404 produced with 206 sent to the USAF.