F-16 Viper Cockpit Tour, Test Pilot, Edwards AFB

Test pilot Major Desmond Brophy (Canadian Air Force Exchange pilot) gives a tour of an F-16 Fighting Falcon (aka Viper) cockpit used for flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base.
If you're wondering what test pilots are doing in a relatively senior and proven airframe, the answer lies in continuous improvement and the fact that the airframe itself is far from the only thing that changes the flight characteristics of a modern fighter. These aircraft are inherently unstable and, though they are flown by pilots, it's computers that keep them in the air. When changes are made to the hardware software or weapons systems that give these aircraft their edge, test pilots are sent up to evaluate the effects of those changes on the aircraft's performance, capability and controllability. But enough with the big picture -- click through for your guided tour of the front office.
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[@fiord-tp4is]

3:02 he obviously loves that aircraft!

[@MrJimshot1990]

flight suits do that.

[@jebduke1]

I noticed that as well. I reminded me of what "Wolfman" said in the early part of the final battle in "Top Gun" near the end of the movie.

[@gabos7892]

lol took me a while...but yah. boner.

[@vignesh2421]

@@gabos7892 it's not a boner my pant is also like that

[@pspicer777]

Funny... did not notice the first time.

[@StealthySpace7]

I love looking around that cockpit and knowing what everything does. Cool feeling

[@alexspartan3842]

dcs? i feel ya

[@e_norrby]

@@alexspartan3842 ayyyyyy another one

[@lakl4534]

@@e_norrbyanother year later, and here’s another one 😂

[@jerzysuchenek264]

@@lakl4534 yo me too

[@ChuckMamuck]

Can you do one of these vids for the F-22? I've got some friends in Russia and China who would be really interested in seeing it.

[@degenetron7590]

lol

[@robburgundy9539]

great comment

[@HaiNguyen-nc4vt]

LoLLLL

[@nicolafiorelli1319]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ronmiller3741]

Lmao. Wtf. Best comment.

[@dannysmith785]

No cup holder?

[@YusufBozkurt13]

+Danny Smith mutual I subscribe

[@oneproblemcanttrustanyone.9489]

Im dead

[@Rogue_y]

Ahah shit

[@lszujo73]

yeah,just in case if you stop by at MacDonalds to pick up some breakfast on your way to......Iraq

[@globalcitizen6340]

I don't even see any central or side console for a cellphone either!

[@youreale]

cool. I like this guy, very professional.

[@thatontariofarmer]

Canadian pilots are modest professionals. Just as good as the Americans, we just don’t brag. Much respect to the Canadian and American armed forces.

[@charurastogi2496]

No shit Sherlock

[@RyanSmith-wo2pi]

.

[@dh05z28]

Of course he's Canadian. No influence from the shit going on in America

[@horsermchead2504]

nah i don’t like those in western militaries

[@Zolanis1]

my left ear found this video very informative

[@MrGunnar177]

Same!

[@v1per.500]

same

[@yxngmicky1068]

Same!

[@dh05z28]

What's stereo?

[@es-vd420]

Same!

[@alexanderwingeskog758]

Truly amazing piece of engineering that stems from the early 70's... and such a beautiful aircraft also... It's like building an Formula 1 car in the 70's and it looks almost exactly the same 2018 but have a different engine, steering wheel and brakes... but looks exactly the same as the 70's F1...

[@nickkerssens5444]

Interesting briefing from first hand. It gives me the drive to enjoy such a flight in this falcon..

[@wjskyout]

Great vid, Maj Brophy presented the information in a clear and concise manner

[@captainricco2777]

@ 2:34 aha. that's what I came here for! I needed to know about the stores monitor. I'm playing DCS World and the Eagle Dynamics, F-16 Viper cockpit is an exact match to your test craft. Thanks.

[@spookyNorbert]

The most ergonomically friendly pilot's cockpit ever created!

[@BlyGuy]

13 years later, I gotta agree. Obviously we don't know what the cockpit of the Raptor is like, but in terms what we do actually know, the Viper is the best designed fighter jet ever. Not saying it's the best, just that it's design is perfect. That cockpit view is unmatched. I've seen enough DCS vids to know that.

[@rabidredpanda2888]

@@BlyGuy problem is how cramped it is, compare it to modern cockpits and you have no room to move at all

[@MrSimonw58]

I'm sure I wouldn't fit in that cockpit ... I'd have to get an F15 instead

[@MikeKobb]

My oh my, that is a snug cockpit! Great video, thanks!

[@joab302016]

Very nice. I hope there are videos like this for the 15's and 18's.

[@MNawaz-ge6uy]

Thanks for such kind of information on air Force F16

[@hgrgic]

Great video. Thank you Major and thank you uploader.

[@ekman8851]

Great hotas system and the ICP solution is just amazing.

[@ilyass78877]

We have americans f-16 in morocco

[@moonsy618]

I want to be a pilot so bad!!!! The training looks so intense!!!

[@SUPERALASKAMAN]

Excellent video

[@amartinjoe]

hands down....the best looking fighter aircraft out there....

[@KanesTrades]

I can't imagine many other things more exhilarating than flying one of these amazingly sexy, powerful and dangerous machines - armed to the teeth and blowing up bad guys. I appreciate this video - no fluff, just straight into showing us what the cockpit looks like - thumbs up!

[@MrSimonw58]

Blow up the Eiffel Tower

[@purpsamurai9661]

“Bad guys”

[@mohamedsaidi2988]

A very beautiful machine !

[@z50king29]

oh man that was awesome. one of my favorite jets. i suscribed to your page!! thanks for all the sweet flight vids!

[@pspboy7]

I read about him in a magazine somewhere, I think it was Canadian Aviator Monthly or something. Interesting job he has, I think he is also testing the new virtual helmet system for use on the F-22 and F-35 with the F-16.

[@08030309961]

The single engine F-16 kinda reminds me of the old F-104 Starfighters. Those planes had amazing thrust as well. Also like sitting on a rocket!

[@naiduy8509]

Thank you for this all information

[@nyanates]

Wow! Very interesting. Maybe I’d get used to it but that cockpit is REALLY a tight fit. Seems everything is optimized to support minimum body movement for high-G maneuvers. Tnx for explaining.

[@sultanabran1]

i love the f15 as a kid. still do. such a rad looking fighter. but as i learn more about the f16, it's becoming my favourite.

[@TheBlackSpider82]

Nice presentation.

[@GITTUCK77]

This has got to be the best job in the world!

[@majork9899]

Thanks for sharing.

[@bruno84]

That guy's and excellent communicator!

[@fixizin]

Cockpit is actually more comfortable than it looks, because the seat is tilted back 30 degrees--Lazy Boy style! It looks like his knees would hit the instrument panel during an ejection, but they won't, again due to the extreme back-tilt, he'll slide out from under there. I'm ah ex-pert, 'cause I sat in one (plus a simulator) at an industry air show, lol...

[@Flightsworldwidevideos]

great video!!

[@Eiooeek]

A very good insight

[@TheAvgeekOfficial]

@1:49 he's got a kill mark on his name tag..? That's awesome

[@erichhartmann1]

Not a kill mark, just the type of airplane he is currently stationed to fly.

[@aximusroh6453]

Fantastic!.......almost identical to the cockpit of my KX 450f Villopoto replica ✊😁👊 ...... In all seriousness the F16 Fighting Falcon is the sexiest plane ever built. This plane is the BOSS PLANE 😁

[@qpwoeiruty108]

quality better than most of 2017 videos

[@sdfasdfs8454]

cool to see a part i build on the actual aircraft itself

[@newrunner91]

John Boyd and the Fighter Mafia came up with one Hell of a jet!

[@WeeboGuacman]

My dad used to fly with the 416. I got to go on the flight line sometimes. Really cool

[@Thefvkingoat]

8 yearz later

[@Brahmas21]

My dad did as well, i have 2 or 3 shirts from the squadron

[@Boomshakalaga]

My dad used to fly with galactic empire Air Force and he fought against aliens

[@erichhartmann1]

@@Boomshakalaga My dad used to fly F-22’s in Vietnam back in the 1770’s. I think it was in July, some time around Christmas, of 1776 that he got shot down by one of Taiwan’s air-to-air missiles while flying above Tucson, AZ. He told me he’ll never forget the day those Angolan A380’s that nearly shot him down one time.

[@koenigseggman2702]

This was all very informative but what’s the dug-score?

[@perropulgoso3351]

Well done.

[@MrGilRoland]

2:24 The pilot seat position is the best I’ve seen on a fighter jet. I would define the pilot position as “intimate” with the jet, where the man become one thing with the machine. I’ve ride sport bikes for 10 years, the thing I quickly became addicted was the unique sensation to be “part” of the bike because of the rider position. Someone once said that flying a fighter jet is like riding a missile. I think never a metaphor was more appropriate and I bet that metaphor is more real then ever when flying the F16 Viper.

[@koolbossjock]

I love the F 16,an Airforce friend of mine describes them as Darts with a BIG Turbine.

[@KA5H777]

Amazing ! Great plane.

[@fefethepilot]

thaks you for the video!! great!

[@cutsceneentertainment6706]

0:23 I don't think I've ever heard sound come from that direction in my entire computer experience XD

[@outfield1988]

Was a weapons tech on F16 in AF can still remember all the switches.

[@elie2479]

People won’t believe me but one of my parents work with the f16, and one day they needed to give something to some one and I saw all the f16s, I’ve seen a lot more planes other than the f16s given the fact that I used to live on the base a couple months ago then I moved some were off base, planes are so cool especially when you can really see them when ever you want and they fly over your home every day

[@Klappfall]

Very good Video. Thank´s for this. Best Regards from NorthEastGermany

[@RickJamesBish]

As far as communications, do pilots in a flight communicate over a preset or predetermined radio frequency on COMM 1 or 2, or is there a separate intercom type communication? I was told the Intercom interface on the left console is for communication with the ground crew only.

[@jucoco1]

Many Countries practice this. RAF pilots in Canadian CF18's, Canadians in German Eurofighters. I believe the idea is cross training and sharing ideas and skills among allies to make everyone stronger together.

[@PointyTailofSatan]

I used to drive a 2 seater BMW M Coupe. The window view was a lot like the F-16, with the window sills much lower than most cars, and the seats up high. It's an awesome feeling.

[@someoneelse.2252]

Nice, but why no cigarette lighter...?

[@alless22]

am whats with the big one at the back?

[@someoneelse.2252]

ales alless lol.... good one!

[@gikaradi8793]

nice but no coffee cup holder

[@filpaul]

Hey, hey. Don't get premature on me, soldier. We don’t light up until the fat lady sings.

[@alphacentauri34]

There is one but you have to get out to use it

[@klaasklapsigaar1081]

1:23 "Simply I'm putting my inputs in that the computer interprets and moves whatever controls it deems appropriate." Sounds an awful lot like my ex-GF.

[@siavoshkasravi398]

Thanks Major. Aren't MFDs too far from pilot's eye?

[@dealviindeproductions1687]

Great audio.

[@niceone11987]

Very nicely done. I am a virtual pilot in FS9 and FSX.

[@401sttfw9]

No. You're a gamer, not a pilot.

[@Flightx52]

***** Hey man, I'm both. He's an enthusiast that's just telling you it's a nicely done video. Chill.

[@401sttfw9]

Flightx52 Thats funny, I don't remember talking to you.

[@Flightx52]

Even funnier, I don't remember being an ass to you. Not sure what the hostility is about, but just because you've worked on F16s doesn't make you the king of aviation. That's as egotistical as saying "Hey man, I fly the 172, so I'm immediately better than everyone else in the world."

[@401sttfw9]

Flightx52 So I guess "Hey man" and "chill" is not not being an ass. I never said I was the king of aviation, but playing flight Sim games and piloting a single engine Cessna, or what ever it is you fly, does not make you king of aviation either. You have your pilots license, I have my A&P license.

[@billkrokoship]

Love to fly one one day!

[@austinjgregg]

Serious question, might sound stupid: how do their knees not smack the control panel when ejecting using the ejection seat?

[@Jay-zs6ox]

I might be wrong, but I think that ejecting initiates an entire sequence to get the pilot out of the jet. I think a mechanism pushes back the feet of the pilot so that nothing will get in the way when ejecting.

[@untitledname5183]

Where I can buy one? a civilized version for personal use with the weapon holder removed so i cant put weapons to it? And how much it costs? and is it ok to take off with only 600m long runway cause thats all i got in my private runway

[@michaelhutchinson8970]

Hi. Does a F-15E or F-18D have capabilities for the WSO/RIO to fly it if the Pilot is incapacitated?? And do you have a full view of the WSO/RIO rear seat looking at all the controls? Trying to write it into a story...

[@plutonium9]

While the side stick controller looks to be in a very natural position relative to where his hand falls, why is the throttle control on the left, back where it looks awkward to reach?

[@PrimalBlueWolf]

so how do you tell? and what do you mean by a block 30d? I was going on the HUD, its not a 40/42, which leaves the 30 and 50. from memory the CCIP program updated some older blocks with the newer antennae, so I guess it could also be a 30. so how do you tell the 30 and 50 blocks apart?

[@danielj7328]

Buen video

[@jonoderidder]

SOLD!!!

[@SAINT-ANTONIO]

I ask myself what Major Desmond Brophy might think about TR-3B Astra crafts and if he might see him self fit to control one after certain integration trainings.

[@wayiqra4399]

Impressive

[@porscheguy09]

Are modern and updated fighter aircraft equipped with a helmet mounted sight and display system similar to the F-35’s helmet system that allows pilots to look at and lock onto targets without having to lineup their aircraft and target the enemy using their HUD? I would hope that with the technology available today that pilots no longer have to rely solely on their HUD for targeting and other systems like they have for decades.

[@lone1mis]

@diaphanoux is the F16D used in combat? just a curious question...

[@CosmicFoxbat]

How wide is the cockpit? It looks really tight.

[@coolyo366]

you can get TV on that screen?? AWESOME!

[@vincentwang4848]

Very Very Classical plane !

[@TheCraigHudson]

Can’t wait for dcs to take on the viper their hornet is slowly turning into the best commercial simulator ever created of the f18

[@user-ds7wd8dw8n]

THE PILOT SEET IS LIKE DEATH CHAIR

[@corefrantic]

@pilotricky if a fighter jet isnt that much of a thrill anymore, then i wonder what does... still i think its the most awesome job of all

[@toobasaurus23]

I like the side stick controls. In high G combat I'd prefer this control configuration.

[@PaulNat360]

looks comfortable in there.

[@umarazam30]

my favorite aircraft.........one of them

[@flyer203]

How much is the angle that the F-16 stick can be tilted?Someone told me it doesn't move at all but I think I have read that it has a range of 1-2 degrees.What is true?

[@priestof1]

This guy must be a super bad ass to be a test pilot. Love to ak,him,if he prefers the old tomcat or this

[@theantiredneck]

I think my lawnmower has fly by wire throttle!

[@charurastogi2496]

No shit

[@punman5392]

What’s the stereo like tho? I wanna put a sub behind or under the seat and then speakers on the sides lol

[@pujangga4o]

Still cool, the total Digital SABB Gripin E fighter cockpit

[@killingfields1424]

The cockpit fits like a glove, its a pilot's jet

[@daysofgrace2934]

Beautiful plane…

[@td7shelton]

That is one sweet plane.

[@denny9278]

I want to buy one, but I'm worried about safety, how much airbags?

[@spookyNorbert]

that's Pratt&Whitney not GE engine btw, mr pilot Desmond ;-)

[@pspicer777]

Pull the Yellow handle ... Pull the Yellow handle ... 😀. Thanks for the great video.

[@Daywalker_27]

@rockstarr2113 I'm not sure on the exact numbers but fighter pilots are required to be within a certain height.

[@jimmythesnagglepuss]

Nice to see a lucky RCAF pilot at the testing facility.

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Not lucky, just incredibly skilled and hard working

[@TheJer1963]

Where is the quarter slot? I have 2 rolls and need to get some flight time in.

[@mystuff1405]

Can’t imagine sitting immobile in that seat for hours and hours. Granted the ride and activities would be distracting. But it takes a special person to do the job.

[@windshearahead7012]

My stuff its like a car

[@Megalodon64]

@TheTopBloke thats really freaking terrifying.

[@jep1103]

Nice vid, surprised how cramped it looks, but probably not when u get used to it.

[@malfadors2]

Greetings from Greece

[@5xthejoy]

If you look at 0:43 at the ejection handle, you'll see something by it then it goes away. What is that?

[@nathang2912]

It seems like it would be really hard controlling with the stick on the side instead of between the the legs. Any pilots have feedback for me?

[@naiduy8509]

Good evening sir