What are you doing to stay tactically current in the F-117A Stealth: Even though the Stealth is retiring, we're still flying it on a daily basis to maintain our combat capability. We're keeping up with bomb-dropping, both simulated and real, and with the other missions to keep our skills sharp. In addition, we frequent our simulator. What are your initial impressions of the F-117 Stealth. And what do you think are it's strengths and weaknesses: Well, my initial impression, albeit trivial, was 'it looks cool!' Weakness: no air-to-air capability. Strengths: due to stealth, we can go where no one else can. We can, with great precision, drop bombs and time their impact to the second. How does the F-117 Stealth compare to any other fighter you have flown. And what are the main differences: I've flown the F-15E and the F-16C. The Stealth is limited aerodynamically: not as maneuverable, not as fast, can't go as high, etc. It feels like a F-15 in the air due to the flight computers, but you must keep in mind its limits. In your opinion, what are/were the most innovative features of the F-117A: Simply the reduction in RCS (radar cross section). It is the most innovative feature, accomplished both via geometry and the skin type. Since we all know that F-117 means Stealth, could you tease us with describing how it feels to travel in the air. Knowing that you are hardly visible on radar: Consider you're driving your car, faster than the speed limit. You speed past a police car, but you're relaxed (almost laughing) since he can't see you! That's what it feels like. The F-117 takes a little bit more special attention from the outside, but it is essentially like other fighters. Is there anything that needs special attention when flying the F-117 compared to other fighters: The American Air Force only allows experienced fighter pilots to fly the Stealth. The primary reason is due to the cockpit layout: it's a bit unusual. Therefore, only experienced pilots are allowed. Could you give us a general impression of the weapon system of the F-117. And what the main capabilities are, that makes the F-117 so deadly: Our main ability is delivering PGMs. The Stealth has a highly capable targeting system, and it is due to this system that we're able to drop bombs with such precision. If we can find you, we can kill you. That's what makes the Stealth so deadly. How are the 2 General Electric F404 engines perform on the F-117. And could you share a bit information how the exhaust system in general works, to minimize heat exhaust: Due to the diffused exhaust system, we get less thrust from the F404's than, for example, the F-18 does. However, the diffusion reduces our heat signature nicely! Please guide us true a typical trainings flight or combat mission, and what your main points are, on for example you check-list, etc: Everything is about mission planning and execution. As a mission planner, the focus is on planning the mission absolutely correctly, with the best and most complete products you can produce, especially given the fact that it is impossible to know all the details. As a pilot, a combat mission is extremely time compressed. Before takeoff, focus is on the products received by the mission planning cell and making sure they didn't make a critical mistake with your mission. Next, mission briefings try to give you as much current information as they can in a limited time frame. A combat mission is usually broken up into elements which the pilot focuses on as they occur. Departure, navigation to the tanker, refueling, and then to the hold departure point. Each one of these events requires focus, with little time to think about what is ahead or what has already occured. During the actual target run, you work so hard on not making a mistake that emotions rarely come into play. However, after the bomb impact, your focus is now on getting out of danger. That is when you notice the missiles, AAA, and how scared you really are. Then it's time to focus again on finding the tanker, and navigating back home. The mission isn't over until you've debriefed and passed on all of the mission information to the people who care. Could you describe a standard air-to-air refuelling with the F-117. And what are your main focus points and references during refuelling: This jet refuels just like others. The AAR door is immediately behind the pilots head, so the pilot focuses on the tankers' director lights for positioning. The F-117 is planned to retire very soon. What will be the main things you will miss on this aircraft in the future: I will miss the mission. Very few aircraft will ever be able to destroy a target anywhere, in any threat environment. Is there any particular F-117 tail number(s) to which you are fond. And please motivate why: Every pilot is fond of the aircraft that has (had) his name on it. I've had the good fortune to have my name on three. Otherwise, some become famous to pilots and maintainers alike because of their quirks or history. BOB, or tail 808 is known throughout the Stealth community. BOB has a history of quirks & malfunctions, but everyone refers to it fondly. Could you describe the F-117 Stealth in your own words. Knowing that it will go into history very soon, and be remembered for ever: I've never climbed into a stealth to strap it on when I haven't marveled at the true bizarreness of the airplane. There has never been another aircraft that looks or acts like it....ever. And last but not least, could you maybe share a story of a memorable flight you have made in the F-117. Or any other memorable flight during combat: I didn't fly it, but I helped plan the first strike that opened up Operation Iraqi Freedom-the decapitation strike. Direction for the strike came from the highest levels. Planning time was at a minimum and EVERYONE played their part extremely well. We had a brand new weapon with the EGBU-27, which, for the first time, enabled us to throw multiple weapons at a target without having to see the target to lase the bombs in. It was cool to think that we were not just going after a target, but THE target. The mission was an absolute success from an execution perspective. The weapons and aircraft performed perfectly, as planned and briefed. Unfortunately, the target had left the building, and never showed his face again...at least until they pulled him out of a hole months later. The author would like to thank B. Arlan Ponder, 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs for his endless help, assistance and effort in arranging this interview. And both F-117A Nighthawk pilots "Kuato" and "Pistol" for their much appreciated time in their busy shedule. This interview was taken at 28-02-2008.