AF to Start F-35 CTOL Evaluations; Andrew Toth Comments
Air Force photo
The U.S. Air Force has started the operational utility evaluation phase of testing on the Lockheed Martin-made F-35 fighter jet.
From Monday, the branch said two 33rd Fighter Wing pilots at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. and two Air Force test pilots will conduct the 65-day review of the F-35′s conventional takeoff and landing version.
“We’ve been preparing for this event since the arrival of our first aircraft in July last year,” said Col. Andrew Toth, 33rd Fighter Wing commander.
Toth added the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center will review how the wing conducts its mission and the wing hopes to receive approval from the Air Education and Training Command.
The wing has flown more than 200 F-35 sorties, both CTOL and short takeoff and landing variants, to develop pilot and maintainer familiarity with the jet.
For September, the wing plans to fly up to 16 jets per week and eventually wants to fly 20 planes per week.
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