Last Chance Point

[Snoop 95]

F15E's and their predecessors always pull in to the LCP for final checks before departure and until now F35's have continued past for take-off or holding on the other side of the runway. I notice recently that F35's have been pulling in to the LCP bays, but no checks are carried out by ground staff. Does anyone know why this change? Or are they just using it as a holding point?

[markranger]

Just using it as a holding point,

Ground crew see off the 35s from the shelters /Aprons.

Guess there is not a lot to check externally on a F35 that can't be done at source,

[memememe]

Ground crew can't see the F-35's - they are stealth !

[slogen51]

Also when the F-35A arrive at the EOR there are no pins to remove.

If the pits are in use the Eagles shut down one engine and will stop again at the last chance with ground crew while the second engine is spun up. The F-35A on the other hand pit and head straight to the runway.

Very noticeable how they prefer to taxy via victor whiskey November to hold on the north side and often the first four to taxy are the last to take off!

[Snoop 95]

Also when the F-35A arrive at the EOR there are no pins to remove.

If the pits are in use the Eagles shut down one engine and will stop again at the last chance with ground crew while the second engine is spun up. The F-35A on the other hand pit and head straight to the runway.

Very noticeable how they prefer to taxy via victor whiskey November to hold on the north side and often the first four to taxy are the last to take off!

Slogen, you say that there are no pins to remove on the F35, but is that still true when they have external armament on the end of their wings?

[slogen51]

Don't know but in either case they do not stop at the eor for handling

[TeeJay]

Very noticeable how they prefer to taxy via victor whiskey November to hold on the north side and often the first four to taxy are the last to take off!

It’s not a case of preference for F35 it’s the mandatory standard taxi flow pattern

[slogen51]

Some F-35A still use Sierra - think it was Reaper 1-4 who came that way on Thursday was it

But yes Victor is the preferred way if eagles are using Sierra, going only by what I hear on the radio

[raameagle]

The pins are removed in the sun shelter prior to taxi.

Regards

Mark

Also when the F-35A arrive at the EOR there are no pins to remove.

If the pits are in use the Eagles shut down one engine and will stop again at the last chance with ground crew while the second engine is spun up. The F-35A on the other hand pit and head straight to the runway.

Very noticeable how they prefer to taxy via victor whiskey November to hold on the north side and often the first four to taxy are the last to take off!

Slogen, you say that there are no pins to remove on the F35, but is that still true when they have external armament on the end of their wings?

[Snoop 95]

Thanks to all for your replies. Clears it all up for me!