I was stationed at MCAS Yuma when they were transitioning to the Hornets. We watched them, from the flight line, when they came to practise a particular maneuver.
Saw the Hornet come in, low and slow...and slower...and slower...
Nose going higher and higher...
I was expecting to see a crash out on the runway. Instead, it got to the point it was pointed straight up, hovering on the thrust of the engines. It danced (only way to describe what the plane was doing) around on the engines for a few minutes, and then increased the throttles and flew away, still pointed vertically. We all who were watching cheered like mad. It was a masterful demonstration of piloting and aircraft capability. I just hate to think what would happen if one engine even hiccuped a moment. Probably why they didn't include the maneuver in their routine. Waaaaaay too dangerous, especially near a crowd.
The plane does have a fair amount of thrust, btw, better than 1:1. I don't know the exact numbers but with a light fuel load, no attachments of any kind on the wings or anything, the ratio would be even better. Like the way the Blues planes are configured. Perfectly doable, but like I said, deadly dangerous near the ground. They only did it once I know of, but I'm glad I got to see it.
Still neat as heck to watch, though
Have fun all!
Pat☺
