- Former Harrier pilots often have to unlearn muscle-memory landing habits — instincts that kept the jump jet steady can make an F-35 accelerate or climb during ship landings.
- The F-35 automates hover and flight control and fuses huge amounts of sensor data, shifting the pilot’s job from constant stick-and-rudder flying to managing information and tactics.
- Pilots liken the change to going from a unicycle to a bike or watching a movie on your phone to seeing it in IMAX — and say lots of simulator reps are needed to adapt.
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