General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon - Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ
Posted by: 
kb7ywl
N 33° 32.400 W 112° 21.892
12S E 373277 N 3711988
General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon s/n 81-0687
Waymark Code: WMDXBK
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 03/05/2012
Views: 2
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed for the US Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. Although no longer being purchased by the US Air Force, improved versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed-Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin-Marietta.
The Fighting Falcon is a fighter with numerous innovations including a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick to ease control while maneuvering, a seat reclined 30 degrees to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot, and the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire flight control system that makes it a highly nimble aircraft. The F-16 has an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and has 11 hardpoints for mounting weapons and other mission equipment. Although the F-16's official name is "Fighting Falcon", it is known to its pilots as the "Viper", due to a perceived resemblance to a viper snake as well as after the Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper starfighter.
In addition to active duty US Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air National Guard units, the aircraft is used by the USAF aerial demonstration team, the US Air Force Thunderbirds, and as an adversary/aggressor aircraft by the US Navy. The F-16 has also been procured to serve in the air forces of 25 other nations.
Source: Wikipedia
Type of Aircraft: (make/model): General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon
Tail Number: (S/N): s/n 81-0687
Construction:: original aircraft
Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Located at the Air Park, Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ
inside / outside: outside
Access restrictions:
Located at the Air Park, Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ
Other Information:: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)
Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.