F-35B completes air start testing

The F-35B short take-off and vertical landing variant of the fighter completed engine air start tests that involved shutting down and restarting the Pratt & Whitney F135 in flight. BF-2 completed 27 air starts at various altitudes using various methods on Aug. 15 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Air start testing is required for the F-35B to undertake high angle-of-attack trials next year. The Air Force's F-35A variant had earlier completed its air start testing at Edwards. (Source: Naval Air Systems Command, Flightglobal, 09/04/12) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center