RAF has first vertical landing

First RAF vertical landing.
Lockheed Martin photo

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- Squadron Leader Jim Schofield became the first Royal Air Force pilot to complete a vertical landing of a Lockheed Martin F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) Lightning II on May 28. Schofield said after the flight that with the press of a button, the aircraft transforms to STOVL mode and the plane can take off or hover hands-off. The U.S. Marine Corps plans to declare Initial Operational Capability with the STOVL in 2015. (Source: Lockheed Martin, 06/04/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.