First Afterburner Run
31 July 1997: Chief test pilot Paul Metz runs the F119 engines installed in Raptor 4001 to full afterburner for the first time. Click on the image to see it full frame.
Photo by John Rossino
F-22 First Flight
7 September 1997: Chief test pilot Paul Metz makes the first flight of the F-22 from Dobbins ARB in Marietta, taking off at 10:18 a.m. and lifting off at 140 knots in military power. The aircraft reaches an altitude of 15,000 feet in less than three minutes and is put through a series of engine transients and handling characteristics tests. Metz then climbs to 20,000 feet and retracts the landing gear and flies formation with two F-16 safety chase aircraft piloted by Lockheed Martin test pilot Jon Beesley and US Air Force Lt. Col. Steve Rainey. Metz lands at Dobbins after a fifty-eight minute flight.
F-22 First Flight Thumbs Up
7 September 1997: Chief test pilot Paul Metz gives a thumbs up before getting into the F-22 for its first flight.
Photo by John Rossino
