So YOU all came to the conclusion (which I wrote about earlier) at the beginning of the controversy on this issue…
Do not refer to the figure 26 degrees (SOS On) for the MiG-29, it can be 30 degrees (SOS Off)…
2.The F-15 can also be 30 degrees (CAS Off) and there is not even a need to delve into the details of CAS operation…because all maximum angles of attack are obtained in CAS Off mode…in fact, CAS Off…
In reality, the MiG-29, as well as the Su-27, there is no need to reach maximum angles of attack, because they are more maneuverable than the F-15… https://youtu.be/8bWTnqp1AFg?si=bSLVfiLQg7iX3kvw
CAS is not disabled by the pilot, why would he do that ? CAS allows the pilot to fly the aircraft more safely and achieve a higher AoA. Maybe the misconception has gotten in here that when an F-15 goes into a spin the CAS portion of the controls disengages itself to allow the pilot to bring the aircraft out of the spin, but a lot of other aircraft have that. In the MiG 29, the F-15 has a similar downward roll with increasing AoA, achieving similar AoA at low speeds. While the MiG 29 limit at 26 AoA is more pronounced, the roll kicker must not be exceeded ( written in the MiG 29 manual). The F-15 can reach up to a true stable AoA of 35+ with CAS on. Depends on configuration, speed, altitude, etc.
I don’t think the Mig 29 is more controllable than the F-15 at higher AoA, it will be close together.
CAS will allow the aircraft to be flown more precisely and safely. CAS has its own logic to set more, less or no control surface deflections. Thanks to CAS the pilot can achieve slightly higher AoA than if CAS was off. The CAS is turned off by the pilot sometime in the first familiarization flights on the F-15, when it is necessary to become familiar with how the aircraft will react if the CAS is off. Otherwise, it is left on.
CAS switches off automatically on spin, the pilot has direct control to recover the spin
A noticeable deterioration in handling occurs only at Angles of attack greater than 26 degrees…
For example, this can be seen in the video with R.Radeva is a timer of 2.20 minutes…https://youtu.be/8bWTnqp1AFg?t=140
"When performing rotation around the longitudinal axis, special attention should be paid to the angles of attack when the roll is close to 180 °, when the aircraft takes an upside-down position. It is in this position that, with further rotation of the aircraft at a > 20 °, due to the interaction of longitudinal and lateral movements, as a rule, there is a cast along the angle of attack with the opening of the SOS and reaching angles of attack, large angles of adjustment of the SOS, which leads to a significant deterioration in transverse controllability.
When performing horizontal maneuvering on the numbers M = 0.5–0.8 with six guided missiles and an outboard fuel tank at high angles of attack, the transverse controllability of the aircraft is similar to the controllability of an aircraft without suspensions, but the loss of transverse controllability occurs at lower angles of attack …
3.This is the book “Methodical manual for a pilot on piloting techniques”…it simply does not consider and does not give examples of aircraft navigation beyond the Boundaries…This is a book for training young pilots, not for training Test Pilots…
I agree. The picture I sent is from the manual for MiG 29, a normal pilot does not turn off SOS and cannot fly like Mr Radev. His flight demonstration is fantastic, he must have had all the warning lights on and Natasha warning him constantly, he was flying on the edge. Hats off to him.
The Air Forces of different countries may have their own limitations in combat training…R.Radev changed his combat training in the Bulgarian Air Force…Александр Младенов о реформе системы подготовки летчиков-истребителей ВВС Болгарии - bmpd — LiveJournal
“…According to Hristov, the minimum speed limit of 300 km/h prescribed by the technical description of the MiG-29 should be considered as a recommendation for medium-qualified pilots. At this speed, the MiG-29 series 9-12 and 9-51 can safely maneuver at 1.5g overload. But the technical description of the aircraft says that the fighter can maintain a horizontal speed of 210 km / h at an angle of attack of 26 °. Exceeding the limits of the SOS-3M system, it is possible to continue horizontal flight at lower speeds and a higher angle of attack, although there will be some stability problems due to the constant shaking of the control knob caused by the operation of the SOS system. Such serious limitations of the angle of attack do not allow the MiG-29 to fully unleash its potential as a fighter: according to Hristov, they were introduced in the mid-1980s, when this aircraft entered service with the USSR Air Force, in order to ensure safe control at low speeds for medium-qualified pilots.”
"…Having extensive experience as an aviator on the MiG-29, General Radev knows the capabilities of the MiG-29 perfectly well and tells his pilots: “you can kill yourself while maneuvering on the MiG-29 only when you start turning the aircraft along the longitudinal axis at high angles of attack at low altitude. In all other extreme situations, you can return the plane to level flight.”
“…Given my experience of fighting against the F-15 and F-16 with different types of aircraft, it was very difficult for me to stand up in close-range maneuver combat against the F-16 Block 30, although Block 40 and 50, as well as F-15C, are not the most serious opponents among those I had to face. The F-15 and F-16 Block 40/50 are excellent aircraft, but close air combat involving different types of aircraft against the MiG-29 is not their strong suit.”
It’s all about pilot training, the pilot is critical in measuring the aircraft. F-15 pilots were at the world’s top of training for complete air combat. Even a gentleman from the Bulgarian Air Force claims that it was only after they flew against F-15s that they realized their training deficiencies. And the F-15 pilots helped them adjust their training.
So, in the Bulgarian Air Force at the beginning there was a knowledge acquisition from USAF F-15 pilots, to improve the flying of the MiG 29, which is interesting.
