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Answer :
I flew the F-16 for 15 years and reached 9g’s often. While you are flying, you are concentrating on a lot of things, so many times I’ve pulled 9g’s and don’t really notice it. However, all heavy g-loads take a toll on your body, and it is constant training and exposure to high g’s that allows fighter pilots to handle those loads.
The physical forces are significant...at 9g’s, my 165 pound body weighs 1,485 pounds! My head and helmet alone weigh over 150 pounds at 9g’s. Being in good physical condition is a must and fighter pilots get lots of practice in the centrifuge at 9g’s before we are allowed to pull that in an F-16. We learn to know how our bodies react to g’s (everyone is different) and how to know we are pulling too many and might have trouble. It does feel like a heavy weight, but it is something that fighter pilots get used to, and learn to operate with.
PS - It is also a lot of fun!
Best Wishes,
Lt Col (ret) Mike Carter
F-16 Pilot
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