Abstract: A superagile tactical fighter aircraft and a method of flying it are disclosed. The superagile aircraft is characterized by articulatable air inlets, articulatable exhaust nozzles, highly deflectable canard surfaces, and control thruster jets located around the nose of the fuselage, on the top and bottom surfaces of the propulsion system near the exhaust nozzles, and on both sides of at least one vertical tail. The method of operating the superagile aircraft comprises the step of articulating the air inlets and exhaust nozzles, deflecting the canard surfaces, and vectoring the thruster jets so that supernormal flight is attained. Supernormal flight may be defined as flight at which the superagile aircraft operates at an angle of attack much greater than the angle of attack which produces maximum lift. In supernormal flight, the superagile aircraft is capable of almost vertical ascents, sharp turns, and very steep descents without losing control.

Abstract: Tilting the stabilizer at an extreme angle to the fuselage, with leading edge down, and controlling and varying engine thrust comprise a method for all-axis control of a generally conventional aircraft in ultra deep stall. The method is effective in recovery from unstable and unusual flight attributes and in landing emergencies; the aircraft may land in the ultra deep stall configuration or conventional flight may be resumed. So-called flying wing aircraft, where pitch control surfaces are incorporated with the trailing edge of the primary lift surface, are also controllable in ultra deep stall by the method of this invention.

Abstract: Tilting the stabilizer at an extreme angle to the fuselage, with leading edge down, and varying engine thrust comprise a method for all-axis control of a generally conventional aircraft in deep stall. In an alternative embodiment, tilting the engines upward at an extreme angle to the fuselage and varying engine thrust comprise a method for all-axis control in deep stall.

Abstract: A superagile tactical fighter aircraft and a method of flying it are disclosed. The superagile aircraft is characterized by articulatable air inlets, articulatable exhaust nozzles, highly deflectable canard surfaces, and control thruster jets located around the nose of the fuselage, on the top and bottom surfaces of the propulsion system near the exhaust nozzles, and on both sides of at least one vertical tail. The method of operating the superagile aircraft comprises the step of articulating the air inlets and exhaust nozzles, deflecting the canard surfaces, and vectoring the thruster jets so that supernormal flight is attained. Supernormal flight may be defined as flight at which the superagile aircraft operates at an angle of attack much greater than the angle of attack which produces maximum lift. In supernormal flight, the superagile aircraft is capable of almost vertical ascents, sharp turns, and very steep descents without losing control.