Thank God I found this. My F22 has been sitting in the driveway for months waiting for me to learn it's flight characteristics. Looks like I'll be taking her to work tomorrow.

You can tell he's a fighter pilot, his mind is going a hundred miles an hour all the time, he's always thinking ahead, and he knows everything about the plane he was flying,

This guy's resume is absolutely nuts.

Randy is the ultimate professor, he brings his experience and technical knowledge to the classroom in such a way as to make all of us wish we were pilots.

Built in professor. His energy, teaching skill, knowledge, and practical experience is outstanding.

Wow, I think the most amazing thing in this video is that you have a literal f-22 test pilot who is also a highly decorated engineer, phd, and many other qualifications, educated at freakin MIT and Harvard, and there’s a student surfing the internet looking at yoga poses. Absolutely incredible.

I just found myself spending 1 hour like if it was a 1 minute video. Astonishing lecture from a wonderful teacher who combines passion, knowledge and experience along with intelligence and pedagogy... I am sure even a 10 years old kid will clearly understand and enjoy this wonderful lecture

This dude gave us 15 "last pieces that he will give us" and I was listening to every single word. NOTHING makes me wanna join the air force and die to a parachute training dummy more than this lecture. Thanks Laz

Anyone else get here randomly and watched the whole video? Just one of those instances when the KZfaq algorithm gets it right.

Physics and math teacher here, really enjoyed this. He teaches very clearly and directly. I also like a conversational teaching style, was nice to pick up some good habits from him as well!

Informative, not boring, no ads, a topic I like, just perfection.

I wish I were 25 and had someone like you visiting my classroom. I'm 55 and a computer flight sim fan since 1982 even before it was released on Microsoft. I just love anything that flies and find your enthusiastic lecture simply rejuvenating. Thanks.

"Why do I have a random ass lecture on F-22 fighter jet controls?" -1 hour, 6 minutes later "Why don't I have more good lectures like this recommended to me?"

This piece is on a topic of mild interest for me. After listening for a few minutes, it became a topic of more intense interest, not because I suddenly want to qualify on any particular plane, but because it was impeccably presented and sequenced. An excellent use of an hour of my day.

Wow, the f22 sounds like an engineering marvel, even though the design is more than 20 years old now. I was reading its first flight, was in 1997.

Mr. Gordon is phenomenal! After a few seconds I saw the one hour+ length, after 7 minutes I was bound to his lips. One of the best things he said: "I'm 100% zero different from anybody in this room" (he doesn't put himself above of his audience). Great course, I wish I could be there.

This guy is so smart and likeable it seems as if he spent a couple thousand years in a groundhog day learning all this stuff perfecting his craft. What a great lecture.

My lucky day that this showed up in my KZfaq recommendations. What an interesting person and great lecture!

Best physics / aeronautics class I have randomly bumped into! Wish we had people like these and KZfaq teaching us when we were kids!

Hello! I am an F-15A thru E model crew chief here(USAF for 21+ years, now retired). I really enjoyed this type of instruction, it very accurately reflects what the military used to do for instruction and training. Not so sure they are still on that same path anymore or not judging from the outside now. I was also at Edwards for a few years and learned a TON about the F-22 even though it wasn't my airframe(there in the mid 90's), and a lot about the F-23. Every one of the civilians I spoke with while there said the F-23 was slated to win because it flat out was a better maneuvering aircraft, it just didn't have the range of the F-22. So the F-22 won by range criteria mainly. Now, what I find interesting is how they(the USAF and US military in general) have since picked back up the F-23 and started examining it for the next generation of fighter....Really looking forward to the advances that is keeping America dominating in the battle space above the ground and beyond.

I was lucky enough to be Lazs' mechanic at test with the F22. Always a pleasure to hear him talk and to work for him. Great job Sir!

Best hour I've spent learning in a LONG time. Thank you to everyone involved in bringing this to me.

3:31 AM here and I'm enjoying every bit of the video - such a awesome piece of machinery, more amazing teacher. Wish I could be there on MIT to learn and experience that

This ladies and gentlemen is how you teach something to someone, who has an interest in it but no prior experience. The biggest problem right now is education is how to keep your students engaged in what the instructor is talking about. This man has mastered that issue., and it shows in his presentation

Very articulate and everything is in his mind ready to express. No notes, no teleprompter, all from experience and knowledge. I love the humble yet genius way Laz gave this lecture. I am inspired and can only imagine how well received by the students!

I've never piloted, but I could not stop watching this lecture. I love this instructors style, fast, clear, experienced.

I was a machinist and made parts for the SR-71, and B1-b amazing aircraft, and Randy and the F-22 are even more amazing.

A good teacher is not one who impresses his audience but one who inspires them through his passion. This guy is passionate about his stuff, you can tell he is good at it.

I was Navy ATC I the early 2000's. These type of guys were always so awesome to just listen to. Great caliber of people. All the best to him!

Not sure why I had this recommended but I’m glad it was. What an interesting lecture!

I could watch content like this all day. I love how he makes everything so understandable!

Wow, that was one of the best lectures I've ever witnessed. Just amazing to watch!

This guy has the looks, personality and credentials to be the real Falcon

No idea why I am watching this but damn, he makes this subject so interesting and easy to understand even for someone like me who has no clue about planes.

Fell asleep watching another KZfaq video on rc airplanes (which I have an obsession with lol) and woke up to this video believe it or not gradually . Felt so natural and informative I think I will make it my new morning alarm ! Seriously though dude has an AWESOME teaching style !

I went to HBS with Laz, amazing person! What you might not know is he can also play a wicked piano! Such a talented fellow!

Outstanding teacher. This man is a role model.

What a fantastic guest speaker. The knowledge, passion and class interaction was stellar. I don't know how I found this video, but glad I did. Entertaining as well as educational and informative.

The way he teaches is so engaging. Incredible lecture.

I'm an airline pilot and I watched this whole thing cause it's just so interesting. Reminds me of my days in college.

What an amazing lecture. Not only is he a god-level pilot but also an amazing teacher! The way he engages the students is amazing.

This officers lecturing skills are far superior than his even being a fighter pilot. Very special human being. Fantastic

If every professor were this interesting, the world would be a lot smarter.

F*cking Master Class level of lecture!!!!! That’s how you teach avionics, systems, and aerospace engineering. Round of applause everyone!

What a natural skill you possess Mr. Gordon! Very enjoyable lecture. Keep teaching as much as you can!

Excellent!!! . . . This man has some seriously massive brain power!!! The speed of his flawless delivery of information is amazing! I have been in love with the F22 and the F35 since they came out but never had heard such an amazing lecture about the F22. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

We want clones of this guy in every school & college.

My fist degree is mechanical engineer, then later in life I achieved my degree in computer engineering. Watching this gives me the urge to hit the campus again. The bod is a little creaky but the mind is still hungry. The wonderous creativity of the human mind never cease to amaze and inspire. Excellent lecture!

I could take 1000 hours class from this professor on any topic, he's just great at everything he does, the tone, the speed of delivery, the knowledgeability of the topic, his interactions with learners, encouraging questions by rating them great questions, not shying away from any topic and in the same time staying within the boundaries of confidentiality. he could teach how to fly a plane in a nursery school.

This is so amazing. I turned 35 today and was about 9 years old, when I played F-22 Lightning. 26 years later somebody on the internet explains me all the things I wondered (well, not all of course) about this plane.

As someone who’s passion is aviation this was such a neat presentation to watch. As an A&P Mechanic I got a good chuckle watching a room full of aeronautic engineers incorrectly state the positions the ailerons are in when a Cessna is banking to the right.

This is one of the most interesting and beautifully put together lectures I have ever watched! Can't get enough of this guy!

Every once in a while, the KZfaq algorithm gets it right.

This is a very informative and though-provoking video. The instructor does a really good job discussing aeronautical concepts in a clear and concise way that make it easy to understand.

Both my father and I were in commercial aviation, both of us flying and servicing helicopters, from the late 60's to early 80's, and yes, they can be a handful to fly, the margin for error compared to a fixed wing is extreme, it takes a completely different skill set to operate a rotary wing effectively ... The rest of this lecture I found very interesting, the pilot giving it, animated and interactive, loved his style of lecturing. I am sure those attending this understood just how experienced and skilled "Laz" is as a pilot and instructor... Thank you !

This was an incredible privilege to watch. So much fascinating and interesting details about what its like to fly this plane and what makes it work. I was actually surprised that he was willing to reveal so much of the performance characteristics. Regardless thank you!

This fellow really knows the F-22 well. And can explain it to me. Amazing!

Thank you for this lecture! Get to understand so many new insights and explained it well so practically. Have been wondering so much about the F22 flying capabilities and its tech!

"Combat missions were fun!", chuckle chuckle.

This guy is one of the most humble people I have ever witnessed

That was great, thank you. The people who designed and wrote the code for this aircraft must understand aerodynamics and propulsion so incredibly well to get it working like that.

I watched this video and found it quite interesting and fascinating to listen to Mr Gordon presentation. It was more interactive for everyone. It had to be great to attend this class at MIT. That guy has outstanding credentials. He is an outstanding instructor.

The cool thing was a few years back at the Cleveland Air Show, they finally had the full F-22 demo, and he was doing Cobras and controlled flat spins and it was very, very cool, but then it finishes up and flies off. Then I look back, and there’s the Goodyear Blimp, and it’s getting closer and closer, and then it floats gracefully over show center (and it is HUGE), does a 360 degree pirouette, takes a bow, and floats away. It was such a neat contrast to the F-22.

The USAF has people called "patches"--men and women who graduated the USAF Weapons School and wear a special black and gray patch--and I know a few of them. They comprise the short list of the smartest people I've ever met . . . and that Test Pilot patch is a whole other league.

Man this Randy guy can present! If I knew what he knew i wouldn’t be able to speak as fast and organize my time segments. Phenomenal instructor and public speaker.

Awesome MIT shared this one. The fly-by-wire and augmentation systems are well thought out.

Wow. What a guy. Such a good professor, in every way imaginable!

Man i remember watching this video at like 250K views and thinking holy shit, its perfect. The kind of video that could make a non aviation enthusiast fall in love with this plane. The eloquence intermingled with a certain playful curiosity but also encased in military poise, combined with the instructors depth of knowledge well beyond the boundaries of the actual aircraft, make this an absolute gem.

This is an awesome class and a super cool teacher. I'm just a normal civilian interested in pilot movies, without any background knowledge, and learned a lot. Looking forward for more.

Can truly tell how passionate he is. Amazing video from start to finish.

I notice that this is only the *Declassified* stuff, classified stuff might include the: anti gravity generator, and cloaking settings and emp beam emitter manual

Reminds me of engineering in college when I thought a final project/presentation on propulsion and wing lift would be EASY. I teach engineering now and came across this lecture for some inspiration. So glad I did.

I've never seen anyone who could so clearly communicate concepts with their hands. When he said wing tips or negative G his non verbal communication instantly made me understand what he meant. Really good lecture.

I’ve been a ppl for 25 years, Cessna, Pilatus and now cirrus. BUT I learned so much from this excellent talk. Thanks!

Its fascinating to know that he probably has knowledge of the 6th gen fighters and might have even flown prototypes of it. What an awesome lecture

Col Gordon is a great person and an excellent leader had the honor of working for him out at Edwards AFB at the F-22 compound while him being the squadron commander. Hope he gets his stars soon. Love the fact that the Raptor model has an ED (Edwards AFB) tail flash.

I've been avoiding this video every time it appeared in my recommendations because it's an hour long, but I am so glad I finally watched it. I'm by no means educated about aerospace engineering or any of the other topics relevant to this video, but it was still quite fascinating.

This is probably one of the coolest and most interesting videos I've randomly stumbled across in a long time

This definitely ranks in the top 3 "Most Interesting Lectures" I've ever watched. Great stuff!

43:25 "I could put my kid in a F-22 he could turn the stick all day at any speed and nothing bad would happen to the airplane" I wonder what would happen to his kid though :D Jokes aside, such a fantastic way of lecturing. To be able to explain such partially abstract and complex things in a way that even someone like me without any or close to no prior knowledge about flying can understand what he means is fascinating.

What an outstandingly performed lecture, enabling laymen to understand difficult stuff. My favorite together with the Apollo 11 computer video.

I am fascinated. So happy I even know what an E6-B is. But our instructor might like my story: yrs ago at EAA (Oshkosh) I saw Gen. Chuck Yeager just standing alone. So I asked for his autograph & then told him he flew the X-1 the same week I was born! He laughed heartily then said "Young Lady, I think that's more info than I needed." He was very polite. I was surprised that so many young pilots were walking right passed him. They didn't recognize him. Imagine. Great plane but the SR-71 Blackbird will always be my favorite.

Who searches for this stuff? Not me. For the first time I got a recommendation that I actually loved. Truly a fascinating experience. What scares me? Well let’s just say I recently saw Boston dynamics robots dancing. Now I’m envisioning the Strauss waltz with a couple of F 22s in the sky… 🤣

Great presentation, I don't fly planes, I am a grandmother who has 3 grandchildren who will see this and know how far they can go. I watched it 2 times.

The main engineer responsible for integrating all of the software systems and interfaces on the F-22 was a Korean American.

This course has come as a God sent to me. Got my F-22 Raptor last year on Black Friday for a nice 40% discount. Was looking around for tutorial/course since then.

The question why wings are on the top of "cessna-type" planes was left kind of unanswered so I will try to do it here briefly. When you design "normal" plane, you want to make it stable, meaning: without any input or with a little "wrong" input from pilot it should just flight straight instead of just bank on one side and lose all the lift. The easiest way to do this is to put sum of lift forces from both wings above the center of of gravity, so you make plane being "pulled up" by wings (in contradiction of wings "pushing up" the plane in which scenario your center of gravity can slide to the side if its not directly above the lift force). There are two common ways to do it, in most airliners wings are mounted at the bottom (for many reasons) and go slightly up as you approach the tip of the wing, so if you are flying straight, forces from your wing are pointed a bit towards each other (thus, generating a bit drag, as a tradeoff for stability), when you bank left, your left wing will have force from your left wing pointing more upward and your right wing force will be pointing more to the left (so less upward) and create feedback loop which will level your plane back to going horizontally. Now, if you put your wings on the top of the plane you don't need them pointing upwards because you already have your lift force above the center of gravity. In fighters which are fly-by-wire, you don't care about stability, computer will correct all input mistakes made by pilot and other factors, thus, trading off stability for less drag and more maneuverability seems like a good idea. Disclaimer: I'm not aviation expert, so this might contain some inaccuracies or even be wrong, I just don't know why visibility was main reason pointed out in the lecture for wing placement and aerodynamics and plane stability was somehow dismissed. I think this video explains it better than me: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/haqAbMiXtqjIlHU.html

He is a man with a confidence, great knowledge and real life experience, it's such a great lecture

This has to be the most entertaining lecture I've ever seen. Once you start watching, you cannot stop. He make concise statements. Easy to be understood by 7 year olds.

That's a hell of a piece of hardware! An engineering masterpiece. And Randy Gordon? Everybody wants a teacher like him.

Lecture this informative from an experienced lecturer/pilot, I would definitely pay the tuition first hand. It's a blessing KZfaq shares this content.

Was about to sleep when I saw this on my recommendation. Started to watch the first 5 min and ended up watching the full lecture for the guy's enthusiasm. You guys at MIT are really lucky to have Lecturers and professors like this.

I would take absolutely any class this gentleman was teaching!! Well done sir!

it's really interesting to see the corollaries of handling, stability, control between the f-22 and that of a racecar. both boiled down to a rigid body - with 6 degrees of freedom controlled by a combination of forces and moments.

I don't even own an F-22 and I still watched till the end, that's how good the lecture is.

22:06 it does feel like it sure would! You can search on KZfaq an F22 pre-flight check and you see when they test the elavator the whole thing shakes, which is nuts

I can't explain why i watched this. but im glad i did. Feels like time well spent.

Watched this thing fly in Pensacola FL. I've never seen a jet that can flip around, cobra, and do stall maneuvers the way it does. It's unbelievable how it moves! Was in complete awe of the performance. It felt like I was watching the laws of physics being broken left and right. An absolutely amazing and beautiful aircraft.

Incredible lecture, which I had classes and professors like him.

Good info. I stayed for the whole video and could not stop myself. Though I knew most all the answers I did learn a great deal. I think a lot of you watching did so as well. After 71 years on this planet you learn a thing or two. I am hooked on watching more videos from instructional MIT videos. Time well spent. Thanks You.