article_snippet: The F-16's most innovative design feature is its 'fly-by-wire' control system, the first on any aircraft.
article_snippet: the F-16 Fighting Falcon is designed to maneuver at up to nine g's.
article_snippet: This allows the F-16 Fighting Falcon to turn tighter than other fighters, a big advantage in a dogfight.
article_snippet: But at such high g-loadings, the pilot is crushed down into the pilot seat by almost a ton of force, and can barely lift a finger.
article_snippet: So the F-16 Fighting Falcon has a small side-mounted control stick on an armrest.
article_snippet: Instead of moving back and forth, the F-16's fixed joystick responds to hand pressure.
article_snippet: In a tight, high-g turn, an otherwise immobilized F-16 pilot can literally fly with the twitch of a finger.