Second, in one quick motion, he popped the speed brakes and dropped his landing gear.
The Consolidated engineers had thought the speed brakes would be unnecessary in the pattern.
The speed brakes allowed-required-Rita to come in with a higher power setting.
The aircraft also had split flaps, which doubled as speed brakes.
It also has a high thrust-to-weight ratio and large speed brakes.
He increased his rate of descent again, and the speed brakes kept him from coming in too hot.
Fitzgerald could see the speed brakes extend above the wings.
He yanked his nose over and pulled the power back, deployed the speed brakes.
He rolled the Tomcat onto its back, popped the speed brakes, and started down.
During the descent it was prescribed that the speed brakes be extended.