The most spectacular maneuvers of the Su-57 look almost incredible from the outside – the fighter can sharply change its position in space and perform maneuvers inaccessible to ordinary aircraft. However, this is a deceptive impression, explained test pilot of the Sukhoi Design Bureau Sergey Bogdan.
From a safety perspective, the most stressful mode is when the aircraft is stationary and hovering on its engine.
In this position, the usual aerodynamics can no longer fully compensate for problems with the power plant. Therefore, engine thrust stability is especially important.
If one engine suddenly fails or thrust drops, then a very strong rotational moment will arise, and the aircraft will begin to descend erratically.
Bogdan clarified that such modes require maximum concentration from the pilot, because the time and altitude margin for correcting the situation is limited. At the same time, Bogdan noted the reliability of Russian engines, thanks to which the Su-57 is capable of performing complex maneuvers, including at low altitudes.
After the Airshow China in Zhuhai in 2025, Bogdan explained how the Su-57 can "stand on its tail" for almost half a minute thanks to its high thrust-to-weight ratio.