On September 12, 1997, the Super Hornet flew its 1,000 flight. F/A-18E/F Integrated Test Team pilot Cdr. Rob Niewoehner was at the controls of Super Hornet E4 for the one-hour flight. (F/A-18E4 is pictured during an earlier flight.) During 1997, the Super Hornet was engaged in a variety of flight test activities, including high angle of attack and spin tests; flying qualities and performance tests; weapon delivery/accuracy tests; weapon separation tests; launch of air-to-air missiles; release of air-to-ground weapons; and release of free-fall air-to-ground bombs. Nearly two years into the three-year flight test program at Naval Air Station Patuxant River, MD., the Super Hornet was on schedule and on budget, with the aircraft still well under specified weight.