One feature of the F-16 for air-to-air combat performance is the cockpit's exceptional field of view. The single-piece, bird-proof polycarbonate bubble canopy provides 360¡ all-round visibility, with a 40¡ look-down angle over the side of the aircraft, and 15¡ down over the nose (compared to the more common 12Ð13¡ of preceeding aircraft); the pilot's seat is elevated for this purpose. Furthermore, the F-16's canopy lacks the forward bow frame found on many fighters, which is an obstruction to a pilot's forward vision.