Current state of naval / tactical aviation simulation?

[PhantomTweak]

Does this help at all for the formation flying? It's for the F/A-18, but should be adaptable to nearly any plane easily...

That IS from the real life F/A-18 A/B/C/D NATOPS, so it's what the US Navy really uses. I can post a few more pages, including the text from the NATOPS, and what other pictures there are, if you want.
Notice how everyone in the formation is flying only off the Lead plane. Stay focused on him ONLY. Constantly. Keep a good scan pattern, but when you're outside, ONLY look at Lead.
Very, VERY small throttle adjustments. Same for the stick. VERY small movements. Easiest if your controller's null zones are set to 0, or nearly so. Lets you make the tiny adjustments needed.

Formations this tight are normal Navy procedure, but ONLY in VFR conditions. If you can't see the lead well enough, the formation may either expand greatly, like to an eye-ball/shooter formation if dash-2 has a good radar lock on Lead, or even break up. Say Lead goes up 500' and dash-2 goes down 500', and dash-2 takes a 10° course change away from lead's course for 1 minute. Just for example, but you get the idea.

Dark, moonless/horizonless nights are an entirely different animal. Beware you don't fly formation on a star, or try to join up on a streetlight! When in doubt, at least in MP, you can always call "Christmas Tree" to have lead turn on all his external light bright, so hopefully you can see him. And bear in mind, your Radar is your friend!

I think I can dig up the download location for this, and a lot of other, NATOPS, as well as numerous Navy and various other service pubs.

Good luck!
Pat☺

 

[wombat666]

Have you read the whole thread Wombat?]

Unfortunately yes.

 

[Ganter]

Pat, what's the latest FSXBA F-18 version - didn't a new one come out not that long ago?

Cheers,

Later: Just checked - I've got version 17.1.30 - is there a big difference between that one and 17.1.31 ?

 

[Ganter]

Have you read the whole thread Wombat?]

Unfortunately yes.

LOL

 

[edakridge]

Downloading ver 18.2.22 to check it out now. Says that it is P3Dv4 compatible!

 

[Ganter]

Downloading ver 18.2.22 to check it out now. Says that it is P3Dv4 compatible!

Is that version still good for FSX do you know?

 

[COBS]

Formation? - Ummm - that's another matter, I'm either too quick; and overshoot, or too slow; and under achieve required speed and alt. It really is bloody difficult to match speed with 8 tons of metal travelling at 550 KIAS less than 15 feet away from you at 16 thou.

Any hints very gratefully received.

I cheat.
I select and Lock On a target aircraft in the radar that I want to do formation flying on .
The data field overlay on the radar provides information on that aircraft and relative information such as , Distance , closing speed ,
height above or below , relative bearing degrees with Left or Right , and a blue directional arrow .
Enables formation flying even in zero visibility or if the aircraft is behind you and thus out of sight .
This radar arrangement enables intercept of aircraft that are initially beyond visual ranges .

However if you don't have a radar that provides adequate information on the target aircraft , you have no alternative but visual clues .
Three aspect that can be of assistance are ,
1. Airbrake used to prevent overshoot , deploy On then Off , repeat if necessary .

2. Maintain thae target aircraft at a fixed visual reference point relative to the canopy bow .

3. Most HUD's have both a Velocity Vector and an Energy Caret , observe the relationship as you use thrust (throttle) to increase or decrease airspeed .
The Energy Caret will be exactly next to the Velocity Vector when the speed is constant , that will enable you to maintain station relative to
your target aircraft .

Cheers
Karol

 

[Ganter]

I cheat.
I select and Lock On a target aircraft in the radar that I want to do formation flying on .
The data field overlay on the radar provides information on that aircraft and relative information such as , Distance , closing speed ,
height above or below , relative bearing degrees with Left or Right , and a blue directional arrow .
Enables formation flying even in zero visibility or if the aircraft is behind you and thus out of sight .
This radar arrangement enables intercept of aircraft that are initially beyond visual ranges .

However if you don't have a radar that provides adequate information on the target aircraft , you have no alternative but visual clues .
Three aspect that can be of assistance are ,
1. Airbrake used to prevent overshoot , deploy On then Off , repeat if necessary .

2. Maintain thae target aircraft at a fixed visual reference point relative to the canopy bow .

3. Most HUD's have both a Velocity Vector and an Energy Caret , observe the relationship as you use thrust (throttle) to increase or decrease airspeed .
The Energy Caret will be exactly next to the Velocity Vector when the speed is constant , that will enable you to maintain station relative to
your target aircraft .

Cheers
Karol

Thanks for taking the time to post this valuable information Karol. I hadn't thought of airbrake deployment. I'll certainly put those points to use in the sim.

 

[COBS]

Unfortunately the image that I previously posted was reduced to such an extent that the radar text could not be read .
Hopefully this shot is better .

Text data is relative to target aircraft in previous panel shot .
Radar zoom distance is 1 nm , selected target aircraft is bracketed just above user aircraft icon.
The bottom "AA" button (Air to Air) opens target selection and text data , when that function is required .

Target aircraft is ,
Distance 311 feet from my aircraft
1 (one ) foot higher
11 degrees left of nose
closing speed is 0 kts

Previously I mentioned the Energy Caret to Velocity Vector relationship .
Ordinarily when you change throttle setting it's effect on the airspeed is a ballpark guess , however the movement of the
Energy Caret brings extreme precision to the task , and enables very small airspeed changes to be made , it acts
almost like a precision vernier affair .
The actual Energy Caret reflects aircraft acceleration , but works beautifully to sense very small airspeed changes , and that
is critically vital in formation work .

Cheers
Karol

 

[stearmandriver]

Is that version still good for FSX do you know?

It is, I'm running it now. Someone answered the same question when I asked in another thread. You just have to replace a couple files. FSX compatibility notes are at the bottom of this thread:
http://www.fsdreamteam.com/forum/in...tebq0k7&/topic,16514.msg123280.html#msg123280

 

[PhantomTweak]

Hi all!
Well, I guess all that above answers the whole FSX BA F/A-18 version question

Just so y'all (I love that word! English needs some kind of "you (plural)" form, and that fills the bill nicely) know, I finally got an answer to my request for an active link to PitchingDeck. It's here: http://www.fsdreamteam.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=17740.0;attach=23466 .
That's the critter, I do believe.
For instructions on installation and operation, look here: https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/446634-pitching-deck/

Since Orion wrote it, the instructions are probably accurate

Have fun with it!
Pat☺

 

[simtech]

Thanks, Pat.. I was looking for that a couple of days ago. As previously noted, all of the other links seemed dead. Appreciate the link... works great. Terry

 

[Ganter]

Hi all!
Well, I guess all that above answers the whole FSX BA F/A-18 version question

Just so y'all (I love that word! English needs some kind of "you (plural)" form, and that fills the bill nicely) know, I finally got an answer to my request for an active link to PitchingDeck. It's here: http://www.fsdreamteam.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=17740.0;attach=23466 .
That's the critter, I do believe.
For instructions on installation and operation, look here: https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/446634-pitching-deck/

Since Orion wrote it, the instructions are probably accurate

Have fun with it!
Pat☺

Yeah, nice one Pat.

One thing: I've got the red FSA HOT! message on the HUD - how do you get rid?
I'm running FSX+Acc.

Later: Sorted thanks to the FSX notes Here: (Thank you Stearmandriver)
http://www.fsdreamteam.com/forum/in...tebq0k7&/topic,16514.msg123280.html#msg123280


This bird is flying very nicely in FSX - and when I say very nicely - I mean - VERY NICELY.

Great work.

 

[stearmandriver]

Thanks Pat, that looks like great fun. The best of my passes are being graded as (ok) right now, with mostly cuts and wave offs... So I'll wait a bit to introduce a pitching deck ;-). But I'll grab it!

 

[Victory103]

What? No one mentioned their virtual “ace” status? Member of several mil VAs over the years and the ones with the most structure tend to weed out the non-hardcore mil sim flyers. My old VA wasn’t listed, but same RW procedures are used and probably the biggest challenge for nuggets is learning the precision flying “by the numbers”. Several memorable online MP flights around the boat trying not to be that guy that bolters, virtual Red Flags with players from around the world, and the general comarderie with like-minded tactical simmers. I’m assuming you skipped over Falcon:BMS due to the limited carrier ops?

Mentioned earlier DCS will have continued development for naval aviation. Long time VRS/Tacpack user, it’s here now and it works. Not too long ago we didn’thave moving boats!

Formation is easier real world, but get Tacpack and spawn the Rhino as a tanker. Remember you’re not trying out for the Blue Angels, PhantomTweak’s post is a good starting point on the visuals (plus he has 1000+ posts!!!).

 

[Ganter]

Growl!

You realise how ridiculously unrealistically easy it is to make the wire in the FSX default F/A-18 when you fly this FSXBA bird.

I did three recoveries in a row earlier today (in the default POS) - that's what woke me up to the FSXBA Hornet.

Now I've done three bolters (in the FSXBA) in a row. However, that's what it's all about - authenticity.

I'd rather fly as close to the real thing than have FSX default stuff guide my hand.

Great work guys.

Growl!

 

[stearmandriver]

Growl!

You realise how ridiculously unrealistically easy it is to make the wire in the FSX default F/A-18 when you fly this FSXBA bird.

I did three recoveries in a row earlier today (in the default POS) - that's what woke me up to the FSXBA Hornet.

Now I've done three bolters (in the FSXBA) in a row. However, that's what it's all about - authenticity.

I'd rather fly as close to the real thing than have FSX default stuff guide my hand.

Great work guys.

Growl!

Are you using vlso? They usually wave me off before the bolter lol. One thing I've found (that I love) is when the vLSO waves me off, and I think "hell, this isn't too bad, I can rescue this" and try to press the approach anyway, it ends in a bolter or a nastily unstable trap. That is a really well coded little program.

 

[edakridge]

Ganter, don't give up! Another expression that we have down here in the Deep South is: "If it were easy Fat Women and Kids would be doing it!" LOL It takes practice, practice, and still more practice.

 

[Ganter]

Are you using vlso? They usually wave me off before the bolter lol. One thing I've found (that I love) is when the vLSO waves me off, and I think "hell, this isn't too bad, I can rescue this" and try to press the approach anyway, it ends in a bolter or a nastily unstable trap. That is a really well coded little program.

Is that the vLSO on the RFN Tacan Gauge? - at the mo I'm simply using Javier's Nimitz. I'm in FSX + Acc + Steve's DX 10 Fixer - and I struggle to see the IFLOLS clearly as all the lights are very blurred and sort of merge into one another.

Ganter, don't give up! Another expression that we have down here in the Deep South is: "If it were easy Fat Women and Kids would be doing it!" LOL It takes practice, practice, and still more practice.

Like it, like it.

Right, I've had my breakfast, showered, sh*tted and shaved, and ready for action.
Can those in the know please confirm this NATOPS as appropriate for the FSXBA and CVNs. Ta.

 

[PhantomTweak]

Can those in the know please confirm this NATOPS as appropriate for the FSXBA and CVNs. Ta.

If it from the actual NATOPS, yes. The FSX BA Hornet uses the NATOPS procedures. As does the vLSO's.
HOWEVER, that's the night/Case II and Case III recovery pattern.

For a daytime, VFR recovery, you want Fig. 8.2. The "overhead" recovery, or "Break" style. And coming in on the Break is very stylish indeed!
I can't get my ISP to cooperate, so I can't post the picture, but if you have the NATOPS, go to figure 8.2. It'e the one right before the one you are showing.

And don't feel bad, "OK" is the best score you're going to get anyway.

Remember, those vLSO's are downright mean. I KNOW they hate me with a passion...


Two things to remember about trapping the FSX BA hornet aboard: 1) The boat should be moving, at it's usual 25 kts, and it'll need a 10 kt wind down the angle deck. 2) The gross weight of the plane needs to be 33,000 lbs or less. You can call up the information gauge for landing with SHFT+6, or you can get it off one of the MFD's. There's a menu choice, and darn if I can recall the name of it, that shows you fuel on board, range, total weight, etc etc. I use landing info gauge. If you hit SHFT+6 once, it'll pop up when you drop the hook. If you hit SHFT+6 twice, it'll pop up under the current configuration, and close if you drop the hook.

Good luck!
Pat☺