Dino's Cat is out!!

[dswo]

What happened to the sounds? I carried forward your old and perfect soundpack and deleted the .CFG aliasing the new one to the hornet. Was there something you didn't like about them? I thought they were great. What gives?

Meanwhile, here are some formerly-payware sounds by Aaron Swindle at FlightSim.com:

<center>FS2004 (ACOF) - FS2004 Sound </center> <center>FS2004/FSX Grumman F-14 Tomcat Sound Set
</center> <center>[SIZE=-1] [ Download | View ] [/SIZE]</center>
Name: f14snz.zip Size: 3,754,109 Date: 01-26-2007 Downloads: 3,444
[SIZE=-1]

FS2004/FSX Grumman F-14 Tomcat Sound Set. In fond remembrance of all who flew and maintained the F-14 Tomcat aircraft. This soundset was previously part of the TopGunII payware package. Now freeware for everyone to enjoy. By Aaron R. Swindle Skysong Soundworks.[/SIZE]

 

[Alejandro Rojas L]

Really impressive model, what exquisite details , Dino you are an artist , and its a True FSX model ,..

Thanks you very much for such of great job

Alejandro

 

[BOOM]

Haven't forgotten, got the tails done. :ernae:

Bob,What a beautiful paint job!!! this will be a fantastic skin for a great aircraft!!! look forword to release!!
many thanks!! Cheers!!:ernae:

 

[harrybasset]

I downloaded this Beauty with some trepidation as I don't have Acceleration but it seems to work for me in SP2, I have added temporary sounds and panel from an earlier F-14.

 

[Warrant]

Payware quality, thanks for sharing! :ernae::ernae::ernae:

 

[Navy Chief]

Haven't forgotten, got the tails done. :ernae:

I was with VF-101 for training in 1973, when they still flew the Phantoms. They also, leastwise back then, also had a permanent det at NAS Key West.

NC

 

[dswo]

Tiny bug report: on the left-hand MFD, the second button on the right-hand side (ENG) does not work. The equivalent button does work on the right-hand MFD.

 

[Mr.Mugel]

That is one stunning bird! Thank you Dino, for giving it to us!

Have a little thing, too, maybe you know allready, but the generator switches work the wrong way...

 

[fliger747]

This one is a nice flier, with the Flight Path Vector on the HUD, one can make turns and maintain altitude within a couple of feet. Have to love crossing the ramp and advancing the throttle toward full burner just before impact, then catching the wire with a satsfying deceleration.

Setting thrust on approach might be a bit easier with a little more active sound set. In real jets one learns the right sounds and can tune the power very accuratly by ear.

Certainly the timing with the release of the Nimitz is fortutious!

Cheers: Tom

 

[deathfromafar]

The animation for the flight control surfaces is backwards. When the spoilers are up on a given wing, the stab movements fight it, not compliment it. It appears that the spoilers show the correct deflection for the right stick movements though.

Good catch tigisfat. The spoiler movement is correct but the stab movement for roll is completely backwards.

The other little detail regarding the spoilers, on this model they deploy mixed with the rear speed brake(they are mapped together). Full spoiler deployment in flight would not be connected to the speed brake actuation/deployment?

 

[wilycoyote4]

Tiny bug report: on the left-hand MFD, the second button on the right-hand side (ENG) does not work. The equivalent button does work on the right-hand MFD.

Yes, and this has been known since beta 1, if I recall correctly, basically, the readme has mention of issues. In simple explanation, issues are fixed as he, and his team of help, have both time and knowledge. The list of issues is needed and Dino welcomes a list obviously, but will do what he can when he can, in other words, it's not done yet, we're not there yet, lol. Strap yourselves into the ejection seat and you are a test pilot, lol. It's all good fun. :ernae:The Tomcat is a big complicated high performance twin jet meant to catch a wire in just over 100 feet of deck space on a moving deck which isn't an easy project no matter how you look at it but as a development project it surely isn't easy !!

It is a blessing as it is and very improved over beta 2. Hoping this helps a little so keep noting issues. I have my little list and even have that tail formation light on it (right tail) but can take it off my little list now, thankfully.

From the readme---
*************
KNOWN ISSUES
*************
Visual model:
- Wing sweep behaviour is approximate. Paolo is working to improve this.
- Maneuver/auxiliary flap behaviour is incorrect. Paolo is looking also into this issue.
Virtual cockpit:
- Some MFD buttons are not working (Unknown - XML code seems correct, same MFD works if compiled alone)
- Several buttons/switches not working or incorrectly mapped (for some I did not have time, others are just mistakes - please highlight the most annoying ones)
- Autothrottle not working (XML code seems correct... I can't tell why it is not working)
- Incorrect reading of some gauges (I had no time to fix them so far)
- GEN RESET button is mapped as MASTER BATTERY (real tomcat relies on external electrical power before engine start).
Flight model:
- Latest flight model has incorrect stall conditions (working on this)
Miscellaneous:
- Manual and checklist are missing. I had no time to compile them so far.

P.S. Thanks for the sounds
P.S.S Tig, good catch.

 

[wilycoyote4]

Good catch tigisfat. The spoiler movement is correct but the stab movement for roll is completely backwards.

The other little detail regarding the spoilers, on this model they deploy mixed with the rear speed brake(they are mapped together). Full spoiler deployment in flight would not be connected to the speed brake actuation/deployment?

Again, this has been mentioned before version 0.9 release, however, if I understand correctly, getting wing sweep solved was the need. Now, there are photos of real Tomcats trapping with both speed brake and spoilers open. It is my understanding, limited in knowledge as I am, that spoilers on the D were used independently by the pilot but can this be done in FSX and on a swing wing ----I must guess this is a coding nightmare, eh? In any event, it can't be easy.:isadizzy:

In the fulness of time there may be an improvement ----????

However, I have been trapping ----and boltering--- without using them. Trapping in version 0.9 is a geat improvement over the beta 2 flight model, in my humble bumble opinion.

cheers, allround :ernae:

 

[thunder100]

Hi

Just flew it vs the IRIS full FSX

CONGRATULATIONS

VC-->Dino's is better
FDE-->Dino's is better apart the cat fly's too easy slow speed
Handling-->Dino much better-->especially wing managment
Outer Model-->same maybe Iris a notch up,but its hard to compare grey against a Jolly Rogers

Roland

 

[dswo]

My first trap on the Nimitz, followed by my first launch. What an awesome combination! Notice the "Cinematic front view" (part of the Tomcat model) for the launch screenshot. I didn't have FSRecorder running, so the first shot is the moment after the Moment of Glory.

 

[dswo]

I understand (from the Hornet) how to use the donut gauge, but what about the AOA indexer (that sits below it on the dashboard)?

 

[tigisfat]

I understand (from the Hornet) how to use the donut gauge, but what about the AOA indexer (that sits below it on the dashboard)?

On every aircraft I've ever flown with an AOA gauge, it stood to let you know how far you were walking the aircraft in in continous turns and hard pulls. I don't know how F-14 guys used it.

 

[wilycoyote4]

My first trap on the Nimitz, followed by my first launch. What an awesome combination! Notice the "Cinematic front view" (part of the Tomcat model) for the launch screenshot. I didn't have FSRecorder running, so the first shot is the moment after the Moment of Glory.

Four aircraft views were added in this release to the previous three.

In addition to the MFD issues, it is known that HSI can be used on both but on the right MFD the button selector for ILS doesn't function. Therefore, use HSI on the left to select ILS on HSI, and on the right MFD, select engine. This has been known for both betas and gets a basic mention in the readme "Some MFD buttons are not working (Unknown - XML code seems correct, same MFD works if compiled alone)".

Hope this helps, cheers :ernae: BTW, David, nice trap, feels great, looks like the AIBoats bgl for San Diego with carrier not moving, it's a great bgl. And the Tomcat traps so smoothly compared to the Acceleration default Hornet, IMVVVVHO.

 

[piperarcherpilot]

Again, this has been mentioned before version 0.9 release, however, if I understand correctly, getting wing sweep solved was the need. Now, there are photos of real Tomcats trapping with both speed brake and spoilers open. It is my understanding, limited in knowledge as I am, that spoilers on the D were used independently by the pilot but can this be done in FSX and on a swing wing ----I must guess this is a coding nightmare, eh? In any event, it can't be easy.

I think this is the DLC, or direct lift control system. Basically, the spoilerons are used to augment the elevators for more responsive glideslope control. When the DLC system is active, it lifts the spoilers up about 1/3 of the way for the entire approach. If the pilot pushes forward on the stick, the elevator goes down as well as the spoilers lift up higher, dumping more lift. When the pilot pulls back on the stick, the elevator goes up and the spoilers retract. This enhances the sensitivity of the controls for the Tomcat. But, no, when the speedbrake is deployed, the spoilers should NOT go up. This would result in a severe pitch down moment in real life. You may see them linked together during approaches (DLC and speedbrake) but they're not linked directly.

The AOA indexer comes in many derivations, but its used for approach and landing (not turning flight). The indexer is different from the AOA indicator in that it has the three lights - two chevrons and a circle - and is basically set for an optimum approach AOA. When you're 'on speed,' (the amber center circle is lit up) this means the indicated airspeed will yield the optimum approach AOA, which is largely based on current aircraft weight. Higher the weight, obviously, the higher the required airspeed to reach this proper AOA and vise versa. IF the upper chevron (usually a green light) is lit up, this indicates indicates a slow airspeed (too high an AOA). If the lower chevron is lit (usually a red light) this means you're flying too high an airspeed (relating to too low an AOA).

I never noticed the flight controls being mapped backward...have to check that when I get back home...!

 

[MenendezDiego]

Hi
Outer Model-->same maybe Iris a notch up,but its hard to compare grey against a Jolly Rogers

Roland

Maybe a notch? Dino did great work, don't get me wrong, but Iris nailed the external model perfectly

 

[JT8D-9A]

Many thanks Dino!
Robert, your repaint looks fantastic and i hope there will be more photoreal repaints :ernae: