Grumman F-14 Tomcat: Difference between revisions

|status =Production

|fdm =YASim

|fgname = f-14b

}}

It entered service in 1972 with the U.S. Navy, replacing the [[McDonnell F4 Phantom II]]. It was later exported to the former Imperial Iranian Air Force in 1976, during a time when the US still had good relations with Iran. It was retired from the active U.S. Navy fleet on 22 September 2006, having been replaced by the [[F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18E/F Super Hornet]]. As of 2007, it remains in service only with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.

{| class="prettytable"

|Home

|}

[[File:SunsetF-14.png|270px|thumb|right|A nice scene with the F-14.]]

{| class="prettytable"

|a

|}

{| class="prettytable"

|h

|}

{| class="prettytable"

|O   

|-

|}

{| class="prettytable"

|Ctrl-w

|-

|}

{| class="prettytable"

|c

|}

* With wings on over sweep position (parking position) the elevator command is inhibited... just in case...

* Check air brake in.

* Rudder: Currently the FDM use a small rudder rate of move to damp some nasty oscillations when the rudder is not moved enough smoothly. '''If not anticipated''', this delay will cause overshooting the desired rudder effect, then a strong counter action on the rudder will be applied by the pilot on the rudder with again an overshoot... That's a typical  [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilot-induced_oscillation pilot-induced oscillation]. To avoid this set a small amount of rudder, wait for the effect, see if it's enough, then add a small amount of rudder again if needed... when doing so the pilot will prefer increasing the power smoothly. Now the aircraft will quickly gain speed while covering the runway and the rudder effect will increase, thus decreasing the needed delay and the amount of pressure on the stick to match the desired effect.

* The main mode is '''Attitude Hold Mode''', '''Ctrl-t'''. Other Modes need this main mode activated before being selected. Switching off '''Attitude Mode''' disables all other modes . When in '''Attitude Mode''', the autopilot disengages whenever a certain pressure is put on the stick, and it reengages when the stick is back in the center position . '''Attitude Hold Mode''' will hold pitch attitudes up to plus or minus 30 degrees, and bank angles up to plus or minus 60 degrees.  

* It shall be switched off for aerobatics and inverted flight .

* Once in the Attitude Mode, you can select '''Altitude Mode''' by hitting '''Ctrl-a''', then the '''AP REF''' indicator, (left of the '''VDI''') will illuminate, when at the desired altitude using normal stick control, engage by hitting '''*''', (asterisk) . The autopilot will then maintain your altitude.

'''CAUTION''' - at high speeds, it is imperative to stabilize your aircraft prior to engaging Altitude Mode !

* Once in the Attitude Mode, you can select '''Heading Mode''' by hitting '''Ctrl-h''' . After maneuvering the aircraft into the desired reference heading, release the control stick at a bank angle of less than 5 degrees . The autopilot will then hold the aircraft on the selected heading.

* The '''APC''' is a closed loop system that automatically regulates basic engine thrust to maintain the aircraft at an optimum approach angle of attack for landing .  

* Prior to engage '''APC''', gear handle must be down with weight off wheels, and the throttles must be set between 98 percent rpm and 68 percent rpm, (as shown on the panel gauges).  

* When disengaged the '''AUTO THROT''' caution light, (on the left side of the HUD) illuminates for 10 seconds .

* During landing approaches, the spoilers and horizontal stabilizers can be controlled simultaneously to provide glidepath correction without changing power setting or angle of attack.

* Ground spoilers (that is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elevon elevons] used as air-brake ) provide additional drag immediately after the touch down. Before the landing, arm the ground spoilers by hitting '''Ctrl-s''' . After the aircraft hits the runway, pull the throttle to idle, then the spoilers (elevons) get fully deployed.

At the moment, only the gun and the AIM-9s are operational, others ordinances are displayed under the wing, their weight is correct but they aren't usable.

** Now prior to be fired, the AIM-9 must have a lock on a target. For the time being only Multiplayers and AI tankers can be locked. The minimal lock distance is 10 NM, the target must be aproximately inside a 80° cone centered on datum line. When locked, the signal buzz volume becomes louder. For best results try to shoot at a 3 to 6 NM range and with the target centered on the aircraft velocity vector. The missile will explode at the smaller distance possible. However if this distance is above 70 meters, it will continue its trajectory without guidance.

* The Display Control Panel is located on the right side of the pilot's main panel, under the Hook lever. The '''3 botom switches''' respectively turn the '''VDI''', '''HUD''' and '''HSD''' displays '''on/off'''. The '''HSD MODE''' switch is also available, it selects '''NAV''' or '''TID''' or '''ECM''' mode. This can also be achieved by cycling through these 3 modes with the "'''h'''" key. (''Note: the '''NAV MODE''' push buttons - '''TO''', '''CRUISE''', '''A/A''', '''A/G''', '''LDG''' - are not operational yet.'')

** '''VDI: Vertical Display Indicator'''. Shows the aircraft attitude in roll and pitch, with an artifitial horizon and magnetic heading.

** '''HUD: Head UP Display'''.

** '''HSD: Horizontal Situation Display'''. HSD shows either:

* Located on the RIO's left console, 3 bands: 30-88 MHz, 108-174 MHz, 225-400 MHz. Modes '''TR''' and '''TR-G''' set '''COMM1'''. Mode '''DF''' sets '''NAV1''', that is '''Direction Finder''' displayed with the single needle in both '''BDHIs''' (Bearing, Distance, Heading Indicator) . You have Comm *or* DF. Storing frequencies (up to 20 channels) '''a - PRESET'''  select the desired channel, '''b - READ''' tune the desired frequency, '''c - LOAD''' stores the frequency in the previously selected channel.

* Located on the pilot's left console, 225-400 Mhz. ADF is not enabled on this radio.