legearre

Definitely +1 for the barest of AI pilot while in the Navigator's chair. Just keep current head & speed.

Definitely +1. Having AI "Archie" though isn't the same as having an extremely simple pilot AI that maintains heading/speed while you play with the radios.

Like that nervous twitch folks get, your note jarred the memory of aviators screaming, "static on Button 12!!" It's been too many years ago to remember what Button 12 was, but it was mighty important whatever it was...

You have superior nose authority, use it. Spend the energy, get the nose around first and kill him. No elegant, drawn out circle dance. End it, now.

Does the target shoot back?

Absolutely no way to tactically answer that question. You’re a hunter, you go where the prey is. In an aircraft interview, a 14 pilot said standard patrol alt was 23kft. Why? Didn’t say but I suppose it’s a combination of fuel economy and radar coverage. Other than that, stay slightly below the bandit wherever he is when prosecuting.

IP has been around since at least ww2, it’s the last waypoint prior to the target and sets you on the desired strike vector. That said, use it however desired, the 14 doesn’t hold a lot of them. I typically use defended point as bulls

Laser fire toggle You could join the “modern” air fleet, fly the 14, where the LANTIRN actually turns your laser on and off for you automatically! It’s PFM!

Right. Make a two-ship with an 18 carrying 2 harpoons and 2 harms and you carry talds. 18 goes trail by 5 or so miles. Send the talds in first, then the high fast flying harms and then the low slow harpoons right behind them.

Why not Jester? Because Jester will throw out chaff to missiles that aren’t targeting you and/or when you’re not notching making chaff ineffective. I would love for Jester to be able to handle but for now, recommend going pilot control, spitting out repeated singles (either chaff or flares), and just changing to either using the wheel as the situation dictates

I use auto throttle plus dlc as standard, no issues, works well. AoA on-speed is dependent upon your weight

Rather than relying on others, read for yourself the a2g role the 14 played in history. Recommend the Osprey book 14 Tomcat Units of Operation Enduring Freedom. There would be no tactical early days of the Afghan conflict without the 14’s endurance, bombing, lasing and FAC-A capability. Or the book Black Aces High detailing the 14’s a2g role in Kosovo.

My recommendation, ignore the hand-wringers. The plane is a blast to fly and fight and there’s more than enough capability to enjoy in PvP/pve servers and SP missions.

Stay below the target and tell jester to go PSTT

There may be a lot of reasons why I smoke someone in the 14. Not being jammed isn’t one of them...