Jackjack171

It is actually more simple than that. When Pilots come into Flight Deck Control, they put a weight chit into a box for the Shooters. It has asymmetric loads, weapons loads and fuel etc. That is the responsibility of the Pilot to know how much the jet weighs. You know what you loaded and how much it weighs. If solo, subtract how much fuel you've burned and how much ordnance that you don't have on the way back to the ship or whatever. It's just math! It may be painful to do for some so I get it, which is why I would like Jester to do it or I do it myself. Anything else I may as well jump into the Hornet to look at the DDI.

I was agreeing with you brother. But I do think having it on a kneeboard is like a cheat. Are you suggesting it just be on the kneeboard waiting for you to look at? A real pilot (solo) would have to do the calculations himself (except for in the Hornet). If you have a RIO, I'm sure he would do it for you. That's why I think it should be a Jester option. If it is available on a kneeboard to glance at at any given time and is dynamic, then it's just like the Hornets Checklist page.

I get it, but then it would be just like the hornet. I'd rather do the math myself then that. I could get with it being in the Jester menu. Maybe labeled, "Jester Gross Weight" or "landing checks" rather than it be just hitting the DDI to see my stores page. IJS

I'm willing to bet that there were CAT 3 restrictions here back in the day. The CAT 3 JBD is way too small (not a criticism). I looked up some pics and cant find any of tomcats going off of CV-59's CAT 3. CAT 4 seemed to be the go to. At least that is how it appears. Makes sense for that era when they had different aircraft and not just Rhino's everywhere. Missing: Barricade Stanchions (Flush with the deck of course)

That did it! Thank you brother!

If it is not any trouble, do you mind sharing that Throttle curve? I'm having a time getting my Warthog Throttle detent to work with the Tomcat.

Just had some more time with the ship, here's my take: Too many Forklifts on the flight deck. I get that it supposed to be the "junk yard" effect though. The "meatball is not very visible although the Datums are VERY visible! The flight Deck has a nice old and natural grime and feel to it. But it is too dark. I cannot see the LA until in close. And I have to say it: I miss the deck crew from the SC. Having a Director line you up is worth millions! JK, but I'm saying! Overall, I like it! Just little things need ATD.

I am totally digging this! Outstanding brother!

It looks like the artist tried to portray what's called the "junk yard". It's actually correct with minor details here and there. There was a post earlier about the crane forward of the island. The thing is, that's where it stayed IRL, back in the day. I'd like it if we got the Flight deck status lights, as well as the crew behind the windows. The Handler looking out would be cool!

Those are called Bridle catchers, brother. They are from the days when we used Bridles instead of a launch bar. The Carl Vinson had one on the bow in her later years and the Kennedy had one on the waist with "JFK" written on it. These were deleted as the last Bridle A/C left the fleet! The Truman launched the last bridle equipped A/C from the Training Command, a T-2 Buckeye. The port holes are just that. I've never been on a Forrestal class ship but these port holes are in a berthing onboard The GW!

The Helo hole on Forrestal class ships were different from those of the Nimitz and other carriers. The way those ship operated was tailored to that type ship. So technically @MBotis correct.

Agreed! Although, she was decommissioned in 1993. So 1955-1993.

I was looking at the Virpil collective as well. I am considering getting one of the stick grips as well (I have the F-14 stick grip from Virpil) for immersion and I want to have the best available. You are correct as the TM Warthog is good for just about everything, but I need something else for the Apache. The Mongoose or the Constellation grips look as close to similar IRT the Apache stick. Which would you recommend?

Historically speaking, Helicopter pilots have never had cool callsigns. Some of us in the Navy thought it was funny. That and P-3 Orion pilots with callsigns! Lol George just might be appropriate!

As I recall, that's where the barricade is, so only 4 max are operational at any given time...at best!

This is awesome! Do you plan to release this?

The ship has what's called a PIM (position of intended movement). We would turn into the wind to launch and recover. Immediately after the recovery, she turns back to whatever course she's supposed to be on. Wash, rinse, repeat! She can't stay out of PIM too long. It has something to do with how we are tracked by higher authority. I hope that answered your question.

Keep in mind. the Flight Deck uniform for the SC Nimitz class will be different than the Forrestal. From the pants to the "mouse ears", it will/would have to be changed. That era Navy didn't wear cammies either! Bummer about the Forrestal not being animated!

Honestly, it was the Truman CVN-75 that was the last to use the bridle system. She was the last to fling T-2C's into the air in July of 2003, before that aircrafts retirement. So technically, if ED wanted to play it, they could! buckeye.pdf (navy.mil) The Forrestal class from Heatblur would be ideal for all of this though!

IRL, the way it works is the Pilot/Aircrew will give a Weight chit to the Shooters in Flight Deck control! This contains the weight, loadout, asymmetry and other things that I have forgotten. The Shooters take this info and calculate WOD requirements, wet bulb, dew point and some other things. In the bubble they work the magic to get the correct amount of steam for each aircraft. That's the short version as it's been a while! I think the problem in DCS is that the CAT Shot is a "one size fits all approach, which is fine considering the complexity of such a thing!

Correct, no lights/taxi lights on deck unless an emergency. Until this is fixed I guess we have to make due. We really need those wands!

Lol, I've never had a out-of-shape Air Boss. My Boss Mini and Handler were always fit. Well, I have had a fat Handler once!

I see! It looks very different from Nellis and from Misawa. To me it looked like one big area for Heavies. Thank you for this and the clarification!

If you don't mind, where can I find that SOP? I am puzzled as well about this airfield. I used to work at Misawa and the EOR area made sense. I have failed to find the arm/de-arm EOR area here.

No worries! I guess context is hard to gauge sometimes online for me as well! I'm glad we got it all sorted!