A-10C alignment process

Greetings all,

New to forum, very new to the A-10C as well, owned it for about a month. For those that have taken the time to create YouTube tutorials, PDF's, and the like, THANK YOU. I really only have one very minor frustration with the A-10, the alignment process. I completely understand that it is working as designed and there is nothing functionally wrong with it. I just had a random thought however, and I don't know if it has been discussed at all on the boards. Would it be possible to have an option created where it does an instant alignment somewhere in the settings. I know there is an inflight alignment vs. ground, but I was thinking it would be at least a question worth posing. Yes it does deviate from the realism, however I find myself, at least right now while still learning, the victim of a SAM missile at least once or twice a mission. The alignment process adds an additional 4 minutes to getting spooled up. Simply a thought that I think might be work pursuing as a toggle option in the settings menu. Otherwise, this A-10 is AWESOME!!

Hey, welcome!

The only way i would know for that is to fast forward time (which is essentialy the same).

CTRL + Y = Fast forward

SHIFT + Y = Slower

Greetings

Right, but what about multiplayer. I don't think time compression works in that environment, or does it? I think my frustration is more out of getting shot down than having to re-align and get going all over again. <Sigh> the growing pains of a rookie right!?!!!

Right, but what about multiplayer. I don't think time compression works in that environment, or does it? I think my frustration is more out of getting shot down than having to re-align and get going all over again. <Sigh> the growing pains of a rookie right!?!!!

Hah, i still die frequently of SAM's.

No it does not work in Multiplayer, afaik theres no possibility to skip the aligning process.

I suggest fast missions, you start armed in the air. I found them very helpfull for training purposes. :thumbup:

If you ask for ground power first while you're on the ramp and flip up your CDU/EGI switches next, your time for alignment will be significantly less (don't forget to disconnect ground power before rolling).

When not using ground power, one thing I do while the APU is spinning up is switch on the CDU/EGI switches and APU Gen switch so that when power comes on, the BIT starts and alignment can begin. This is not suggested in any checklist so I assume it may not be proper form. Either way, once that's running, I continue on with the rest of my checklist which includes setting up anything I want in the TAD, prepping my inventory in the DSMS, and customizing IFCC. By the time I'm done, I'm nearly aligned.

If you are starting on the ground you should not be waiting 4 minutes for the alignment. While it is aligning you will still be running through the checklist, flipping switches and turning on systems. By the time you have everything up and running the alignment will be complete.

When not using ground power, one thing I do while the APU is spinning up is switch on the CDU/EGI switches and APU Gen switch so that when power comes on, the BIT starts and alignment can begin. This is not suggested in any checklist so I assume it may not be proper form. Either way, once that's running, I continue on with the rest of my checklist which includes setting up anything I want in the TAD, prepping my inventory in the DSMS, and customizing IFCC. By the time I'm done, I'm nearly aligned.

The 476th's checklist is pretty similar to that. After turning on the APU and APU Gen it says to turn on the CDU and EGI.

Just start the alignment process ASAP during start up, then it will get ready while you're flipping the rest of the switches.

Also remember to start the TGP and align any Mavericks ASAP.

Edit: I got sniped! :)

Even though it's wrong, I'm out the hangar on one engine and down the runway by the time the second is up. The complete start up sequence finishes around angels 10. Tried and virtual combat tested. Theres probably something wrong somewhere but i've not noticed so I keep using that process.

Also remember to start the TGP and align any Mavericks ASAP.

Edit: I got sniped! :)

Unless of course your IP is 90min out.

Alignment is the first thing I Start, by time i Finish everything else it's done.

Not gonna go into specific buttons but, Generally:

Battery ON

Inverter to Stdby

APU On

APU GEN L/R ON

CDU ON

Check O2, Check Fuel, Check Warnings

O2 ON

Pitot Heat

PINKY AFT

All Lights ON

CICU Test, Then ON

All Weapons switches on

Uncage Guages.

MFCDS ON

LOAD ALL

Start Missile EO

Engage Parking Brake

Arm Seat

FUEL PUMPS ON

AM/FM Radios to ON/MAIN

Set Freq. Radio Tower for Startup,

Start Left, Master Caution, then Right.

APU OFF, APU GENS OFF

Engage SAS Systems

Set Take off trim

Set Anti-Skid

Radio Tower for Taxi

Close Canopy

-CDU Alignment Complete

Set NAV/EGI

GCAS and EAC

Landing Light to TAXI

Parking Brake Off

TAXI

as Soon as I'm Airborne i can start slinging MAVs if I need too.

If you ask for ground power first while you're on the ramp and flip up your CDU/EGI switches next, your time for alignment will be significantly less (don't forget to disconnect ground power before rolling).

 

When not using ground power, one thing I do while the APU is spinning up is switch on the CDU/EGI switches and APU Gen switch so that when power comes on, the BIT starts and alignment can begin. This is not suggested in any checklist so I assume it may not be proper form. Either way, once that's running, I continue on with the rest of my checklist which includes setting up anything I want in the TAD, prepping my inventory in the DSMS, and customizing IFCC. By the time I'm done, I'm nearly aligned.

This is exactly what I do. As soon as I can get power to the CDU I get it started then work on doing other things. Usually by the time I have both engines cranked up I only have a moment to wait.

Why ask for ground power, if you can also just start the APU? Fastest way is to turn on the battery, start the APU, turn on the Inverter and APU GEN, then turn on the CDU.

Actually, you can finish everything you need to and still be waiting for alignment. I routinely finish startup in about 3 mins, then spend a minute or so birdwatching, waiting for "4.0.0.8" to show up.

Why ask for ground power, if you can also just start the APU? Fastest way is to turn on the battery, start the APU, turn on the Inverter and APU GEN, then turn on the CDU.

By asking for ground power, you skip needing to WAIT for the apu. Unless there's some kind of bug where you actually have electrical power before the APU has stabilized. I've not actually tried that but would be interesting if that's the case. You SHOULDN"T be able to turn on the APU generator as soon as you start the APU and have power.

No but if you throw the APU switch and generator switch right away you'll have power in about 30 seconds, which is pretty close to what it takes for ground power.

This is not suggested in any checklist so I assume it may not be proper form.

Usually you want a relay loaded as little as possible when switching it to keep the wear on it low. The higher the power demand is when switching it, the stronger the contacts will be strained (oxidation or even melting/sublimation from the spark). I don't know how "intelligent" the switching happens in the A-10 when a gen goes online, but i have my doubts that the relais will appreciate being switched under high load.

By asking for ground power, you skip needing to WAIT for the apu. Unless there's some kind of bug where you actually have electrical power before the APU has stabilized. I've not actually tried that but would be interesting if that's the case. You SHOULDN"T be able to turn on the APU generator as soon as you start the APU and have power.

Wait for the APU? First I think "kids these days are too impatient to wait 4 minutes for INS alignment?" and now I'm wondering "kids these days are too impatient to wait 30 seconds for the APU to spool up?" :lol:

Hell, when I fly Falcon I have to sit through an 8 minute INS alignment. You get used to it.

It would surprise me if the A10C didn't have that 'ready' mode for a fast alignment.

Another question that pops up right now, why do people always put the UHF radio on MAIN, instead of BOTH?

Most of the time I have the A10C started up, rearmed and most of the profiles set in about 2,5 minutes. You can actually already be airborne in about 2 mins if you do the air alignment. Just trim the aircraft and you won't need autopilot.

I just take the time to program any critical frequencies for the sorties, review my flight plan, and set up any additional required waypoints or known ground threats.

As you said in op there is an inflight align option, if you use that you can align while finishing start up procedure,taxiing and flying.

So you dont have to sit and wait for 4 mins.

Ground power's a pretty good idea, probably the fastest. I personally just spool up the APU and the APU generator, then kick on the EGI/CDU power. By the time I finish my setup I've got a little bit of time to faff around with the DSMS profiles and stuff and then I usually only have to twiddle my thumbs for a little bit and alignment's done.

I'll try ground power though, that's a good idea.

I just take the time to program any critical frequencies for the sorties, review my flight plan, and set up any additional required waypoints or known ground threats.

I'm ok with most everything else, but using the programmed radio channels is one area I've not learned. No real reason, just haven't bothered with it. I realized it might make things go smoother when switching to other needed channels, but flipping the numbers isn't that big a deal to me.

If you don't have any GPS guided ordnance (JDAMS) a flashing a stead INS NAV RDY should suffice.

You don't have to wait for the ins alignment to finish you know, just do it in flight if you feel that it's too annoying.

Must be nice to have features that actually work.