Zyll Posted June 30, 2018 Posted June 30, 2018 I know how to turn them on, but how do we read them to fly properly in formation? Interested to see some screenshots of how the lead should be aligned from the wingman's cockpit point of view. Thanks! Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
BSS_Sniper Posted June 30, 2018 Posted June 30, 2018 It's in the NATOPS. Shows exact position for different formation types. I9 9900k @ 5ghz water cooled, 32gb ram, GTX 2080ti, 1tb M.2, 2tb hdd, 1000 watt psu TrackIR 5, TM Warthog Stick and Throttle, CH Pedals
Nealius Posted June 30, 2018 Posted June 30, 2018 It's in the NATOPS. Shows exact position for different formation types. Which NATOPS? There's dozens of them, and the A1-F18AC-NFM-000 only briefly mentions formations in Part III Chapter 9. There are only three diagrams showing: Formation takeoffs for 2-ship, 3-ship, and 4-ship flights, Parade Formation for 2-ships and 4-ships, and Cruise Formation for 4-ships. That's it. The only mention of visual cues is nozzle angle in the Parade Formation. Nothing about formation lights. If people are going to say RTFM it would help to be more specific.
Zyll Posted July 1, 2018 Author Posted July 1, 2018 To be honest, I googled NATOPS and read "Four restricted distribution NATOPS manuals for the F-18 family of aircraft with a combined length of more than 3500 pages" and realized it really wasn't that important for me to know after all. LOL Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
Shadow KT Posted July 1, 2018 Posted July 1, 2018 I go by what I am used to in the A-10... NAV to flash when cold, then STDY when hot, back to FLASH when taxing. Pre flight check: NAV to STEADY, Anti-collision On All OFF when you fence in. If in a formation, formation lights ON as a preflight check before taking off. When in a formation, mainly the most outboard jet has Anti-collision ON. If in a fog, anti-collision OFF 'Shadow' Everybody gotta be offended and take it personally now-a-days
Frederf Posted July 1, 2018 Posted July 1, 2018 I think he means how to use the lights geometrically, what lines up with what.
RED Posted July 1, 2018 Posted July 1, 2018 To be honest, I googled NATOPS and read "Four restricted distribution NATOPS manuals for the F-18 family of aircraft with a combined length of more than 3500 pages" and realized it really wasn't that important for me to know after all. LOL Sent from my SM-G930W8 using TapatalkDon't worry, you already found your answer. Don't get scared by many pages. (You wouldn't read the whole lexicon to find the meaning of one word, right?) Go by the visual references you already found, switch the Christmas lights on, hit F2 and see what lines up, e.g. the nav light with the wingtip formation lights.
PunchOut Posted July 2, 2018 Posted July 2, 2018 found this on the VFA-113 site. Doesn't mention formation lights exclusively, but you get some visual references with the in-game model. http://www.users.on.net/~jase_ash/http:/www.users.on.net/~jase_ash/city-life-photos/styled-3/ Rig: intel i9-9900kf @ 1.21 gigawatts of electricity | Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Pro | EVGA 1080 Ti SC2 Gaming
BSS_Sniper Posted July 2, 2018 Posted July 2, 2018 I9 9900k @ 5ghz water cooled, 32gb ram, GTX 2080ti, 1tb M.2, 2tb hdd, 1000 watt psu TrackIR 5, TM Warthog Stick and Throttle, CH Pedals
ViperDriver Posted July 2, 2018 Posted July 2, 2018 Dear Pilots I also have a question: When do I need to turn on position light, strobe and formation light? Or when do I need to turn on which light? Many thanks and regards ViperDriver
HawkDCS Posted July 2, 2018 Posted July 2, 2018 Dear Pilots I also have a question: When do I need to turn on position light, strobe and formation light? Or when do I need to turn on which light? Many thanks and regards ViperDriver Beacons are for ramp start up and day. Formation lights are for Dawn Dusk Night or in Clouds to help your wingman line up properly in formation. Nav lights are for use at night but I doubt they get used much in combat. Strobes can be used 247 but again not in combat zone as they and beacons are anti collision lights. Rig: 5960X @ 4.5GHZ 32GB 3000Mhz DDR4 Titan XP Dell 3415W 21:9 Thrustmaster Warthog
DDSSTT Posted July 2, 2018 Posted July 2, 2018 (edited) How does that help? That actually helps a lot as its about 50% of the question. On each wingtip there are formation lights above and below the AIM-9s, and as the picture from NATOPs illustrates, should be positioned and visible on the LEX lights while the Nozzle alignment is flush with your viewing angle. (formation lights for formation flying) What's missing is when to have the lights on/off, its my understanding, is that lights are on from EENT to BMNT, in poor whether / visibility conditions, or mid-air refueling. Someone please correct me with the doctrine correct verbiage. Edited July 2, 2018 by DDSSTT [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] http://www.csg-2.net/
BSS_Sniper Posted July 2, 2018 Posted July 2, 2018 (edited) That actually helps a lot as its about 50% of the question. On each wingtip there are formation lights above and below the AIM-9s, and as the picture from NATOPs illustrates, should be positioned and visible on the LEX lights while the Nozzle alignment is flush with your viewing angle. (formation lights for formation flying) What's missing is when to have the lights on/off, its my understanding, is that lights are on from EENT to BMNT, in poor whether / visibility conditions, or mid-air refueling. Someone please correct me with the doctrine correct verbiage. When the lights are off, during the day, you are looking down the leading edge of your flight lead's wing. The only difference is if you're in a parade formation or cruise formation. The distance changes, but being inline with the leading edge does not. I forgot to post the page with the Cruise Formation diagram on it. I'll get it on here today. Actually, the angle is a little different in Cruise. Here's the NATOPS diagram... Edited July 2, 2018 by BSS_Sniper I9 9900k @ 5ghz water cooled, 32gb ram, GTX 2080ti, 1tb M.2, 2tb hdd, 1000 watt psu TrackIR 5, TM Warthog Stick and Throttle, CH Pedals
Jeepyb Posted July 2, 2018 Posted July 2, 2018 [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Callsign: BUNZ https://www.5vwing.com/
IvanK Posted July 2, 2018 Posted July 2, 2018 As the Wingman turn your Form lights up to max it will bathe your lead with glorious green glow ... easily enough to use your day time references :)
BSS_Sniper Posted July 2, 2018 Posted July 2, 2018 This is parade form, not cruise...just FYI I9 9900k @ 5ghz water cooled, 32gb ram, GTX 2080ti, 1tb M.2, 2tb hdd, 1000 watt psu TrackIR 5, TM Warthog Stick and Throttle, CH Pedals
BSS_Sniper Posted July 2, 2018 Posted July 2, 2018 Beacons are for ramp start up and day. Formation lights are for Dawn Dusk Night or in Clouds to help your wingman line up properly in formation. Nav lights are for use at night but I doubt they get used much in combat. Strobes can be used 247 but again not in combat zone as they and beacons are anti collision lights. Nav lights are used at all times, as is the beacon. Obviously it will change in a combat environment once you reach a certain point. I9 9900k @ 5ghz water cooled, 32gb ram, GTX 2080ti, 1tb M.2, 2tb hdd, 1000 watt psu TrackIR 5, TM Warthog Stick and Throttle, CH Pedals
AG-51_Razor Posted July 3, 2018 Posted July 3, 2018 To be honest, I googled NATOPS and read "Four restricted distribution NATOPS manuals for the F-18 family of aircraft with a combined length of more than 3500 pages" and realized it really wasn't that important for me to know after all. LOL Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk Too funny!! Spoken like a real pilot! :thumbup: [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Nealius Posted July 3, 2018 Posted July 3, 2018 (edited) So....OP asked specifically about formation light cueing at night....and two pages later only one person actually answered his question.... Edited July 3, 2018 by Nealius
BSS_Sniper Posted July 3, 2018 Posted July 3, 2018 (edited) So....OP asked specifically about formation light cueing at night....and two pages later only one person actually answered his question.... It was answered. If you can see the cues, as shown during the day, it translates to the formation strips. Did you come in here just to yell at everyone? lol Edited July 3, 2018 by BSS_Sniper I9 9900k @ 5ghz water cooled, 32gb ram, GTX 2080ti, 1tb M.2, 2tb hdd, 1000 watt psu TrackIR 5, TM Warthog Stick and Throttle, CH Pedals
Flamin_Squirrel Posted July 3, 2018 Posted July 3, 2018 It was answered. If you can see the cues, as shown during the day, it translates to the formation strips. Did you come in here just to yell at everyone? lol At no point, as far as I can see, has a complete answer been posted here. Nor can I see how the day references are in the slightest bit useful. Only Jeepyb has posted anything relevant, but I can't see how you're supposed to resolve distance from the image, only aspect.
Jeepyb Posted July 3, 2018 Posted July 3, 2018 At no point, as far as I can see, has a complete answer been posted here. Nor can I see how the day references are in the slightest bit useful. Only Jeepyb has posted anything relevant, but I can't see how you're supposed to resolve distance from the image, only aspect. Thanks for pointing out my relevancy bruh The paragraph that goes with that image also says the following regarding distance: Aligning the left and right engine nozzles sets lateral clearance. Proper positioning using these two references should result in six to seven feet of wing tip clearance. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Callsign: BUNZ https://www.5vwing.com/
Flamin_Squirrel Posted July 3, 2018 Posted July 3, 2018 Thanks Jeepyb. How can you do that at night though?!
maxTRX Posted July 3, 2018 Posted July 3, 2018 Thanks Jeepyb. How can you do that at night though?! At night I would stay the heck away from the lead:D (j/k)
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