How about an HSI thread ?

[Svsmokey]

Yeah , there's enough going on there that many must have questions . I know I do , so please allow me to start .

 

I'm trying to setup a nav flight plan to land at an airfield using INS waypoints at the CRP and runway threshold to land in minimum visibility . I would like to set a course line aligned with the runway at the threshold WP .

 

The problem is , afaik , this must be done between the CRP and threshold WP's , when I'm already busy slowing down , configuring the Bug , making the course turn to the IP , and monitoring/correcting the rate of descent .

It seems that when I set a course line , it disappears (forever) when I select a different waypoint . I also tried to set a Tacan course line , but it likewise vanishes (forever) when i then select a waypoint .

 

I don't know if this is a bug or not , but assuming it isn't , anyone have any ideas on how to avoid setting a course line "on the fly" ? Or , failing that , how to speed up the process ? I have already bound my keyboard numberpad keys to the UFC numberpad , but i don't know how much that'll speed things up , and I hate to take my hand off the joystick , particularly in landing configuration .

 

I do recall from the 90's that thing with the waypoint marker moving to the extended runway heading on the HUD heading tape as you approach the IP , but i don't think that offers the precision I need to break out of the clouds at 300 AGL on final .

 

Thanks in advance for all replies .

[Svsmokey]

Boy ! That keyboard number pad is much quicker for the UFC . Between that and a procedure change , I can handle the "on the fly" course-line set . Still like to know if it's a bug tho...

[Dangerman]

Ref your course line. Try TACAN approach without using a course line and using needle only. All pro pilots know how to track a radial inbound or outbound by eyeball. Then perhaps your in cockpit workload could be decreased?. Once you are established or on closing heading, then set up your course for your confidence check. But Beware of using your Aircraft position for the approach in case it drifts. I don’t know enough about the hornet nav system to say if it is pure GPS or IRS or main computer position adjusted by GPS and/or IRS

 

Rule of thumb for bearings/radials:

 

forget you are looking at your map and ignore The aircraft symbol

—-Imagine you are attached to the tail of the needle and you are pointing directly upwards

 

—-Drag the tail to achieve the bearing/radial you want and then Point at the tacan and maintain the inbound course/radial.

 

 

Tacan is nailed to the floor and it’s position is fixed (except CVN of course.... and air to air tacan but that doesn’t give bearing in real life)

Because the tacan is fixed, your position relative to it is absolute and not subject to navkit drift

 

By all means have a waypoint to assist SA, but beware of its integrity due to ownship position integrity. Although probably not modelled in DCS?

 

If you can grasp these basic fast jet pilot skills you can concentrate on SA.

 

I would have drawn a diagram but doing this on iPhone whilst bored in a coffee shop ????

[Svsmokey]

Point taken re: drift . My understanding is that the Hornet's INS drift is updated by GPS , though whether either is modeled , i have no idea . I lean more towards inertial rather than tacan nav because although i have 3 maps , the Caucasus is by far my favorite , although it only has 3 or 4 tacan stations . Tacan is also not so good low in the mountains . The specific mission i'm flying , and developing an "IFR" flight plan for , starts in Kohlki , and ends in Nalchik , a civilian airport sans tacan .

I do indeed use the technique you describe sans a course line , having referenced it in my last op paragraph , albeit with waypoints . You may wish to edit your post , as i'm certain you meant range instead of bearing when referring to air-to-air tacan .

Thank you for the reply , and i will continue to work on my course "capture" skills , both with and without a course-line .

[Dangerman]

Dodgy nav kit should never stop you getting where you need to be as you need eyes on in some form or other (eyes on, TGP, Laser spot mark) to avoid collateral damage in this modern warfare world. The nav kit gets you close....the pilot gets the bomb on target. Different for some guided munitions the hierarchy accepts you are doing it on the kit embedded with the munition.....

 

......wont edit ref air to air TACAN.. in real life air to air TACAN only gives range... never bearing...unless things have changed in the last 20 years. If so, happy to be corrected.

[Svsmokey]

If you didn't sound so authoritative , i would have a hard time accepting your statement re: aa tacan , but as it is , i will consider myself corrected...

[Dangerman]