Commandosolo Posted January 7, 2019 Posted January 7, 2019 So I use autopilot a lot when I am flying around in my A-10C trying to figure out MFDs. Does the F-14B have an autopilot? I saw in the last video he is talking about constant input to keep the F-14 straight and level. So no autopilot? Oddly, nothing on google about an autopilot and the F-14B. Yes, it's a noob questions but I am a noob.
Strikeeagle345 Posted January 7, 2019 Posted January 7, 2019 So I use autopilot a lot when I am flying around in my A-10C trying to figure out MFDs. Does the F-14B have an autopilot? I saw in the last video he is talking about constant input to keep the F-14 straight and level. So no autopilot? Oddly, nothing on google about an autopilot and the F-14B. Yes, it's a noob questions but I am a noob. I believe it does, the switches are on the left hand side behind / AFT the throttle if i remember correctly. There are Three switches, one for ALT hold, one for HDG or GT (Ground Track) hold, and a third for VEC/PCD or ACL (no idea what this one does) Strike USLANTCOM.com i7-9700K OC 5GHz| MSI MPG Z390 GAMING PRO CARBON | 32GB DDR4 3200 | GTX 3090 | Samsung SSD | HP Reverb G2 | VIRPIL Alpha | VIRPIL Blackhawk | HOTAS Warthog
Flamin_Squirrel Posted January 7, 2019 Posted January 7, 2019 Here's what NATOPS has to say about those modes. I don't know anything else about them, but by the sound of it VEC/PCD will have no use in DCS, at least for now, as someone else would have to send the commands to your plane (assuming I understand correctly). VEC/PCD — Autopilot roll axis commands steer aircraft using data link signals for vectoring. If the precision course direction (PCD) discrete is present both roll and pitch axis commands are used. Engaged by nosewheel steering pushbutton. OFF — Disengages VEC/PCD and ACL modes. ACL — Autopilot will accept data link signals for carrier landing, using spoilers for roll and parallel servo for pitch. Only pitch commands are transmitted to stick movement. Engaged and disengaged by nosewheel steering pushbutton.
Victory205 Posted January 7, 2019 Posted January 7, 2019 Yes, and it is all you would ever need. Altitude and heading hold functions that allow the pilot to use the stick to set a bank angle, then roll out manually, with the system holding the new heading once the wings are less than 5 degrees angle of bank. Simple and effective for 95% of your flying. Add in ACLS behind the ship, and GT if you like enroute. We'd fool around with VEC from time to time, to let the E3C NFO's fly us around for a few minutes, but not practical otherwise. I never got ACLS to work at the ship to touchdown. OK for initial approach to help get a good Case III start. It would spit you out at 200-300 feet and wasn't worth the effort of recovery. I would suggest that you learn to land manually. Need all three SAS systems working and engaged for autopilot to work. Fly Pretty, anyone can Fly Safe.
OnlyforDCS Posted January 7, 2019 Posted January 7, 2019 Need all three SAS systems working and engaged for autopilot to work. Thanks for the info! Awesome to have an actual Tomcat pilot as a regular forum member. Would love to hear more about those SAS systems and their application. Current specs: Windows 10 Home 64bit, i5-9600K @ 3.7 Ghz, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB Samsung EVO 860 M.2 SSD, GAINWARD RTX2060 6GB, Oculus Rift S, MS FFB2 Sidewinder + Warthog Throttle Quadrant, Saitek Pro rudder pedals.
Dudikoff Posted January 9, 2019 Posted January 9, 2019 I can see these basic modes (hold and gt) being essential for SP as well when you want to work the radar from the back seat (sorry, Jester). i386DX40@42 MHz w/i387 CP, 4 MB RAM (8*512 kB), Trident 8900C 1 MB w/16-bit RAMDAC ISA, Quantum 340 MB UDMA33, SB 16, DOS 6.22 w/QEMM + Win3.11CE, Quickshot 1btn 2axis, Numpad as hat. 2 FPH on a good day, 1 FPH avg. DISCLAIMER: My posts are still absolutely useless. Just finding excuses not to learn the F-14 (HB's Swansong?). Annoyed by my posts? Please consider donating. Once the target sum is reached, I'll be off to somewhere nice I promise not to post from. I'd buy that for a dollar!
falk1234 Posted January 9, 2019 Posted January 9, 2019 Thanks for the info! Awesome to have an actual Tomcat pilot as a regular forum member. Would love to hear more about those SAS systems and their application. You can read about SAS of the A10C. I guess they are comparable to a degree. The A10C uses it for example to keep the plane stable while shooting the GAU-8.
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