F-14 Handling in Knife Fight

[Ryano4242]

Thanks to all the videos and all that's been written I pulled off something I thought impossible in the Tomcat:

 

 

The Double Dirty Immelmann on takeoff! :)

 

 

In a clean configuration with about 50% fuel load I usually do it from the roll break into the pattern then touch and go. I've also done it from a standstill breaking the no afterburner rule. :P

 

 

It really demonstrates listening to the airframe, an easy warbird-like touch on the controls (pulling a bit harder at the top of #1 and backing off when the shuddering increases, keeping ahead of the aircraft.

 

 

The hardest part is the half roll at the end of #1, fighting with rudder to initiate and halt the roll; the fighter skidding and wanting to nose over. The engines really keep you from staying slow too long and as Victory said "If you are over 100 kts. you are still flying" just wiping the controls back and forth to try to stay wings level. It's impossible not to lose some altitude in the transition.

 

 

#2 is easier, scanning airspeed and AOA again keeping everything level, remembering to keep from over speeding the gear. This is where Jester calling out airspeed would be so helpful. You have more speed from the F110's and a gentle pull gets its over the top. At the top of #2 things are easier and as you top over you clean the Tomcat with a crisper half roll.

 

 

With all the touchy handling I never thought it could be done but this plane teaches you more about touch and being smooth than anything else!

[Sam]

Heatblur did a fantastic job not only with the flight model but also in the way the airplane provides you with direct feedback in relation to where you are in the flight enveloppe.

 

It's all about keeping your energy, and therefore knowing how far you can go into the buffet depending on what you're trying to achieve...

 

Do you want to gain speed ? - no buffet

Do you want to maintain corner speed ? - light buffet

Do you want to bleed energy to gain a position advantage on your opponent ? - strong buffet

 

Also, the amount of buffetting tells you immediately whether you need coordinated stick and rudder to roll, or rudder only.

 

So when you get used to those cues, you don't need to look at your AoA indicator anymore, you just need to pay attention to what the airplane is telling you.

 

That's why it is very hard for me to go back to a FBW airplane at the moment. The Tomcat is just a joy to fly !

 

The AI, even in Excellent, becomes very easy with a bit of practice. I attached an ACMI file of me against 4 F-16s. I didn't even have to defend when they were on my 6, I just maintained a speed close to corner speed and they couldn't keep up...

1v4.rar

[eatthis]

Heatblur did a fantastic job not only with the flight model but also in the way the airplane provides you with direct feedback in relation to where you are in the flight enveloppe.

 

It's all about keeping your energy, and therefore knowing how far you can go into the buffet depending on what you're trying to achieve...

 

Do you want to gain speed ? - no buffet

Do you want to maintain corner speed ? - light buffet

Do you want to bleed energy to gain a position advantage on your opponent ? - strong buffet

 

Also, the amount of buffetting tells you immediately whether you need coordinated stick and rudder to roll, or rudder only.

 

So when you get used to those cues, you don't need to look at your AoA indicator anymore, you just need to pay attention to what the airplane is telling you.

 

That's why it is very hard for me to go back to a FBW airplane at the moment. The Tomcat is just a joy to fly !

 

The AI, even in Excellent, becomes very easy with a bit of practice. I attached an ACMI file of me against 4 F-16s. I didn't even have to defend when they were on my 6, I just maintained a speed close to corner speed and they couldn't keep up...

 

 

 

at 15 units of aoa i tend to use a LITTLE stick to roll and some rudder too, is that correct or should i be using rudder only at 15 units?

ps if you flat turn at corner speed will you out turn f16s and f18s?

Edited December 30, 2019 by eatthis

[Schlomo1933]

You will feel when u dont have to use the stick. If the nose is starting to pitch up while you roll then u use too much stick and to less rudder.

 

Ist all a combination of stick and rudder. I highly recommend a stick Extension.

 

And yes , it is possible to outturn a f16 ore a f18. also m2000c is possible.

 

but dont go into a rolling scissor with the 18. in this case you will end up with her in your 6.

[Sam]

I think I also use the stick for roll control around 15 units of AoA, but I definitely use the rudders more. As Schlomo said, with practice you will know when to use stick and rudders or rudders only. I never look at my AoA indicator, I only listen to the amount of buffet I generate. Victory's documents are a must read !

 

I remember seeing a picture on this forum showing the different sustained turn rates from different aircrafts and the F14 had the tightest circle.

 

I am no expert, but I believe that you can fight any other fighters in the Tomcat. It's all about knowing how to exploit other planes (or pilot) weaknesses and use them to your advantage.

 

PS : I out turned an F-16 on a PVP server the other day :D He pulled way to hard and bled his energy while I remained at corner speed... sometimes it's as simple as that. Pilot skills is what matters the most (don't get me wrong, I am far from being skilled !)

Edited December 30, 2019 by Panther 976

[Redliner7]

Where are those victory documents at? Thanks!

 

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

[eatthis]

 

I remember seeing a picture on this forum showing the different sustained turn rates from different aircrafts and the F14 had the tightest circle.

 

)

 

tight turn circle is turn RADIUS thats a different thing to turn rate.

turn radius is how much distance you cover in a 180 degree turn.

turn rate is how much time it takes to turn the nose 180 degrees.

i think the cat has the tightest circle because its corner speed is lower than everything else

[Sam]

Yeah my bad, I was thinking about something else when I wrote this :D The point is learning how to use that to our advantage

[eatthis]

Yeah my bad, I was thinking about something else when I wrote this :D The point is learning how to use that to our advantage

 

im in that process lol, i dont know when/how to use rate vs radius

[S. Low]

Also your pitch/roll curvature in settings should be like 5 maximum. F-14 is more like a helo, requiring many light and smooth inputs.

[r4y30n]

Where are those victory documents at? Thanks!

 

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

 

He took them down a while ago during the FM revisions.

[captain_dalan]

Also your pitch/roll curvature in settings should be like 5 maximum. F-14 is more like a helo, requiring many light and smooth inputs.

 

Zero curves on the stick for me, and it seams to be working fine for now.

What i am considering though, is curvature on the rudders? Do you people use one? And if so, how much? Should the rudders remain linear, like the stick?