Aircraft climbs like mad after take off

[Badders46]

Hi all,

 

I'm finding my feet in DCS again after a while out and have bought the F/A-18 and I am.really enjoying it so far.

 

I have a question though, when taking off (shore) I set my T/O trim and half flaps and take off as per the tutorial but the aircraft seems to climb like mad... When I watch other people take off they seem to stay much lower in comparison. Am I doing something wrong?! I have watched videos of real F18s take off and again, they don't seem to climb too much either?

 

Thanks!

 

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[Hog_No32]

Welcome back Badders46,

 

is that after a ramp start (cold and dark) or from hot parking (engines running, ready for taxi)?

 

I‘ve never had that issue myself but I‘ve seen a few posts where some described a similar behavior. That however was mostly related to either incorrect trim or flaps settings, both which you say you do correct. So something else must be amiss.

[sgtmike74]

You may have too much trim for your weight, or your stick’s y axis isn’t centered.

[Neor]

Had the same problem yesterday. Put your flaps down and fly 200 knots, then go faster again and put the flaps back to auto. it should be fixed then.

[FalconPlot16]

Welcome back Badders46,

 

is that after a ramp start (cold and dark) or from hot parking (engines running, ready for taxi)?

 

I‘ve never had that issue myself but I‘ve seen a few posts where some described a similar behavior. That however was mostly related to either incorrect trim or flaps settings, both which you say you do correct. So something else must be amiss.

 

same issue its cold start

[Revelation]

You only need to set the takeoff trim for carrier launches.

[Rennes]

You only need to set the takeoff trim for carrier launches.

 

Not quite, you still have to set takeoff trim, by holding the button on top of the rudder trim knob until you see the trim advisory show up on the left DDI. What you don't do when taking off from land is adjust it from there. It should stay at 12 degrees.

[AMEDooley]

You most certainly need to set TO trim. It’s in the actual checklist for take off. You simply add more trim for a carrier take off. But the OP is correct, I find the same problem in every mission, both SP and MP. I’m not sure why it is doing it but it is. If you have to put the flaps down from Half to full and then back to Auto then there is something wrong for sure.

[Badders46]

Sorry guys, have been out all day... Thanks for the replies.

 

This is happening on the Aerobatics Online server where start is cold and dark. I taught myself the start up procedure from online videos but have done the official training tutorial since and it says to set trim using the T/O trim button. It just seems to be too much. I have tried varying the weight with fuel (50%, 100%, aux tanks) and the same thing happens. The aircraft rotates naturally and then just climbs (more like balloons into the air).

 

I'm loving the F/A-18 but it is irritating me...

 

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[NeilWillis]

You only need to set the takeoff trim for carrier launches.

 

Incorrect. You set trim for cat launches according to aircraft weight, and it is never just a case of pushing the takeoff trim button. You always have to add more up trim.

[Davee]

Not quite, you still have to set takeoff trim, by holding the button on top of the rudder trim knob until you see the trim advisory show up on the left DDI. What you don't do when taking off from land is adjust it from there. It should stay at 12 degrees.

 

 

Gotta increase it if heavy on land also.

[Eagle7907]

Interesting. Never really noticed this. Usually I go right to flaps auto after selecting gear retract and the jet doesn’t pitch at all. When you take off, is the FCS page up? That could give insight as to what it’s doing. If it’s the trim or stabilators going wonky. After takeoff the stabilators should still be at 12 without stick and trim input and flaps half. Also note what happens after flaps auto. Stabilators should be near zero with no stick input, depending on speed.

 

Also, what’s the weather doing? Could there be any correlation with this anomaly and the weather set?

 

 

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[Eagle7907]

Gotta increase it if heavy on land also.

 

 

 

Never heard or read this. Source please?

 

 

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[Tj1376]

You aren’t running the FCS bit test. If you don’t do this (in my experience) the jet will pitch up hard on takeoff. Get in the habit of resetting, then running the bit test then pressing your trim button.

 

Good luck.

 

TJ

 

 

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[Tj1376]

Sorry guys, have been out all day... Thanks for the replies.

 

This is happening on the Aerobatics Online server where start is cold and dark. I taught myself the start up procedure from online videos but have done the official training tutorial since and it says to set trim using the T/O trim button. It just seems to be too much. I have tried varying the weight with fuel (50%, 100%, aux tanks) and the same thing happens. The aircraft rotates naturally and then just climbs (more like balloons into the air).

 

I'm loving the F/A-18 but it is irritating me...

 

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This most likely confirms it - anytime I change my loadout I find that the jet pitches up hard on takeoff. I found that resetting, then running the FCS bit test, then trimming for T/O resolves this issue. I don’t know why or the mechanics involved but give it a shot.

 

TJ

 

 

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[Badders46]

I run the FCS bit test as part of the start up... Is this where you press 'Y' and FCS?!

 

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[Tj1376]

I run the FCS bit test as part of the start up... Is this where you press 'Y' and FCS?!

 

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Yes, but you need to do it after rearm completes.

 

TJ

 

 

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[Badders46]

Yes, but you need to do it after rearm completes.

 

TJ

 

 

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OK, will give this a go a bit later... I seem to think I do it after the rearm but will double check and cross my fingers that you have fixed it

 

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[Eagle7907]

Aircraft climbs like mad after take off

 

Oh this is after a rearm? I didn’t see that.

 

In that case, that could be the culprit. I don’t really rearm that much in missions. So I don’t really experience what you’ve experienced.

 

 

Addendum: I see it now. That’s what happens when I read to fast.

 

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Edited June 1, 2019 by Eagle7907

[Hog_No32]

I frankly never run the FCS BIT, I do cold starts most of the time, I launch both from the carrier (95%) and from the field (5%). I never experienced any trouble after takeoff.

 

Regardless whether carrier or field launched, I always press FCS Reset as part of the start-up procedures as soon as the left (second) engine comes online. Then I always press the T/O trim button for a few seconds and confirm on the FCS page that the stabilators show 12. Then I ensure FLAPS are set to HALF.

 

For a field takeoff that‘s it for me. I never adjusted my trim away from 12 even with different takeoff weights (mostly on the heavy side).

 

For a carrier launch, I trim up from the 12 to either 16 or 17, depending on whether my t/o gross weight is below 44k lbs (16) or above (17). Don‘t think I ever was heavy enough for an 18.

 

Following these procedures, I am pretty happy with the behavior. I know you mentioned a shore takeoff but just in case: For a carrier launch I don‘t really move the stick for the first second or so after clearing the shuttle and until the FCS worked out a smooth and stable attitude. Only then I start to provide any inputs. That is different on the field for sure where you actively have to move the nose up.

[Badders46]

I frankly never run the FCS BIT, I do cold starts most of the time, I launch both from the carrier (95%) and from the field (5%). I never experienced any trouble after takeoff.

 

Regardless whether carrier or field launched, I always press FCS Reset as part of the start-up procedures as soon as the left (second) engine comes online. Then I always press the T/O trim button for a few seconds and confirm on the FCS page that the stabilators show 12. Then I ensure FLAPS are set to HALF.

 

For a field takeoff that‘s it for me. I never adjusted my trim away from 12 even with different takeoff weights (mostly on the heavy side).

 

For a carrier launch, I trim up from the 12 to either 16 or 17, depending on whether my t/o gross weight is below 44k lbs (16) or above (17). Don‘t think I ever was heavy enough for an 18.

 

Following these procedures, I am pretty happy with the behavior. I know you mentioned a shore takeoff but just in case: For a carrier launch I don‘t really move the stick for the first second or so after clearing the shuttle and until the FCS worked out a smooth and stable attitude. Only then I start to provide any inputs. That is different on the field for sure where you actively have to move the nose up.

Thanks for the tips... I haven't done carrier take offs but will one day, I'm sure!

 

I watched a couple of videos where it suggests that you don't touch the stick and just let the aircraft lift when its ready. This is what I have been doing but it just seems to climb incredibly steep and then when I retract gear and bring flaps up it sinks (I guess due to less lift) but it just seems more than videos of other people and real life Hornets... I shall keep practicing and see what happens with your tips

 

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[majapahit]

It's a 'bug' if the user does flaps up or gear up in an unexpected configuration-in-time, I've experienced this, rather rare, and it was when I had trouble switching landing gear and/or flaps.

 

Just don't do that, follow protocol, reset FCS if it persists, restart the mission if it persists, your mistake.

[Revelation]

Not quite, you still have to set takeoff trim, by holding the button on top of the rudder trim knob until you see the trim advisory show up on the left DDI. What you don't do when taking off from land is adjust it from there. It should stay at 12 degrees.

 

I'm 100% correct. Pressing the Trim Reset is part of the startup process, no reason to mention it when it will not be the culprit for an aircraft climbing after takeoff.

 

Incorrect. You set trim for cat launches according to aircraft weight, and it is never just a case of pushing the takeoff trim button. You always have to add more up trim.

Maybe you quoted the wrong person, but I made no mention of just pressing the Trim Reset button....

 

You only need to set the takeoff trim for carrier launches.

[boscoh]

T/O Trim (stab 12) for field takeoffs

T/O Trim (stab 12) + trim stab to 16-18 depending on weight for carrier ops

Flaps half

 

FCS Reset then FCS Bit Test are part of startup procedure. I haven't noticed FCS Bit test having any impact on the game at all but do it anyways.

[Eagle7907]

 

FCS Reset then FCS Bit Test are part of startup procedure. I haven't noticed FCS Bit test having any impact on the game at all but do it anyways.

 

 

Me neither. I think it’s just “eye candy” same as the fire test. Just does the chicken dance as far as I’m aware. Does it actually clear any latent faults?! I dunno.

 

 

 

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