Tutorial Questions...

[Florida]

I've just recently got the time to apply myself to the F-14 tutorials, and hae aa few questions. I've got Chuck's Tomcat Guide and have read everything I can, but still have some questions.

 

1) I have my X-55 stick set up for wing sweep. Settings are Forwardd, Aft, Auto, and Bomb. Tutorial says set my wing sweep to Manual. Is pressing either Forward or Aft supposed to do that? There's no Manual button. When I press Aft, to put the wings back to 68 degrees when approaching the airport, the wings will not sweep back further than about 55 degrees, the setting for Bomb mode. The gauge says "Man", but the wings will not go back to the 68 degree position, no matter what.

 

2) What is the best way to slow down when approaching the airport? The tutorial starts out with the Tomcat at about 450 knots and the wings at 20 degrees (and for some reason, with full flaps, which I immediately lift), and puling back on the power takes time But trying to use the speed brake seems to do nothing, and the DCS system doessn't work, either. Can someone give me their method of slowing down efficiently when heading for an approach?

 

I'm used to flying the A-10C and civilian A/C, and this F-14 is a real handful! :cry:

 

Thanks,

[Scotch75]

I tend to plan the approach (straight in) a fair way out, say 25 miles. Throttle to idle, air brakes full out and let natural drag do its thing. Hold a fairly nose level attitude - or slight descent, as you gently trim back to keep this attitude more drag will be induced. Once through 250 ias, drop the gear - a huge drag creator - then flaps and dlc once through 220 ias. Then trim for onspeed AoA, start introducing and managing power to contol your decent rate and angle. Putting the velocity indicator on the runway threshold and keeping it there with throttle management works well for me to get me in the ballpark. Then, using some "rule of thumb" numbers, crosscheck your 3 degree approach. I use 3000ft agl at 10nm, 1500ft agl at 5nm and adjust accordingly with throttle.

 

Hope this helps

Cheers.

 

P.S. practicing this at airports has helped me manage "the groove" when landing at the carrier.

 

 

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[JayBird]

Forward/Aft on the wing sweep puts it into manual mode, I've had issues getting wings to cooperate, my fix is to switch the mode a few times between man, auto, and bomb and usually after you run through the three you've bent the jets arm enough to follow commands.

[draconus]

1. It's usually because of extended flaps. If they won't retract they might have failed due to overspeed. Try a tiny bit flaps down and back up. Then reset button. If not - don't worry - it's not that important.

2. The quickest way is to pull high G. That's the part of overhead pattern. You don't do that in straight in though. At least don't let crew chief see ya doing it ;)

Edited September 13, 2019 by draconus

[Florida]

Thank you, guys! All of you. Got it pretty nailed down, an I'm starting to suspect that some of MY problems are actually flaws in the F-14 itself. Every time I go to look up something on HeatBlur, they're still referring to the Tomcat as "early release."

 

Again, thanks! That's what these forums (forae?) are for - helping each other and promoting the hobby. I'm an old fart at 72, and sometimes it still frustrates the hell outta me!:cry: