Couple of newbie questions - RWR and Waypoint Alt

[zildac]

Hi All,

 

 

Just recently started with DCS and bought the F18. Watching a lot of tutorials (mainly Wags and Grimreapers) and really useful in combination with built in tutorials. I do have two questions though and I've had a search and can't seem to find specific answers. I wonder if anyone could point me in the right direction or provide some insight?

 

 

1. I've watched a few videos where people are using the RWS (on DDI1 for example), switch into AA and the RWR remains on DDI1. As soon as I select a weapon OR enable AA mode using the cockpit button the Left DDI immediately switches to stores. This doesn't seem to happen in any of the videos I've seen, is this normal behaviour? The videos are from late 2019.

 

 

2. This may sound stupid, but if I select a mission, is there an easy way to see at what Altitude I should be flying at/to a given or current waypoint? I can see a value above the regular altitude indicator in the HUD no idea what it is tbh or if it is related to waypoint height.

 

 

 

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

 

Regards,

 

 

Ross.

[Shimmergloom667]

 

1. I've watched a few videos where people are using the RWS (on DDI1 for example), switch into AA and the RWR remains on DDI1. As soon as I select a weapon OR enable AA mode using the cockpit button the Left DDI immediately switches to stores. This doesn't seem to happen in any of the videos I've seen, is this normal behaviour? The videos are from late 2019.

 

Switching from NAV to A/G or A/A mastermode should also switch into the SMS page, so that is working as intended.

 

 

2. This may sound stupid, but if I select a mission, is there an easy way to see at what Altitude I should be flying at/to a given or current waypoint? I can see a value above the regular altitude indicator in the HUD no idea what it is tbh or if it is related to waypoint height.

 

There is no HUD indication on what altitude you should be at at any given waypoint. You can find that in the DATA -> Waypoint submenu of HSI, but basically from what I know IRL you'd be briefed about that and have kneeboard info / ground controllers / air controllers working with you on what altitude you should be and all waypoints in the Nav system are at 0' AGL anyway. But don't quote me on that.

 

The number you see above your altitude indicator in the Hud is your climb- / descentrate in FPM. ***EDIT I had FPS here, which is of course wrong. It's feet per minute***

Edited April 17, 2020 by Shimmergloom667

[pokeraccio]

....

 

The number you see above your altitude indicator in the Hud is your climb- / descentrate in FPS.

 

 

The rate is in Feet Per Minutes

 

 

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[Creepy]

2. This may sound stupid, but if I select a mission, is there an easy way to see at what Altitude I should be flying at/to a given or current waypoint? I can see a value above the regular altitude indicator in the HUD no idea what it is tbh or if it is related to waypoint height.

 

Shimmergloom is right when he says we brief to transit altitudes. Whatever altitude you choose/are told to use, the FPAS page is your friend. The hornet doesn’t carry much gas, so if you aren’t fighting the aircraft, it’s best practice to fly at either Max Range airspeed (for a time/distance problem... you’ll get to where you’re going with the most gas possible) or Max Endurance (time/fuel problem... meaning, you’ve gotten to the point you want to be at, now you want to maximize loiter time).

 

For waypoint inputs on the UFC, you will notice you are entering an “elevation” and not an “altitude”... it is not meant to be your reference for a flight plan, it is meant to make A/G easier (think designating a waypoint and having the FLIR slew to it... you wouldn’t want the FLIR looking at a 3D point at 25,000ft, that would be useless... unless you find a target that high on a mountain...).

[Shimmergloom667]

The rate is in Feet Per Minutes

 

 

Oh, of course, I had a slight mindbork! :)

[pokeraccio]

Oh, of course, I had a slight mindbork! :)

 

 

Obvious, I quoted that just for sake of informations. We all are a lot obsessed with FPS lately

 

 

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[CBStu]

In some of the supplied missions where we take off from the carrier our main job is to keep Migs away from our attackers. So I start climbing and then hit F10 and click on one the Migs. A popup shows the altitude they are flying so I will climb to a that or slightly higher.

[zildac]

Guys,

 

 

Thankyou all for your prompt and informative replies, it's much appreciated.

 

 

The RWR behaviour makes sense, it was just that I had seen different behaviour in one or two (earlier) videos, so I guess it may have been tweaked to more accurately reflect real operations.

 

 

I'll take a look at the FPAS page in more detai too.

 

 

Thanks again guys!

 

 

Regards,

 

 

Ross.