Question about the Inboard and Outboard Spoiler Failure Override Switches

[Bestandskraft]

Naquaii state here that the Heatblur F-14B is based on the NATOPS flight manual of 15 May 1995, Change 1 – 1 February 1997. While I do not have this manual available to me, I do have its equivalent (same date) for the F-14A.

 

Of all the various NAVAIR 01-F14AAX-1 for the respective F-14 variants floating around on the internet, the A-1 from 15 May 1995 is the only one I have seen which explains in any detail the functioning of the Inboard and Outboard Spoiler Failure Override Switches (INBD and OUTBD SPOILER FLR ORIDE).

 

Specifically, the normal procedures section states that the INBD and OUTBD SPOILER FLR ORIDE switches are left in ORIDE during/after the Poststart checks. The switches, however, are not mentioned in the Heatblur poststart checklist (presumably because, while movable, they are not implemented). During the RL Takeoff Checklist, the pilot will then confirm to the RIO that the INBD and OUTBD SPOILER FLR ORIDE switches are indeed set to ORIDE.

 

Except for a general reference in the FCF checklist that the INBD and OUTBD SPOILER FLR ORIDE switches should normally be in NORM to provide spoiler asymmetry protection, the flight manual does not mention when/if the switches are set back to NORM after takeoff.

 

Following the logic established by the RL checklist, the switches should therefore remain in ORIDE during the entire flight and through shutdown.

 

From the description of the switches in the RL manual, I am unable to infer why they should be in ORIDE throughout the flight, or at least which advantage would be gained by having them in ORIDE for takeoff.

 

I would appreciate any insights you guys may have regarding this apparent discrepancy.

[sLYFa]

I believe using the override switches makes only sense during a field take-off. Image you have to abort your takoff run for whatever reason and the WonW switch fails in the flight position. Then, spoilers will not be available for ground braking since the spoilers will deploy upon throttle idle and then immidiately retract due to the symmetric spoiler deployment protection being active with the failed WonW switch.

Placing the spoiler switches to override will ensure that you have spoilers available for an aborted takeoff regardless of any other failures (well except for the spoilers themselfes failing).

Once you are airborne, there should be no reason to keep the switches in override.