Billie85 Posted July 16, 2020 Posted July 16, 2020 Hello! I saw a lot of tutorials on YouTube regarding carrier landings with the F-14B in DCS, where the most of them have a nice cross in the HUD showing the glide path (left, right, up and down), I only have the E-Bracket. I don't know what I'm missing, but I can't get ILS to work in the training mission for carrier landing. My goal is to do a carrier landing only with instruments. Another little question, the Briefing says carrier BCR is 315°. Is this the cource I should dial on my HSI or should it be a bit off, since the runway isn't straight with the carrier? Best regards, Billie P.S.: When someone has tips where I can practice such things in multiplayer, I'm happy to meet some other people.
jmarso Posted July 16, 2020 Posted July 16, 2020 (edited) When you want to use the ILS system, use this list of checks: 1. Dial in the proper ILS channel. (Right side console) 2. Set link mode to tactical. (Jester) 3. Set link host to your mothership (i.e. Stennis) (Jester) 4. Set your VDI to ILS (Right vertical console) 5. Set your steering command to AWL/PCD (Right vertical console) 6. Set your display mode to LDG (Right vertical console) Usually, after a mission when you've been linking to AWACS, step 3 is the one that's easiest to forget. If you set everything else up right and are looking at a centered cross when it shouldn't be centered up yet, remember to switch your link host back over to the carrier. If you aren't seeing that ILS 'cross' at all, make sure you've selected the LDG display mode for your HUD. (Step 6) One of the cool things is that when you accomplish Step 5, you can still see all relevant TACAN data on the HSI for reference, provided you have the TACAN tuned up to the boat. That should get you set up to use the ILS, even as a backup on a Case-1. Remember that typically, ILS indications aren't to be trusted more than 30-40 degrees off of the final approach course, but in game I've noticed that the GS seems reliable pretty much 360 degrees around. As for setting your HSI, that's more of a reference than anything else unless you are shooting a TACAN approach to the ship. I usually just put whatever they say the BRC is in there as a reference. By the time you are established in the pattern, your cues should be visual and not instrument based. Happy landings! Edited July 16, 2020 by jmarso
Billie85 Posted July 16, 2020 Author Posted July 16, 2020 Thank you for your checklist, it works so far. I thought ILS landing was easier, no happy landings so far ;) Damn YouTube videos making it look easy. But I will practice a little more and see how it goes. Thank you!
jmarso Posted July 16, 2020 Posted July 16, 2020 The biggest problem for people new to precision instrument approaches is the tendency to get into PIO (pilot induced oscillations), aka 'see-sawing back and forth or up and down' because they chase the needles a little too hard. Make small corrections to avoid that. If you practice a bit in visual conditions and keep the boat in sight behind the needles, you''ll develop a sense of how much correction you need to get back on course/glideslope. Remember also that the closer you get to the station (meaning the ship in this case), the more sensitive the needles become and even smaller corrections are needed. The proper correction you make at ten miles out will be a gross over-correction at half a mile. Have fun with it! Couple of other pointers for orientation if you are new to instrument flying: You can use your HSI as a map when using the TACAN. The station is always at the center. You are always on the 'tail' end of the needle, and the bearing where the tail is, is the TACAN radial you are on. When flying/ maneuvering, the head of the TACAN needle will ALWAYS fall, and the tail will ALWAYS rise unless you are headed directly to or away from the station, in which case the needle will be vertical. So if the boat wants you on the 180 radial for marshal, fly a course that will allow the tail of the needle (where you are) to 'rise' to that 180 mark. When the tail of the needle is on 180, you are on the 180 radial. Then you need to check distance. As you become more skilled, you'll be able to work the distance problem simultaneously with the radials. Remember also that TACAN radials are like the spokes of a wheel- they are farther apart the farther away from the station you are.
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