Navigator responsibilites?

[Diesel_Thunder]

Just wanted to start a discussion specifically in regards to the navigator's roles and tasks in the Mosquito. I fly RIO in the F-14 with a friend, an aircraft we both enjoy. We both like warbirds as well, and the Mosquito being a two seat, we're looking forward to flying them. Since I enjoy the RIO role, naturally I am likely to take the navigator role in the Mosquito, and I would like to learn more about it.

 

What does the navigator do besides navigating, what other jobs and tasks did he have? What jobs were shared with the pilot? Who's handled communications and systems?

[Krupi]

The usual stuff such as spotting, two set of eye are better than one.

But thanks to the layout of the cockpit the Navigator did do some engine management when asked, for example if the engine required feathering the pilot would ask the Navigator to flick the switch as he was right next to it, same goes for the engine fire extinguishers.

 

Pretty much anything that was easier for them to reach than the Pilot, the image below should give you some insight.

 

 

Edited August 17, 2021 by Krupi

[DD_Fenrir]

I posted this on Discord but it bears repeating:

Quote

 

Ultra low-level navigation is no walk in the park; sure DCS has a host of gaming assists that users can use to render the navigator superfluous, but for those of us who wish to fly as authentic as possible a good nav can - and will - be an essential asset in not only navigating around those areas full of nasty things that could very well snuff your virtual life from it's virtual existence, but also getting you to the right spot to drop your bombs at the right time, whilst you concentrate on dodging topiary and architecture.

 

You tried map reading and correcting navigation errors or wind drift whilst also flying at 50ft?

 

The one thing that most DCS flyers don't tend to worry about is Time on Target; you go out, dice with some Air Defences, blow something up and go home. In reality, military missions are often coordinated so as to saturate or distract Air Defences and Time on Target is a critical parameter to ensure the strikers are able to exploit a window of opportunity.

 

 

Otherwise, Krupi is right. An extra set of eyes is never a bad thing and the Nav can help with accessing cockpit controls, particularly during emergency procedures.

 

Regards radio, everything I have read indicates that the pilot was responsible for any external communications. The pilot also was responsible for bomb/weapon release.

 

These apply to the FB.VI version we will be getting.

 

In the bomber variants, the Nav would be also responsible for getting Gee fixes, bomb aiming and bomb/TTI release.

 

In the night fighters, they were both the radar operator and (when on offensive night fighting) also supposed to be primary navigators, though in reality they often shared the navigation responsibility with the pilots particularly where ROs had been trained for defensive night fighting in 41-43 and thus hadn't been expected to navigate (beyond picking up airfield beacons to direct the pilots home).

[Damocles]

He's the back seat driver and Gunna.

 

"Gunna move your arse, or he's gunna get us"

"Gunna go home now ?"

"Are yo gunna go around again, you mad b'stard ?"

 

.... and lots of other similar, helpful, suggestions to the fella in the front, fiddling with the stick between his legs.