How to enable STD HDG function when restarting F18?

[FrostLaufeyson]

I noticed that whenever my plane was damaged and returned to the airport for repairs, this function was not available. According to some related descriptions, it needs some pre-stored data to work. So do I need to store any data before shutting down the F18?

[Swift.]

IIRC, for the stored heading function to be available IRL, the jet must have completed a Post Flight Update for the INS prior to engine shutdown. I'm not sure if this works in DCS, but the process is effectively an Overfly Designation Update conducted whilst stationary and with WonW. The aircraft should be within 0.01NM of an appropriate waypoints for this update (one can be programmed especially for this purpose).

I'm not sure if that works in DCS, or even if it does work if it does anything to allow the STD HDG option. What's very likely is its just WIP, but worth testing I think.

[FrostLaufeyson]

2022/1/10 PM9点57分，Swiftwin9s说：

IIRC, for the stored heading function to be available IRL, the jet must have completed a Post Flight Update for the INS prior to engine shutdown. I'm not sure if this works in DCS, but the process is effectively an Overfly Designation Update conducted whilst stationary and with WonW. The aircraft should be within 0.01NM of an appropriate waypoints for this update (one can be programmed especially for this purpose).

I'm not sure if that works in DCS, or even if it does work if it does anything to allow the STD HDG option. What's very likely is its just WIP, but worth testing I think.

I made it!
By manually entering the coordinates of the HSI's DATA->A/C page into waypoint 0, then the STD HDG function is available when restarting.
Now I finally understand why the aircraft's waypoint 0 is the initial position of the aircraft every time I respawn.

[Swift.]

7 hours ago, FrostLaufeyson said:

I made it!
By manually entering the coordinates of the HSI's DATA->A/C page into waypoint 0, then the STD HDG function is available when restarting.
Now I finally understand why the aircraft's waypoint 0 is the initial position of the aircraft every time I respawn.

Nice! I think technically using the AC position readout from the HSI data page as the update location probably isn't a good idea, as those coords are the very thing you are trying to correct. A better practice would be to know what the coords of your parking position are and use those. I think at Nellis they have the coords written on the inside of the sun shelter thing, but don't quote me on that.

I'm glad to hear that there is at least some attempt by ED to add the logic though.

[=Mac=]

On the carrier, where does the Hornet get it's STD HDG? Is it uploaded from somewhere? If so, where? How to update after returning to the boat?

[Bunny Clark]

9 hours ago, FrostLaufeyson said:

Now I finally understand why the aircraft's waypoint 0 is the initial position of the aircraft every time I respawn.

Yup, IRL the initial position of the aircraft can be programmed into Waypoint 0 and transferred to the aircraft with the data cartridge, then those coordinates are used for startup. 

31 minutes ago, =Mac= said:

On the carrier, where does the Hornet get it's STD HDG? Is it uploaded from somewhere? If so, where? How to update after returning to the boat?

The Hornet has a radio datalink to the Ship's INS (SINS) which is used during a CV align to sync the ship's INS with the aircraft's INS. There is also a data cable that can be plugged into the aircraft by the ground crew to accomplish the same thing if the datalink is bent or if starting under EMCON conditions. This isn't fully simulated in the DCS Hornet right now, though the F-14 and Harrier have some of it implemented.

 

 

[Swift.]

9 hours ago, Bunny Clark said:

The Hornet has a radio datalink to the Ship's INS (SINS) which is used during a CV align to sync the ship's INS with the aircraft's INS. There is also a data cable that can be plugged into the aircraft by the ground crew to accomplish the same thing if the datalink is bent or if starting under EMCON conditions. This isn't fully simulated in the DCS Hornet right now, though the F-14 and Harrier have some of it implemented.

I think he's asking how STD HDG is available on the carrier, because on land you need to do the post flight update it would seem, but how would that work on the carrier where the position and direction you update with after the flight is different to the startup position.

[norman99]

I’d imagine STD HDG isn’t used for carrier ops. As already mentioned, aircraft are almost continuously re spotted (moved around on deck), especially during cyclic ops, so it doesn’t make sense to use this function. 

[Bunny Clark]

3 hours ago, norman99 said:

I’d imagine STD HDG isn’t used for carrier ops. As already mentioned, aircraft are almost continuously re spotted (moved around on deck), especially during cyclic ops, so it doesn’t make sense to use this function. 

Yah, my assumption would be that it isn't even possible in a CV alignment. But, reading through the NATOPS (INS alignment starts on page VII-24-13) STD HDG is indeed an option with a CV alignment, and the only requirement mentioned is that the aircraft heading has not changed since the last shutdown. My guess is that it would only be used on the carrier for aircraft that are standing alert duty, but then does that mean the carrier can't change course?

[SharpeXB]

Can the Stored Heading align be used well enough in the game? Ie the sim assumes your aircraft hasn’t been moved when spawning/starting on the ground? Or is this something decided in the mission? Is there any benefit to using the full alignment vs stored in DCS? I’ve only ever used the full align. 

[Foka]

2 hours ago, SharpeXB said:

Can the Stored Heading align be used well enough in the game? Ie the sim assumes your aircraft hasn’t been moved when spawning/starting on the ground?

Yes

 

 

2 hours ago, SharpeXB said:

Or is this something decided in the mission?

No

 

2 hours ago, SharpeXB said:

Is there any benefit to using the full alignment vs stored in DCS?

No

[SharpeXB]

11 minutes ago, Foka said:

Yes

 

 

No

 

No

Cool. Can stored heading be used from the carrier in DCS?

[rob10]

3 hours ago, SharpeXB said:

Cool. Can stored heading be used from the carrier in DCS?

Yes

[norman99]

Stored HDG isn’t modelled realistically. Currently it’s just “quick align”, so to speak.

You can even start the engines, taxi somewhere else, park, and then complete a stored HDG alignment.