Hornet front panel "back lighting?"

[EmJay22]

I don't know how many hrs one should search thru the DCS F-18 Early Access Guide or the Chuck's guide but I can't find this.

When you start a mission either at night or right before sunrise, there is a faint green back light on the UFC panels. There are some times when I start a late afternoon mission and if I managed not to die, I leave the plane on the runway and come back... sometimes after it is dark.  

I can see lots of controls for HUD brightness, AOA brightness, etc.. etc .. but nothing that makes those green background lights come on, most likely due to being blind.

Thanks in advance 

[rob10]

Console dimmer control, middle of panel to right of your seat IIRC.  There are a bunch of controls there and play with them to see which one does what you want.  Also kick master lighting to NIGHT or NVG.

[Atazar SPN]

Forgive me if I'm wrong. Perhaps it refers to the NVG mode, which is the green cockpit lighting to avoid dazzling in night vision view. There is a switch on the right from which you can activate NVG mode, which among other things, turns the RPM and BINGO panel green. The light goes from white to green.

This is a translation from Google Translate. I hope I haven't explained something wrong.

[Atazar SPN]

This perhaps?

[Tholozor]

5 hours ago, Atazar SPN said:

This perhaps?

Putting that switch to the NITE position will switch the IFEI lighting to green and enable dimmer control (this is the only difference from the DAY position). NVG position does the same thing but also alters the entire cockpit lighting to green floods for the console lights.

[EmJay22]

12 hours ago, Atazar SPN said:

This perhaps?

Turns out the control I mean is shown on page 12 of Chuck's Guide as the "Instrument Panel LIght Dimmer Knob", which is over to the left one row, then up. 

And since I am asking dumb questions, I don't get what the purpose of the "Hook Bypass Airfield/Carrier" is when it's the lever on the right side that lowers or raises the arresting hook. 

I can't see any difference changing that switch compared to just using the lever on the right side. 

[KLaFaille]

4 hours ago, EmJay22 said:

I don't get what the purpose of the "Hook Bypass Airfield/Carrier" is when it's the lever on the right side that lowers or raises the arresting hook. 

It influences the operation of the AOA indexer's on-speed light and serves as a reminder to set up the aircraft appropriately for landing. If you are gear down for a carrier approach without the hook deployed, the on-speed light will flash on and off when the switch is in the carrier position. The on-speed light with the switch in the field position will stay steady without the hook being lowered. You place it in either position depending on whether you're landing on a carrier or an airfield, usually in conjunction with the anti-skid switch: FIELD & ON for airfield; CARRIER & OFF otherwise.

Edited March 3, 2024 by KLaFaille

[EmJay22]

3 hours ago, KLaFaille said:

It influences the operation of the AOA indexer's on-speed light and serves as a reminder to set up the aircraft appropriately for landing. If you are gear down for a carrier approach without the hook deployed, the on-speed light will flash on and off when the switch is in the carrier position. The on-speed light with the switch in the field position will stay steady without the hook being lowered. You place it in either position depending on whether you're landing on a carrier or an airfield, usually in conjunction with the anti-skid switch: FIELD & ON for airfield; CARRIER & OFF otherwise.

 

Oh... I remember reading that somewhere now.. Thanks for that info.