Having problems taking off.

[dwight_talley]

Just getting the basics to work with this sim has been frustrating.  I have been unable to take off from the runway.  I have tried over 30 times and I wind up in the ditch upside down on fire. I think my WSO hates me.  I have the X56 stick and throttle to control this bird. I have adjusted the axis on all directions and I have the control indicator up so that I can see the inputs. Trim is in the center for the rudder. 

I start down the runway in full burner and I am picking up speed.  The guy in back says 100 knots and the nose of the aircraft slowly drifts left or right and I am starting to do donuts down the runway and I hit the grass and flip over.  It is as if I have the rudder pushing the aircraft full left or right.  To eliminate issues, I have turned off my rudder pedals and only use the one on the stick. No help.  I have put a big dead zone on all axis, to prevent random inputs causing it.  Did not help.  I turned off force feedback but no help.  I can hop into the F-18 and takeoff without problems.  So there is something simple in the F-4 that I am missing.  Flaps are down, speed brakes are up. Thrust levers are joined, so power should be the same in both engines. There are no other axis controls active except the basic ones. I am flying (crashing) in VR, but that should not affect taking off. 

I am doing the second mission for the F-4 where the aircraft is already running.  I just taxi out behind my wingman and align on runway 05 for a quick takeoff try. 

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

Dwight

 

[r4y30n]

So control indicator confirms no rudder when this happens?  And engine gauges show matching power?  No issues taxiing?

[Holbeach]

@dwight_talley

You've just described my first few take offs, until I did this. Read the sticky.

Normal Takeoff and Climb.

Apply full afterburner, position stick full aft when Jester calls 80 knots and hold it there. 

Nose-wheel steering until the rudder becomes effective ~70KIAS (the NWS button must be held during operation). If you drift and need nose-wheel steering to correct, then center the rudder pedals before re-engaging.

With full aft stick, the aircraft will rotate on its own when it’s ready to fly, ease off back stick to hold it at 10-12º nose up pitch attitude. Our intrepid F-4 SME’s and and recommended this technique, it works beautifully.

I also had to invert rudder brakes.

..

[MAXsenna]

@dwight_talley
You've just described my first few take offs, until I did this. Read the sticky.
Normal Takeoff and Climb.
Apply full afterburner, position stick full aft when Jester calls 80 knots and hold it there. 
Nose-wheel steering until the rudder becomes effective ~70KIAS (the NWS button must be held during operation). If you drift and need nose-wheel steering to correct, then center the rudder pedals before re-engaging.
With full aft stick, the aircraft will rotate on its own when it’s ready to fly, ease off back stick to hold it at 10-12º nose up pitch attitude. Our intrepid F-4 SME’s and and recommended this technique, it works beautifully.
I also had to invert rudder brakes.
..

Did this. And had noe issues on the first try.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[=475FG= Dawger]

If you line up properly, nose wheel steering is not required for takeoff. 
 

Lineup, smoothly advance the power and correct with rudder as required. 

[Grundar]

What works for me;

- Stab Aug all on, trim nose down 3 notches.

-Flaps and slats in required position, usually down and out position.

- Ensure you are aligned on the runway so you are straight

- Wheel brakes on and advance to Mil power. Give a moment for the engines to spool up

- Release brakes and advance to afterburner. By using Afterburner you ensure a rather rapid sequence of events but also the rudder authority kicks in quickly as well.  Don't use nosewheel steering to hold an absolute perfect alignment when you are able to correct with rudder shortly.

- Pull the stick back at the 80knot mark and hold it there as you accelerate through. The Phantom will start to lift and you will feel it lighten on the gear.  Keep holding the stick back, there shouldn't be any particular oscillation.

-As you lift you will feel yourself pull free of the runway.  Retract gear and retract flaps, start to release pressure on the stick and trim as required.  

-As you get towards 300knot, wind back the afterburner.

[dwight_talley]

Two uneventful takeoffs in a row.  Thanks for your tips and suggestions. Pulling back on the stick during the roll works. I am a little loose once I get into the air but I will have to work on that. 

I lived at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany many years ago. My brother and I would stand at the fence watching the fighters taxi by. The pilots would wave at us.  I guess it was the life for them. Then the wing got the F-4E.  It was a sharp looking aircraft. I fell in love with it then.  When I joined the AF, I was able to sit in one that was in a hanger.  A lot of controls that had no meaning to me then. This sim will be the closest I get to flying one. 

 

Thanks

Dwight