F-14 ACLS not working again after patch 2.9.13.6818 (21/2/2025)

[ValhallaAB]

It feels impossible after this patch. Everything worked 1 week ago. 

[JupiterJoe]

ACLS does not currently work with FFB sticks

Edited February 23 by JupiterJoe

[OpticFlow]

On 2/21/2025 at 2:46 AM, ValhallaAB said:

It feels impossible after this patch. Everything worked 1 week ago. 

Works on my setup and haven't noticed anything different than before the patch.

What exactly is not working? How far in the process are you encountering a problem?

- is the data link to the carrier set correctly? You can use the Jester wheel to select the carrier as a DL host. Are the needles displaying correctly your flight path deviation once in LDG display mode and STEER CMD set to AWL?

- gear down, flaps down, boards out, DLC on? Are you on (or close to) glide path? If so, can you see the ACL READY and A/P CPLR lights turn on after switching the autopilot to ACL mode?

[ValhallaAB]

Everything set up, ACLS, Datalink, TACAN, All systems in correct order, no force feedback stick etc, took some tries but stuck on the step before AP CLEAR to initiate CMD command to Carrier Control. Talking to Tac/ATC Checking in and Platform etc, still no AP clear. The last step is ACL READY and I do not see it, It have worked for me many times before but guess I need to try harder. 

[draconus]

12 hours ago, ValhallaAB said:

The last step is ACL READY and I do not see it, It have worked for me many times before but guess I need to try harder. 

Are you on the glide slope? Are you close enough?

From manual:

Quote

To enable the ACL, set the VEC/PCD switch to ACL which will cause the A/P REF warning light to illuminate. When intercepting the ACL glideslope and with the ACL READY and A/P CPLR warning lights illuminated on the VDI, depress the nosewheel steering button on the control stick. This engages the ACL and lets the data link control the aircraft. The A/P REF warning light will turn off.

I tested Instant Action Caucasus Case III mission for F-14A last night - no problems with ACLS.

On 2/22/2025 at 8:24 PM, JupiterJoe said:

ACLS does not currently work with FFB sticks

Did you notice the sig? It says "Virpil WarBRD base".

[ValhallaAB]

1 hour ago, draconus said:

Are you on the glide slope? Are you close enough?

 

I might not have been depending on wind but I will try again today and respond If I see myself being able to ACLS again. I did ACLS in both multiplayer and singleplayer so might be best to try Instant action or a good singleplayer mission. 

[ValhallaAB]

I just managed to ACLS in the Instant action, do you have any tips on how to approach the 20-15 mile call to fly angels 8/6 and how to chase the needles? I always get the ACLS lock on at around 10 miles but have gotten a lock way beyond that before.

I'm closing this topic after this because this must be my pilot error 100%, Unlucky because I love ACLS and it ''stopped working'' for me just after the patch. I even did a video on quite recently it where I flew quite badly and even got it. 

[ValhallaAB]

Do I need to DLC forward every trap? feels like I always get 2 or 4 wires, I have gotten 3's but it feels like the traps might be more consistant with the -A model because of the less powerful engines? just a thought. I understand we need some human input near the ship because of burble and the full power bolter situations. 

[draconus]

28 minutes ago, ValhallaAB said:

I just managed to ACLS in the Instant action, do you have any tips on how to approach the 20-15 mile call to fly angels 8/6 and how to chase the needles? I always get the ACLS lock on at around 10 miles but have gotten a lock way beyond that before.

The Case III approach comms and procedures are detailed in the Supercarrier manual. Basically you should contact carrier ATC, call inbound and you'll get the TACAN radial (from mother) and DME where you should hold at specific alt and the time (minutes on the clock) to commence. ACLS is intended for landing only, not approach, so it works from like 4-6nm.

22 minutes ago, ValhallaAB said:

Do I need to DLC forward every trap? feels like I always get 2 or 4 wires, I have gotten 3's but it feels like the traps might be more consistant with the -A model because of the less powerful engines? just a thought. I understand we need some human input near the ship because of burble and the full power bolter situations. 

We know it was not reliable IRL and so it's not in DCS. You should always be ready to correct or take over manual control whenever needed.

[ValhallaAB]

Thank you! 

[JupiterJoe]

4 hours ago, draconus said:

Did you notice the sig? It says "Virpil WarBRD base".

Where are these signatures? This is all I see:

null

 

 

[draconus]

4 minutes ago, JupiterJoe said:

Where are these signatures?

Check your settings here: https://forum.dcs.world/settings/signature/

[JupiterJoe]

Ah, that explains a lot.  Thanks @draconus.

[OpticFlow]

5 hours ago, ValhallaAB said:

Do I need to DLC forward every trap? feels like I always get 2 or 4 wires, I have gotten 3's but it feels like the traps might be more consistant with the -A model because of the less powerful engines? just a thought. I understand we need some human input near the ship because of burble and the full power bolter situations. 

I use manual throttle (also with ACLS) and don't touch the DLC, but takes some practice to anticipate the changes in speed and react in advance. I only fly the -A model.

5 hours ago, ValhallaAB said:

I just managed to ACLS in the Instant action, do you have any tips on how to approach the 20-15 mile call to fly angels 8/6 and how to chase the needles? I always get the ACLS lock on at around 10 miles but have gotten a lock way beyond that before.

I'm closing this topic after this because this must be my pilot error 100%, Unlucky because I love ACLS and it ''stopped working'' for me just after the patch. I even did a video on quite recently it where I flew quite badly and even got it. 

You still can get ACLS lock beyond 10nm (14-ish seems to be the limit in DCS), but If you follow the CASE III procedure, you'd set up for landing much closer. As @draconus mentioned, it's all in the Supercarrier manual.

The localizer needle would already be close to the center once you intercept the final bearing (regardless if you're using TACAN, ILS or ACL input data). And in DCS, the Marshal radial and the final bearing frequently are the same.

The glideslope needles would become centered much later, when you intercept the line at 1200 ft AGL / 6 nm (if you follow the procedure).

Adding some pics (first one is from the Supercarrier manual, second one is from Chuck's Guide) to make it clearer, I hope:

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