Falcon F-16 Hotas Logic on X52

[A.S]

I realized, that often newcomers - and sometimes even vets - have difficulties understanding the HOTAS-Logic of the F-16 itself,

and this results often in personal fantasised joystick-layouts.

Nothing against it, but once the principles understood, life can be way easier. The F-16 (so in AF) has its ownz efficient layout, or should is say smart logic functionality!

 

 

 

 

• (the OSB 2 button is my personal choice due to the fact, that we cant use FCC-Submodes in AF on the HOTAS...but its very usefull to switch gun-modes or doing "funkey stuff" in HSD or A-G modes..
  
• TMS left we also dont have in AF in proper usability, but we can use TMS-left as "RADAR A2A" - function to clycle between VRS, LRS, RWS modes ....)
  
• Since we also dont have a 3rd Hat-Switch on x52 to simulate the EWS or Countermeasure Switch on F-16 Hotas, i placed EWS under Mode 3, but to make it also quickly accessable i placed it on the Thrutlle Hat-Switch - PINKY RIGHT-LEFT = CHANGE PROG - just RIGHT = is CM Program RUN (release chaff-flare preset program - whatever qantities and intervals were set)
  
• there is still Thruttle-Hatswitch left free, which can be used as Idle-Detend or IFF, whatever suits best....
  
• Note: never use (Wpn A-A) or (Wpn A-G) in AF...>> ALWAYS use ICP A-A and ICP A-G
  

You really dont need more, because you can access everything in right ways at right time, very efficient and quickly depending in which Master- or Sub- or Override-mode or situation you are.

 

Other things, what do not belong to the HOTAS, do just not belong to the HOTAS, even if it can be made as game-options, but my

philosophy is minimized efficiency and realism, and rest can be klicked in cockpit ( what has "Gear" to do on stick? for example)

and using a keyboard infront of your nose is easier then reaching for switches in a real cockpit, me thinks.

 

As an comparsion to the real HOTAS, here a simplified and explaining pic of the real things.....showing, what functions are on which places..

 

 

 

This is the most to realism closest (positions and functions regarding) and most simple and efficient layout in respect to AFs limitations and aspects...i could came up with after trying MOST OF excistings Profiles out there.

 

NONE made sense to me....and ALL where different..till i started approching this in my own way, IN RESPECT to real jet HOTAS and most efficiency to AF given functionalities.

(The real F-16 HOTAS is complexer and has more features like TAB button or HOLD button etc etc)

 

I know many have problems getting started with Falcon already here, therefore....enjoy...have fun.

 

How you convert this into your SST Profiler (x52 or x52pro).....its up to you ;)

Edited July 24, 2009 by A.S

[element1108]

Thanks for the poast A.S!

[RedTiger]

Yeah, good stuff. Every program I make for my HOTAS, Saitek and now CH, has been inspired by the function of the F-16 HOTAS in Falcon 4. Even Black Shark; I looked at what was on the real cyclic and collective and added it in a place that matched the closest possible function on the F-16. There is a reason why the F-16 is layed out the way it is! :) I like how you've borrowed the inspiration and made it your own.

Edited July 24, 2009 by RedTiger

[Vekkinho]

Buy Cougar and have it as it is!

 

LOL!

 

Anyway, thatnks for posting A.S.!

[Groove]

Thanks for sharing A.S.!

[Pilotasso]

I actualy have a ch setup to try this, I only need time to program it (been months since purchased it but never realy got it setup)

[th3flyboy]

I'll be blunt, if I had a HOTAS, I wouldn't set it for realism, I would set it for efficiency and ergonomics. I would rather have something optimized for me than something that is optimized for everyone else.

[A.S]

I'll be blunt, if I had a HOTAS, I wouldn't set it for realism, I would set it for efficiency and ergonomics. I would rather have something optimized for me than something that is optimized for everyone else.

 

What you think Lockheed Martin did?

They optimized it putting alot $$$$ into the same idea you have but not for me, not for you or everyone else, but in regard to how the F-16 system logics are built up in first place.

The thoughts dont work like that "what would i use for for what function" but "how this whole system is operating at all"...then you watch my layout above and say "wow, oh thats smart, few buttons do everything depending in which mode you are".

 

Story will be different if you have to use padlock or view switches because you dont have TIR, THEN you can -still based on how it should be- add or change things in order being able to play the "GAME" from your perspective.

 

Believe me.....everything else might work, but YOU HAVE TO understand the concept in that jet first.

 

Or to say it better:

 

This is NOT what i did, this is what the F-16 builders made, i just put that on a x52 in respect to AFs limitations and functions...

Edited July 27, 2009 by A.S

[RedTiger]

I'll be blunt, if I had a HOTAS, I wouldn't set it for realism, I would set it for efficiency and ergonomics. I would rather have something optimized for me than something that is optimized for everyone else.

 

I tried this at first, but I found that I didn't quite know the jet as well as those who designed it. Despite DCS: BS taking things to a new level of realism, even original Falcon 4.0/Allied Force is still complex. Complexity created a tendency to miss things because I didn't know I needed them. Once I set up my HOTAS the way the real thing was, a lot of stuff clicked. Originally I was scratching my head trying to figure out how the hell you were supposed to switch MFD pages without having to reach for the OSBs. I didn't even have a the data management switch mapped! :doh: I found that a lot of the TMS functions were exactly the things I needed most, switching radar modes Dogfight mode, for example. :) I can't speak for any other aircraft, but if you set your HOTAS up for realism in the F-16, you have efficiency and ergonomics already covered. ;)

[mvsgas]

Seems like a lot of work. Thanks for your time and effort