F14B unmatches manual performance

[zlm63682]

I have duplicated and compared the level flight acceleration test according to the F14AAP1.1 manual, Figure 8-5. Level Flight Acceleration (sheet 8 of 12).
 
Game settings: temp 15C, 29.92hg, 35000ft alt, 2+2+2 configuration, full internal fuel which brings a gross weight of 63877 pounds in mission editor page, since the AIM54 pallets and fairings (2200 lbs total)weight is not calculated in ME page so the actual gross weight equals to 66000 pounds. 

Spawned at 35k alt, immediately enter full A/B and maintained alt during whole process, here is the table I made. left column is the indicated mach number ranges, right column is the time spent to travel through corresponding ranges.

indicated mach       time spent(secs)
0.68-0.8               22
0.8-0.9                  16
0.9-1.0                  26      
1.0-1.1                    39
1.1-1.2                    31        
1.2-1.3                   23
1.3-1.4                  21
1.4-1.5                  20
1.5-1.6                  23
1.6-1.7                  29
1.7-1.8                  36

my observations:
a) In-game F14B underperforms in the m1.0-1.2 range which takes 70 secs while in the manual chart it takes roughly 0.5 mins (30 secs), I also tested a full clean configuration in game and it still takes 49 secs to complete the m1.0-1.2 acceleration, still longer than the manual chart 2+2+2, so it's not about payload drags.

b) In-game F14B overperforms in the above m1.6 range, it only takes 65 secs to complete a m1.6-1.8 acceleration, in the manual chart its 1.7 mins(102secs), it's even faster than its own m1.0-1.2.

I think it will be a good idea to look at it.

 

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I didn't include the manual chart because I don't know if I'm allowed to, if you have the F14AAP1.1 you can easily find the right page I'm talking about.

[RustBelt]

You should post the track file so Heatblur can check your method and execution. 

[captain_dalan]

On 6/29/2025 at 6:43 PM, zlm63682 said:

I have duplicated and compared the level flight acceleration test according to the F14AAP1.1 manual, Figure 8-5. Level Flight Acceleration (sheet 8 of 12).
 
Game settings: temp 15C, 29.92hg, 35000ft alt, 2+2+2 configuration, full internal fuel which brings a gross weight of 63877 pounds in mission editor page, since the AIM54 pallets and fairings (2200 lbs total)weight is not calculated in ME page so the actual gross weight equals to 66000 pounds. 

Spawned at 35k alt, immediately enter full A/B and maintained alt during whole process, here is the table I made. left column is the indicated mach number ranges, right column is the time spent to travel through corresponding ranges.

indicated mach       time spent(secs)
0.68-0.8               22
0.8-0.9                  16
0.9-1.0                  26      
1.0-1.1                    39
1.1-1.2                    31        
1.2-1.3                   23
1.3-1.4                  21
1.4-1.5                  20
1.5-1.6                  23
1.6-1.7                  29
1.7-1.8                  36

my observations:
a) In-game F14B underperforms in the m1.0-1.2 range which takes 70 secs while in the manual chart it takes roughly 0.5 mins (30 secs), I also tested a full clean configuration in game and it still takes 49 secs to complete the m1.0-1.2 acceleration, still longer than the manual chart 2+2+2, so it's not about payload drags.

b) In-game F14B overperforms in the above m1.6 range, it only takes 65 secs to complete a m1.6-1.8 acceleration, in the manual chart its 1.7 mins(102secs), it's even faster than its own m1.0-1.2.

I think it will be a good idea to look at it.

 

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I didn't include the manual chart because I don't know if I'm allowed to, if you have the F14AAP1.1 you can easily find the right page I'm talking about.

The same is true for the F-14A as well. Above mach 1.4 it accelerates like crazy. Long standing bug, but I guess not considered important enough to fix, just like the manual override for wing sweep. 

[Karon]

Regardless of this particular issue, if you want to compare empirical data, make sure you have repeated the data gathering at least 10-15 times. Then remove the outliers and check what happens. A single data collection is never sufficient: any tiny unload will accelerate you and, vice versa, and a slight climb will slow you down. Only then can you proceed (and will still be incorrect, but hopefully a bit less so).

[Zabuzard]

Its also always important to check where the data you are comparing with is actually coming from. A lot of these setups cant directly be compared to "I'll hop ingame and just fly it".

I leave it up to others from the team to provide details, but I can assure you there was a lot to learn for the team when dealing with IRL test data - often also contradicting itself. Its a very complex topic that requires a lot of research and knowledge.

Edited July 1 by Zabuzard

[captain_dalan]

3 hours ago, Karon said:

Regardless of this particular issue, if you want to compare empirical data, make sure you have repeated the data gathering at least 10-15 times. Then remove the outliers and check what happens. A single data collection is never sufficient: any tiny unload will accelerate you and, vice versa, and a slight climb will slow you down. Only then can you proceed (and will still be incorrect, but hopefully a bit less so).

 

2 hours ago, Zabuzard said:

Its also always important to check where the data you are comparing with is actually coming from. A lot of these setups cant directly be compared to "I'll hop ingame and just fly it".

I leave it up to others from the team to provide details, but I can assure you there was a lot to learn for the team when dealing with IRL test data - often also contradicting itself. Its a very complex topic that requires a lot of research and knowledge.

Come on guys, are you trying to get the guy banned? You know posting official data is no longer allowed on the forums. And the F-14s are overperforming at high mach and altitude. BY A LOT. Anyone who has really flown this beauty since the last FM update knows it. Screenshots, tacviews, videos, it's all been done. You want a few more? 
 

 

Edited July 1 by captain_dalan