Views in the F-14

[CTB]

I guess most of you will have track IR. But even then do you use padlock views?

eg to padlock to an aircraft(s) or incoming missile(s).

I use a finger hat on throttle for view commands, up is map centre is cockpit, down is HUD only, which leaves right and left for missile and aircraft.

Missile to target is also useful for checking kill, but not essential.

 

But the question is what command do you use?

I managed to get padlock to nearest aircraft but its out of the cockpit not hugely realistic.

I guess another question would be what map view do you use?

I tend to use fixed map rather than locked to aircraft, as the latter tends to be zoomed in too much and its a pain to zoom out when you are flying.

Ideally it would switch upon repeat press of the button, I guess I could map zoom to a slider but still not ideal (eg for landing when you want to see taxi & parking).

Edited Monday at 10:03 PM by CTB
typo

[draconus]

For realistic approach I don't use any external views, no padlocks, no F10 map, no BDA info or "kill checks". As a pilot you should know the area you're about to fly in and your divert options. Good mission should have all the info in the kneeboard cards.

[CTB]

Thats not great for situational awareness though?

 

And you would be able to 'padlock' your view in real life to a missile or threat aircraft.

Its more for convenience and control rather for defeating realism.

 

Also, another reason for using the map (and I tend to agree with you on the part of realism) is because it is sometimes just too difficult to spot an airfield, even when you are close by.

Edited Monday at 10:07 PM by CTB

[draconus]

8 hours ago, CTB said:

Thats not great for situational awareness though?

Yes, my goal is to only have the info and capabilities a real pilot would have. Of course the sim have the tools to know all you want.

You may argue that padlock is just for convenience because ex. you have only 4-way hat to look around but it's still the job of the pilot to find the target and keep it in sight. You don't do much if it's automated for you.

It's hard to miss a runway if you do proper TACAN approach. During the night the lights are on after calling inbound.