flying in the clouds

[bigdog4215]

When flying in the clouds is there a warning system or gauge that tells you your about to run into something

[EtherealN]

Your warning system for this situation is Mk1 Eyeball. So in effect: don't fly in clouds if you can help hit, and if forced to do so (f.ex if you need to cross a ridge during low overcast), ensure that you have studied the map thoroughly before commiting to the flight so you know which altitudes you need to stay above at which points.

[Speed]

When flying in the clouds is there a warning system or gauge that tells you your about to run into something

 

Your radar altimeter. Never fly low and in the clouds.

[EtherealN]

Well, true, but it won't save you if you are heading into a dam and things like that.

 

But generally speaking I agree: don't fly low in clouds, and make sure to be properly briefed on your terrain.

[Spetz]

Set your radar altimeter to higher then the default 100m, and keep an eye on it. Once you see the needle moving, as if you are going lower, odds are you are on the beginning slope or some part of a mountain, or perhaps you are dropping altitude without realizing it. That's what I do anyway..

[Tango]

The aircraft is designed for visual flight. If you can't see the ground, you're not flying visually anymore...

 

Best regards,

Tango.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Tango

[bumfire]

The aircraft is designed for visual flight. If you can't see the ground, you're not flying visually anymore...

 

Best regards,

Robin.

 

That ^ and also one of the biggest reasons helicopters are grounded, because of bad weather.

 

Most helos dont have radar to see with in bad weather and the ones that dont have it need to see where they are flying, if the weather is too bad to do so, then they are grounded, or if it happens when they are in flight then they go around or over or under the bad weather if possible, if its not possible to do so then they have to land. If its just patchy cloud, then they fly through it but will be aware of any height restrictions and, also they will be aware of traffic in the area via ATC, so long as they follow ATC's instructions they will be ok to fly through cloud.

 

Grounding happens to military pilots as well as civvies, even if their is a war on.

 

But ingame, you just need to make sure that before you enter cloud that your buddy if he is human isnt right next to you, have some seperation and if he is AI, he should be ok aslogn as you dont do stupid moves which can upset his programming and make him turn you into a supa magnet that magically attracts his helo towards yours.

 

Also the direction of flight/flight path, before you fly that section find the highest point and mark it on your abris, something like the letters 35min (3500m minimum ) or something to that affect will do, so that you will know the minimum height that you want to be at and also will know when you are flying over the highest point of your waypoint.

 

You can also do the same when making a mission in the mission editor, if you know that clouds and fog will be used in the mission, then on all of your waypoints, find the highest point on each and then remain above them for each particular waypoint, so if waypoint 2 - 3 has a single peak of 1500metres in the middle of it and directly inline with your flight path, then in the ME, set your height for say 2000 for that waypoint and if you use autopilot, it will keep you above that single peak and out of trouble.

[Prophet1606687883]

is it possible that the radar altimeter is not looking absolutely straight downward?

sometimes I got the feeling that the altimeter is somewhat pitched forward cause the autopilot sometimes seemed to try avoiding hills (thus increasing collective) even before the r-alt height dropped below security threshold. or am I mistaken?

[Zenra]

is it possible that the radar altimeter is not looking absolutely straight downward?

sometimes I got the feeling that the altimeter is somewhat pitched forward cause the autopilot sometimes seemed to try avoiding hills (thus increasing collective) even before the r-alt height dropped below security threshold. or am I mistaken?

I haven't noticed a "forward looking" tendancy, but if you have the ALT Hold mode of the autopilot on and have selected Radar Altitude as opposed to Barometric Altitude as the reference on the AP panel then the Shark will climb and descend with the terrain. Could this be what is happening for you?

[bumfire]

I think Prophet is correct, if I recall correctly, It has a doppler under the tail boom and a A-036A Radio Altimeter also, and one of them is pointing ever so slightly forward.

 

Which one I do not recall, but one of them is.

[GGTharos]

Like Ethereal said: Use the map.

Know where you are flying, and know the minimum safe altitude (MSA) and use your barometric altimeter to stay at or above this altitude as required by your flight plan. Period.

Forget radar altimeters etc.

If you're going to dive through the clouds into a valley, you had BETTER better trust your navigation system with your life and you had BETTER follow the flight plan you entered in it to accomplish your entry into the valley exactly, because NOTHING will save you from flying face-first into a cliff.

 

When flying in the clouds is there a warning system or gauge that tells you your about to run into something