For the curious: The "What Does it Do in Real Life?" List

[Stretch]

I thought for fun and games, and a little Google exercise, I'd go through and make a list of the real-world functions of all the buttons, switches, and knobs that are listed as "No Function" in the manual. Fun with manuals!

 

IFF Panel

 

Mode: In EMER, the transponder is turned on and will reply with the emergency transponder code when interrogated (7700 for mode 3).

 

RAD TEST switch: When set to MON, the IFF will monitor its own reply rate. The green TEST light will come on if replies are being sent successfully in a timely fashion. The RAD TEST position is not used.

 

IDENT switch: When moved to IDENT, starts a 25-second identification of position. This will cause the A-10 to illuminate ("bloom") on a radar controller's display, making it easy to identify. When in the MIC position, an ident is transmitted every time the mic is keyed.

 

CODE dial: In A, the M4 code stored in register A is used. In B, the M4 code stored in register B is used. When moved to ZERO, both M4 codes are wiped. Normally the M4 codes are also wiped when the IFF is turned off, unless the CODE dial is in HOLD, in which case they are stored for next powerup.

 

UHF Radio

 

TONE button: Press to transmit a 1,000 KHz tone. Also used in HAVE QUICK word of day (WOD) configuration.

 

MN SQ knob: Sets the squelch for the main receiver (the minimum volume before the radio transmits to the headset).

 

GD SQ knob: Sets the squelch for the guard receiver

 

VHF Radio 2

 

SQ DIS/TONE switch: Center-loaded. In TONE, transmits a 1,000 KHz tone. In SQ DIS, disables squelching.

 

Secure Voice Panel

 

Mode dial: In OP, scrambles and decodes transmissions. In LD, allows the radio to receives cryptokeys via the fill port. In RV, allows the radio to receive a cryptovariable over-the-air into register 6.

 

DELAY switch: This is either not used, or if it is used, is turned on when the KY-58 is retransmitting. Not sure.

 

TACAN Panel

 

Mode dial: In A/A T/R, provides range and distance information to a reference aircraft (e.g., tanker). Also enables the A-10 to respond to distance interrogations from other aircrafts' TACAN systems.

 

Intercom

 

CALL button: Not used.

 

Environment Panel

 

MAIN AIR SUPPLY switch: When OFF, closes the ECS valve, shutting off engine bleed air, but does not shut off ram air.

 

Cabin air pressure gauge: Self-explanatory.

 

Fuel Panel

 

LINE CHECK button: Checks the integrity of the air refueling pathways before refueling. If there are no problems, the READY light should come on.

 

SIG AMPL switch: In NORM, air refueling actuation and signaling is done normally. In OVERRIDE (used during a failure of the normal refueling sensors), no automatic unlatching occurs; the pilot must manually detach from the tanker.

 

Gear Panel

 

Download Override button: Holding this button down de-energizes the solenoid that holds the landing gear handle in the "down" position when on the ground.

 

TEMS button: Pressing this button records a few seconds of engine data to the data tape. If you start hearing engine gremlins, you press this button so the maintenance folks can sift through the data later to figure out what went wrong.

 

SAS Panel

 

MONITOR TEST switch: When held in the L or R position, simulates a failure in that SAS circuit.

 

CMSP

 

The MENU position of the JMR switch displays a menu of ECM options, largely classified.

 

CMSC

 

UNK button: Displays radars whose type is unknown by the RWR on the scope.

 

RWR

 

<-> screws: Turning these screws adjusts the horizontal and vertical alignment of symbols on the display. In test mode a crosshair is displayed; the technician then rotates these screws to place the crosshair in the center of the scope.

 

Altimeter

 

ELECT/PNEU switch: In ELECT, altimeter data from the CADC is displayed. In the event of CADC failure, the switch can be moved to PNEU, in which case data directly from the pitot tube is used.

 

Accelerometer

 

PUSH TO SET: When pressed, the minimum and maximum G indicators reset to the 1-g position.

 

MFDs

 

CON, SYM, and DSP rockers are explained sufficiently in the manual.

[Steel Jaw]

Thanx for the info, bud.

[cctoide]

Neat, I was actually thinking of doing this sometime but I didn't have much luck with Google.

 

I think the ELEC/PNEU switch is functional, though. On my last mission the CADC happened to take the first shot and died, and I switched to pitot readings so I could RTB and land.

[Scabbers]

Couple of minor additions/corrections:

 

In emergency the IFF transmits 3 sets of pulses that show up on the controllers screen as 7700 E.

The Mode 4 codes are only lost if power is interupted for the aircraft. not if the IFF is deenergized. The hold switch will allow the codes to be kept. usually used for refueling. such as stopping in transit to refuel at an airstation.

 

Secure voice delay is only functionial in aircraft with a KY-128 also installed.

 

I thought for fun and games, and a little Google exercise, I'd go through and make a list of the real-world functions of all the buttons, switches, and knobs that are listed as "No Function" in the manual. Fun with manuals!

 

IFF Panel

 

Mode: In EMER, the transponder is turned on and will reply with the emergency transponder code when interrogated (7700 for mode 3).

 

RAD TEST switch: When set to MON, the IFF will monitor its own reply rate. The green TEST light will come on if replies are being sent successfully in a timely fashion. The RAD TEST position is not used.

 

IDENT switch: When moved to IDENT, starts a 25-second identification of position. This will cause the A-10 to illuminate ("bloom") on a radar controller's display, making it easy to identify. When in the MIC position, an ident is transmitted every time the mic is keyed.

 

CODE dial: In A, the M4 code stored in register A is used. In B, the M4 code stored in register B is used. When moved to ZERO, both M4 codes are wiped. Normally the M4 codes are also wiped when the IFF is turned off, unless the CODE dial is in HOLD, in which case they are stored for next powerup.

 

UHF Radio

 

TONE button: Press to transmit a 1,000 KHz tone. Also used in HAVE QUICK word of day (WOD) configuration.

 

MN SQ knob: Sets the squelch for the main receiver (the minimum volume before the radio transmits to the headset).

 

GD SQ knob: Sets the squelch for the guard receiver

 

VHF Radio 2

 

SQ DIS/TONE switch: Center-loaded. In TONE, transmits a 1,000 KHz tone. In SQ DIS, disables squelching.

 

Secure Voice Panel

 

Mode dial: In OP, scrambles and decodes transmissions. In LD, allows the radio to receives cryptokeys via the fill port. In RV, allows the radio to receive a cryptovariable over-the-air into register 6.

 

DELAY switch: This is either not used, or if it is used, is turned on when the KY-58 is retransmitting. Not sure.

 

TACAN Panel

 

Mode dial: In A/A T/R, provides range and distance information to a reference aircraft (e.g., tanker). Also enables the A-10 to respond to distance interrogations from other aircrafts' TACAN systems.

 

Intercom

 

CALL button: Not used.

 

Environment Panel

 

MAIN AIR SUPPLY switch: When OFF, closes the ECS valve, shutting off engine bleed air, but does not shut off ram air.

 

Cabin air pressure gauge: Self-explanatory.

 

Fuel Panel

 

LINE CHECK button: Checks the integrity of the air refueling pathways before refueling. If there are no problems, the READY light should come on.

 

SIG AMPL switch: In NORM, air refueling actuation and signaling is done normally. In OVERRIDE (used during a failure of the normal refueling sensors), no automatic unlatching occurs; the pilot must manually detach from the tanker.

 

Gear Panel

 

Download Override button: Holding this button down de-energizes the solenoid that holds the landing gear handle in the "down" position when on the ground.

 

TEMS button: Pressing this button records a few seconds of engine data to the data tape. If you start hearing engine gremlins, you press this button so the maintenance folks can sift through the data later to figure out what went wrong.

 

SAS Panel

 

MONITOR TEST switch: When held in the L or R position, simulates a failure in that SAS circuit.

 

CMSP

 

The MENU position of the JMR switch displays a menu of ECM options, largely classified.

 

CMSC

 

UNK button: Displays radars whose type is unknown by the RWR on the scope.

 

RWR

 

<-> screws: Turning these screws adjusts the horizontal and vertical alignment of symbols on the display. In test mode a crosshair is displayed; the technician then rotates these screws to place the crosshair in the center of the scope.

 

Altimeter

 

ELECT/PNEU switch: In ELECT, altimeter data from the CADC is displayed. In the event of CADC failure, the switch can be moved to PNEU, in which case data directly from the pitot tube is used.

 

Accelerometer

 

PUSH TO SET: When pressed, the minimum and maximum G indicators reset to the 1-g position.

 

MFDs

 

CON, SYM, and DSP rockers are explained sufficiently in the manual.

[Check6]

On AWACS we could actually tell the difference between a Mil Emergency Squawk and a Civ one. The reason the "MIC" mode would be used is if the aircraft lost it's transmitter. The pilot would acknowledge atc instructions by ident. So for example , "Blade 21, no reply recieved if you hear me , Ident". Controller sees ident "Blade 21 Ident observed, turn right heading 2-4-0 descend and maintain 3,000 , acknowledge by ident." Instead of having to hit an ident button the pilot can stay HOTAS and still let ATC know what he is doing. It essentailly bypasses the bad radio.

Edited November 8, 2010 by Check6

[nomdeplume]

Gear Panel

 

Download Override button: Holding this button down de-energizes the solenoid that holds the landing gear handle in the "down" position when on the ground.

 

This is actually implemented in Open Beta 2. If you hold this button in with the mouse and press G, the gear handle will move to the up position. The gear will then retract as soon as you remove weight from it.

[Divinity10]

I was actually a bit diassapointed to find out the windsreen clearing controls were no function. Would have been awesome to have rain, snow and ice cover your view.

[LukeSky]

In the MFCD, on the TGP page there's an option named "select gain control"

Does someone know what it is? It's not functional, but I'm curious.

And is it possible to remove the gnd safe?

Thanks

Edited February 20, 2011 by LukeSky