The CDU!

[Conure]

Hey all,

 

Well on my way with learning the weapon systems etc now...But the CDU has been looming on the horizon. I know this is a rtfm topic, but the manual has over 100 pages on this. Anyway, I seem to be coping and doing missions just fine without it, so what exactly does it do? I understand it's primarily navigation but how much do I really need to know?

 

Cheers

[BiPod]

Hi Conure,

 

IMHO the CDU contains a lot of functions that you just don't need, so if it is too daunting don't worry, just like the ABRIS in blackshark. ED has put terriffic effort into every detail even if you rarely need it. (Thankyou ED. This is why I love your sims:)).

 

-You NEED to know what the dials at the botton do (steerpoint, other etc) so you are set up correctly.

 

-NAV(or UFC function->2)->divert is handy for locating a nearby airfield and getting frequency info.

 

-You should also learn what information is available on steerpoints/waypoints. EDIT: INFORMATION AND FUNCTIONS. docehrenhoefer's rumble below is correct.

 

The rest is just icing on the cake. Systems status, reboots etc... (I can almost hear the rumblings of disagreement from other readers).

 

Unfortunately I know of no quick way to learn though, so get comfortable, settle in and read. If you have a second laptop to read and play at the same time this helps enormously.

Edited February 4, 2011 by BiPod

[PhoenixBvo]

One function I found really cool is the ability to build new flight plans from mark points with the CDU. It's useful for attacking a group of targets with JDAMs in one pass. Howto on youtube:

and a short one only showing the results:

[PhoenixBvo]

Btw, this appears to be (partly) broken in beta 4.

Although the procedure works fine, I found that when stepping through the markpoints in the new flight plan they are all offset by the same amount INdependent of aquisition distance, bearing and azimuth and whether the targets were lased or not which appears to rule out TGP inaccuracies. So it appears a coordinate transformation error creeped in there which wasn't there in previous betas.

I know I should report this including a track and post it on the beta forum. I'll try doing that when I get home.

[Goshawk]

One function I found really cool is the ability to build new flight plans from mark points with the CDU. It's useful for attacking a group of targets with JDAMs in one pass. Howto on youtube:

and a short one only showing the results:

I don't see the point in doing all that work in the CDU for a simple jdam pass.

 

There is zero need to set those markpoints up as a flightplan.

 

Set up your mark points as above. eg A, B and C.

 

Then switch this dial (*bottom left under CDU display)

 

 

from Flight Plan to mark point.

 

He honestly wastes three minutes pulling away from the targets to create a flight plan.

 

Am I missing something here?

 

The only advantage you gain is that the flight plan is displayed on the TAD map. You'll still see the points on the HUD and be able to target the markpoints by scrolling through steer points.

 

Try this out. I thought that's how it was meant to work. :smilewink:

[docehrenhoefer]

Hi Conure,

 

IMHO the CDU contains a lot of functions that you just don't need, so if it is too daunting don't worry, just like the ABRIS in blackshark. ED has put terriffic effort into every detail even if you rarely need it. (Thankyou ED. This is why I love your sims:)).

 

-You NEED to know what the dials at the botton do (steerpoint, other etc) so you are set up correctly.

 

-NAV(or UFC function->2)->divert is handy for locating a nearby airfield and getting frequency info.

 

-You should also learn what information is available on steerpoints/waypoints.

 

The rest is just icing on the cake. Systems status, reboots etc... (I can almost hear the rumblings of disagreement from other readers).

 

Unfortunately I know of no quick way to learn though, so get comfortable, settle in and read. If you have a second laptop to read and play at the same time this helps enormously.

 

First one rumbling...:no_sad:

 

you definitely need to know how to enter new waypoints, especially when dealing with JTACs.

[Steel Jaw]

He honestly wastes three minutes pulling away from the targets to create a flight plan.

 

Not sure it was a waste: he made a lightning fast strike they never saw coming and egressed before detonation.

[asparagin]

He honestly wastes three minutes pulling away from the targets to create a flight plan.

 

Am I missing something here?

 

No, it's true, I do it also with the steerpoint dial set to mark, and works perfectly.

But with Headspace's tutorial I learned how to make flightplans out of markpoints, was also interesting.

[159th_Viper]

First one rumbling...:no_sad:

 

 

#2

 

 

If it was not necessary for the conduct of operations of the A10C then it would not be there in the first instance.....;)

 

Each to their own, I suppose, but I'll not be happy until I have mastered all the relevant systems of the entire airframe. I am after all a patient man :)

[leafer]

I can feel the migraine kicking in just thinking about the A-10C manual.

[BiPod]

#2

Each to their own, I suppose, but I'll not be happy until I have mastered all the relevant systems of the entire airframe. I am after all a patient man :)

 

Actually, I think we are in agreement. I merely indicated that you didn't need to know. I personally hate looking at a system and knowing that there are functions on it that I don't understand.

 

As I said, this is why I love the DCS sims!

 

BiPod.

[StrongHarm]

I'm still growing into the CDU. I believe that some people will derive what they need from it and write the rest off as unnecessary. Others will continue to apply the functions until their procedures incorporate everything available. Take a look at the RTFM poll. Acknowledging that not all users answered the poll or are even forum members, it seems that we're split into thirds. A third deeply read the manual, a third read what they needed to be functional, and a third avoids the manual as much as possible.

 

I'm of the first breed. I read the manual before taking off for the first time. I flew for a month then reread the manual. I've been flying for three or four months and I'm now revisiting sections of the manual to shore up my understanding. One area I revisit often is the CDU. Since delving deeper I've found so many functions that increase my situational awareness and make my sorties twice as effective. Chance favors the prepared. I like to derive the following information from the CDU and TAD at several stages of a sortie:

* Wind speed/direction

* Systems status

* Current location in relation to several points

* Known enemy defense locations and current distance from the closest (usually in its own flightplan)

* known friendly locations and their likely path

* Emergency egress path (another flight plan)

* Location of the nearest friendly airbase

 

It's my opinion that your level of involvement with your flight instruments and assets are directly proportionate to your situational awareness.

 

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

 

I've been in eminent danger during war and I can tell you this with all certainty:

Uncertainty will kill you every time. Situational Awareness is, in effect, the only certainty you'll be provided. Situational Awareness is digesting knowledge of the battlefield and acting accordingly. LACK of Situational Awareness is allowing the battlefield to digest you. (StrongHarm, 2011 :smilewink:)

[BiPod]

StrongHarm,

 

Excellent post. I'd rep if I could.

 

This is why in the RAAF you can be operational in a couple of years, but may not be deployed for some time longer. Mastering the systems is more than just knowing them. Those 2%'ers add up.

 

* Known enemy defense locations and current distance from the closest (usually in its own flightplan)

 

Thanks for this^, I will have to look into it.

 

On a side note, did you ever get the CDU LASTE wind correction to work for dumb bombs. You may have noticed in a previous thread that the issue was not fully closed.

 

BiPod

[StrongHarm]

I did not get wind correction to work in LASTE. I've surrendered to the fact that it's a WIP. Thanks for the interesting discourse in that post.

[Scabbers]

if you have a hard preset flight path then the CDU interaction is minimal after aircraft start up. however. interactions with a Jtac and setting up runs the CDU is essential.

 

Not important my foot.....

[StrongHarm]

To use another metaphor; the CDU is like automobile diagnostic computer, "minimal interaction" is relative to the user. As a vehicle owner I'd use it to diagnose a problem when the check engine light came on. As a mechanic I would use it to to test and diagnose problems that may not have shown full symptoms yet.

 

Your "minimal interaction" with the CDU based on the fact that you have a flight plan already loaded is up to each pilot. Do you want to color by numbers, or will you paint a masterpiece of destruction on a canvas of situational awareness? Please take the time to read my previous post if you haven't already.

Edited February 7, 2011 by StrongHarm

[BiPod]

paint a masterpiece of destruction on a canvas of situational awareness

 

Beautiful poetry:thumbup: I'm glad I will never have to face you in battle. You have steel discipline.

 

To tie this to the OP I think it shows that CDU usage is going to depend on [player] philosopy as much as objective requirements. IMHO the CDU is going to be the last system to be mastered and most will not go all the way. After all this is just a g...... (oops, almost started a flame war there). Lack of dynamic campaign severely reduces my motivation to bring that sick bird home.

 

I am personally well behind Strongharm, but I see his footprints in the sand.

 

BiPod.

[Snoopy]

The CDU is a beast, even veteran pilots have issues at times. I've had many pilots during launch radio their wingman with questions. I put a short guide together for creating a new flight plan using GPS coordinates. I uploaded it here:

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1098811&postcount=6

 

Hopefully it will help someone out, i know I could have used it :)

[WarriorX]

The CDU is a beast, even veteran pilots have issues at times. I've had many pilots during launch radio their wingman with questions. I put a short guide together for creating a new flight plan using GPS coordinates. I uploaded it here:

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1098811&postcount=6

 

Hopefully it will help someone out, i know I could have used it :)

 

Thanks so much for making this guide. Very well done.

[Sarge55]

Thanks for the guide Paulrkiii. I presume it is the same procedure if using MGRS just change L/L to UTM?

[Laud]

The flightplan for a multiple JDAM run is useful when you have for example 10 markpoints, but you want to engage just 4 of them. You'll get busy, switching around and look for those you want to attack. So take those 3 minutes to turn away, put your 4 targets into a flightplan and kick their a$$es.

 

Flightplan editing in general is useful, when you are provided a lot of WPs but you only need some of them, or you want to have them in another sequence than provided by default.

 

So the basic functions like WP programming/editing, flightplan programming/editing, markpoint usage, weather & frequency information is not too hard to learn (and to find specifically in the manual). For me it's a great feature to have and I really like to use it. Same goes for most of my squad-mates.

[Snoopy]

Thanks for the guide Paulrkiii. I presume it is the same procedure if using MGRS just change L/L to UTM?

 

It's L/L you just have to put it in the CDU is crazy.