Manual startup - Can't turn on exterior lights?

[kingneptune117]

Hey guys,

 

Whenever I do a manual start up, I seem to be unable to turn on the exterior lights, position and anti collision in particular. There is a step in the process that says to push "pinky switch aft" which I never do since I never thought it was needed. Is me not pushing this the reason why I cannot turn on lights. And If this is the reason, do I hold pinky switch aft, or is it just a short press?

 

If needed I will upload a track.

 

Thanks.

[WarriorX]

I would assume it is a short press.

[BiPod]

" Is me not pushing this the reason why I cannot turn on lights"

 

Yes.

 

WarriorX is also correct.

 

I use Pinkie aft (lights according to panel) before setting my lights. Your anti-collision switch won't hold in positon otherwise. Then just click pinkie centre to turn all exterior lights off when approaching the combat zone.

 

Note that you will have to manually set the anti-collision switch every time after you use the pinkie.

 

BiPod.

Edited March 2, 2011 by BiPod
Spelling

[MTFDarkEagle]

Yes: pinky switch. Aft = per panel settings; middle = all off; for = default setting (not sure what it is, as I never use that..)

[mic1184]

pinky forward is formation lights on (the ones you can dim so they're visible just a few hundred ft)

[macedk]

Gentlemen...where we are going....we don't need......lights! ;)

 

 

Modified movie quote: which movie? :music_whistling:

[wickedfastball]

Last lines of Back to the Future.

[SY_KO]

Regarding switching all lights off before entering combat zone.... is it coded that leaving them on will make you more "visable" to the enemy? i.e they can track you from further away.

[Eddie]

Yep.

[Heli Shed]

LCtrl and P to give power to ext lights.... now select what lights you want from the EXT light panel - RHS, by RH Buttcheek!

 

'T'

[-Ice]

Okay, someone told me that you don't toggle the strobe lights (anti-collision) unless you were in trouble? Any truth?

[Darkness_E69]

I don't see the point. Strobe lights are on when you're flying whatever the plane is, in orden to be seen far away. It is always necessary (when you're no in combat of course, you don't want the bad boys seeing you).

[Heli Shed]

Okay, someone told me that you don't toggle the strobe lights (anti-collision) unless you were in trouble? Any truth?

 

Depends on vfs regulations versus RL.

 

For example. In the 74th, on the ground at homebase we have Nav Lights on steady, Anti Collision strobe flashing and formation lights (luminous strips). During the day, 'no' nosewheel steering light. Once taken off and after positive climb, gear up, flaps up afterwards (pretty much immediate depending on weight loading) and then the Anti Collision Strobe light off. Upon Ingress and as part of FENCE procedure, Nav Lights go off. Formation lights remain on.

 

If you are returning back to homebase and you are in trouble - that is to say, shot up, 1 wing, generally 'mission screwed', your nav lights go to flash along with your Anti Collision lights. This is to visually warn people in the 'sim' (read my sqn) that you are on finals and in trouble. Especially poingnant if for example you are using TARS and have no radio / TS.

 

On a normal Finals, Nav Lights on to steady, Anti Collision strobe to flash.

 

Real life?

 

As far as I am aware (only really taking notice at FMB / COB type locations - Herrick; Bastion, Kandahar, Telic; BASRA COB, NI; Aldergrove, the 74th procedure is correct in relation to Military Airbase Ground Discipline, except the Anti Collision strobe light turned on only when taxi-ing. In the 74th, we turn it on as part of the startup procedure.

 

Finally, Definitions.

 

Anti Collision Strobe Light - Flashing 1 sec on, 1 sec on, L & R wing Alternating, White 'strobe' light for 1/4 sec.

 

Navigation Lights - RED and GREEN lights either end of your wingtips.

 

Formation Lights - Luminous Strips

 

Lets not forget that this is a machine of war and as such should not be 'lit' up like a christmas tree when engaging Targets of flying in hostile space. Apart from the AI being 'able' to get a better lock and track you (oh yes they can, i`ve trialled it), so can of course, the human being!

 

Regards

 

'T'

[Heli Shed]

I don't see the point. Strobe lights are on when you're flying whatever the plane is, in orden to be seen far away. It is always necessary (when you're no in combat of course, you don't want the bad boys seeing you).

 

completely wrong.

 

see above.

 

You will find that most serious (by that read, reflective of RL systems of work) vfs's try to mimic rl procedures. Thi is an A-10C, not a DC-10