FC3 F15 - steering cursor

[yanivher]

Hi,

I have a question about steering to a waypoint in the FC3 F-15C.

From what i recall in FC2 the F-15 had a cursor up in the HUD saying 'you should go that direction'.

In FC3 i saw some vertical bar in the middle of the HUD, which is changing positions when i switch waypoints but it is very hard to put it in the middle of the HUD.

 

So i have made a test.

I have build a simple mission with the editor where i need to go to WP1.

Just flying straight.

Indeed when i started the mission the bar was right in the center of the HUD.

BUT, when i steered the plain other direction and then tried to steer back to WP1 the vertial line just always was near the center like i need to do some fixes in the steering direction but when i did it, it again stood aside and not in the middle.

Its like it didn't centralize again.

 

Is it some mechanism logic i don't understand? Or is it a bug?

 

Thanks

[Wayc00lio]

Haven't flown this but is it an indicator to tell you how far off track you are rather than a steer point indicator??

[ralfidude]

I can't recall, but I think waycoolio is right.

 

 

It's like an ILS bar if I remember correctly. So you may be flying straight towards the waypoint, but you are off-course, and need to align yourself to be back on track.

 

This may not be right, but I think that's what it is.

[Crescendo]

WayC00lio and ralfidude are correct.

 

The line that is in the centre of the HUD is a course steering director. If you follow the course steering director line eventually you will fly the aircraft back onto the correct course as dictated by the flightplan. This is easiest to see by creating a flightplan with multiple waypoints, and then looking at the horizontal situation indicator and course deviation indicator. If you follow the course steering director, eventually you will intercept each waypoint on the correct course of the flightplan.

 

However, if you instead wish to fly directly to a waypoint (and not follow the flightplan), you can use the waypoint heading indictor on the heading tape at the top of the HUD. The waypoint heading indictor is the direct heading to the next waypoint from your present location. Think of it as the shortest and most direct route to the next waypoint without any 'fancy flying' to keep you on the flightplan.

 

So, if you want to fly 'on course' using the flightplan, use the course steering director. But if you just want to get to the next waypoint ASAP, use the waypoint heading indictor. Note that when you're flying on course towards the next waypoint, the course steering director and the waypoint heading indicator will be aligned. However, when you've flown off the flightplan and have deviated from the correct course, they won't be. This is because the course steering director will want to get you back on course, while the waypoint heading indicator will want you to fly directly towards the waypoint (course be damned!). It's worth understanding the difference.

 

[yanivher]

Thanks.

That was a very clear explanation.

[Winger]

Thanks as well. Was wondering about that as well. Very good explanation!

[MarkuzJuniuz]

I also think that there's currently a bug in the course director wherein it's also heavily influenced by the aircraft's bank angle. Has that been fixed?