General Questions F-18 : Easy!

**Bman.** · July 27th, 2009, 16:18

Evening all-

I have been diving into learning how to fly this plane after shifting around from GA to big tin..to gliders... to hardcore jet action. I have a couple of general questions that I need verification on:

1) Is there any other location to see the nose up / nose down, trim (Stab) position? The only screen I see it located on is the CHK page.

2) What the easiest way to juggle a stand-by comm frequency? I generally use the two knobs... select one active in Comm 1 manual and set my standby in the Comm2. Then I activate comm2 when I need that frequency. Really a two step option - is this the easiest way?

3) When A/P is activated automatically, that just means it's ready for a mode to be activated. I don't have to select a mode then turn on AP, right? That's how it seems. I just want to make sure I understand what "automatically" on means.

4) I can't see the "-" on the RDR screen for the my targets above or below altitude, can any one else?

5) Why would I ever use ATTH over BALT? I guess I don't see what the difference is... hmm

6) Flashing Flaps indicator - why does the amber light flash? Is it letting me know that flaps is needed to maintain current lift?

7) What are the little push buttons above the flaps? Manual gear of some sort?

...That's all for now! Off to practice navigation.

Thanks in advance!

Benjamin.

PS - For those who also below to FSDreamteam, sorry if you have seen that post. I wasn't having much luck over there..

**Shylock** · July 28th, 2009, 13:53

Seeing you listed a bunch of good questions its best to look here. You will find everything you are looking for http://www.fsdreamteam.com/forum/index.php?board=4.0

Damn you lol I see you already posted up in there and I didn't read your whole post. So I will try and answer a few.

1) Is there any other location to see the nose up / nose down, trim (Stab) position? The only screen I see it located on is the CHK page.

The only place you can see them as far as I know is on your MFD's. By default they are on your center one in front of the flight stick.

2) What the easiest way to juggle a stand-by comm frequency? I generally use the two knobs... select one active in Comm 1 manual and set my standby in the Comm2. Then I activate comm2 when I need that frequency. Really a two step option - is this the easiest way?

Unless you have the X-52 Pro, this is the only way you can do it.

3) When A/P is activated automatically, that just means it's ready for a mode to be activated. I don't have to select a mode then turn on AP, right? That's how it seems. I just want to make sure I understand what "automatically" on means.

From what I know there is no such thing as Automatic pilot unless I am misunderstanding the question.

4) I can't see the "-" on the RDR screen for the my targets above or below altitude, can any one else?

5) Why would I ever use ATTH over BALT? I guess I don't see what the difference is... hmm

One will Maintain your desired attitude or pitch of the plane while the other maintains your Barometric altitude. Check Food Lovers Specials and Game Specials. With ATTH selected your plane will either continue to climb or dive while your BALT will keep you at what ever altitude you have.

6) Flashing Flaps indicator - why does the amber light flash? Is it letting me know that flaps is needed to maintain current lift?

On the F-18 the aircraft comes equipped with automatic flaps. So as your flying if you are not going fast enough for the plane to maintain lift the on board computer will compensate and use the flaps a little.

I would suggest downloading and reading this. http://www.fsdreamteam.com/forum/ind...7&topic=2020.0

**Bman.** · July 28th, 2009, 13:58

I know I know... abusing the forums. What I have found is that ... VRS F-18 Superbug is looking really nice!

The navigation is what is beating me down. Flying on Vatsim nearly exclusively, it's tough file and input a flight plan in the default FSX F-18 if the flight plan needs to be modified mid-stride.

The ILS is also giving me fits but from what I can see, it won't couple both vert and lat navigation in the A/P.

Bman.

***PRB*** · July 28th, 2009, 15:13

Originally Posted by Bman.

7) What are the little push buttons above the flaps? Manual gear of some sort?

If you’re talking about the five pushbuttons labeled CTR, LI, RI, LO, RO, they are used to “selectively jettison” stores from the various stations of the plane. They stand for Centerline, Left Inboard, Right Inboard, Left Outboard, etc. These five push buttons are used in conjunction with the SELECT JETT rotary knob located a bit further down. The outer portion of that knob has five positions. If you have a bomb on the right outboard station you want to rid yourself of, you would select the RO button, then rotate the SELECT JETT knob to the STORES position, and push the red center pushbutton (JETT). The RACK LCHR position (rack/launcher) is used when you have one of those multiple bomb racks attached that let you carry two bombs on one station. When placed in the RACK LCHR position, JETT will drop the entire rack with both bombs attached, and STORES will drop only the bombs while keeping the rack. L and R FUS MSL positions are for jettisoning the fuselage-mounted missiles. I don’t know if this system actually works on this FSX plane. Haven’t tried!

**Bman.** · July 29th, 2009, 09:21

Great responses guys - thanks for the effort. I have made it through the manual by RXWookie and mainly the reason I am diggin a little deeper. What I have found is that the VRS model is going to be outstanding.

http://www.flightsimworld.com/forums...&#entry2160195

Jaggyroad video makes it look nice also!!

The most difficult thing to deal with is navigation... trying to get clearance from point A to B is tough when it changes mid-flight. I need to be able to quickly dial in a VOR and head that direction. As it is now, I can't get it to do that. Using the cessna panels would kill it for me...

Bman.

**Shylock** · July 29th, 2009, 09:32

Don't forget its a military aircraft not a Cessna lol so the navigation system on board isn't made to change on the fly at the orders of ATC.

By the flashing flaps I thought you might have meant your On Speed indicator. These vids might help you out a tad bit. I see you had made mention of making carrier landings. These videos will show you the proper way.

http://www.fsxblueangels.com/videoscreen%20ok3.html

This video is a detail description of the break to land. You will find this helpful on landing upon a ship at sea.

http://www.fsxblueangels.com/applicationpacket.html

**Bman.** · July 29th, 2009, 10:08

Yeah, that's the same thing my dad says (retired USN pilot) - he said they would just get clearance to where they were going direct and would just part the sea. ATC moved everyone else around him he said...

So, when I am on Vatsim, and I have to file a plan to get of IFR conditions would I just do it direct and expect vectors out of airspace?

It just seems if I go 600knts ... I get lost quick. What's the easiest way to find out where you really are? HSI with all information shown?

Those videos are excellent BTW.

Bman.

**Shylock** · July 29th, 2009, 10:13

Bman let me get back to you on this one. My buddy was training to be a NFO for the NAVY and knows the Hornet inside and out. So hes the man for anything Navigation wise. Give me a few hours to get all the correct info. What I have might not be 100% correct.

**Bman.** · July 29th, 2009, 10:33

Sounds good - I would be curious to know how that is really done. As it is now, I only know it in terms of GA or a pref-filed flight plan that is punched into the FMC and easily changed if needed per ATC needs.

Bman.

***jmig*** · July 30th, 2009, 05:30

Bman, if you want to go direct to a VOR/TCN just select TACAN on the HSI (Button; left side 2nd from top [I think]) and steer directly toward it.

Now, if you want ATC to keep up with the change.... remember this IS FSX.

**Bman.** · July 30th, 2009, 05:35

Yeah, it's FSX but Vatsim ATC (nothing even close to the default ATC) adds a whole new dimension to the mix. If the plane (or the pilot) can't keep up with some sort of real world traffic control then you just can't fly that plane on the network (unless you get vectors into and around what ever issues ATC may have...which is what I have been doing recently).

Does anyone else fly on Vatsim with military jets? Generally it's just the IFR conditions at departure that are giving me fits.