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aircraft:f18 [2019/12/31 13:09] – [Up Front Control (UFC)] jhaircraft:f18 [2023/11/08 20:58] (current) jh
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 +===== **REDIRECTION NOTICE** =====
 +
 +The tutorials have been moved to the aerofly.com main page.
 +
 +[[https://www.aerofly.com/tutorials/|→ New Aerofly FS Tutorials]]
 +
 +\\
 +\\
 +\\
 +\\
 +\\
 +\\
 +
 ===== McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet ===== ===== McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet =====
  
-{{:wiki:f18.jpg?450|}}+{{:wiki:f18.png?450|}}
  
 The F-18 by McDonnell Douglas is a twin-engine multi-role combat aircraft. It was developed in the 1970s and since 1983 it is in use. The F-18C of the Swiss Army is single-seated, as F-18D it exists also as two seated version. The two turbines give enormous performance of the machine. Thus, climbs of up to 50000 ft/min and a maximum speed at optimum altitude of Mach 1.8 are possible. The machine is controlled electronically by a fly by wire system. In order to increase the maneuverability, the machine was designed in a way that a control without this electronic support is not possible. The F-18 by McDonnell Douglas is a twin-engine multi-role combat aircraft. It was developed in the 1970s and since 1983 it is in use. The F-18C of the Swiss Army is single-seated, as F-18D it exists also as two seated version. The two turbines give enormous performance of the machine. Thus, climbs of up to 50000 ft/min and a maximum speed at optimum altitude of Mach 1.8 are possible. The machine is controlled electronically by a fly by wire system. In order to increase the maneuverability, the machine was designed in a way that a control without this electronic support is not possible.
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   * Check that the ILS transceiver is turned on. This is shown as a large "ON" text within the scratchpad. Press the ON/OFF button to turn the ILS system on.   * Check that the ILS transceiver is turned on. This is shown as a large "ON" text within the scratchpad. Press the ON/OFF button to turn the ILS system on.
   * Check that the ILS option is turned on on the HSI screen. If the HSI page is not displayed on any of the three screens press the button in the middle of the button row underneath the screen two times to display the support menu. Select HSI from the menu to display the HSI page. Make sure the ILS text on the left edge of the screen is boxed. To toggle the state press the button to the left of the ILS label.   * Check that the ILS option is turned on on the HSI screen. If the HSI page is not displayed on any of the three screens press the button in the middle of the button row underneath the screen two times to display the support menu. Select HSI from the menu to display the HSI page. Make sure the ILS text on the left edge of the screen is boxed. To toggle the state press the button to the left of the ILS label.
 +
 +=== Beacon ===
 +
 +A radio beacon can also be tuned with the up front controller (UFC).
 +
 +  * Press the BCN button on the UFC
 +  * Type in the frequency, e.g. 3850 for 385.0 kHz. Note that the dot position is displayed, make sure to enter the right amount of zeros.
 +  * Press enter to activate the frequency.
 +  * Turn the system on with the ON/OFF button
 +
 +The HSI should then display a bearing needle towards the beacon.
  
 === Target Designator === === Target Designator ===
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 If you want to disable this information you can select the HSI page (already visible per default) and press the button next to the label "WPDSG" (waypoint designate) to toggle it on/off. If you want to disable this information you can select the HSI page (already visible per default) and press the button next to the label "WPDSG" (waypoint designate) to toggle it on/off.
 +
 +Once you reach the waypoint the flight plan automatically sequences to the next waypoint. At the moment there is no option to prevent this automatic sequencing and there is also no option to enter new waypoints from within the cockpit. But this could be added later and will be added to this tutorial at that point.
  
 {{ :wiki:f18_target_designator.jpg |}} {{ :wiki:f18_target_designator.jpg |}}
  
-=== Autopilot ===+==== Autopilot ====
  
-=== TACAN ===+The F18 features a basic autopilot that can maintain the attitude, steer towards a selected heading and maintain either barometric or radar altitude. The autopilot can also be coupled to navigation steering but this is not yet implemented.
  
-=== ILS ===+To engage the autopilot fly at a bank angle of less than 45 degrees and a moderate pitch angle.
  
-=== Beacon ===+  * Press the A/P button on the up front controller (UFC) 
 +  * Press the "ATTH" button to hold the current attitude. You can adjust the attitude with pitch and aileron trim commands 
 +  * Press the "HSEL" button to enable lateral heading select steering. The aircraft will fly towards the selected heading. To change the selected heading use the switch labeled "HDG" on the upper left corner of the lower display (MPCD) or assigned keys. Once the HSEL mode is active you can also change the selected heading with the aileron trim commands 
 +  * Press "BALT" to maintain the barometric altitude at the time the button was pressed. The aircraft will level off and fly back to the altitude at the time of engagement. 
 +  * Press "RALT" to maintain the radar altitude above ground at the time of the button press. The aircraft will attempt to maintain a constant altitude above ground, following the terrain. In mountainous terrain the autopilot may not be able to look ahead enough, so a collision can still happen if you're not paying attention. 
 + 
 +To disengage the autopilot either press the ON/OFF button on the UFC or just deflect your controls (only works on non-mobile). In real life you can press a pedal switch on the stick but since it is behind the stick you can't see it from the default view position. You may be able to actuate this switch in virtual reality using VR hands. 
 + 
 +The F18 also has an autothrottle control to maintain a constant airspeed. This is not simulated at this time. 
 + 
 +{{ :wiki:f18_ap.jpg |}}
  
 ==== Special Features ==== ==== Special Features ====
  
 === Catch Hook === === Catch Hook ===
 +
 +The catch hook is lowered by moving the "HOOK" lever on the right hand side to the down position. This also causes the hook bypass switch on the left side to move to the carrier position. With the switch in the carrier position the angle of attack indexer will start flashing if the landing gear is down but the hook is sill up. This is a warning to remind the pilot that the catch hook is not yet down for the carrier landing. Either set the switch to "field" or extend the catch hook.
 +
 +{{ :wiki:f18_wing_fold_handle.jpg?350|}}
  
 === Wing Folding === === Wing Folding ===
 +
 +The wings of the F18 can be folded up when the aircraft is on the ground.
 +  * Retract the flaps and keep the stick neutral.
 +  * Rotate the "WING FOLD" lever to the "FOLD" position to fold the wings up.
 +  * Once the wings are folded you can rotate the lever back to the "HOLD" position.
 +
 +To spread the wings simply
 +  * rotate the lever the other way to the "SPREAD" position.
 +  * Wait until the wings are extended and then move the handle back to "HOLD".
 +  * Do a flight controls check including the flaps and slats.
  
 === Canopy === === Canopy ===
 +
 +{{ :wiki:f18_canopy.jpg?350|}}
 +
 +The canopy is opened with a small switch on the right hand wall of the cockpit. The switch is barely visible from the default view position but you can see the mouse icon change when you hover over it.
 +  * Set the switch to the upper position to open the canopy.
 +  * Move it to the intermediate "HOLD" position to stop the movement
 +  * Move the switch to the "CLOSE" down position to close the canopy. Depending on the implementation you may have to hold the switch down.
 +
 +This completes the introduction of the F/A-18C Hornet. For any questions please contact us in the IPACS forum. Save flights!
 +
 +{{ :wiki:f18_wing_folded_canopy_open.jpg |}}
  
aircraft/f18.1577794170.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/12/31 13:09 by jh