Lesson 01: F-14B(U) Differences Familiarization
Lesson 01: Introduction
Welcome to the differences familiarization of the F-14B(U) Tomcat! You aircraft is spawned hot over Tblisi, and you are placed in the PILOT seat. Switching to the RIO is possible during the course of the lesson.
Objectives
This lesson introduces you to the most important changes in the B(U) version compared to the A/B version. You will fly a pre-determined route through Georgia while listening to the instructor. The instructor will give you an overview of the most important changes in the cockpit, although the lesson focuses a bit more on the pilot seat. On the other hand, the lesson doesn't go into much detail for now, because the operation of the new systems is explained in other training lessons.
Prerequisites
For this flight, it is helpful if you have some experience on any of the older Tomcat variants, at least in terms of flying the aircraft during cruise.
Lesson 01: Documentation
If you feel the need for knowledge, you may read through the following chapters of the manual:
Chapter > History
Chapter > Navigation system Overview (for a first glance)
Chapter > Navigation system Introduction (in depth details)
Chapter > Center panel (including HUD, VDI, ACM, HSD)
Chapter > DFCS panel
Chapter > DFCS - Digital Flight Control System
Chapter > TACAN Command panel
Chapter > TACAN Steering
Chapter > JDAM - Joint Direct Attack Munition
Chapter > AN/ALE-47 Panel
Chapter > MDL - AN/ASQ-215 Mission Data Loader
Lesson 01: Keybindings
Before flying the lesson, check & assign all necessary actions and keybindings for the F-14B(U) Pilot, and in case you want to switch seats also for the F-14B(U) RIO! Take special care for bindings that have no clickable control elements in the cockpit!
F-14B(U) Pilot → Category → Axis Commands
| Command | Suggested Assignment |
|---|---|
| Pitch | To be assigned |
| Roll | To be assigned |
| Rudder | To be assigned |
| Throttle Left | To be assigned |
| Throttle Right | To be assigned |
| Throttle (both) | Alternatively assign this if you only have one throttle axis available |
F-14B(U) Pilot → Category → Stick
| Command | Suggested Assignment |
|---|---|
| Trigger | De-assign Spacebar |
F-14B(U) Pilot → Category → Throttle
| Command | Suggested Assignment |
|---|---|
| Wing Sweep Auto Mode | To be assigned |
| Wing Sweep Bomb Mode | To be assigned |
| Wing Sweep Forward | To be assigned |
| Wing Sweep Aft | To be assigned |
F-14B(U) Pilot → Category → Flight Control
| Command | Suggested Assignment |
|---|---|
| Flaps Up | Left Shift + F |
| Flaps Down | F |
| Trim Pitch Up | Right Ctrl + . |
| Trim Pitch Down | Right Ctrl + ; |
F-14B(U) Pilot → Category → Gears, Brakes, and Hook
| Command | Suggested Assignment |
|---|---|
| Speed Brake Extend | Left Ctrl + B |
| Speed Brake Retract | Left Shift + B |
F-14B(U) Pilot → Category → View Cockpit
| Command | Suggested Assignment |
|---|---|
| Occupy WSO Seat | 2 |
F-14B(U) RIO → Category → View Cockpit
| Command | Suggested Assignment |
|---|---|
| Occupy Pilot Seat | 1 |
Lesson 01: Audio & Text
Since the lesson is a first familiarization, you may fly the aircraft totally unhurried. All text is displayed at the top right corner of the screen. The text remains visible on the screen for a maximum of 1000 seconds, until it either disappears after that time, or is replaced by new text. You can access the message log by pressing the ESC key, and then selecting MESSAGES HISTORY anytime.
Lesson 01: Tips & tricks
If you have troubles in flying the aircraft while listening to the audio or reading through the text, you may use the autopilot in attitude hold mode (key-binding "Autopilot toggle", default LAlt + A). Another option would be to use the active pause function of DCS (keybinding "Active Pause", default LWin + PAUSE) ; this stops the aircraft from moving, but the simulation in the background keeps running.