DCS F-14 Tomcat Pilot Startup Tutorial - Real life procedures explained
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- Here’s a tutorial on how to start the Heatblur/ DCS World F-14 Tomcat from a cold start, following the NATOPS checklist and real life procedures, with all the tests and checks explained. I hope you find it interesting and helpful.
NATOPS Pocket Checklist:
info.publicintelligence.net/F...
In-depth F-14 systems and startup:
• USLANTCOM: DCS F-14B -...
0:00 Intro
1:43 Pre-start
8:14 Engine start
11:54 Post-start
15:30 Tests and Checks - Hry
Correction: 52nd anniversary. Time flies, huh?
want to see the hide of the squadron VF-143 70's f-14a
@@dmx-terminator9614 www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3313473/
Sir, where can I find the skin? (VF-101 Grim Reapers Low Visibility) By the way, big fan of your work :)
Cheers for this man, I've been stuck next to this Iranian airfield for ages and I've just worked out an escape
Hahaha
Short field
Gear up fast so you don't ruin your nose gear
You forgot to mention the length of string on the nose of the Tomcat. It improves performance as the cat has something to chase. Always make sure the string is dangly and long before takeoff.
Hahaha, so THAT’s why the Tomcat is so fast! :)
Ok, as a cat lover and a Tomcat lover I declare you win the internet today.
The wing transfer philosophy is that if you try to transfer field from the drop tanks to the main tanks, the pumps transfer faster than the engine can burn fuel at idle or taxi power settings(by design), so it could overfill the tanks and spill out the fuel vents.
As for sloshing tanks, it's not a thing. Fuel cells are baffled to combat any sloshing. It may slosh a bit, but is not enough to cause any noticeable effect.
The wing cells were designed the handle sloshing, but the external tanks are another story. Catapult launches were inhibbited with partial fuel loads:
"Catapult launch with a partially filled external
tank is not authorized because of surge load
considerations." - NATOPS
And landings with any fuel in the external tanks had to minimize descent rate:
"CV arrestment, CV touch-and-go, or normal
field landings with full or partial fuel in the
external tanks is not authorized because of
overload of the nacelle backup structure.
Only minimum rate-of-descent landings
(minimum sink rate) are authorized." - NATOPS
@@butcher4095 my bad, I thought he was talking about the internal fuel cells.
Thanks for the info. So actually both versions are true, good to know !
@@butcher4095 But the fuel system has a level control system to prevent overfilling, unless switching to OFF was just another precautionary measure. My question is when the heck do you switch it back to AUTO? It's unclear in the Pilot/RIO challenge/reply checklist - “NORMAL FEED, AUTOTRANSFER DUMP OFF, TRANSFER CHECKED, TOTAL________, WINGS_______, AFT AND LEFT ______, FWD & RIGHT________________, FEED TANKS FULL _____ BINGO SET________________.”
@@friggindead Probably just before takeoff. I think "AUTOTRANSFER" refers to the WING/EXT TRANS switch being in AUTO position.
Seeing this also makes me really appreciate the built-in assisted startup with Jester. It covers the majority of the checklists and helped me get to know the plane in-depth without being too intimidating early on.
Agreed, it’s a nice feature
How I do that ?
@@blackknight3311 With the aircraft shut down, just open the Jester menu and select "Assisted Startup."
@@f38stingray I know in start up but I want to jester to do it in start up
I honestly would have loved to do the entire preflight check list without Jester, for those who are expert at that type of stuff where they don't need him.
One of the best start up tutorials I've watched and the best tomcat start up tutorial. Thanks a lot mate I've learned a lot. It is not easy to find out nice F-14 tutorials.
Regards
thanks, appreciated!
Jesus, this is an amazingly detailed video. This video deserves way more views! Very well made.
Thank you!
I used to do the quickest start possible until I realized that I have to wait a few minutes for INS alignment/Jester stuff. This is great learning stuff I can do in the meantime. Also it helps in familiarity with the jet
I also used to wait for Jester, now he waits for me :)
Heatblur is so dope for hooking the temp wheel into my graphics card's API.
I'm like you to be honest dude, I like to follow the procedures properly, no matter how long it takes. If you take the time to know the 'why' of what you are doing, it is much more rewarding, for me.
Couldn’t agree more!
This will be great for your new campaign coming out. Whatever day Speed and Angels releases will basically be my Christmas
Thanks Reflected! For the unique information that makes the DCS experience profoundly more immersive and engaging, thanks for the campaigns that are hard in the best way. Looking forward to get some free time for Speed & Angels. Those Tomcat RIOs and pilots are super humans in my book, always admired them. The chance to sit in a DCS Tomcat with Bio and Paco is a dream come true ❤
Thanks, we're very lucky indeed that they invested their time and effort into the DCS community. In SA you'll be 'star struck', lots of famous aviators in there: Paco, Meagan, Bio, Ferg, among many others.
@@ReflectedSimulations I am looking forward to being ‘Star struck’, I saw the @Redkite demo mission, eager to learn all the material. Been doing Zone 5, much joy! Respect for all the hard work you put into this.
The F-15 and F-14 are the most legendary fighters of all time
I felt like i was watching a instructional video from the 80s. Nice.
I was searching for something exactly like this the other day haha ❤ thanks reflected!
Finally! I've always wondered what "bi-di" was and what I should be checking.
We used to watch the F14s on the Tline at Navy Dallas, now I know why they would sit for sometimes 20 minutes with their engines running before taxiing out. Sure do miss those days.
BTW, the APU was left off by design. There were prototypes with APUs but more than likely left off in the final version to save weight/not messing with hydrazine or I'm sure various other reasons.
Ref BuNo 157981
Maestro... nice to see there are some, with the same attitude to simflying.🤙
Defender of the Fleet fits so right with the Tomcat... Great video! the soundtrack was just p e r f e c t. Very detailed and love it how you go down to every little thingy and feature, study level just how I like it. Keep up the good work! :)
Thanks! Meteor did a great job with the soundtrack of the module
Dang man. Great, Great, GREAT video. That Intro was something 🔥❤🔥
Thank you, glad u liked it!
So glad you did this. I’ve been struggling with start-up on the kitty. I can do a NFM-500 start on the Hornet with my eyes closed but trying to do the NATOPS start with the kitty has been very difficult for some reason. I’m sure the fact I was a hornet mech helps out there 😂
I’m glad it helped :)
Thanks for this good explanations for the Tomcat start procédures...it's very long but necessary..really don't forget one !! ...perfect vidéo for learning the job !! 🇺🇲👍👍🇺🇲
I grew up admiring the f14 with its cool as hell sweeping wings. I need to get DCS and sit in one.
The DCS Tomcat is as close to the real thing as you'll ever get, well worth every penny
its still one of the most beautyfull Airframes ever in air :) love the Vid :)
It is :) Thanks!
Strewth! that's some checklist, luckily they didn't have to do all that in 1940. What an incredible module. I'm enjoying the Mosquito with your campaign at the moment but once I've completed that, I'll invest some time to the Tomcat for sure.
Awesome. Thank you!
Perfect video. Thank You.
Learning a few things I never knew.... I'm still practicing aerial refueling but ran out of gas twice from pilot occelation, I'm on VR but with the prob being on the side and not the center I find it easier getting close by viewing the F14 from the back outside with the probe on the center of my computer screen.
Brilliant video, you really know what you're talking about. One thing, I think you forgot to put the windshield air switch to OFF at the prestart (it's on AIR by default in DCS).
Thank you! Good to know. Do you know why?
@@ReflectedSimulations It's only meant to be used under icing or heavy rain conditions. Otherwise it can damage the windshield.
Excellent
Fantastic
I would love this for the Phantom when it comes out!
Working on it ;)
"This controls how hot your graphics card will run" LOL
Duuuude I've been looking for the back radio volume knob forever because it wasn't labeled haha. Oh, pro-tip on the bingo wheel: hold shift while scrolling for a faster turn.
Really? That makes it faster? Cool!
@@ReflectedSimulationsYeah but I think only with the scroll wheel. Not sure if it works with click-drag.
Well, if I'm ever fortunate enough to come across a tomcat, i guess I'll be looking at this video.
You can do it in DCS World, as close as a mere mortal like us can get to flying a Tomcat ;)
Is that all? I thought it would be hard to start one of these. Piece of cake. (I got lost at the second switch, whatever that did)
It comes in DCS with training missions to learn how to operate everything? thanks for sharing, great video
That´s only way i enjoy DCS too. I ´m always learning and in every mission i do a walkaround the jet before flight in VR. Thank you for this.
That must be cool in vr!
How do you do a walk around in VR? Do you mean external view and rotate it around?
@@endre1010 i use Object Free Camera and i binded to my gamepad the View up/down slow, left/right slow, Zoom in Slow/Zoom out slow so i can simulate walking while in VR. I even go by bus to the ramp (i position myself inside the bus/humvee/truck/car with Object Free Camera key), but for that i set CameraTerrainRestriction & CameraToUnitModelCollision to FALSE in my view.Lua file so i can position/walk where i want without camera restriction. It is my workaround because we don´t have 1st person walking option, our imagination is the limit. Object Free Camera is very useful.
Never knew that’s how I could cool my GPU 😉
Keep them flying!
Can't wait for S&A, campaign so good got me buying Nevada and having fun even with 6 months of useless phoenix.
Any time baby!
Thanks! Nevada is a great map with many other campaigns using it, like Zone 5 for example :)
I'll waste my expensive whiskey how ever I like sir!
Quick question, do you know if there was a different checklist/startup procedure for quick scramble/alert 5 startups? I would imagine in non normal operations you’d skip most of these tests to get airborne asap
You had the alert jets for that. They would start the jet, do all the checks, then shut it down and sit there and wait. If they had to go, they could use the ‘60 second startup tutorial’ :)
So how long does it take for a pilot to go through that and f-14 tomcat is my favorite fighter jet 🤙awsome video
This is the one game that makes me envy PC master race.
This music is very similar to the music played when maverick gets into the jet the first time after goose's death. Where did you find it?
????? Setting the A/C temp has an affect on how hot your graphics cards run!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?
Yes, you get 7 more FPS at the setting of 10 :)
@@ReflectedSimulations hey folks... pls disregard this statement... LOL especially anyone new to DCS and the F14 module.
Wow great video ? How is it, in the first two minutes of your video, possible for you, to move your camera position like that ? Do you use "Trak IR 5" or something like that ?
I use facetrack NoIR. Hardly ideal but does the job.
Where did u get the NATOPS for the tomcat B 😮
That Wing Trans to OFF, wouldn't it be simply to allow engines to burn some internal fuel so the test of fuel flow from EXT Tanks at the end of start up procedure would be easier to see?
While OBC dont you toggle inlet ramps to Stow on Plane captain order?
Also there was mention of wind screen blower test next to BiDi
Thanks for that vid! I am just replaying Zone V with new BFM patch and doing some playthrough vids! Now I see I missed some steps in my start up! Thing is Zone V is that there is only like 10 min from step in to launch time according to brief notes so you really have to be fast with all BITs and OBCs.
While we at Zone V topic, I see that E2 is available with datalink, is that also part of real Top Gun? Without it, it would be really hard to spot those Wildcards!
Thanks! The OBC moves the ramp actuators automatically AFAIK. I did mention the windcreen air test, or you meant something else?
As for the wild cards: normally there shouldn’t be any datalink, that’s cheating: the wild card is there to make you look outside the cockpit, not to get you buried in your TID even more.
@@ReflectedSimulations Yeah thats what I thought for datalink, its too easy.
Also about start up procedures, I heard that on carriers with F14s there wasnt enough external Air generators to go around and F14s would start right engine normally and then cross-bleed left engine, the same maverick did in his Topgun:Maverick movie ;)
My favorite plane 😎😊
So I don’t have DCS yet, but when I get it my first module is definitely gonna be F14 so I’m just trying to study up before I get it, and therefore all my questions will be dumb right now but…
What about RWR? Is that a jester thing or do you do it up front? Or was it covered and I’m just missing it?
I’m not trying to nitpick and be a turd, just genuinely curious. Great vid btw, very in depth and helpful for someone like me 😂
Good question! The RWR (or RHAW in the Tomcat) panel is in the backseat, so Jester will take care of that.
The F-14's M61-A1 gun only holds 676 rounds hence I personally never set it to 690 but always to 670. Not that it matters that much I suppose but just an FYI.
Thanks for the info! The HUD only displays the first digit anyway, so I thought it's just easier to set it all the way up. In any case, if I'm not mistaken, it's the ground crew that sets it to the appropriate level after loading the guns, not the pilot before engine start.
I was always wondering when they do the tests, especially for the wings on the carrier. Do they do it on the cat or will they just get skipped?
No, before taxiing. Except for some that are skipped altogetger, have a look at the checklist, it specifies which items are field only.
@@ReflectedSimulations But before taxing means in the parking spot, where the wing test would be impossible?!
@@Paolo_Pinkas747 correct, wings are not tested on the carrier. They’re moved out of oversweep on the signal of the cat director
Heya Reflected, would you ever consider doing a RIO version of this? Cheers
Yes, maybe one day, but I have to dig myself into it first
@@ReflectedSimulations YES!!!😂
Okay, do the exterior preflight check got it. And then get in the cockpit and do what now?🤔
Where's the push button start at?
Love it, thank you my man! How do I get all these Grim Reaper skins, are they part of your campaigns?
Yes, they come with the campaign. Along with some VF-213 and VF-31 skins ;)
@@ReflectedSimulations Thanks for the quick answer, just bought your campaign. See you up there. :)
@@MrBooka42 Good luck, enjoy :)
Most simple answer- Its bc not having a ground static discharge line connected is dangerous. For obvious reasons regarding fuel.
Most simple answer to what?
Hi, wich EMERG FLT HYD is meant for shore landings and wich one is ndesigned for lasting longer? High/Low Thanks!
‘Low’ lasts longer but allows smaller movements. So better use Hi for emergency landings.
What is the music in the video? It has cool TopGun vibe to it.
it's the soundtrack that comes with the Heatblur F-14 Module
I wish there was a setting to have some switches/systems be randomized at the start of the mission, instead of always being in the same state. That would make going through a full startup way more fun.
that's a good idea, but not sure totally randomized would be realistic - nobody leaves the plane with the gear lever up for example.
What isn’t implemented will it be at a later date ?
Good question, ask Heatblur :)
So I’ve gotta ask the maestro of the best campaigns in DCS… which is more difficult to create, WWII campaigns or late Cold War / current era?
I would imagine WWII, simply by sheer number of units required.
That is actually a great question, and I'm not sure... WW2 is easier in terms of procedures and much less radio traffic in general, you focus on setting up the situation and then let the AI fight as they want to. But the sheer number of planes and units and this random AI factor makes it very challenging and time consuming to set up those missions. In modern era missions you have less units but more radio traffic, stricter procedures, and generally the AI needs more micromanaging to get the story right. Also, it's much harder to find information about WW2 - I mean small details about procedures and stuff. They require a lot of research.
@@ReflectedSimulations very cool, thanks for the insight!! I’m already dreaming of a Reflected campaign for the F4U Corsair in a Pacific Theater… How did those guys navigate over the open pacific and find their way home to a carrier?? Suddenly realized you pretty much fall on the sword of intense research so we can all live our dreams in DCS!! Thanks so much for all the effort as always.
@@spitfire4sergi Thanks! WW2 carrier ops required insane navigation skills. You basically noted how long you flew on what course at what speed, corrected for wind and estimated carrier heading and speed and hoped the carrier would be where you thought it would be. If not, you run out of fuel, ditch, maybe never to be found. Scary!
Can you do the same totorial on F 16 ?
I would but there'd be no point. There is already a great tutorial made by a real life F-16 Crew Chief, there is no way I could make anything as realistic or insightful:
czcams.com/video/9dghqc8LJkg/video.html
Two other things i wondered about was: I am able to move the control-surfaces without any hydraulic pressure - is this because the ground air supply? And the other thing: you say the Tail Hook is checked nearly at the end of procedure by ground crew. Can this be realistic? i mean: there are two jet-engines up and running left and right to that tail hook: I would not like to stand between and check a tailhook in that situation! :)
And how am i able to check the emergency bypass pump making hydraulic pressure if i am able to move control surfaces anyway?
You shouldn't be able to move the control surfaces without any hydraulic pressure. The tailhook check was at the end, the engines are wide apart, nobody has to look into them :)
What am I doing not being subbed?
There we go
The most beautiful warplane that the United States has made so far, it is competing with fighters
Hi Reflected, where can you read or how should be external lights operated during day/night? Thanks! Do you have discord?
I don't know about that, but I'd also be interested. The Discord link is on my channel profile.
@@ReflectedSimulations Found a post on the forums with a reply from that salty SME
- On the ship at night, all external lights are turned on when ready to launch and are kept on throughout the flight until coming to a stop at the end of the arrestment.
- The landing light is not normally used for approach or landing at sea or ashore. The rare example of when it is used is when the weather is close to or below mins. Then LSO's will sometimes call for landing lights on
- Upon join up, the flight lead would go to formation lights only when the wingman got within a few wingspans during join up. The wingman left his lights on for anti collision purposes for the entire formation. The wingman's lights paint the lead well enough to fly formation.
Tactically, we often turned all lights off, and just flew using moonlight if possible.
Ashore in the daytime, the anticollision light was turned on before start, using external power. At night, anti collision and position lights turned on prior to start. Lights were turned off prior to shutdown.
Another technique when trying to pick out an aircraft during rendezvous was to ask for your target to "go midnight". The pilot would turn off all lights for a moment, helping the wingman to discern the correct aircraft out of a pack of blinking lights in the same area.
@@deividdi5779 awesome, thanks!
You’re not going anywhere until you push in all the yellow circuit breakers.
They are always pulled by ground crews after every flight.
Typically you only need the huffer to start one engine, always did left side first.
Pull the air and crossbleed start the right engine.
Good to know, thanks! CBs are always inby default in DCS
I got a no-go light for fire light check in DCS.... what do I do? :( quit?
eject eject eject! :)
@ReflectedSimulations I hate to bother you here but I bought Speed and Angels and the campaign just refuses to go the the 2nd part. I’m just left standing in front of the F-14’s, I can move the camera all around but can’t figure out how to progress to the next part.
Remove all unofficial mods and then run a slow repair. If that doesn’t help please send me a screenshot of where you got stuck on the forums or discord. Thanks!
Reflected, ins't the ammo counter supposed to be set to 670?
Isn’t that the maximum value too?
@@ReflectedSimulations the maximum is 690
@@skywarp2180 Ah ok…I don’t think that 20 makes a lot of difference, especially with the rough counter on the hud.
@@ReflectedSimulations that's no big deal, I was just giving my contribution to a full fidelity start up
@@skywarp2180 thanks! I wonder why the counter goes up to 690 if the capacity was 670 only?
Hello! Thanks for the Tutorial! You say Oil Pressure 25-35 Psi while Idicator shows 45 Psi - thats a bit confusing!
We should ask Heatblur about this
Are you serious @4:15 😂😂😂 Hahahaha!
:)
I am learning and playing the F15C I have not used any other aircraft yet, but I have a lot of hours already. I am planning to use another more complex aircraft, but you are telling me I need to spend 20 minutes just to fire this up only to fly up and get shot down in ten minutes? My future is bright as the sun
You can start it quick and dirty in 2 minutes too. Depends on your playing style
@@ReflectedSimulations ah got you!
Still trying to figure out the mouse situation in VR though. Or something to manouver the cockpit. Will probably be a trackball as a sort of kneepad
Hey! Out of curiousity, are Meteor songs copyright free or did you get a special appoval to use their songs in this video? I'm uncertain about what is actually allowed and not on youtube videos and would like to know for my own sake as well. You can remove my comment later If you'd like.
Apparently they can be used, I’ve used them several times
Can you play this can on an ordinary laptop? I would like to play this game soon!!
I play it on a latop…but define ordinary? I have a 2060 and 32GB RAM
What about compass sync?
Good call, in DCS they're always synched so I skipped that. Otherwise, just after you run your ICLS BIT you press and hold the HDG Pushbutton: " In SLAVED mode, the pushbutton synchronizes the directional gyro with the magnetic azimuth detector and sets magnetic heading on the BDHI. Pushbutton must
be depressed and held until the synchronization indicator needle is bracketing the
null mark. "
@@ReflectedSimulations so it can be done on the ground? I read somewhere that you were supposed to do it in the air while traveling level at a fixed speed.
@@riman8493 I think first you did on the ground, then in the air. 'Compass Synced' is part of the takeoff checklist. Also, I think they did it after launch too while getting away from the carrier, because that large metal thing messed with the compass quite a bit.
@@ReflectedSimulations awesome! Makes a lot of sense, thank you!
note to the future
too damn many switches, this needs to be hard streamlined
Maverick could never have completed such a lengthy startup procedure, his attention span was not that good. Probably how he got goose killed!
Hahaha, he got him killed by not ejecting the canopy first! :)
Well, I think Maverick skipped some of those procedures by stealing the F-14 in Top Gun Maverick.
He did didn’t he? He was in a bit of a rush though:)
@@ReflectedSimulations yeah.... and the only thing Rooster helped was closing the canopy!!
Win+Home
Hang on, Air Temp to 5? hahahaha
NO WONDER MY GUNS WERNT FIREING!
"There is no point in doing that in DCS" - Applies to 90% of the content in this video.
What I said at the beginning applies to 100% of this comment :) but yeah you’re right, in DCS nothing ever fails on startup
😂 That's not how you start a Tomcat. Where the hell is your Plane Captain??
Ask the developers of the game ;)
Who gives a crap? The airplane was retired 17 years ago! Nothing about the F-14 applies today.
Really? Wow I had no idea. Thanks!