General Category > Unofficial F/A-18 Acceleration Pack board
Idea for a "trainer-mission"
SpazSinbad:
Razgriz, you may complain but you did not leave your original posts which did not say what you say now. At the time my installation was working OK (older effects files already in place).
However you do not seem to understand the point of FCLP. There is a link in the readme file that helps explain: http://www.navy.mil/search/print.asp?story_id=2096&VIRIN=1181&imagetype=1&page=1
If in further doubt about value of night FCLP I could explain further or point you to an (unavailable at moment) 2GB PDF online 'How to carrier land' that is not specific to Hornet but it gets a mention amongst all the other Naval Aviation guff in it at: www.a4ghistory.com
You are free to do all the non-FCLP flying you wish. However the missions and information is specifically about FCLP day/dusk/night with different parameters for day/night with dusk being a transition to night. It is difficult to do at night but if instruments are flown with a bit of visual to gauge abeam position (LSO will call 'abeam' for you) and some judicious instrument flying around base turn from 1,000 feet AGL not below 600 feet until lit [runway] carrier deck sighted, it is doable with sufficient practice in daytime/dusk.
In a nutshell: night FCLP concentrates pilot attention to 'meatball lineup and airspeed' without the potential to 'deck spot'. Most FCLP is done at night before day deck qualification. Then more night FCLP and day deck landings before night deck qualification (only in Hornets not in Goshawks).
Another benefit of night FCLP is that the FLOLS/IFLOLS is easier to see - and in FSX. FCLP should be fun. Practice mission 4 heaps before attempting mission 5 IMHO.
Razgriz:
You just can't see anything when your that dark at night, you NEED to have ILS, otherwise its unsafe and won't be done.
SpazSinbad:
Razgriz, that is your opinion with your FSX setup. However others may have different setups where they can see the carrier deck lights. Obviously they are there. If a good night FCLP pattern is flown then the carrier deck lights will be visible in good time halfway around the base turn (but not below 600 feet - probably not below 800 feet to give more chance of spotting the deck lights).
Probably you are not knowing what to expect. Do plenty of dusk mission 4 bounces to gauge what you will see in mission 5.
An old style carrier landing advice video/pdf (how to fly mirror) but still relevant techniques today is here:
http://www.filefront.com/17349862/DeckLandingInstructionVideos.pdf/ (90Mbs)
The www.a4ghistory.com site is down for the moment with complaints made to service provider - no response so far....
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EDIT: My first reaction to Mission 5 (complete darkness) was 'expletive deleted' 'No way'. ;D However if flown by the numbers (see night FCLP diagram in readme PDF) with sufficient practice in other missions beforehand - it is doable. If not possible to see carrier deck lights then mission 4 is a great substitute. The dusk takeoff with gradual darkness descending during the FCLP is a good way to be introduced to mission 5; or just a good substitute for mission 5.
Remember to fly the dusk mission 4 at night FCLP altitude of 1,000 feet AGL which requires a longer base turn point. There is 25 knots of wind straight down runway. If flying mission 5 then takeoff by the end of carrier deck lights with full burner and adopt a 15-20 degree noseup attitude, reduce power to max (minus burner) and do not turn downwind until at circuit height. Use 30 degree AoB. You'll be fine. ;D
Razgriz:
Flying by the numbers or not, its such a dynamic environment, land and sea. ILS is REQUIRED.
SpazSinbad:
OLF Coupeville Official FCLP diagram shows longer circuit for night FCLP with 'no wind' base turn time from abeam call indicated. I would use about 10-15 seconds with the 25 knot wind - probably more like ten seconds and stay at height no lower than say 800 feet AMSL (600 feet above runway) during base turn to ensure that the carrier deck lights are sighted during base turn. Adjust accordingly and fly the ball during the turn when it can be seen.
Razgriz we posted at same time. You can fly or not fly how you wish. The mission is there... No one is forcing you to fly it.
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