FSDreamTeam forum
General Category => Unofficial F/A-18 Acceleration Pack board => Topic started by: Sludge on June 06, 2010, 05:44:16 pm
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To all...
If you have any ideas or would like to be involved, this is a new thread to start a carrier pattern video. Also, here is a primer for the carrier pattern, in case you forgot. Look at the pictures and they show what points need to be "hit" and at what TCN (HUD TACAN) distances. Click on the link and scroll about 3/4 of the way down to my post w/9 pictures including an FCLP picture.
http://www.fsdreamteam.com/forum/index.php?topic=2525.90
Virtuali...
Is there any way to get some of SUN444's videos from the "microsoft permission" thread moved over here?
Later
Sludge
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Alright boys...
Im officially moving all "carrier pattern video" posts over here.
Check out the videos I just made using FRAPS... sorry bout the poor quality, make sure to check 480P, so you can at least see some detail. My stick skills are FAR BETTER than my video making LACK of SKILLS.
Fellas...THIS IS HOW CARRIER LANDINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE EXECUTED!! Granted I didnt get all three wires, as Im out of practice, but the final approach technique shown is how its supposed to be done! Notice how my main job was to keep the meatball centered the whole approach with my overcompensations coming either in-close (1/4 nm) or at-the-ramp. Also, did you see how much I kept a "yellow donut" in all the approaches once I got settled on final bearing. This is another key part of carrier landings. The ICLS just happen to stay close, but to fly good approaches one CANNOT fly the needles. It will never work as one will end up chasing the needles up and down the glidepath. Throttle=RoD/Altitude Change; Stick=Speed/AoA Change. Meatball, Lineup, and Indexer.
(See where I transitioned from VC to 2D HUD view, thats what I do everytime)
(Anyone catch the LSO "Power" call? And the subsequent change in power on my energy caret? "Any LSO calls require IMMEDIATE action."
(1 ball low at landing, hence a two wire, makes sense, right? Still knocking the rust off. I only got one three wire all night. Just goes to show, constant practice is always needed for solid carrier landings.)
Enjoy fellas...
Later
Sludge
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Sludge, good videos. No.2&3 are on centreline and glideslope with a good power call as indicated in Video No.2. Video No.1 starts way left and I would like to see more effort to get over to the right to be on centreline. No drifting allowed. Get over there pronto. ;D [TIC = Tongue In Cheek comments.]
I could see some editing put No.1 with No.2 to highlight those issues - starting left and the power call - for example. Personally I have no problem having an instruction video being a compilation of small bits of an approach. Following the ball in No.3 video to the end I see that it drops out of the bottom of the mirror right at the last second. This may be a function of the sim itself. I make this point to say that the mirror should be followed right to touchdown, including the line up and AoA scan of course but NOT looking ahead to land visually at the ramp (this is called 'deck spotting'). I know things happen quickly and I cannot really remember myself what the ball does in my own carrier landings - and I know it is easy to criticise from the comfort of viewing on Utube. ;D What I'm attempting to do is show how the small details are important. Yes it is important to get as much correct as possible - all the time. These videos are a good start for sure.
I like the way the ball stays more or less calmly in the correct position between the datum lights and especially the good lineup in Vids 2 & 3. The pilot flies the Hornet, the Hornet does not fly the pilot.
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Sludge, good landings! Did you have some headwind - the climb angle seems pretty steep ?
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neutrino, no angle to climb. ;D That is the deceptive part about 'carrier landings' for those not willing to concentrate on 'the ball'. Everything looks odd compared to a runway landing. Doesn't matter. Only look at the deck for lineup on the angle, look at the ball for glideslope and nothing else.
Sure, in a video we can look at all kinds of things that a pilot is NOT looking at. The pilot looks at only the ball in the mirror, correct AoA and lineup. Sorry to harp on that but that is the key/trick. Nothing else matters. Headwind, slight crosswind, heavy (under max. landing weight) light. It is all the same. Meatball, Lineup and Airspeed (Opt AoA). :-*
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Spaz...
Thanks. Actually, the first video is more to show how I switch from VC to 2D HUD view, so that everyone understands that point. Its a big deal in FSX carrier landings for me to do that every single time. Yeah, I floated getting to centerline, but that was just my first pass and I had come thru the 45 early so my lineup was off. Also, though, the sim was setup using the TopGunSim missions, and since I cant alter carrier speed, I had alot of headwind to make up the difference for Wind-over-Deck.
JR...
Thanks, I know you can do this level of landing. Ive seen your stick skills. Yes, I did have alot of direct headwind in this setup. However, even in Orion's mission, my HUD sight picture looks like this as well, since the carrier's total Wind-over-Deck component is also in the 34+ knot range. Its actually supposed to be "w" at 5 deg nose up/velocity vector at 3 deg down w/minor changes to keep meatball centered.
Oh BTW, I forgot to tell you, about a month or two ago I get this "facebook friend suggests you join Top Gun Anniversary Group" email from Adam. Yeah, thanks little man... haha. Remember, "Madadog" Aussie Adam... he who only eats pizzas that his parents bring him?! hehe.
Later
Sludge
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Sludge,
Great videos, am looking forward to more in the future!
Wanted to share this video I just saw, one of the best real world videos I've seen in a long time of a T-45 doing carrier ops.
http://acquiry.com/?p=359
Capt
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Wanted to share this video I just saw, one of the best real world videos I've seen in a long time of a T-45 doing carrier ops.
http://acquiry.com/?p=359
Capt
Looks scary, especially with the rough seas below, nothing like in the sim ::)
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capthaltli, thanks. Very good pilot helmet camera video.
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Brilliant! And I'll have to rework my Goshawk soundpack... ;D
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Youse can't have enuf LSO NATOPS manuals and here is another one (because sometimes the links to other examples stop working but this one should be good for some time being official and all):
Another LSO NATOP manual (2001 version) is here: http://www.navyair.com/LSO_NATOPS_Manual.pdf (0.7Mb)
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T-45C Goshawk Official Carrier Pattern (just for the heck of it).
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Another good FCLP footage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_JdADh4Zrc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_JdADh4Zrc)
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Nice video again with two good views of the mirror during the approach(s). I like the comment that 'the first pass from the break has to be the best'. EVERY PASS NEEDS TO BE THE BEST! ;D
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Spaz, now I know why do you call that device 'the mirror'. By the way, how did it work? Those four lamps did reflect on it, right?
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fsxnp, the four orange lights shine into the curved mirror to form the 'meatball'. The greenie/blue datum lights are either side of the mirror all shining up the glideslope. The concave mirror shape allowed the meatball and datums to be seen easily before halfway around base turn. At beginning of A4G ops we did low circuits at 300 feet daytime to take advantage of that having a very short sharp straightaway (minimising errors).
{EDIT}: Forgot to add that this base turn was LEVEL, thus making one less distraction, no need to try to figure out any descent rate during base turn. A level turn meant we picked up the ball at 300 feet and we did not descend further unless meatball allowed. Not sure if after my time the circuit height was raised onboard. We did FCLP at 500 feet at night at NAS Nowra because it was too dangerous, with uneven rising ground to west & south-west of airfield to go lower. We could descend a bit during base turn because on RW 26 there was a big gully to fall into, so large that it was possible to go below airfield elevation before crashing. ;D
And to be clear - a night deck landing could only be done via a CCA (Carrier Controlled Approach) similar to a GCA (Ground) with a precision radar and a controller guiding pilot to 1& 1/4 NM at around 1000 feet or less, to then have the pilot look ahead to land visually. The CCA controller would keep quiet then to allow pilot and LSO to communicate.
Some mirror pics attached now with explanations. This first pic shows 5 wires with No.4 being the target wire. If less than five set then No.3 would become target. No.4 allowed best 'hook to ramp' clearance which was only 6 feet.
A 13Mb .WMV video here explains how the mirror was invented and how it works:
http://www.filefront.com/16719379/MirrorExplainedFAAM.wmv
(13Mb) (Left mouse click on URL to go to download page first)
The source (sauce?) lights that form the orange 'meatball' can be varied in intensity along with the blue/green datum lights. The mirror could be moved to change glideslope and it was stabilised only in pitch not for roll (which could be a problem). However the transition of the meatball in the mirror as it moved was smooth unlike IFLOLS which jumps between light cells. Fourth last pic shows the MCO Mirror Control Officer who is looking down the glideslope which he checks with a sight to see that it is setup for A4G or S2E. A 'helper' checks that the mirror is uncovered and clean etc. Third last pic shows HMAS Melbourne mirror now in the musesum FAAM Fleet Air Arm Museum at NAS Nowra, (south of Sydney on the coast more ore less) NSW, Australia.
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Spaz, thank You very much! Very informative expalantion. As always... ;D
5 wires... lots of choices... 8)
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Lots of choices with the only choice being no.4 wire ;D (or no.3 etc.). The TOTAL landing area was so short (just over 100 yards from above curved ramp to angle deck drop off) that the TA4G could not operate from HMAS Melbourne. There was not enough time/space to get the nose back up during a touch and go or bolter. This was figured out ashore by an RAN test pilot. The longer fuselage had a noticeable effect on the Skyhawk - comparing single seat with trainer.
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Forgot about this pic of 'meatball sauce lights' being shown in relation to the mirror....
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Earlier there was a discussion about 'pitching decks' and an FSX video showing that. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rND9lEpIlk] My comment if recalled correctly was that the large USN carrier was moving too fast. That still stands having looked at that FSX video again. [http://www.fsdreamteam.com/forum/index.php?topic=2456.0]
Here is an A4G Skyhawk landing on a pitching deck as viewed from that deck about midships (near island). HMAS Melbourne did move rapidly for its size (less than 20,000 tons) however NIMITZ carrier although it might move as much would not do so as quickly. This video is instructive for the speed of movement. A recent PBS TV 'Carrier' documentary had a 'bad Pacific swell' day where the USN carrier is seen to move. I'll look for that link also. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVgBayUfPJU&]
Here is the A4G video made by Leut Bob Stumpf USN (exchange pilot) around 1979-80 - later he was a Hornet Blue Angels leader: "A4GsStumpf1980music2m6s.wmv" [Left Click on URL to go to download page first.]
http://www.filefront.com/14919447/A4GsStumpf1980music2m6s.wmv/ (20Mb)
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Damn LSO got nervous and almost made me bolter. ;)
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Nice. What sounds are you useing and what are the chirps for? ;D
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microbrwst: Damn right the LSO was nervous. ;D Fair call for 'power'. Have a look at the ball closely to see 'in close' you start to drift below glideslope and then the ball drops sharply (I guess it is imitating the IFLOLS cells]. If you add power at the point the ball starts to go low then likely no power call. The power call saved your bacon. Perhaps you had power coming on - but not enough. This is why in real world the LSO calls for 'power' (& other calls see LSO NATOPS or manual) are mandatory. Whether FSX has them correct would be open to debate but there you go.
Perhaps viewers are not used to looking critically at the movement of the ball but it is important. It is the only thing that gets you onboard safely (with the help of LSO calls if need be).
However overall the break to landing video is a good one IMHO. Nice and steady but sometimes (as was my experience) trying to be 'too smooth' often meant slow correction (from LSO viewpoint) to glideslope or other errors. Carrier Landings are never smooth when viewed from the pilot perspective, especially with power going on and off quickly to keep that ball centred. And I'll repeat - this is difficult stuff to do in FSX. Thanks for the video. BZ! ;D
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1:23 and 2:01 - we can see both the IFLOLS and the mirror systems.
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fsxnp, many thanks for the video link. Interesting to see the old and the new 'mirror' systems together. Older model Skyhawks had very smokey engines fixed by the late 1960s with a 'smokeless burner can' modification to the engine to reduce that smoke drastically. Small video below shows 3 A4Gs flying by the carrier with one (on outside of formation) having the smokeless modification made - the other two not.
3xA4GsDirtyFlyByCarrier.wmv
http://www.filefront.com/11922394/3xA4GsDirtyFlyByCarrier.wmv/ (2Mb)
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To all...
Just made a few more videos, higher quality but not as good on the traps. FPS loss kinda hurts, but its just rust, not flying them all the time. Plus, in Orion's mission, carrier speed is a bit fast (should be 20 kts, wind should be 10-12 kts), but still great mission to try to trap on!
Recommend to watch on 1080P. Enjoy.
Later
Sludge
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Great videos sludge. Now to just get LSO voice.
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Sludge, Very good videos when in 1080, nice and crisp to see the ball etc. Great approaches with the 3rd one in the list getting a little 'low in the middle' but for sure it is nice to see proper carrier approaches. BZ!
The next thing also is how to get rid of the "Altitude" voice when the hook is down. ::)
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Spaz
you just set RALT to zero and Betty wil shut up ;D
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fsxnp, thanks. I fly with NO SOUND so not a worry for me usually but good to know. BTW I think Sludge or someone mentioned how to cage the HUD. What is that method please? And will that method work on other HUD enabled aircraft (I know I could test that myself once method known). ::) TAH.
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In a gauge called HUD Control (FA18_HUD_Switches.CAB) there's a switch called Cage On/Off. This gauge is a part of the Sludge Hornet and by default it is called by Shift+2. Other aircraft do not have this cage feature, AFAIK...
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Spaz...
Yeah, thanks. Also, in addition to the Sludge Hornet, if you install something called DFLIGHTS.zip and input all the "light scalars" within your FSX.CFG file to 1.3 or so, the meatball shows up really crisp/clear.
Personally, I like Betty and Ive seen some real world guys that have her saying ALTITUDE at 300' AGL. Personal preference, but as Serge says, you can shut her up just by going default to zero. Actually, in the upcoming Sludge... all BARO and RALT Betty warnings are defaulted off at zero, so its up to you to set them to on.
Razgriz...
Yeah, I know. Gotta get with Micro and make a really good video for everyone else. His videos are pimp-daddy-payne good, so once he gets some time, we will make a joint venture carrier pattern video. The reason there's no LSO, is this isnt the TopGun mission. Its Orion's mission with no LSO stuff. The carrier and natural FSX wind are setup a little better for carrier landings in his mission. Granted the best situation would be carrier at 20 kts and FSX wind at 12 kts for a total angled deck wind component of 32 kts inside the TopGun missions w/LSO, but unless you know someone who lives and breathes .spb/.xml mission coding, it aint gonna happen.
Later
Sludge
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BTW I think Sludge or someone mentioned how to cage the HUD. What is that method please? And will that method work on other HUD enabled aircraft (I know I could test that myself once method known). ::) TAH.
Spaz, you just open the HUD Switch Panel (should be Shift+2) and press 'CAGE'. This will "cage" the velocity vector near the vertical center-line of the HUD, which is helpful with heavy crosswind (>10kts), as in the upwind or downwind turns. A ghost (true) vector will still show where the aircraft is going if the difference between the caged vector and the true vector is greater than 2 degrees.
Here is an example of an actual HUD with caged vector:
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/ss333/neutrino2009/cagedghost_vectors.jpg (http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/ss333/neutrino2009/cagedghost_vectors.jpg)
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Everyone, thanks for all the info. A quick look at shift + 2 says the HUD is caged. I'll explain that I was (by default via the Hornet) trying to solve an issue with the BETA of Dino Cattaneo's F-35A HUD. At its optimum AoA the indexer is almost invisible below out of sight. I guess an eyepoint change is needed in this instance.
For the record I use the marvellous 'floating' AoA indexer or the Indexer on the panel of the Hornet. I'll need to check out that 'lights' info. Sounds like an excellent mod Sludge. IMHO the biggest issue with carrier landings in FSX on a desktop monitor is not being able to see the mirror/lineup from a reasonable distance (before the start at 3/4 NM). Not everyone can get to that position easily without the aid of the NEW IMPROVED (by many) HUD that has been discussed often. The 'needles' allow anyone to get to a good start for a best visual approach etc.
The day when wall sized monitors are cheap will be a good day for FSX and carrier landings. Here is the T-45C Goshawk USN simulator with such a wall sized display.
Here is the link at FlightSim.com to the 'dflights.zip' file (3Mb) : http://www.flightsim.com/kdl.php?fid=134873
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Hello SpazSinbad!
Thank you for the link dflights.zip I was Banned for a few hours, all is well now. Sludge, you never phone me yet on Skype. Herb
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Just stumbled across this http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/call_the_ball (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/call_the_ball)... Well guys, we all are flying the wrong way...
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"Verb: to call the ball [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/call_the_ball]
1.(When landing on US aircraft carriers) To sight the red fresnel light that shows a pilot to be on the correct approach path."
FSXNP, you can see how the wascally wabbits at wiktionary are really wacky. ::) ;D
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Woger what ;D
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"IMHO the biggest issue with carrier landings in FSX on a desktop monitor is not being able to see the mirror/lineup from a reasonable distance (before the start at 3/4 NM). Not everyone can get to that position easily without the aid of the NEW IMPROVED (by many) HUD that has been discussed often. The 'needles' allow anyone to get to a good start for a best visual approach etc."
I don't know if people remember MS's Combat Flight Sim 2. When the plane was a mile or so from the carrier an LSO automatically appeared in a small window on the top left corner of the screen and made the appropriate signals. After a lot of prodding by me Abacus incorporated a separate Fresnel Lens gauge into Carrier Operations. Pressing Sh + 5 produced a working Fresnel Lens gauge which was slaved to the ILS. Adam Howe of Abacus kindly sent me a Cessna 172 with the gauge incorporated.
Possibly not that realistic but screen resolutions are not yet good enough to enable the Ball to be clearly seen when 3/4 mile from the deck so this is a workable compromise.
Tregarth
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Tre...
Yeah, I tried incorporating that Abacus meatball for my own purposes, I just dont know how to do it, otherwise I would've. Now, I dont even mess with Abacus stuff, especially their interior graphics. Too Low speed/High drag. Im sure Serge or JR could figure it out, how to get a Meatball display gauge thats similar to the Indexer. However, one limitation exists at this point in the Sludge Hornet's lifespan... there isnt room for another displayed gauge. I'm already up to shift-9, and FSX doesnt allow for more, unless I'm missing something? Id have to get rid of a gauge to get a "Mirror/Meatball" gauge operational in the current Sludge Hornet.
If people wanted, and the gauge can be built, I could have two Panel folders in the new Sludge, one standard (how it is now, labelled Panel_Indexer) and a new one (labelled Panel_Meatball), and have instructions for install that the one you want, just rename that folder Panel (in each Sludge Hornet folder, Basic/FX), and thats the one the Sludge will use. I know some of you fly with TrackIR and would appreciate a "Mirror/Meatball" gauge so its easier for you to land in VC. If Serge could make this gauge within the current BlackBox UFC gauge (like the Indexer), I will include it in the upcoming Sludge Hornet release (v1.1) and will have the two separate Panel folders so all you have to do is rename the one you want to Panel.
Later
Sludge
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Dear Sludge,
My thinking is that the FLOLS would not be a Hornet gauge. Instead, at say, the carrier "Outer Marker" the gauge would pop up on the screen automatically in a corner of the screen as it did in CFS2. It would not be a cockpit gauge, possibly it could be added to the carrier? You wouldn't need one on land since you have the PAPI lights already.
It is easy for me to make these suggestions, (it has only taken me 2 weeks to work out how to make FSUIPC to work and I won't talk about Flight Sim Commander) but I don't have a clue as to how you work the miracles that you do.
Thank you for your excellent work,
Tregarth
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It is possible to create a gauge that could mimic the FLOLS, but as Tregarth mentioned, it would be 'a working Fresnel Lens gauge which is slaved to the ILS'. That's because in FSX FLOLS systems are part of objects (carriers) or sceneries (airports/bases), unlike of CFS2 (as far as I understand). So, this gauge could work very well on any aircraft, provided 1) there's a working ILS at a target airport and 2) NAV1 is tuned to this ILS.
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It is possible to create a gauge that could mimic the FLOLS, but as Tregarth mentioned, it would be 'a working Fresnel Lens gauge which is slaved to the ILS'. That's because in FSX FLOLS systems are part of objects (carriers) or sceneries (airports/bases), unlike of CFS2 (as far as I understand). So, this gauge could work very well on any aircraft, provided 1) there's a working ILS at a target airport and 2) NAV1 is tuned to this ILS.
Well, the new hud just happens to have working ILS on a moving boat. Possibilities , anyone?! ;D
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I'll give it a try 8)
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It is possible to create a gauge that could mimic the FLOLS, but as Tregarth mentioned, it would be 'a working Fresnel Lens gauge which is slaved to the ILS'. That's because in FSX FLOLS systems are part of objects (carriers) or sceneries (airports/bases), unlike of CFS2 (as far as I understand). So, this gauge could work very well on any aircraft, provided 1) there's a working ILS at a target airport and 2) NAV1 is tuned to this ILS.
Well, the new hud just happens to have working ILS on a moving boat. Possibilities , anyone?! ;D
Easy enough... Just some XML magic ;).
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Dear Orion,
Does this mean you can do it? I really do hope so, this would be tremendous news. If you post the file I will try it out for you.
Thank you,
Tregarth
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No, not at all. I have a general idea on how it could be done, but I have no technical knowledge on XML gauges or the real world FLOLS.
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Orion, I suggest you have a look at
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php (Sim Out House FSX Scenery)
Choctaw NOLF - KNFJ. This seems to have a functioning "Ball"; could this help with the Nimitz/Hornet? Does anyone have contact with Sylvain Parouty who designed the "Ball Trailer"?
Tregarth.
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Ok, this is how I see this gauge. I thought the IFLOLS would be more precise than that default carrier's FLOLS...
Lights off
(http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/7687/iflolsalloff.jpg)
Lights on (waveoff lights will flash)
(http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8717/iflolsallon.jpg)
The ball
(http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/7678/iflolsok.jpg)
Images are at full size (360x118), perhaps I'll try to reduce dimensions a bit.
Tregarth, yes this new shore based FLOLS works very well. It can be embedded into a scenery (like NOLF Choctaw) or into a mission.
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That looks outstanding. Give it some transparency and it'll be great! I love all the precision.
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FSXNP...
Can you embed the pictures? I cant see them, when Im on the computer at work.
To All...
Here ya go. Another carrier landing video. Enjoy. Best to watch at 1080p or original (1920x1200) if able.
Later
Sludge
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Try these Sludge-
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/7678/iflolsok.jpg
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8717/iflolsallon.jpg
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/7687/iflolsalloff.jpg
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Raz...
No can do. Site restricted. Can you just imbed them, like we do with most pics?
Thanks
Sludge
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I think Sludge wants them attached to the post.
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IFLOLS compared to FLOLS
http://www.tpub.com/content/aviation2/P-1238/P-12380014.htm
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Good Info about FLOLS & IFLOLS in this PDF (for Goshawk but still applicable):
https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/pubs/folder5/T45/P-1211.PDF (1.6Mb)
This USN website will ALWAYS give a 'web certificate' error in Internet Explorer which can be bypassed easily. If required I can add a 1Mb zip file of the PDF here (probably with some editing) - just let me know.
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Attached is a modified Goshawk IFLOLs/FLOFs info edited PDF with other stuff that may be interesting.
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Illustrations of FLOLS v IFLOLS differences in presentation attached (my colours) - ignore red cells - these are not seen if ball seen within safe parameters.
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Here are the images.
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And one more. Work in progress :)
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Serge...
Good job. Thats just about right. So what does GSE mean? And is there a way to put Fuel State below the Meatball as well?
Thanks
Sludge
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GSE stands for 'glide slope error' and is used for debugging purpose. Will be removed when the gauge is ready. This gauge is just the same as any other Sludge Horent gauges, so you will be able to see both the IFLOLS and UFC or AoA simultaneously
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Serge...
Oh ok. Thanks. I was asking, cause Id like the option to be able to unselect the UFC (sometimes gets in the way, visually), and be able to make a "ball call" w/fuel state using only the Meatball Gauge.
If you can do it, thanks. If not, dont worry about it, its really not that big a deal. Actually, when you get this done, would like to try a few landings in VC w/the meatball pulled up. Oh, btw, can you make the background transparent? Ive had a few people ask if you can do that, so the datum lights and the ball are the only things you need to focus on. Not the background mechanical .bmp eye-candy.
Later
Sludge
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Ok, will make a version w/transparent background
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Dear Serge,
Truly brilliant! is it possible that the gauge would be "portable"? Could I use it in Dino Cattaneo's T-45? I am still learning to fly and land the T-45, once I can do that I will move up to Sludge's Hornet.
Your Fresnel Gauge is really a masterpiece. Thank you,
Tregarth
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Clive,
I guess the IFLOLS will work in Dino's T-45C because its HUD is just the same JR's HUD :)
Here are some screenshots, still WIP...
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In that picture its the FLOLS, not the more precise IFLOLS I was so excited about. :-\
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This is the IFLOLS. See the last picture - the default FLOLS shows low red light whereas the IFLOLS still on the low yellow (12 source lights vs 5).
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This is the IFLOLS. See the last picture - the default FLOLS shows low red light whereas the IFLOLS still on the low yellow.
The yellow lights are in circles, can you do that?
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Yes, I can. But what's wrong with rectangle ones? ;)
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Yes, I can. But what's wrong with rectangle ones? ;)
Looks too FLOLS'y
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Serge...
Really good job, that Fresnel IFLOLS is looking Pimp-Daddy-Payne good! If you can do circles for the ball, cool... if not, again, no worries. Actually, you should ask the people here, and if they vote for the Ball, put the ball in and if they vote squares, stay that way. Or as Spaz, he has alot of NATOPS pulls he can do, to show what the current Fresnel IFLOLS standard is, w/pictures to illustrate. Man, when you get a head of steam, you work really fast and put out some great stuff. Where were you last fall?! Just kidding, you really do great work tho!
Anyway, I'm heading out to Hawaii tomorrow, so all updates on the Sludge are coming to a screeching halt for a full week. Take your time w/this gauge and get some of the fellas to "beta test" for ya when Im out. Good thing is, Ill probly play golf at K-Bay (marine corps base, on north side of Oahu) and have F-18s blistering the skies above me while I hit it like a pro!! No conceit there... haha..
Have fun FSX flyers, Ill be thinking of ya when Im on the beach with a drink in my hand, in 77 deg weather!
Later
Sludge
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Thats a charm! Tell me if you need me to beta test :D
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Roger that 8)
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By the way, I'm taking Sludges place. Whenever your ready, PM me a link (if you do need me-ofcourse).
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Wait, it's not going to be a public test for anyone to grab?
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It will be released.
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fsxnp, Great WIP. An equal addon to the NEW HUD with needles IMHO. ;D
I'm guessing you will add the LOW red cells? [Oops on second viewing I saw the red cells - nice.]
Good to see the transparency now. In order to take up less screen real estate would it be viable to NOT have so many datum lights? Because we can see the IFLOLS clearly then so many are not necessary IMHO.
The 'fsxnp IFLOLS' will make a major difference to carrier landings in FSX now IMHO. Great work.
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MR fsxnp ... ;D ...just kidding
Fsxnp...nice work!!! that new ball is the heat cant wait to try it out... like Sludge says a round ball would be preferable if anyone is asking
however NO pressure... I realise you must have put a lot of hours into this to get it this far already.
I do have two other requests though, first is it possible to make the gauge undockable so that it could be moved to the other screen for
those people running more than one screen and secondly is it possible to make the gauge slightly smaller so that it doesnt take up as much
space on the screen but is still big enough to see the individual ball positions.
Thanks again for all your hard work , if you need another beta tester I would be only too happy to help out where I can.
Sonofabeech out
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Thanks, guys!
I don't have dual monitors setup so can say nothing about moving gauges around screens. But this gauge can be easily resized to fit any size, just edit some params in the panel.cfg file. BTW, actual size of the gauge is 620x220 :)
Here are some samples of the gauge appearance. The samples loosely follow the original IFLOLS - removed some datum lights, some cut lights and some waveoff lights.
Now, which one would you prefer? 8)
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Cut lights may come in handy in some circumstances (zip lip - no radio) however as a minimal gauge I reckon no.4 is a good start with even fewer datum lights - say 4 only either side? Because the gauge remains the same size it is easily seen all the time. If the overall size is made smaller then that becomes an individual preference. I think it is useful no matter what is decided. Good to know the gauge can be resized to suit. Good work.
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Right now cut lights are used only to signal 'call the ball' distance (.8 nm as Sludge sugquested).
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fsxnp, so the 'cut lights' come in handy enough to be retained, that is my impression from what you have said now.
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FSXNP,
You are the man, no doubt about that.
A comment if I may: I have a TripleHead2Go set up on my FS PC. I use the left and right monitors for sightseeing and deciding when to turn when in the circuit and it is good. However, when I am on finals, it is all I can do to move my eyes from the HUD on the centre of the middle screen, let alone onto another screen. So, for what it is worth, if you made the FLOLS undockable mine will be about 1 maybe 2 pixels to the left of the HUD.
Brilliant work,
Tregarth
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FSXNP! Nice work bro 8)!!!
Looking forward to flying with the new IFLOLS you made. My preference is #2 or #3 with the reduced datum lights but still a decent amount of W/O and Cut lights to get your attention :o.
Thanks!
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Looks nice :).
I'm with capthaltli, I like the look of 2 or 3.
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Hey Fellas....
Glad to be back from Hawaii, even tho Im burnt to a crisp from playing too much golf, it was a great time. Even met a F-18 and KC-135 pilot that we were paired with on Monday's round. Traded some LSO grades of Hawaiian Airlines and Falcon Jets as we were on the back nine and they were landing on 8R. He was pretty impressed with ol' Sludge's grades, so coming from a RL LSO, that was cool. Made the course play alot more fun.
Anyway, if I get a vote here, I would say #3 w/2 cut lights on each side. I like the full lights w/the shortened datum light assy.
Also, Serge... looking at CV and LSO NATOPS, I would say do a 3-second steady cut lights at .7 NM, split the difference of .6 and .8 NM. Additionally, if you can add this... if aircraft is trending low and gets 2 balls low, give steady 1-second cut lights (add a little power). At 4 balls low, steady 2-sec cut lights (POWER!!). After that, if he gets to the last red ball, he gets the dreaded red waveoff lights. Looking to be another great add-on from FSXNP Inc.
Thanks
Sludge
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Sludge,
welcome back! ;D Ok, I'll see what can I do with the IFLOLS gauge...
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Fellas...
Just made a few youtube videos showing the IFLOLS gauge in the middle of the VC screen. This was the best way I found to use the gauge and obviously these are not my best landings.
Enjoy.
Establishing on the downwind, the Abeam position, then the turn.
Short final test (.4), using the IFLOLS gauge in the center of the VC.
Overshot the turn and had to work back to centerline and get on glideslope.
A little too tight on the final bearing turn. Had to work back to the right, then get on glideslope.
Might work for some, but overall, its difficult to focus on the lineup and then refocus on the Ball. I used mostly a "peripheral" technique and only looking at the Ball in my lower peripheral vision while flying lineup and indexer on the way down.
Later
Sludge
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Why have the videos been removed?
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Slip...
Didnt know my most recent videos were removed? My earlier ones were removed by me because the resolution was crap and I deleted them from YouTube.
To all...
This is a compilation of 30 sec FRAPS clips showing how to fly a USN touch-n-go pattern around the boat. What to look for, and how to get setup. If you get good at this pattern, you'll have a much easier time setting up at 3/4 of a mile and on-glideslope. Believe me, its soooo much easier to get a Fair or even OK 3, when you are setup properly at the 3/4 mile mark.
Here ya go.
Enjoy.
EDIT: I edited the video using YouTube's pop-up windows to add visual cue highlights and extra verbiage, so people will know what to expect if they fly the multi. and want to use correct terms.
Later
Sludge
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Sludge, Excellent. ;D Nice work. Many thanks for an ideal demo on how to do it. ::)
[EDIT} Agree with FSXNP that watching the above video (you can save it from your IE cache) in the native (original) resolution is the way to go to see all the detail.
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And this video in its native resolution 1728x1080 is stunning! 8)
Well done, Sludge!
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Thanks fellers...
Yeah, I dont know how to make a better video (with cool background music), so I ended up "merging" all four of those 30 sec FRAPS clips using the ANY VIDEO CONVERTER program and then downloaded it to YouTube. And yes, I tried to save in 1920 x 1200, as thats what I fly in...
And I figured alot of people would like to see how I fly the pattern and keep getting 3 wires. Once you get the pattern down, its ALOT EASIER to get "3 wires", but still takes work to fly the final bearing down to the wires to get an "OK" grade. In this video I would give a "fair" grade as I started very low and had trouble getting on course, and was left of center "in the wires". Fair 3.
Also, I hope it helps to show how to use the ICLS needles and TACAN arrow/distance to hit certain points in the pattern and be on glideslope at the 90, or if youre not, HOW TO CORRECT... to get back on and get setup for a good final bearing approach.
BTW, I added my "navy carrier pattern" file, so people can download it, open it up, and follow along the video to find where I deviated (shouldnt be much) from the standards. I wrote this file a while ago, but since I'm long-winded, there's nothing like a video to actually show what Im talking about... along with a tutorial guide to follow along.
Later
Sludge
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Nice video, Sludge :).
On a side note, have you received my PM?
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Orion...
Yeah, just PM'd you and will wait for the answer, if you know what Im talking about in my PM.
Later
Sludge
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Yep, replied.