FSX F/A18 custom sound pack

[SpazSinbad]

Thanks to 'capthaltli' link to APPROACH 'carrier landing issue (http://safetycenter.navy.mil/media/approach/issues/marapr10/Mar-Apr10-Approach.pdf  1.8Mb) here is a photo of a Hornet with Approach Light near the ramp (no landing light). One story mentions having the navigation lights turned to bright for the approach (lights switched off on deck though).

To be fair later I note that on another page in same PDF is a photo of a 'landing light approach'. It is not clear where but I think the photo (original and then edited to show the situation - in flight) shows what the issues are: the landing light would blind a blind man all over again....  

[neutrino]

Additionally...

Tonite, Ill start work on the README.txt for the hybrid (KC-135 T1, T2, UVA packs) FSX-flyable KC-135 package that Im going to upload FlightSim.com server.  JR passed that idea to me, so more people can have access to the Navy Drogue on the KC-135 without the hassle and fight of sorting thru versions and having to combine them to make it FSX flyable.  I agree, and will get that done for others who might want the tanker for their ops or to jump into a multiplayer game with us.

Later
Sludge

That would be great, Sludge! When I spread the word about the refueling gauge, people usually asked about the tanker and there were people who wanted to do some flight plans with it so they can refuel. Also I think with the VRS being able to refuel - those who have it will also need some AI tankers circling the skies. The only other alternative for the moment is a mission or FSRecorder replay, but as a start we need a good tanker.

[GOONIE]

fsxnavypilot,

Is there a way to add a "field bypass" button/switch to the UFC you created to control the AoA lights in the cockpit? Making the AoA lights flash/blink if the hook is not down and you have not activated the field bypass switch. This is a reminder to put your hook down during carrier approaches. But you can deactivate this feature by selecting the field bypass switch when landing ashore (so you don't get the flashing lights). Thought you might be able to tackle this one, thanks! 

-Capt

[SpazSinbad]

capthaltli, your question about hook bypass switch has been answered on an earlier page on this thread:

http://www.fsdreamteam.com/forum/index.php?topic=2881.30

"The Accel Hornet AoA indexer flashes (as IRL) when the hook is up, but unfortunately there's no way to change anything in this AoA behaviour. When talking about the hook bypass feasibility I meant first of all flashing/steady feature of approach lights, not AoA."

Certainly having the AoA Indexer not flashing with hook up for FCLP would be excellent. Even if that was a permanent feature for 'hook up/down' IMHO to have NO FLASHING AoA Indexer would be nice. With the AoA indexer flashing it is just unusable sadly. I'm used to doing FCLP with the hook down now - but it does look silly from the outside.  

[Paddles]

As a workaround I'd suggest you to use an alternative AoA indexer which is a part of the Sludge Hornet's panel. This gauge is called by shift+5 and is not flashing even if the hook is up. That's all we can do with the hook/AoA issue...

[SpazSinbad]

fsxnp, Thanks. I don't have the SLUDGE installed at moment. Can you post a screenshot pic of that 'shift + 5' workaround AoA gauge please? Tah.

[Paddles]

That's it.

[SpazSinbad]

Thanks for screenshots. Bear with me here OK. What does the screenshot look like without the 'shift + 5' please? Sorry I'm trying not to give you the runaround but I'm baffled that you cannot see the AoA Indexer all the time but then again I don't have the SLUDGE installed and certainly don't have the 'latest with all the mods only distributed via e-mail version' so I'm having to guess. Thanks again for screenshots.

Reason I'm curious is that as far as my flying goes I would use the AoA Indexer exclusively (from 'the START').

Now I'm realising that the latest SLUDGE may do away with that Indexer to get a better view of the approach through the HUD (using the HUD indexer) and to not have the regular AoA Indexer obscuring the view 'at the ramp'. Is my guess somewhat correct? Probably a good way to go but for sure the AoA Indexer is KING in my book. I guess I'll have to install the SLUDGE and give the non-AoA indexer approach a go if that is the situation?

[Paddles]

You can bring this gauge up any time you want, in any view. If you prefer unobscured views when doing FCLPs etc, in VC you just shift+a then shift+5 and you'll see something like that. Also you can drag the gauge around the screen. BTW, this gauge can be used with the Accel Horent also, not only with the Sludge.

[SpazSinbad]

fsxnp, Many thanks. I did not really 'cotton on' to that AoA indexer in the Sludge as described. I like that it can be moved around. Good one.

[Paddles]

Here's a short demo video how this gauge can be used.

Hope this helped to get the idea 

[GOONIE]

FSXNP and Spaz,

THanks for the help, I normally fly in the fullscreen mode as pictured in FSXNP posts and my picture below, and noticed the AoA does not flash like the AoA bracket does in the Virtual Cockpit when the hook is not down. Just a small thing, but might help me to remember to put the hook down since you can't see the hook handle in the full screen (HUD only) view. I was not sure if the logic could be transferred from the VC AoA bracket to the Sludge Hornet's AoA bracket and if it could maybe flash at a faster rate (not very noticeable currently), but it sounds like it is not possible, will just have to check to make sure the hook is down by switching back to the VC.

http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac350/bhaltli/2010-4-26_20-31-55-796.jpg

-Capt

[Sludge]

Capt...

Yeah, the Indexer Gauge in the Sludge is not part of the default Hornet's VC Indexer, nor does it use that same "gear down, hook up, Indexer flashing" logic.

When I fly, I use the VC to fly the pattern, then after crossing the 45 before the Ball Call, I transition to the 2D HUD view.  I have both of those views (VC / 2D) and a Locked Spot view hotkeyed to my X52.  Using the VC and the Locked Spot helps with my "Abeam, GEAR DOWN, HOOK DOWN" call.

Spaz...

No worries.  The latest version of the Sludge will include the Indexer as the "shift-5" selectable for both the VC and 2D HUD views.  Since its a required part of my landing pattern (Ball, Indexer, LineUp), I dont foresee me ever removing it.  However, if someone feels like they dont use it (ie,personal preference using the HUD indexer by the v/vector), they can simply UNSELECT it...

Later
Sludge

[SpazSinbad]

Sludge and all, Thanks for the explanations/work. It seems good to have all the options described and then people can work it out on the equipment they have on the desktop. My setup is basic (and not setup again with the latest SludgO Hornet). Any chance for a general release of the 'SLUDGE', please Sludge?     TAH.

[Paddles]

Guys, actually it is possible to modify the AoA indexer gauge so that it will flash when the hook is up. And obviously an additional 'hook bypass' switch will be needed.