2 F-14 questions that are killing...

[Danderandan]

Right, first off, sorry for the ball breaking questions but I was sitting in bed last night wondering about the following main 2 things:

1) I know that flying F-14 for the first time means being the PIC (as in that there is no training version ‘TF-14’ etc). Obviously a substantial amount of work is done in a simulator before hands on. I was wondering how representative the simulator is of the real aircraft. I don’t doubt that the physics of the aircraft are modelled to perfection, but just how good is its ability to make you feel there? I was specifically thinking:
a. How much of the cockpit is reproduced (seats, canopy, HUD, etc)?
b. What about RIO, is there a dedicated backseat sim?
c. Is it the simulator used for purely systems & procedures familiarization or do you do actual carrier landings, and if so, how realistic are they?
d. Are the graphics impressive?
e. Is it a 3 axis motion sim (do you get that lovely jolt when you hit the deck for example?)


2) Is the F-14A in anyway more capable in any respect with regards to the F-14B or D. Or to put it differently, is the B or D in anyway inferior. I’ve heard initial acceleration at subsonic speeds is better in the A, is this true?

Oh, things like “coffee’s better in the A” don’t count.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

All the best, d.

 

[dustydog]

Assuming that you are not currentlly in any type of Navy training pipeline, don't worry about it because you can no longer select the F-14 pipeline. From here on out it is a F-18, EA-6B, E2/C2, and a few S-3B slots down in jet land. On the brighter side, H60's are a growth industry in the Navy, but that is coming from a Navy Helo Bubba.

_________________________________

Insert gay airforce comment here...... No dumb icon either

 

[Danderandan]

I wish I was in some some training pipeline. No, this is just for me, I'm just super curious....


Thanks for the reply.

d

 

[Danderandan]

No one else fly/fown the Tomcat?

Pleeeeeeeeease.....

 

[BMD]

mirror

Most Turkey drivers would have to stop looking in the mirror for a minute in order to respond to your post. Don't count on it.

 

[usmc33]

Patmack 18

Hey, I've read most of your posts so far and you seem like a good dude so dont' take this personally (and I'm sure you won't since you're NAVY) butt...

When I was flying in the USMC (and by the way I'm a naval aviator not an NFO), the Marine NFOs were the guys who had less than 20/20 vision and that's the only reason they were NFOs. For the most part they were much smarter than the USMC pilots by far; their test scores and IQ proved it. And with the experience I had with USMC naval aviators I can attest that they really are knuckle-draggers wearing gold wings. I love Marines and Sailors, but truth is truth.

 

[BMD]

navs

My nav from P-3's is godfather to my daughter but I'm still obligated to give him a ration of sh!t for being a nav.

 

[duksrule]

Can't help with #1 but being a former F-14D MMCO I can tell you that the D is better than the A. There are only 2 D squadrons left though and I think 101 has some still. The D has bigger and better engines ( F-110 ) and some upgraded systems. The Bs are all gone. Been gone for a long time. The As are still around and you may even find an A+ around somewhere.

 

[turkeydrvr]

Answer to your questions

1. All of the cockpit is reproduced for A/B/ and D simulators. They are excellent in that regard. The Pilot and Rio cockpits on the B and D sims are contained in the same visual dome. The A Pilot and Rio cockpits are linked together, with only the pilot having visuals displayed. All phases of flying are conducted in the simulator including carrier qualificaton. The graphics are fairly descent but not earth shattering and there is no motion. Although, the 360 degree domes and give you some motion cues that can make you a little dizzy.

2. Having flown all F-14 types I will say I don't think the A is superior to a B/D in any regard. I have heard A guys say that acceleration is faster than that of a B/D on the deck, but I have never seen that tested. The B/D Thrust to Weight ratio is far superior to the A, and engine spool time differences are similar.

3. Sorry it took so long to reply to this, I was too busy fixing all the mirrors I broke looking at them.

 

[Craven Morehead]

The B/D models accelerate much better on the deck--the B, especially being about a thousand pounds lighter than the D.

The A model reportedly has a much higher top end due to intake ramp programming.

At least one particular F-14D will easily supercruise--something to do with its unique CG.

 

[gangdev]

F14 Sims in NAS Oceana

I have a good friend who is a RIO instructor for VF-101 Grim Reapers, the only F-14 training squadron left, in Virginia Beach.
He took me to the F-14 sims they have there (3 of them). Two have the full spherical view, and one with a less than 180 degree view. The cockpits were fully accurate w/ closing canopy. There is not motion in any of them, but I found that landing on the carriers was quite fun and challenging. What I found useful is this type of speedbrake on the f-14, called DLC, (I believe - down lift control), which is engaged by the right thumb on the side of the stick, it causes immediate downward lift to adjust glidesope while landing.
Although challenging, he told me some sim operators bring their kids in a lot (as young as 8) who can fly better than some of the Navy student pilots in VF101.
The F-14 is getting mighty old now, they are falling apart left and right, and there is projected to be only two f-14 squadrons left next year - I believe 213 and another one (51?) for the final 2005 F-14 cruises.

Dev

 

[Danderandan]

Dlc

Wow, just remembered and this one is a killer. For the those in the know, what part of the spoilers does DLC activate, is it the entire span along the wing of just an inner part of it? In other words, would I ever see an F-14 ABOUT to catch a wire with all spoilers up?



Thanks boys (and girls).