CVW-11: DCS F-14B Tomcat RIO School

It's time for learning ladies and gentlemen!
DCS: F-14B Tomcat RIO School
Presented by "Spiceman" X.O. VF-41 'Black Aces'
Cockpit Tour - 2:55
Startup - 55:57
AWG-9 - 1:26:28
Weapons Employment - 2:07:34
LANTIRN - 2:19:00
Ground Mapping - 2:30:09
Navigation - 2:33:41
Virtual CVW-11:
www.vcvw-11.com/
Jabbers KZbin Channel:
/ @jabbers
Jabbers AWG-9 Tutorial:
• DCS World - F-14 Tomca...

[@carrierairwingeleven1747]

A special thank you goes out to Heatblur Simulations for giving CVW-11 the opportunity to be on the testers team. It was an honor and a privilege to be part of the process! I'd like to also thank Jabbers for giving us the opportunity to collaborate with his videos and ours. Go check out his channel! A link to Jabbers channel is in the description and at the end of the video! - Matt "IceFire" Schuette CAG-11

[@zhousaifuzhousaifu3055]

Carrier Air Wing Eleven Thank You for your absolute dedication, your Service, and for taking the time to do this amazing and professional educational video. I had only just heard about your channel because of Jabbers, I am truly thankful. The way in which you present the material is similar to what I have experienced in the USAF and also in civilian type rating training, you definitely know your stuff. Salute to you Sir!

[@tonyz8553]

Although I appreciate the effort which went into this vid I just have 2 negative comments about the video itself (not the content) 1- Speak up son! some of us are having trouble hearing you when you speak so softly..At some point I could barely make out what your saying. 2- When you are pointing out panels and switches you need to zoom the panels so they fill the screen..not everyone has 70 inch 4K displays to make out what the panels say or where the switches are.That cockpit is bad enough with the amount of wear they put into the textures so they are barely readable as it is but not zooming enough is making us go blind. Anyway thanks for the Info on the plane it was very informative if difficult to discern .

[@carrierairwingeleven1747]

@@tonyz8553 I have no problem with the volume even on laptop speakers... maybe check that out on your end. Or if you can provide a timestamp for when it got quiet? As for number 2, whip out the manual and follow along as that's the best way to get the most out of this.

[@towedarray7217]

Amazing insanely excellent and helpful video. One small comment: Maybe consider not doing the mouth cluck sound? The first couple of times it’s no sweat.... but in a long video such as this, especially where the listener has to really closely pay attention to every word you say it got really distracting. Thank you for taking the time to make this.

[@willamlambert6812]

Better than one sorry

[@bluemax4520]

Nice explanation. I would suggest in the future when doing these type of videos to think about turning shadows off in the cockpit and turning on the panel and flood lights so that each button and switch are easily identifiable by the watcher. It could just be my monitor, but around half of the buttons or switches were very hard to see. Again, great video presentation. Salute.

[@deadshot4245]

Also time stamped sections breaking down each sections would be helpful

[@JDoberman]

Tbh, most of the F14 buttons are hard to see.

[@deadshot4245]

@@JDoberman truth point blank in track ir or vr still is tough

[@JDoberman]

@@deadshot4245 There’s a skin mod that makes the labels easier to see though. It repaints the faded text with clear white and bold text.

[@POKEYSRANDOMGAMING]

@@JDoberman use the cockpit livery, it really cleans it up and adds arrows to some dials etc

[@iskandra1]

I've spent hours on your videos this weekend. Learning and literally fulfilling my childhood dream. Fantastic work Spiceman. Thank you!

[@Cougar139tweak]

@ 1:31a Fellow TWEAK! Nice! I was VAQ-139 1998-2001 (CVW-14) EA-6B's always loved the Tomcats thanks for the RIO tour ALQ-99 was my specialty - loved Mode 4 checking up on deck nightcheck - and loathed removing aft power supplies AT2 "Tex" Allred

[@MongooseTacticool]

As a 1981 model human, I love all the switches and potentiometers in the RIO office. Reminds of the old upright stereo record player we had when I was little.

[@imageeknotanerd9897]

The Data/ADF switch mentioned around 42:50 is actually included in the RIO Cold Start tutorial despite not being modeled. They ask you to set it to "both" and even highlight where the switch is, even though you can't click it. That makes me suspect that it will be implemented eventually. That switch is actually why I went looking for a tutorial - to find out what it does and whether it's necessary. Thanks for taking the time to run through the whole cockpit!

[@Hellreign82]

Thanks for your time Spiceman, this is awesome. So much info to absorb, will probably need to watch this two more times. With pad and pen :)

[@BlackAces1983]

Very informative. Jumped to AWG-9 and Weapons Employment, so thanks for the time stamps. Great to finally see the LANTIRN in action! Been waiting for that one.

[@Teomoful]

This is Gold. Thank you for this! I watched it 4 times already, and now I'm a master of Rio.

[@murphnturph2664]

When I was a small child I played Ace Combat 2 on the PS1. The Tomcat was instantly my favorite. As I grew up it was my dream to join the Navy and fly the Cat. I was heartbroken when they retired her in 2006...

[@joberry3201]

First class demonstration. Probably have to come back to this a few times once I get the CAT on the 13th March. Thanks for your hard work.

[@sheeplord4976]

Wonder what time on Wednesday.

[@Renkovic_]

Spiceman thank you for taking the time to make this outstanding video. And thanks to CVW-11 for sharing all the content with all of us

[@hughesja1975]

Brilliant video, thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge

[@alexpitts7634]

i re watch this once or twice a year. its the gold standard as far as I am concerned

[@Dennree99]

Oh boy, I‘ve been looking forward to your videos the most! Just finished it and it was absolutely fantastic once again. Thank you for making these, CVW-11!

[@RealismFTW]

Oh lawd. One of the few times in life where I'm exited for an almost 3 hour lesson. Here we go!

[@Cloudglow]

Sir, thank you very much for this, absolutely brilliant. Only flaw with the video is it's way too short ;). The way you present this information is very clear, I'm sure I'll watch this over and over again until I feel I get it all fully. I have been piloting the cat but all the nice gizmos in the RIO's office really make me want to take a trip in the backseat.

[@musicmanfelipe]

I am fascinated with how advanced this was for late 60s-early 70s tech. Grumman and Hughes were truly ahead of the times.

[@razor75250]

VF 101 GRIM REAPERS!!!! ANND VF 41 BLACK ACES!!!!! NAS Oceana squadrons. 101 was the east coast RAG outfit!!! ....I was the maintenance/logistics officer for CVW-3 at the same time you were at 41.

[@spacemanfla]

I was an I-level AT in VAW-122 from 83-86. I worked on all crypto and some E-2 gear. The KY-58s came into use in 1984 after lessons learned in Grenada. The navy was still using KY-28s in 1983 but all other services had 58s and they were not compatible. During ops over Lebanon in late 83 a pissed off F-14 crew came into our w/c where we also worked on ALQ-126s after a TARPS mission. They said a SAM was shot at them and when they turned the 126 on the missile kept tracking. They had failed to set it to standby earlier to allow it to warm up and then to operate when they were in a threat area. Oops

[@howardman3926]

My dad was on the USS Abraham Lincoln as an Ordie with CVW-11 in the early 90's.

[@azayomi]

Still not released. I have been reading the manual. Going to watch this video! Thank you!

[@evangel1460]

Great video, getting back into DCS just because of this bird (and the F-16 when she comes out in her full capacity). Absolutely one of the most beautiful aircraft in the world. Thank you for your service, sir. o7

[@Braeden123698745]

The "subject matter expert title" is well deserved

[@sloppydog4831]

Came from Jabber s video. Good to see that Heatblur made an amazing job getting down to every bit and bolt of this aircraft.

[@stevenspicer14]

They most definitely did... they absolutely soaked up every bit of info from the SMEs and really listened.

[@jasontrueman2726]

Couldnt agree more

[@richardjustice1228]

Great video! The amount of detail you went into on all the systems was great, exactly what I was looking for.

[@SimDeck]

Brilliant. Really helped me out. You also have a voice that is so easy to listen to. Thanks.

[@jamesc9001]

Hello from a fellow AT (AT3 in VF-33 IWT from 88-92). Great video pal.

[@stevenspicer14]

James C awesome... I had a brother in law in VF-33... RIO... his name was Greg Luttrell. Not sure when he left.

[@jamesc9001]

@@stevenspicer14 name rings a bell - it's been 26 years but that name does ring a bell.

[@troymackaway8986]

Thank you for taking the time to impart your knowledge for all of us virtual RIO's, very much appreciated.

[@chocks9350]

Thanks for the deep exsplanations on all the angels or RIO and how it is hooked together with the pilot. Sure have to go back a few times to remember all :9 Thanks again, great work....

[@CoachCleats]

I was in VF 101 in 93! I was in the AT shop for 6 months but got sent to corrosion since I was low-man. Still better than being a line rat😂

[@Barundus]

This is great. Found this link via a friend who commented I may have a long-lost brother out there in the ether, lol. Coincidentally, I did a few vids of a very similar nature on the Polychop Kiowa Warrior (OH-58D), about a year after you did this, apparently. Several hours of just "geeking out" on switches and dials in the cockpit, in excruciating detail. Search for Kiowa Warrior Detailed Intro if you're interested. Nice work.

[@ZaphodBeeblebrox2nd]

what a fantastic Video. Just learning the Cat with my friends and im in the RIO Seat. Awesome Module and a very nice explanation from you. Looking forward to our 1st Phoenix Launch

[@pansg405]

Thank you for the detailed video.Your work is gold.

[@chrismcintosh6019]

I learned so much from you and I'm in CSG-8 and I tried joining CVW-11 and I love this airframe there aint no fighter I'd rather fly its just a handful for me but its a BEAST!

[@Sam-fp6in]

I fly the f/a-18c lol. I’m just intrigued by this

[@Jim610]

Ah yes, Coolanol! We used it in the Tornado F3 as well. Bloody awful stuff. Don't get it in a wound, I did. Took months to heal and left a very obvious scar.

[@williamwinborne3253]

Best video thats out right now even though its so old. Thanks

[@carrierairwingeleven1747]

That's why this video is featured in the Heatblur official manual for the Tomcat, among others like Jabbers' stuff :D We love making these and hope to make more soon

[@capredcomet5621]

A lot to learn in RIO.

[@arzhangsadeghi]

your video is very informative, thank you so much for spending time and make this magnificent tutorial

[@jowenjv4463]

After 1 year, I still come back to your videos. What's your thought of the module overall and its devellopment process ? Thanks again for all your videos

[@paulf1389]

Really enjoyed your video. A really in depth visit to the RIO’s office. Thank you

[@8kidd8]

Thank u for ur service and also great tutorial. Salute!

[@OgKamoGaming]

Ah yo! This is what I’ve been looking for! 💪🏽

[@RollupTito]

Awesome explainations ! Many many many thanks !

[@anthonynicholson8062]

@21:11 I dunno about you, but I always found that KY can help a lot with DP. Great video, this will be playing on the tablet while I am at the computer trying to work out what buttons to press or switch to toggle! Thanks for efforts!

[@MongooseTacticool]

Rude! ;)

[@PeteV80]

Wow, watch his slip indicator to see how much rudder input is needed

[@chrisdanner8080]

We must have just missed one another. IWT shop in VF-101 from 88-90 and VF-41 from 90 to 93

[@WinchesterDelta1]

This is great stuff. Watched it in one go.

[@markpartridge9046]

Wow awesome tutorial thanks for spending the time doing this.

[@mdbizzarri]

The AT's and coolant, why didn't they get the job of filling it up? I hated pulling off the 110? screws to fill the AWG-9 coolant. Add a pheonix or 2, and we needed cases of coolant. Great video, and this brings back the days of yore, and you keep the bug juice to yourself!

[@stevenspicer14]

Lol... I do remember filling the coolant once or twice because the AMEs were too busy. But yeah, they were stuck with it.

[@jasontrueman2726]

Just glad we didnt have to do it lol

[@mdbizzarri]

@@stevenspicer14 if someone, cough cough, didn't drop a screw in the cockpit, glancing annoyed! Lol

[@heefie8659]

Had a question about something jabbers and you contradict each other on. He mentions in the DDD half up the scale is positive closure rate and half down is negative; while you stated differently. Just checking which is correct. Also thank you so much for taking the time to make this. New follower here now!

[@stevenspicer14]

Gary Heath the right side scale indicates Vc absolute value and the left side shows you opening or closing...

[@stevenspicer14]

I tried to post a picture but KZbin doesn’t let me... if you look in the Heatblur manual in the DDD section, they have a good image of it...

[@heefie8659]

1:41.30 and 2.45 jabbers vid. Steven Spicer, so is there extra symbology on the scales if something is locked up? Sorry trying to take in a metric ton of RIO info today. Thanks for helping tho

[@stevenspicer14]

@@heefie8659 There is extra symbology, but not related to the closure. There is missile range, ASE steering info, etc. I don't believe all of the DDD symbology is there on initial, release, however. I know they still had a thing or two to implement.

[@piston_77]

Awesome video man, you certainly know what you're talking about which is great considering all the videos full of bla bla.

[@MrGs500f]

You had me at frequency modulated ranging

[@MicroVAX]

_applies MicroVAX seal of approval_ Really great content ! My go to recommendation for people asking me "how to RIO" ! :)

[@jasontrueman2726]

Thanks MicroVax good flying with you yesterday

[@cipher8048]

Thanks alot I was looking for such a vid !! Big Salute

[@ontherampflightsim]

Thanks for showing the LANTIRN!! Great vid!

[@reillybrangan2182]

Is Pulse Search/PSTT still vulnerable to clutter/losing lock on a aerial target in look down over water? in the pulse search over water it appears that the water does not register any return, therefore I would guess that a PSTT over water would be more or less unbreakable (notch or clutter).

[@stevenspicer14]

Very little... the radar energy skips off the water like a stone and keeps heading outward.... so yes, hard for a bandit to shake.

[@reillybrangan2182]

@@stevenspicer14 Awesome, should make the Tomcat very dangerous in it's natural environment.

[@ImmortalityYT]

@@reillybrangan2182 but cats don't like water XD

[@Alicatt1]

@@ImmortalityYT tell that to the Tigers

[@Scoobydcs]

@@ImmortalityYT tigers and tomcats love water

[@Tom-em8ge]

I'm stationed at VFA-101 currently. Small world.

[@stevenspicer14]

Thomas Still Nice... still in hangar 500?

[@Tom-em8ge]

@@stevenspicer14 what base were you at?

[@stevenspicer14]

Thomas Still Oceana, all 10 years

[@Tom-em8ge]

@@stevenspicer14 Ah. No we moved to a fancy air force base in Florida. Sadly we are in the process of decom.

[@stevenspicer14]

Thomas Still Oh! Times they are a changing

[@SpaceGaucho_]

damn, I love and hate you guys for making this video happen. my social life was almost non existent as it was. you just managed to extinguish that last ember of hope. thank you, I guess haha

[@stevenspicer14]

Glad we could... help?

[@willamlambert6812]

LOVE THE VIDEO the f14 tomcat was the most dangerous plane ever 2 heads are be

[@Xenthera]

Hey man, cool you were an AT. I was an AT for 4 years on the mh-60s

[@stevenspicer14]

Bobby Everette awesome, I always thought it’d be cool to work helos

[@pgtmr2713]

Tweaks can't solder for shit.

[@cyberdami]

Thanks for sharing!

[@TechGaming45]

Thanks.

[@ah64adsweetness95]

Great Lesson!!! Im a retired AH64 A/D Pilot some info I can correlate and others, well i'm studying :)

[@ah64adsweetness95]

We flew joint missions and I did some lasing for the 14's out of Oceana, I live in VA

[@MongooseTacticool]

Hope we get an Apache in DCS one day! :)

[@MrAnthonypennant]

awesome video, you are super imformative.

[@jcbak]

Thanks for doing this.

[@tibsimm]

great video!

[@FamasTAW]

I ! We are a 10+ group of Pilots coming from the www.3rd-wing.net and whould like to see the VF-31 Tommcaters paint !! ( fictionnal of course since they only flew the A and the D version ! )

[@angeloc1340]

Aren’t we going to get the A soon?

[@FamasTAW]

@@angeloc1340 i really hope so ! ( and i REALY ) hope the D version

[@Scoobydcs]

@@FamasTAW i have no interest in the a but would love a d

[@lokisbuddy5165]

Man I can't wait to get that F-14 simulator! Heatblur rules! Goose lives on!

[@marcosavila8215]

omG this was Gold, tx Sir. Subscribed

[@pogo1140]

So what's the difference between the F-14D's radar and the F-15E's radar? I seem to recall that the D's APG-71 incorporated modules and tech developed from the F-15E's APG-70 radar

[@nlforces2079]

Hi there! excellent explaination. I have a question: at 1:11:11 you use the HCU to look around with the IR/TV. Is there any setting I need to set for this? The IR/TV does not respond when I move the HCU, but it does work when I for instance, trim manually.

[@mvaldman2001]

Excellent Video! Fantastic! Many thanks to CVW-11 May I ask one question: Why is the Roll SAS taken off @2:08:00 ?

[@carrierairwingeleven1747]

Roll SAS is counterproductive to BFM in the Tomcat. The airplane will fight you with the SAS on as the SAS does not like high AOA maneuvers. For example; If you are at high AOA you will notice that if you stick left, you'll bank right, because of this the SAS will attempt to correct that and therefore make it worse. This is why for high AOA and slow you want to use the Rudder more than the stick for roll control, or think backward and learn to control that reversal and use it.

[@hogflies3208]

E-2 would definitely be cool

[@W1ngnut27]

Hey, I just stumbled on your channel and I love all the background information you're telling us sim pilots. I do have a single question out of curiosity though. How much does a F-14 consume power before a engine startup if you turn all the bells and whistles on that you can?

[@Braeden123698745]

I have a very specific question. On the armament panel of the RIO cockpit there are what look to be locking lever switches. Now I have a few locking lever switches of my own, they're not the same ones as are in the F-14. Mine have teeth on the part of the switch that moves, these teeth lock into teeth on the body of the switch. Which as I'm sure you're aware locks the switch. Back to the armament panel, the movable part of the switch looks to be lacking these teeth, however the base of the switch has what looks like a place for these teeth to engage. Are these switches missing the teeth or is this just another Grumman quirk?

[@stevenspicer14]

I think it’s just the visual. The switch had a tooth and the body had a tooth. You’d pull the switch outwards to get it up and over the tooth on the body.

[@T-Tailer]

Very very good, can I ask how did u get those brown shirts next to the airplane ?

[@stevenspicer14]

FlightSimFan it’s the Deck Crew mod in DCS.

[@ScreamingElectron]

502 RIOs attended this class

[@dunbar555]

AMAZING vdeo. THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@bartacomuskidd775]

Seems Fun.. what do you guys require to fly with you? Ive been flying for a long time now, but my etiquette is bad. no flight socialization. whats needed?

[@carrierairwingeleven1747]

We typically post every few months for recruitment in the ED forums as well as on Facebook. You may find our older recruiting posts in the ED forums that tells you a basic overview of our onboarding and what we generally ask for in our prospective pilots.

[@CallsignJoNay]

Awesome video, thanks!

[@TheDisabledGamersChannel]

Fantastic video !

[@JoseGarcia-yk3dl]

How do you block the enemies? What sequence of keys do you use? Thank you!

[@kennethellis2666]

One Flanker driver knows his days are over.

[@access_denied1082]

No way

[@antonbatura8385]

So, after having flown DCS Tomcat since release, I finally watched this video in its entirety. Great stuff. One thing though, the Collision steering button on the right of the TID, does that do anything, and if so, what?

[@stevenspicer14]

Yes, it puts the pilot's steering tee into collision steering, such that if he keeps it centered, he will meet ("collide") with the target at a point in space. It is, however, currently bugged and HB will have it fixed in the next patch.

[@antonbatura8385]

@@stevenspicer14 thank you. This will make intercepts a lot easier than eyeballing the angles. Would you by any chance know if HB intends to implement TA display on the TID?

[@joshkonowalski7222]

2:13:25 is the picture shown the optimum fire range? I do not quite understand the whole concept of the bright area with the lines and the dot with the meanings of each.

[@joshkonowalski7222]

actually i think i understand it now. the line from the data link (i think) shortens to the maximum (dot at end of line) then when it goes in between the bright line that is the optimal range to fire the phoenix' at? then anything below that is closing in and when the line disapears that means you are almost too close and should probably switch to a different weapon?

[@scootermcgee6375]

Great video, and nice info!

[@Gabedudley1]

Geez. I'll stick to the ww2 sim planes! Nice vid though sir and alot of knowledge. Much respect

[@jowenjv4463]

Thanks for your video ! Really great. I Have a question though : Just flew on the F-14 with a friend as my RIO, engaged a bunch of enemies, and when we decided to RTB, I was unable to have my waypoint destination arrow (and range) on the HSD, despite being in DEST mode and my RIO switched to HB on his DEST selector... Do you have an idea of what happened... ? Note that the mission I flew may have many waypoints (Through the Inferno), may be the mistake is here

[@stevenspicer14]

Johan G.Bruère-Dawson hmmm hard to tell. Did the RIO see DEST in the steering drum? Were you in Cruise display mode?

[@jowenjv4463]

@@stevenspicer14 Hmmm... I'll ask him. I was in cruise mode for the HUD and DEST on the HSI. I'll try again. Thanks !

[@DarthUrso]

Thank you💪🏾

[@TheSkipjack95]

I have a question, what is the method to use when fighting agile targets with phoenixes ? I set up a mission of 1 F14 vs 4 F5s, and even though I launch within optimum range, all the phoenixes do is run to high alt/speed, and then completely lose the slightly diving F5s, wasting those shots completely.

[@TheSkipjack95]

going lower seems to yield better results

[@stevenspicer14]

Yes, the Phoenix flight model is a bit borked right now. It’s an ED thing, HB doesn’t have full access to the Phoenix flight model. But yeah, the Phoenix will do great against a big lumbering bomber at max range, but for a fighter size target, it’s better to let it get inside 50 NM or so, to limit the arc and give it a better, flatter, profile. Against an F5, hell, wait til 20 NM. The F5 won’t stand a chance.

[@damsonn]

Any reason you switched off the SAS for roll axis before the air engagement?

[@SiveradoVideo]

It greatly reduces your departure resistance at high AoA

[@MongooseTacticool]

Do you have approx dimensions for some of the panels? Feel like making some controls to make this easier!

[@Davis2920022001]

Thx, learned Alot

[@piston_77]

How does the LANTIRN determine elevation when laser is off? Does it have a digital terrain elevation data? I mean, INS and LOS are not enough to determine elevation with laser off unless you have a digital terrain elevation system.

[@jasontrueman2726]

The LANTIRN has a self enclosed GPS for its own position, in order to get target elevation the laser will have to be armed and the target designated using full action on the trigger

[@piston_77]

@@jasontrueman2726 mmmm no, in the video you got elevation without laser

[@jasontrueman2726]

Ahh that is because that is a waypoint initially , the LANTIRN will get WP information from the AC and that info including elevation will show up on the bottom right hand side when using the waypoint select hat switch + or -

[@piston_77]

@@jasontrueman2726 oooh ok thanks Jason. Can you tell me more about that enclosed GPS thing? How come the aircraft itself has only INS but the lantirn has gps?

[@jasontrueman2726]

@@piston_77 the LANTIRN pod came out years after this variant of the F-14B , so it could also be used as a navigation aid if it was equipped, the F-14B did eventually get a GPS upgrade but we are not getting that variant

[@Xeno426]

I notice your compass at 2:29:40 is just spinning in circles. Any idea what causes that?

[@carrierairwingeleven1747]

That is the ADF needle of the BDHI, it spins because there is no radio frequency tuned in for it to point at.

[@piston_77]

mmmmm, nothing really happend when you clicked the IFF button. Is it not implemented yet? It should have changed the upper symbol.

[@stevenspicer14]

JohnnyQ85 the upper symbol was the Bear, I believe, if you’re watching the part I think you are...

[@fenny1578]

I guess you could call this video... Spicy.

[@quickrider3855]

Were you an f14 pilot? You are so knowledgeable lol