F-14B Tomcat: Learning Carrier Taxi, Takeoff & Landing | DCS WORLD

NOTE: I'll revise this with a corrected version soon chaps.
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[@isotaan]

Per the fighter pilot podcast, F-14B pilots don't want afterburners on during a cat launch because they'd experience excessive yaw if they have problems in one of the engines. F-14A's need afterburners because their older engines are a lot less powerful, so they can't do a catapult launch without it.

[@hannesjonasson3550]

I also saw a F-14 pilot were he said that it would put to much compression on the launch bar

[@studlyhungwell5740]

You are absolutely correct If you lost an engine on take off with full burner-- You had better be ready to jettison all stores, and pull the throttles out of burner, otherwise you are going on a wild ride.

[@richardhockey8442]

@@studlyhungwell5740 instant transfer from air to submarine branch

[@studlyhungwell5740]

@@richardhockey8442 What's up Buttercup?

[@djadamkent]

As 104th said, there may be a female on the deck, so fly past the boat before the break with wings manually swept.

[@jetfrostgaming]

what?

[@voodooschilds]

About F-14D upgrade "The rate of climb was increased by 61 percent. The F110's increased thrust allowed almost all carrier launches to be made in military (dry) power. While this did result in fuel savings, the main reason not to use afterburner during carrier launches was that if an engine failed the F110's thrust in full afterburner would produce a yawing moment too abruptly for the pilot to correct. Thus the launch of an F-14D with afterburner was rare, while the F-14A required full afterburner unless very lightly loaded."

[@grimreapers]

Awesome

[@Waltzyy]

61%? Wow that’s actually crazy. Never knew how much better the F-14D’s engines were.

[@grimreapers]

NOTE: I'll revise this with a corrected version soon chaps.

[@alexanderbeck5998]

0:35 in the hornet you have anti skid off as well!

[@TheSd1cko]

You are correct. Anti skid is for tarmac only.

[@alexanderbeck5998]

@@TheSd1cko thx, but it isn't called tarmac, is is called taxiway

[@Z09SS]

The F-14A with the TF-30 engines took off in burner because of compressor stalls. The F-14B and F-14D with the F110 engines aren't as susceptible such failures at launch, and make enough dry thrust for the launch. For the runway, the F-14B and D don't use burners because they often over-speeded the gear.

[@jasperbrowne7799]

Angus McThag also the F-14B and D would overspeed the shuttle on the carrier if you are in burner

[@billdewahl7007]

I was under the presumption that it was mil power only for cat launches but sometimes the pilot would light the burners to the first detent assuming the cat launch felt 'soft.' Sauce:www.fighterpilotpodcast.com/episodes/042-f-14-tomcat/

[@HEATER_]

Thanks to flying the Hornet, I was flying my E Bracket in the Tomcat completely wrong! Thanks for explaining it Cap!

[@pgtmr2713]

You're only seeing F14As with afterburner on a carrier and you can tell looking at the back of the engine. B/D don't need to waste the fuel heating the JBD. I'd use the antiskid taxi-ing on the boat since it's what it's for and it's the only rolling done on the carrier. When the boat rocks they'll definitely slide around. Usually the nose gear will just plow sideways, tail heavy, oil on the deck, etc.

[@rodneypearce6113]

Anti-skid is not used on the deck but on runways on landing when you're braking hard. It's basically the same as ABS in your car, it will release the wheel if it stops whilst you're moving. You don't use it on the carrier because it isn't needed.

[@rybuds47]

Cheers for having your controls display on!

[@voradfils]

You're supposed to extend the speedbrake as you hit the break. F-14 is very low-drag in landing config compared to other planes and responds slowly to throttle changes without it. Having it out also reduces spool up time back to mil. You'll want to be a tiny bit overpowered on final and use DLC to fine tune the glideslope but don't overdo it or you'll increase your landing speed and descent rate.

[@grimreapers]

Rgr noted

[@simbadgo]

Cap, best instructor on planet. teaches me everything for DCS. ty

[@joesephcorey]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you!

[@xXE4GLEyEXx]

"DING!" went my F14, "BOLTER!" said Jester... then I kept trying for about 20 minutes before finally checking the external view... the DING was my hook flying off in one of my bad attempts at landing xD

[@Suyamu]

Great stuff. Thanks for the huge flood of very useful tutorials.

[@snipe1973xxl]

Explanation why we don't use afterburners for take off is not difficult to find; according to Wikipedia: "The F110's increased thrust allowed almost all carrier launches to be made in military (dry) power. While this did result in fuel savings, the main reason not to use afterburner during carrier launches was that if an engine failed the F110's thrust in full afterburner would produce a yawing moment too abruptly for the pilot to correct."

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

Given the outward position and the thrust of these engines, the torque of one engine in full afterburner with the other one stalled must have been enormous...

[@GW2Vids1]

Probably didn't happen in later versions of the Tomcat that's why cap saw those KZbin videos

[@StandingCow2]

It would also overspeed the catapult due to how much power there was on the B. Not sure about the A, maybe they used burner... but unsure.

[@phelens4781]

A really great video! That really helped me Cap. Thank you!

[@billstanden]

The exclusion of reheat from the F-14B’s launch requirements was probably mentioned because it wasn’t required as an alteration from the A models. The F-110 engine in the Bs produced sufficient extra thrust that the afterburner wasn’t required for most payloads. The A’s TF30 needed afterburners on the catapult.

[@Bradonomous]

awesome

[@Bradonomous]

I defer to your knowledge, and quick google search substantiates. Just a nerdy question - with a larger mission load would the B need reheat for cat launch? Also, do the heat deflectors and water cooling systems take more fatigue with reheat?

[@jordangatewood28]

@@Bradonomous B and D (they used the same engine) launching on reheat was extremely rare, even with a full mission load. Mainly because if they did that and one of the engines suddenly went out, the afterburner would give it a massive yaw, which will cause it to go out of control.

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

I was ships company on the USS Theodore Roosevelt from 86 to 90 and we had the B models. Every takeoff I EVER saw was with full AB and full flaps. Not just with the Tomcats, but the Hornets too. I don't believe the Intruders had AB's and the Vikings had turbofans.

[@lucasrayo1]

Excellent video and very entertaining as always,I wanted to score a topic on takeoff and always from my point of view with the utmost respect. Guys a little advice the F-14B takes off with military power because in its time by the power of the new engines could overshoot the catapult, you apply after takeoff the afterburner immediately. On the contrary the F-14A is limited to the third stage of afterburner as maximum for that same lack of power in the engines compared to the F-14B that would be equivalent to military power. Greetings and I hope to see the ratings of F-14 on the channel.

[@Venator_11]

Anti skid on for a carrier deck is not the norm If I’m not mistaken anti-skid is used to keep braked wheels from locking I’m not sure that applies to cats&traps. There isn’t any braking. The tire are left free to spin.

[@smokinC5]

A models required afterburner. Bs and Ds do not. You can take off with burners lit but if you have a failure a yaw from loss of one engine causes issues.

[@wpnsloader9289]

So great vid Cap, I can tell your video editing skills are getting very good! I like the dedication you are putting into this and the skill you show in the crafting of the video. I want to add that the "Lug" as you call it is the Shuttle. The launch bar is lowered and the slack is taken out of the shuttle to engage the bar. Then a maintainer (of some kind, Navy maintainer roles are weird to me) hooks up the hold back bar. When the shooter "shoots" the jet the hold back bar is released (stays on the deck) along with the shuttle being sent and off the jet goes.

[@iainbradford4254]

Dry power takeoff for F14B and later is due to asymmetric controllability issues if you lose an engine at takeoff. The engines are so so wide apart there is a massive turning moment in full reheat and engine out, dry power maintains controllability initially. F14A with lower thrust engines needed the extra power in reheat and has less asymmetric issues is you lose an engine.

[@richconcepcion1823]

@ Grim Reapers Hi! Yeah, you're correct. With the B and D model Tomcats, afterburners are not required for carrier takeoffs because both models are equipped with the GE F110 turbofan engines that have a higher thrust rating, so basically they have more uumph than the Pratt & Whitney TF30 engines installed on the A model. Second possible reason would be, with the GE F110 engines having more thrust, you don't wanna be in a situation where you'll have an engine compressor stall immediately after takeoff. In case one of the engines stall, and the other engine is in full afterburner, there's gonna be too much yawing force from the asymmetrical thrust that would make it difficult for you to recover and you're at low altitude where you don't have much options. I could be wrong with my analysis but others could chime in as well.

[@grimreapers]

thx

[@therealcommodoremccrary]

Correct!! I was a F14D mechanic on the F110 engines and fuel systems 👍🏽👍🏽

[@Bradonomous]

Clearly I dont have the temperament for naval aviation - I was screaming "WAVE OFF! WAVE OFF! BOULTER BOULTER BOULTER" as you reached the boat

[@belgeode]

On the contrary, you'd make a great Paddles. Wave him off!

[@Jonscizzle]

F14B and D couldn't go into full AB while on the cat because the engines were too strong. They literally out ran the cat after the initial inertia was overcome while being shot off the pointy end. Not sure where you would find that written but if there a few old bow cat or waist cat guys hanging around they will tell you the same thing.

[@dogrokket]

Nice job Cap!

[@douglasbuhr5741]

F-14A with TF30 needed afterburner for takeoff GE 110 did not, GE made as much at mill as the TF30 did in afterburner TF30 14,500 mill 25,000 afterburner GE110 29,500 mill 32,000 afterburner

[@HimmelGanger]

Indeed, and also the blast deflectors can be damaged and or worn out quicker with afterburner launch. The non-skid decking surface of the deflector suffers heat damage and requires frequent maintenance or replacement. Additionally, the hot deflector surface cannot be used as normal decking until it has cooled enough to allow aircraft tires to roll over it. The bigger engine output on the F35s infact has ment that US carriers needed new deflectors that can take the higher energy (heat) of the PW F135s, thirdly there is a higher chance of the holdback bar to have a mishap with full AB, though I am not sure if that is actually simulated in DCS. blog.mide.com/measuring-strain-on-a-holdback-bar-with-piezoelectric-sensors www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-navy-works-through-f-35c-air-ship-integration-iss-377171/

[@abdulmismail]

This is superb. Had no idea you do tutorials as well. Been meaning to start playing DCS World but found it too daunting to learn (got too much to do in the real world) so I kept flying the more simplistic Strike Fighters 2. But, this has given me added incentive to go out an invest in a proper joystick. The tutorials will certainly help so will contribute to your Patreon in a couple of months once I get set up.

[@hog8035]

The reason for no afterburners on carrier launch is because the F14B was re engined with vastly more powerful engines. The video you saw was earlier tomcats with older less powerful engines.

[@unusualbydefault]

sorry cap, I'm a big fan of yours but that Case I tutorial was bad, your corrections were nice tho. for one, you should be trimmed for onspeed at the downwind. DLC wasnt active either. also, it's important to mention the AOA indexer, which is way more reliable than the E-bracket. I heard real tomcats pilot even "ignored" the bracket due to the hud being all wonky. you should always have 15 units (units, not degrees) of AOA. use the speedbrake on the break to bleed speed faster, as well as wings back before going into the break. full dirty configuration when levelling off at the downwind. the biggest advice I can give: trim on downwind for level onspeed flight, then only use DLC. DLC is a godsend.

[@grimreapers]

Intresting stuff

[@unusualbydefault]

@@grimreapers yeah, I guess I deserved that subliminal fuck you lol but have a look at this forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=3496458 (ps: awesome fight against the F15! made me understand the concept of cornerspeed a lot more ;) )

[@belgeode]

So... What happened to the DLC? Try it that way, it's considerably easier. Don't have to adjust the stick on final, and can leave the throttle where it is. It just allows you to adjust your glideslope, using only the DLC spoilers. Decent landing though!!!

[@grimreapers]

affirm will redo this vid with DLC in a week of so

[@johngisbourne7197]

Wings fully back 5nm before break dude, speedbrake, break, 300kts wings to auto, 225kts flaps, then DLC.

[@Sarrienne]

Given the price of this module and the levels of detail they put into just about everything else, I am *sorely disappointed* that they don't have any deck crew running around in green and yellow jerseys. Even if it were just a scripted semi-automatic QTE, that would really make the game for me. One of the best parts is all these guys in coloured tops with that plethora of hand signals!!

[@jaek_898]

I agree, but Eagle Dynamics were already working on a carrier module.

[@Sarrienne]

@@jaek_898 This is the Heatblur add-on for DCS, isn't it? How much work would it be to have scripted humans placed around the Cat shuttle area, going through the set series of signals for a launch, do you think? I know they did it for the Battlefield 3 level where you're the weapons officer of an F/A-18. That was my favourite part of the whole game!

[@jaek_898]

@@Sarrienne much more work than you think. There are hundreds of animations, 3d models, and details that would need to be created. Lots of time would be needed to code their behavior. The battlefield crew members are simple and it's my understanding that they dont directly interact with the player, they just move in a predetermined fashion.

[@Sarrienne]

@@jaek_898 Yeah, that's all I was looking for - Just a simple scripted act, to make the deck look populated, rather than devoid of all life as it appears here.

[@andrewnorgrove6487]

Approach From the Rear Really 😉 Jokes aside this is the best Tutorial for landing the F-14 on a carrier ! Thanks GR 👍

[@unkykevy]

nice

[@_Gart_]

It over-speeds the shuttle. F-14As had to have afterburner to make it off the deck

[@alex-vr9ry]

love your vids man

[@reyco1987]

I want to say that afterburner will potentially induce excessive rolling moment, which obviously is really bad when you are slow...but I’ll admit I’m not sure if that’s true, or where I got that from...

[@rodneypearce6113]

Yeah if one fails. The thrust of one engine in afterburner can't be recovered on takeoff.

[@kraziivan_]

Mil power when you hit the deck just in case.

[@timtheeagle1]

I hit the deck everytime, but never catch the hook, I guess my AOA is off. I flew a lot of cheaper Hornet games growing up, the F-14 (and DCS) are quite the learning curve!

[@Aeronaut1975]

No mention of the DLC?! Also, speedbrake should be fully extended from the carrier break to touchdown.

[@eXX0n]

And.. too high on the prebreak over the carrier, not wings swept, not breaking with the proper G load etc etc etc etc... nothing is kinda correct with this..

[@rodneypearce6113]

Hi Cap, nice I liked this one. I much prefer the slower pace of your tutorial videos like this.

[@cameron1975williams]

What's the procedure with the lights? Anti-collision is switched on when at full throttle on the cat and then immediately switched off upon launch? That's what the AI seem to do. Strange that this light isn't activated/deactivated automatically, with weight on/off wheels. Seems to me the pilot would have his hands full just after launch.

[@Antonluisre]

There's the risk of afterburner flameout on takeoff

[@dreamCatV6]

Forgot your flight control wipe Cap! Not so super....smh lol

[@Fershky98]

How can you even start on the carrier, whenever I try it just gives me landing and flyby options

[@GW2Vids1]

Not a case 1 a real pilot would fly to be honest, flaps, gear, dlc on downwind and way too late on final

[@rodneypearce6113]

Yeah but Cap explicitly acknowledged that. If GR have a different procedure that works for them then I think that is fine.

[@unusualbydefault]

this

[@ronaldwatson1951]

Excellent explanation Cap, there's no doubt that you'll have a good understanding of the Tomcat soon. I thought your explanation of the landing was spot on.

[@StandingCow2]

It wasn't spot on at all, he forgot quite a bit. Air brakes should be out the entire time, DLC... quite a few things.

[@ronaldwatson1951]

@@StandingCow2 you're exactly Right, until I get involved in the DCS community, I'm a rookie. Thanks

[@Scoobydcs]

I've tried the training mission a few times and every time it just Chuck's me into the sea. Im now certain the parking brake is the problem because I had no idea there was 1 lol. I did search controls for it but it didn't come up and the tutorial itself makes no mention of it. On a plus note I did land it 1st time and in 1 piece too

[@Bradonomous]

rofl

[@MongooseTacticool]

Did you sort it out mate?

[@Scoobydcs]

@@MongooseTacticool haven't tried since. I'm certain it's that though lol. I want to learn a cold start then go from there but I struggle to find d the time to sit and play

[@MongooseTacticool]

@@Scoobydcs yeah I hear that. Kids, job, studying, etc

[@MongooseTacticool]

@@Scoobydcs Tell your boss and wife you're joining the navy... in 1985. XD

[@Bane_Diesel]

I have a lot of Ghost throttle on the x56 rino throttle does anyone else have this problem? It kinda moves on it's own.

[@themisadventuresofsinjinsm2331]

If you were going to learn, and planned on starting with the Yak-52, then go to F-5 or L-139, kind of like a real transition, what would be your suggestions on the best aircraft to transition to next in order to learn weapons and systems?

[@rgreening4256]

After F-5 F-18 or F-14, after L-39??? Im not sure if you want Migs go Mig 15-> Mig 21

[@themisadventuresofsinjinsm2331]

Thanks for the advice.@@rgreening4256

[@knuddel5116]

Can you make a TALD showcase next? I think it would be interesting to test the capabilities.

[@StandingCow2]

Anti-skid is turned off on ALL aircraft landing on carrier, on is only for land based airfields. F14 should always land with air brakes extended, auto throttle is very helpful (works different than the F18) also you should be using DLC to control your glide slope, you were trying to land this like an F18. Here is the correct F14 pattern: forums.eagle.ru/attachment.php?attachmentid=206354&d=1552607839

[@Federation42movies]

I'm sure it was discussed in another video somewhere, but can someone please remind me what the coloured boxes are in the bottom right corner of the screen?

[@grimreapers]

Indication of ACLS we believe

[@Federation42movies]

@@grimreapers Roger, thanks coach.

[@cmibm6022]

Very nice. It was earlier mentioned that the squares in the lower right hand corner of the screen is the meat ball - but it did not seem to be working here - WHY? And is there a way to make it work? (Communication with the carrier?)

[@grimreapers]

will investigate

[@_Casperus_]

Are you using a VR set?

[@grimreapers]

TrackIR

[@Krystalmyth]

I don't understand why DCS doesn't let me map axis to whatever the hell I want. I want camera controls on Z-RZ but it only lets you map a mouse and takes over any other controller config app. It's so complicated only to be so stupid.

[@VonSpookydoodle]

In the hornet I have no problem calling the tower. The tomcat, not so much. I use jester to set the freq manually and never get a responce from tower. I keep getting improper comm use for my landing grade. Can't seem to quickly find a video to explain this procedure. Help please.

[@Scoobydcs]

could do with more info about how to read the ball, i could just about see a green light but thats it

[@fazole]

You center the YELLOW ball between the green datum lines, by using quick, slight power adjustments while using pitch to maintain the appropriate AoA. Needs loads of practice. On land based aircraft you can set your pitch, then use [power to control airspeed which is easier.

[@rodneypearce6113]

Yellow centre light moves vertically, try to keep it yellow and even better, aligned with the green lights for a 3-wire. If it's red you're too low, if you can't see it because it went off the top of the lights board, then you're a tad too high :)

[@dave1994jones]

The F14B doesn't use afterburner because the engines are considered to powerful for the under carriage. The F14A used afterburners because the engines were under powered for the platform

[@towedarray7217]

This has to be VR, is that correct? I feel like my setup is WAY off of this and the Grim Reapers videos are a huge motivation for my upgrade paths. I am just amazed at how different mine looks, compared to this.

[@grimreapers]

TrackIR

[@towedarray7217]

Grim Reapers got it. So track IR will give me that changing perspective view the way you have it? There must be a plug-in too (right?). Because the immersive feel of your setup is exactly what I want for myself. Thank you for the reply.

[@bokeeeeeeee]

bit off topic, but i wonder how did you set up control for camera to be able to turn around and click all that with ease?

[@grimreapers]

do you mean from the cockpit? I use a form of Head Tracking know as Delan Clip

[@viorix1]

hey :) how to turn on the color landing corridor that is in the video right bottom corner?

[@Gabriel.Vitalariu]

Hello silly question.. If i want to practice this were can i find this mission. In instant action there is only carrier landing and in training mission carrier take of. the carrier is too crowded? Thank you

[@arzhangsadeghi]

ok so did I understand correctly, in F-18 the flight path marker should be in the middle of the E bracket and in f-14 the ⌐. ⌐ thing ( aircraft datum) should be in the middle of the E bracket and in both cases we should use trim to adjust that ?

[@DessertUnicorn]

Arzhang Sadeghi use thrust to adjust it but the rest you’ve said is correct

[@DessertUnicorn]

Essentially thrust for heigh and trim for pitch

[@arzhangsadeghi]

thank you so much for your reply

[@MongooseTacticool]

Volleyball lessons next? :)

[@grimreapers]

lol

[@MongooseTacticool]

@@grimreapers Can you imagine herding the GR around a vb court? Lol

[@Paypier]

i did everything for my f-14 but it is NOT turning .d help me (not steam version)

[@TheSerec]

How do you prevent your plane from dipping back once you've come to a stop? Is that just me coming in too fast?

[@grimreapers]

Sounds like u are pressing wheel brakes? thats all I can think of

[@PerthLuxury]

Commander Rabb

[@DickJohnson3434]

14:45 What happened to the wakes of the ships? I thought it was a problem specific to my game but you have it too. The ship leaves two mini wakes on either side but no main wake in the middle. Has anybody found a solution to this?

[@lilkris3008]

Not 100% but for me it is based on carrier speed 20+ knots gives you a big wake

[@towedarray7217]

I have a new i9 PC with a GEForce 2800 card (in other words a very good and modern machine). I downloaded the F14 DLC and mine doesn’t look anything like this. Your video looks way way better, almost 2.5D. I feel like what you have is achievable with my PC but I must be doing something very wrong. Anyone know what I might be doing wrong with my configuration? Should I be trying to run it in VR or something?

[@grimreapers]

Are your running VR?

[@towedarray7217]

Grim Reapers thank you for your response. Your videos and approach to this game are 80-90% of why I got something so beyond my typical needs. It means a lot that you replied. No I am not running VR. At least not yet. I increased my resolution to 1920x1080 and that helped - but it did not totally resolve the issue. Yours still looks way better in the way the instruments change perspective as you move about the cockpit. As I mentioned, I have a brand new Dell G5 with an i9 processor and sprung for the GEForce 2080 RTX8GB GDDR6 and 32gb of ram. I’m assuming I can opt for VR and almost certainly will.

[@no_fb]

Sorry but for a "tutorial", there are quite a few things that went wrong (anti-skid, altitude all over the place, forgot swept wings, wrong speed, DLC, ...). One should not pretend to teach until mastering a skill.

[@grimreapers]

Yes agree, will re-do this one soon.

[@milesallen7339]

F14a ab takeoff. F14b mil power

[@bobbygattis]

I keep losing a lot of altitude in the break turn. How do you keep it level?

[@grimreapers]

Ensure your Path Vector is above the horizon. Is the green circle in the HUD with the little wings on it.

[@MrJoaoAfonso]

WTF IS UNIFORM??????

[@grimreapers]

U

[@MrJoaoAfonso]

@@grimreapers tks! I actually tried U and it worked lol

[@Aeroflyer_2023]

F14a needs afterburner because it has less powerful engine f14b has better engine no need for burner

[@ジェームズジャクソン]

about take-off afterburner question kzbin.info/www/bejne/jITafYZ7hs-rnMk

[@glennharrall8655]

Really not a proper case 1 approach but you got it down all the same. Why are you using the non normal emergency wing sweep lever? Normal operation is via the electric servos controlled via buttons on the throttle.

[@grimreapers]

electric only goes to 68 degress. Hydraulic required for over-sweep/parking

[@glennharrall8655]

Grim Reapers ah! Didn’t notice you had been parked. My bad

[@seriousgoat76]

Its to save fuel.

[@matuliik]

I am sorry Grim Reapers, but could you stop making such videos? So many things were wrong that there isn’t even a reason to name them. This is not a good service for the community and it creates an illusion of knowledge about aviation. Why don’t you at least take a look on the diagram of CASE I in the F-14 training mission before doing such videos?

[@grimreapers]

Yes I know I'll get it re-done