Floppyshop 2/Floppyshop - 2.zip/Floppyshop - 2.iso/diskmags/0022-3.564/dmg-0110/news.txt/f19_note.asc

Text File | 1997-04-16 | 9KB | 153 lines

                    F19 STEALTH FIGHTER _ PILOTS NOTES
                    ==================================

     These  notes  are  intended to  provide  background  information  for
stealth fighter pilots currently on active duty.  They were compiled by  a
Colonel with over forty missions-worth of experience.

     1) Pre-flight

     Preparation  is essential for the successful execution of a  mission.
Make  sure you know exactly what your mission objectives are,  and get  an
idea of how to find them.
     Make  sure you are carrying sufficient fuel for the mission.  If  the
Sarge  puts  an extra fuel tank on the plane it is probably  there  for  a
reason, so if you are unsure, ask him before shifting it to make way for a
few more Mavericks or Sidewinders.

     Ensure  that you are carrying sufficient ordnance for  your  mission.
Going  up  for  a reconnaissance without a camera is not  a  clever  idea.
Likewise,  don't  make things difficult for yourself by  carrying  weapons
that are difficult to deliver. Use smart weapons where possible, otherwise
use laser guided bombs.  Unguided bombs are much more difficult to deliver
with accuracy, so only resort to these if you have to.

     Check for enemy troop concentrations,  airfields,  missile boats  and
SAM  sites,  and try to select the minimum risk course,  unless  your  RoE
(rules of engagement) permit you to take these targets out.

     At  this  stage,  there  are three factors that  will  influence  the
difficulty  of your mission:  Firstly,  having to fly long distances  will
increase  your exposure to enemy forces,  while the necessity of  carrying
extra  fuel will reduce the amount of weaponry you  can  carry.  Secondly,
photographic missions leave you very vulnerable,  and the camera  deprives
you of one of your four bays.  Thirdly, Carrier landings carry a high risk
for  inexperienced pilots.  Thus,  a pilot on a long-range  reconnaissance
mission ending with a carrier landing has three strikes against him.

     2) Take-off

     This is simple.  Just remember that you always take-off facing  North
from a runway,  and South from a carrier.  Remember to use your flaps  and
retract them and your gear soon after take-off, or they will restrict your
airspeed.  Set your course and level out at between 500-1000 feet.  As you
proceed  into enemy territory,  bring her down to 300-500 feet - lower  if
you feel comfortable.  While en route, remember to keep your eyes open for
enemy aircraft.  Use the tactical map to spot inbounds. Select Air-to -Air
radar and AAMs (Air-to-air-missiles) in case the bad guys jump you. Beware
of  severe  turbulence  at low altitudes.  Because of the  shape  of  your
aircraft,  it  is  particularly  susceptible to  inversion  during  severe
turbulence,  and  George (the autopilot) cannot handle this too  well,  so
don't just put him on and go to sleep,  or you may never wake up.  This is
especially dangerous when flying on a night mission over water,  as it  is
difficult  to tell which way is up - you just have to keep a sharp eye  on
the  altimeter.  Don't fall into the trap of relying too much on  the  INS
autopilot; it could malfunction or be shot to pieces.

     3) Targets

     If  you want to smoke a reconnaissance target,  take  your  snapshots
first  -  pictures  of a smouldering wreck will not impress  the  guys  in
intelligence.  If you spot an enemy aircraft,  attempt  evasion.  Remember
that  they  can  only spot you if they are heading  directly  towards  you
(Exception:  IL76 Mainstay). Until you have achieved your objectives, stay
as  quiet as you can,  taking out enemy aircraft only if you have  to.  In
Europe you may encounter the Mainstay. This is the Soviet "eye-in-the-sky"
Equivalent of the AWACS,  and has a powerful omnidirectional search  radar
that can spot you,  track you,  and can direct a squadron of fighters your
way with frightening speed. If you are spotted by a Mainstay, you have two
options  -  attempt  to hide,  or take  it  down.  Neither  is  easy,  but
destroying  it  and escaping in the ensuing confusion is  infinitely  more
satisfying. The C.O. will be pleased too...

     If your mission target is an aircraft in flight,  try and  anticipate
his movements, plotting an intercept course. If you drop in on his six, he
may  outrun you before you can lock a missile on him,  in which  case  you
will never catch him.

     For ground targets,  the Maverick is the best weapon of choice -  you
can drop one from 30 kloms,  out and be in the next country by the time it
hits. Photography, on the other hand, demands a low straight pass over the
target  with  your  bay  doors  open.  If the target  is  a  SAM  site  or
battleground  you also need to pray a lot while dumping chaff  and  flares
left, right and centre.

     Remember,  opening  your bay doors  makes you much easier to spot  by
enemy  radar,  so close them as soon as you  can.  In  addition,  banking,
climbing,  diving, flying at altitude and using your jammers also increase
your visibility.  For maximum stealth,  fly low,  slow, straight and level
with all jammers off.

     4) Homeward bound

     Once  your  mission objectives have been achieved you  can  go  after
other targets as permitted by your RoE. On a clod war clandestine mission,
these are restricted to radar installations and aircraft that spot you. In
a limited war situation,  military targets are fair game.  In conventional
war,  you can go after civilian targets as well,  though the military  one
are more important. The crew chief would like to see you take out a couple
of  extra  targets,  but he would not be too pleased if they  cost  him  a
plane.

     It is common to find yourself running for home with enemy bandits  on
your tail.  For this reason, it is always prudent to keep a couple of AAMs
in reserve.  If they come too close,  take them out. One way to do this is
to zoom-climb about 3500 feet, roll through 180 deg so that you are flying
upside  down,  and then pull back hard on the stick.  If you have done  it
right  you  will  be flying towards him with a good  missile  lock  a  few
seconds later.  If he is alone,  you can release the missile and  continue
your manoeuvre into a full loop, while he plays tag with your missile.

     5) Runway landings

     Approach  the runway from North or South,  15 to 20 kloms  out  (Aces
need  only  5  or less!).  Your right-hand MFD will  give  you  range  and
telephoto  view of the runway.  Use this to line up with the centre  line.
Throttle back to less that 250 knots,  lower flaps and gear.  Reduce speed
to  about 150 (stall speed with flaps is 100).  Check  brakes,  flaps  and
gear.  Runways are 2km long,  and the navigation beacon is in the  middle.
Thus,  when the MFD shows 1km you are crossing the threshold. Aim to touch
down  just after this point.  Go around if you are running out of  runway.
Once down,  shut down the engine and engage the brakes. Your aircraft will
roll to a stop,  and you will find yourself giving the crew chief a  smile
and the thumbs-up.

     6) Carrier landings

     Don't  even  attempt this unless you have mastered  runway  landings.
Approach the carrier from the North,  slightly to the West.  Give yourself
plenty  of room,  and remember the carriers deck is 125' above sea  level.
Keep your speed low to give yourself plenty of reaction time.

     From  a few kloms out,  you should be able to see the  carrier  deck.
Look for the arrestor cable (a red line across the deck).  You must aim to
touch  down on the small patch of deck before the arrestor cable to  land.
Too soon,  and you smash into the superstructure.  Too late,  and you will
keep  on  rolling until you fall of the deck into the  sea.  Work  out  an
emergency procedure to get back in the air if you miss the wires. Don't be
afraid  of  bringing  your  bird down quite  hard  if  you  have  to.  The
undercarriage  has  been specially strengthened to  withstand  the  severe
shock  of  carrier  landings.  If you have failed to  land  after  several
attempts,  or are running out of fuel, bail out. Remember, you are no good
to the Air Force dead!

     If  you do it right,  the arrestor hook on your plane will  snag  the
wire,  the  plane  will  stop  dead on  the  deck,  and  the  engine  will
automatically shut off. You can stop holding your breath now; you're down.

     Landing  on  a  carrier deck isn't easy,  but  getting  it  right  is
immensely satisfying. Spare a thought for those who do it for real.

                                                              STEVE MURGAN