I created this topic on the assumpution that the help provided here would benefit others who are trying desperately to learn realistic avionics. I know such questions exist on there forums, but none of them are truly arranged in a tolearable manner in my oppinion. Before you ask me whether or not I have eyes because there is a FAQ topic stickied, keep in mind that the FAQ, stickied above, is a great reference but not one that remedies the need for a question and answer topic such as this.

I figure people who have questions, such as myself, can post their questions here and if anyone should answer, terrific.

Question 1. When viewing targets, what methods can one use to find out if the target is friendly or a bogey?
Answer 1. If using Enhanced Padlocking, Padlock the object (4 key) and if the color is Red it's an enemy and if Blue it's a friendly for Aircraft. If radar locked Declare using the AWACS page and if enemy AWACS will call back Hostile, however be careful not all Bogey calls are hostile.

If the object is on the ground the padlock color is Red or Yellow for enemy and green is friendly (Please correct me if I'm wrong, I haven't flown in months, I don't mind being proved wrong ) The Declare call for ground objects are always tricky as it won't be given back like an air threat. Most of the time, ground enemies are declared bogeys so it can be confusing.

Another thing to take in consideration, always know where the FLOT (Forward Line of Troops) is. If you find a convoy north of the FLOT there is a good chance it is the enemy. Again be careful as your troops do move as you zip along the skies. ~Panther

Question 2. How can we tell exactly where the flot is?
Answer 2. On the 2D campaign map, right click and highlight FLOT. A new white line will appear on the Campaign Map. IIRC the FLOT line is even visible on the HSD, by default. ~Panther

Question 3. I really like realistic avionics in that it has much cooler instruments, but why do people say I'll never look back to easy avionics once I have realistic down?
Answer 3. It is more of a personal opinion of other simmers. For most video gamers, they will play the games or sims on realistic and never venture to the easier modes. For myself, I found that the realistic mode was more of a challenge and really puts the Sim above many others. If you ever join a Virtual Flying Community, they usually fly on 95% or higher realism settings. In my honest opinion, it is easier to learn realistic than to start on the simplified or easy mode and step up to the next level. Nothing in easy or simplified is carried over into realistic, so essentially you are learning the sim 2-3 times before you get the hang of it. ~Panther

This could turn into a mess but I have an idea. Post your questions and I'll try to edit the thread daily with a Q&A in the first post. I will answer your question in just a moment and if anyone else has anything to add feel free to post and I'll add it.

How can we tell exactly where the flot is?

I can usually find the enemy, but it seems like I am constantly asking AWACS to declare--because that's the best way I seem to be able to do it unless AWACS calls out targets; whereas is easy mode I could find an enemy much more easily.

I really like realistic avionics in that it has much cooler instruments, but why do people say I'll never look back to easy avionics once I have realistic down?

Also...

The simplified avionics were as buggy as anything else in F4 when it was born prematurely in '98 and haven't received nearly the programming attention that the realistic modes have.

When firing an Aim-120, there is a letter that is supposed to represent the missiles capability to hit target based on it the missile still being guided by the f-16. When this letter 'A' changes to a 'T', the manual says at that point you can switch targets. If one fires an Aim-120, how does one know when they can truly unlock the target and start tracking another another and still kill the first target?

I haven't even come close to mastering the realistic avionics (and I never play on anything lower), but what I can say is that if you manage to get into a good multiplayer group, the other folks probably won't mind getting you up to speed.

I learned a few things this way, and certainly much more easily than if I were just Reading The Fine Material.

That said, this is definitely a very good idea for a topic.

(Oh, and as some final words of encouragement to those who would benefit from this-realistic avionics LOOKS daunting at first, but as soon as you start to understand what everything does, it's not that bad at all.)

Hmm.

A lot of questions here.

Use labels until you learn to use the realistic avionocs.

Also it is easier to have AWACS using bullseye. Remember to choose bullseye in your ICP.

When firing the aim-120 you will hear yourself calling out Viper 1-1 Pitbull.
This means your missile has gone auto, and you can break lock.
The "T" will show on your HUD.

Perhaps there is someone who needs to do a little studying?
Read the F4AF manual again and again.
When you think you know everything about this sim, there is still something new to discover!


Happy hunting.

M8 you just said it yourself, when the letter changes to 'T'.

Basically, while it shows 'A', the missile relies on your aircraft's radar for guidance so you have to maintain lock. Once it shows 'T' the missile has turned on it's radar and is autonomous. It's all in the manual.

As to why you will never look back from realistic avionics, well mainly because it's insanely rewarding. Besides, avionics (and the campaign) are really the selling points of Falcon, if you are not using them, not much sense flying F4.



QFT.

The Aim-120 Operations Guide explains it all. It is well worth downloading and printing only 25 pages and is written in easy to understand language.
http://www.f-16.net/downloads_f4manuals.html