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

Yes, I did read the section in the manual dealing with the Aim-120, and I did answer my own question; I guess what I was really looking for was a confirmation of sorts. I remember hearing and reading about the Aim-120 being a fire-and-forget missile. I have played sims in the years' past that didn't contain such explanations. Upon finding out that the f-16 has to guide the missile part of the way, I suddenly began to not only understand the missile more, but I also was a little rocked by this new information. When I heard "fire and forget," I assumed that to mean fire and immediately forget; it was a little strange to me that you had to keep the lock in order to guide the missile part of the way.

In other words it was just paranoia about a simple thing kicking in. Thank you all:)

You are welcome feldwebel.

Yes, this sim is still a challenge. Impressive, giving a thought that it's not the newest kid on the block.

I just had a little "affiar" with TAW, but i coud not give up F4AF. That's how addicted you will become!

<sniff.>

You told me you would respect me in the morning.



Seriously, as much as I love (and have modded) TAW, F4 is still the ultimate.

Well, I'm using strictly realistic avionics, and I will never look back:) It adds a lot more to the game; I wish I would have listened earlier.

New Question:
The manual has a section about countermeasures. I try to follow its training and drop chaff and flares, but it appears only chaff are dropping. #%&*$#' Betty calls out "Chaff, Flare," but only chaffs are dispensed. How do I fix this?

Contermeasures/EWS pannel(starts page 330).
Check PRGM selector.

Thank you. The training mission for missile invasion fails to mention this section; if I would have flipped--by means of mouse--through a few hundred pages I would have found this very helpful. Thanks for pointing it out:)

What really bothers me is the fact that there is no simple way, as far as I know, to release one chaff or one flare manually by means of pressing 1 key/1 projectile. I can understand the significance of the ews porgrams, but I find this a little too involved for trying to evade a missile. What I mean is that if I am in an intense dogfight, I doubt I will have time to pan over to the EWS and change the program and what it releases...

Two new questions:
1. How does one change the fuel flow? The landing section of the manual wishes the pilot to do so.
2. Do flaps matter in this game? I see flap keys, but I don't know why these keys even exist. Doesn't the f-16 automatically configure flaps? When I see the f-15 in flight, it has clearly visible flaps whereas the f-16 doesn't.

Your adobe reader has a search function. If you search "fuel flow" and "flaps" you might find your answers. Plus, in you efforts to learn one thing you may learn several. Thus, given you a much steeper learning curve.

vvvv
What really bothers me is the fact that there is no simple way, as far as I know, to release one chaff or one flare manually by means of pressing 1 key/1 projectile.
^^^^

You need a device to program macros and setup the ICP EWS page. For now I would just set CM program that releases both chaff and flares.

I use the search function excessively; I come an ask on here for further clarification because the manual has its flaws as does any manual. The one thing I couldn't find, though, is the fuel flow controls.

1) Fuel flow in a factor of speed, altitude, and power setting (and probably other variables). The easiest way to change your fuel flow is the throttle. Increase power and the flow will increase, pull back and the flow will decrease. Just like in a car.

2) Flaps are set automatically when flying in the F-16. If you are flying a different plane, you will need to extend and retract them manually.

Wait, flying a different plane?

Dont get excited yet feldwebel, you have a long way to go before we tell you where the other aircraft are hidden

Quick question: In the DED, I think it's called, when I press the stpt 4 button, it displays elevation. Is the elevation displayed here the desired elevation for you when you reach the steerpoint you are currently traveling to? This question was born out of sheer paranoia.

It is to show elevation of the target point to help you determine your HAT (Height Above Target).

Desired altitude and speed for cruising is shown on Cruise page (5 button).

Can you eloborate what this means: It is to show elevation of the target point to help you determine your HAT (Height Above Target).
I'm just trying to find an altitude to be at when i get to a certain steerpoint. They have a time that you need to meet, or should meet; what about an altitude?

Briefing has about 90% of all the information you may need when you are airborne.
It clearly gives you an altitude you need to be on per each STP. (assuming you face no other reason to disregard this pre-designated alt).

Great part of mission success depends on pilot's thorough 'analysis' of pre-flight briefing and intel. If it's RL situation, you'd want to make sure you are 100% clear of what you are up to before you strap yourself in.

DTS (Digital Terrain System) in F-16 comprises five primary functions: Terrain Reference Navigation, Predicted Ground Collision Advisory System, Obstacle Warninf and Cueing, Database Terrain Cueing and Passive Ranging capabilities (for inputs to weapon delivery computation). The combined altitude radar altimeter displays both Mean Sea Level Alt and Radar Altitude on the HUD. The difference between the two will be the terrain elevation. Hope it's clear.


Cheers.

I just looked at the altitudes that are given in the breifing, and the altitude displayed when you press the stpt button is the altitude in the briefing.

STP page on DED displays STP# /Latitude/Longitude/Elevation/Time On Target. (Destination coordinates and elevation + time over designation steerpoint)
If this is not what STP page on your DED shows, posting a screen cap would help.

Here is a screenshot of what the DED displays when I have already pressed the stpt button(last time I save as a .png from mspaint...):

The elevation reading seems to correspond with the desired elevation at steerpoint 4, correct? This Elevation is what is displayed in the mission briefing for steerpoint 4 as well. So basically, is the scheduled altitude--I realize it's not strict, but I need as many guidelines as I can follow--the desired altitude for the given steerpoint?
In other words the system is telling me to be at 10,000 feet when I reach steerpoint 4?

Yes, it is telling you that your flight plan is set for you to arrive at steerpoint 4 at 10,000 feet MSL. You can change the desired altitude in the flight plan, or fly at whatever altitude you want to. Your mission success is not directly affected by your altitude. But, flying higher than 20,000 feet will keep you out of IR SAM range and most AAA. The AI monkeys will follow the altitude in the flight plan if you are not leading the flight.

Questions:

1) What method(s) do you, personally, use to find out where the enemy aircraft are? I get a little tired of asking AWACS to declare....

2) What mode do you leave your DED on most of the time and why?

1) I call AWACS regurarly to "Request Picture." If you have not selected "Radio Calls use Bullseye" in the setup (and I find it much easier to leave unselected), AWACS will respond back with the bearing to the nearest bogey group, their distance from you, and their altitude. Sometimes AWACS will tell you what kind of plane it is and how many. Another option is to "Request vector to threat." AWACS will answer with the vector to the nearest enemy fighter (Mig 21, Mig 23, Mig 29, etc...) and will not tell you about bombers or helicopters. With this info, you now know where to start looking to declare and may save you time trying to declare every contact. However, don't use this as an excuse to keep looking same contact once AWACS tells you where they are. He may have some buddies coming in behind him or off to his side, and declaring is the only way to know if the other contacts are good guys or bad guys while BVR. Situational awareness is always important.

Some older generation enemy planes leave a black smoke trail that can be seen with night vision, even during daytime.

Listen to and look at your RWR to see who may be around you.

In the sound setup, disable your pilot voice. That way, when you call AWACS for a picture or to declare, you don't need to listen to your pilot call first. You just get the answer, and it saves a few seconds

2) I generally leave mine in the default page (I think it is called the CNI?) to know what steerpoint I have selected. If I need to see something something or enter some data, I'll do what I need to do and hit the return toggle to get back to the main page.

Cane, as always your response is most helpful. Thank you.