Idea for a "trainer-mission"

[Paddles]

This will be a series of three missions. First part - daytime FCLP at NAF El Centro - is 90% ready. The other two - more advanced day and night FCLPs at NOLF Coupeville - are due to start next week. 

[Orion]

Maybe I'll still do one: around the carrier.

[Sludge]

Serge...

Are you gonna put a tutorial up on here for your trainer missions?  What aircraft its meant for, airspeeds, altitudes... stuff like that.

Later
Sludge

[Paddles]

Sludge,
as in any stock mission there will be a briefing with charts/maps etc. However, it is supposed that the pilot knows what FCLP does mean and knows basic numbers and figures... These missions are generally for the Sludge Hornet, but I think that the Acceleration Hornet, or Dino's Goshawk, or any other navy jet will perform very well. 

[Sludge]

Serge...

I would definately put that FCLP chart with your README or however you plan to install it.  That would make it easy for even the most casual FSX pilot.  And you know we have plenty of those out in the sim world.

Later
Sludge

[SpazSinbad]

F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornet NATOPS Field Landing Circuit Diagram (numbers added for local conditions).

[Sludge]

Spaz...

Thanks for that addition.  I think that along with the pure overhead depiction would help in this mission.

Later
Sludge

EDIT:  Just found the picture I was talking about, from one of our old forum threads.

[Paddles]

..and mine (from a briefing) is this

[SpazSinbad]

Sludge, without having the context to the overhead graphic, it looks to me to be suitable for the Goshawk T-45C with the abeam position being less wide than a Hornet 1.25 to 1.5 recommendation for carrier. I would guess that Hornet FCLP 'wide abeam' would be similar to Hornet Carrier Pattern?

Now there is a Hornet (Super?) FCLP diagram from an environmental report about such matters. I'll look for a better example in meantime here is the rough one.

[SpazSinbad]

Good info about Air Traffic Control and LSO responsibilities for FCLP in this 6Mb PDF: (it is easy to join ScribD for download)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/7843303/US-Navy-Course-NAVEDTRA-14342-Air-Traffic-Controller

[SpazSinbad]

Details about NOLF/FCLP runway lighting page 216 in this 3.6Mb PDF:

http://airfieldrunwaylighting.yolasite.com/resources/UFC%203-535-02%2010-XX-01.pdf

Photo of NAS Whidbey Island shows FCLP 'carrier deck' on left side of main runway. When regular runway used one can see the same touchdown zone in both cases (IFLOLS used for all landings).

[SpazSinbad]

Good graphics with generic FCLP/NOLF info in this 3Mb PDF:

http://www.no2olf.110mb.com/DOC_PDF/OLF_Graphic.pdf

[SpazSinbad]

Better (Super?) Hornet FCLP diagram from 0.3Mb PDF: http://www.co.currituck.nc.us/pdf/olf-maps/olf-one.pdf

FSXNP has helped find much of this info by the way. Thanks! We don't have this stuff in Oz no more....  

[Paddles]

Well, couple of WIP screenies... Added carrier box and 'piano keys' markings (stolen from Whidbey Island). And I think I'm gonna repaint whole RWY26...  

[Sludge]

Serge...

Nothing but hat's off to you for your work with this, I really like your overhead depiction of NAS El Centro's FLCP pattern.  Now will it work with the widely downloaded scenery add-on for KNJK?  I mean, thats what I would use along with the rectangles, in addition to the outside visual cues on hitting certain points.

I would actually advise that to anyone who ends up using this mission.  Use the rectangles, get familiar with what the visual cues are, then once proficient, turn off the rectangles and fly the pattern and see how well you do.  A "training wheels" approach to learning the FCLP and later the actual carrier pattern.

Again, thanks for your work, Serge!  You have been one of the single greatest contributors to FSX Nav Av this year, IMO!

Later
Sludge