team-limakilo/website

Lima Kilo website

website's Issues

F-16C tips

(As recommended for submission by Zaid)

F-16CM bl.50 tips

The F-16 can overstress its wings - if you're bringing lots of ordnance/wing fuel tanks, make sure you set your stores switch the CAT III (near the parking brake switch) to allow the FCS to G limit your manoeuvres.

When performing bombing missions, pay attention to which version of bomb works best for you - if you need to make a low, fast, level approach, retarded bombs such as Snakeeyes, Ballutes and others may be better than the regular low-drag versions.

The HTS makes the F-16C the most capable SEAD platform on the server - use the unique situational awareness it gives you to protect other packages or better hunt down tasked SAM sites. Remember that you shouldn't be engaging SAM sites that aren't directly engaging you/related to your mission!

Use your jammer in the most effective mode for your mission - barrage jamming (countermeasures manual, jammer position 3) can be highly effective at denying a hard lock to radars at long range and can even help shield aircraft flying in close formation.

Don't over-rely on the Missile Warning System of the F-16 - long range SAM launches such as those from the SA-5 sites may not always be detected. Defend if you've been getting illuminated by a guidance radar for any protracted amount of time.

The F-16 shines in the rate fight rather than the one-circle. When fighting aircraft such as MiG-29s, don't be afraid to extend the circle so you can bring them into a flight regime where you have the advantage.

When setting up your loadout, keep in mind that like other lighter multirole fighters drag can have a very noticeable adverse effect on your energy retention. Don't be afraid to remove the pylons from the 2/8 stations if you're purely looking to do self-protection on an air to ground mission or have escort/CAP cover - you may be surprised how much better the plane performs.

Remember to set the XMT ON button on the HSD MFD page - this ensures that other Link-16 equipped friendly aircraft can see you even if the AWACS can't.

Hornet Aircraft Tips

(As recommended for submission by Zaid)

F/A-18C Hornet Lot 20 tips

The Hornet benefits from having some of the most potent stand-off ordnance on FPL, however it may not always be the best tool for the job. Pay attention to the time of day and weather before you load out! For example, Walleyes can be great at taking out strike targets in a high threat environment where you need fire-and-forget capability, but you'll need clear weather and daylight to employ them properly.

If you're flying off the carrier, you may not need two drop tanks - the KC-130 over Cyprus is conveniently located on the way to most targets on the mainland. A single tank will keep you speedy.

Don't be afraid to go lighter and only bring a few pieces of ordnance. Keeping the Hornet fast means you'll more easily be able to fight against late-game fighters like MiG-29s.

Remember that you need activate both the Link 4 and Link 16 datalinks to see datalink contacts on your radar/SA pages - press the DL button a second time on the Up-Front Controller to turn the 16 on.

Ensure you set your INS to the IFA position. Currently, there's a known bug with NAV mode which causes the INS to degrade at a rapid pace. The date of the mission file is set such that IFA will work and keep your navigational aids lined up properly.

If deploying weapons in CCIP mode, remember that you need to command AGR to ensure your pipper is accurate. Once your weapons are selected and set to CCIP mode, short press the Sensor Control Switch Fwd to set the HUD as the Sensor Of Interest, indicated by an asterisk in the top-right. AGR will also show, indicating that your radar is ranging for your A2G munitions and giving you better accuracy.

Your built-in ALQ-165 Self Protection Jammer will do an excellent job breaking locks from older SAM systems such as the SA-2, SA-3 and fearsome SA-5 when at long range. Remember to set it back to RCV from XMIT when you're done jamming; when in XMIT it will engage automatically and you won't be able to use your radar for weapons employment until it turns back off.

The Hornet is the only playable airframe on the FPL server which can carry the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-shipping missile. Note that this weapon can be somewhat complex to employ and has a mind of its own if you're not very careful how you employ it, which can be a problem given the presence of both friendly and civilian vessels in the AO. Always get positive ID on ships you're engaging - bring a targeting pod or get closer to get eyes on and check your target against the mission briefing before you send your ordnance.

While not as flexible/clear as the Strike Eagle's, the Hornet's A2G radar modes are excellent at locating ships. If tasked with an anti-shipping mission, find vessels with ease by setting the radar to SEA mode. Remember to positively identify your targets before firing!

F-14 Tomcat tips

(Submitting as recommended by Zaid)

F-14 Tomcat tips

If taking off from the carrier, remember that the tankers are located in very convenient locations when flying to the AO. Taking up empty drop tanks and then filling up in the air can be a great way to get to altitude quickly. Try to avoid going to the recovery S-3 tanker above the carrier group unless absolutely necessary; the S-3's low capacity vs the F-14's high capacity means you can drain it quickly, leaving people with fuel emergencies in trouble.

If you're having trouble with pilot-induced oscillations (wobbling or feedback loops) when doing air-to-air refuelling, try set your wings to the BOMB SWEEP mode. While you'll need to trim a large amount of nose up to compensate for the reduced lift, this will keep the wings fixed in one position and stop the spoilers from deploying at certain speed states, giving you a more stable, easy to control platform to fly (this was a common IRL technique used by pilots new to the Tomcat while learning this same procedure!).

When arming for CAP, remember that while the Phoenix is one of the most powerful missiles on the server it was also designed to primarily target heavier bombers and straight-line cruise missiles. All of the targets here are fighter-sized, meaning your A2A budget may be better spent on Sparrows depending on how confident you are in your RIO (Jester or otherwise).

Against fighters, launched from a M0.9 Tomcat, the AIM-54A has a NEZ of 15nm. Remember that, while it has a reputation for being a long-range missile, this reputation was built around ungainly bombers and not defending fighters. Employ your weapons from sub-40nm to ensure you've got a decent kill probability.

The LANTIRN targeting pod can make the F-14 very effective at anti-shipping missions. Use your RWR to get close to surface combatants once you're in the grid square of the target, then point track the target. A GBU-10 or GBU-24 will produce a one-hit kill on any ship provided you score a direct hit. Drop your bomb flying head-on with the target from high-altitude to ensure the bomb has a high chance to hit your laser.

Many enemy fighters will go for the deck when you commit to an engagement, and the AWG-9 radar can struggle with look-down targets. Follow the target down or stay level with them to keep solid locks.

When locking up a target at range, use the TCS to ID your target and get a better idea of their aspect - knowing if you're fighting a MiG-19 or Fulcrum in advance can influence how you approach the engagement.

The F-14 is one of the few aircraft on FPL that can simultaneously carry a full A2G, A2A and drop-tank equipped loadout. Build your loadouts carefully to make sure you're able to handle any mission requirement.