COLIMATA F/A-18F Rhino User manual

2016 - All rights reserved

Special thanks to my family and friends who supported me on this long journey.
Page 2

Introduction............................. 4
What's in the package............ 5
Installation............................... 7
Quick start............................... 8
Rendering Setup..................... 9
Joystick setup......................... 0
Know your Hornet...................
3D Cockpit............................... 3
Head Up Display...................... 4
Digital Displ. Indicator DDI..... 7
Attitude Direction Indicator.... 9
Engine indicator...................... 20
DDI – Fuel indicator................ 22
Horizontal Situation Indicator 24
Flight Data indicator............... 27
RADAR..................................... 29
There is no need to know all systems described in this manual. This add-on can be used with different knowledge levels.
In addition to this FULL manual, there is the quickstart manual that ships with the aircraft.
INDEX
Page 3
Weapons indicator.................. 3
UFCD Up Front Control Displ. 33
UFCD – COM Menu................. 36
UFCD – Autopilot menu.......... 37
UFCD – Settings menu........... 4
UFCD – NAV Menu.................. 43
Fuel gauge / engine gauge..... 45
Right console.......................... 47
Night lighting........................... 48
Left console – front................ 49
Left console – rear.................. 50
Engine / aircraft startup......... 5
Engine /aircraft shutdown...... 52
FLY THE FA- 8F....................... 53
Copyright................................. 56

Thank you very much for purchasing the “ A-18 add-on by COLIMATA” and therefore supporting my development work.
I invested more than 1.800 working hours in this aircraft and all the experiences from the MiG-29 project. The goal was to create a great fighter
jet for X-Plane, with very good graphics, plugin driven custom systems, good aerodynamics and a system depth that matches the requirements
for semi professional and beginner, flight simulation fighter pilots.
I'm really, really satisfied with the result and I'm confident you will be too.
The FA-18F:
The A-18 is more than just the 2-seat version of the A-18E. It's two seat layout enables the crew to use the equipment, aerodynamics and
power to the full potential. The A-18 (together with E, G, C and D) are the back bone of today's American Naval flying forces.
The impressive capabilities of the “Super Hornet – Rhino” where developed in decades. In fact today's A-18's have there roots in the legendary
-5 Tiger. This reliable machine was the basis for the Y -17 Cobra that in further evolution became the A-18A. Passing further years of
evolution, improvement and optimization (C,D models) the A-18 platform reached it's actual stage. The A-18E “Super Hornet”, the A-18
“Rhino” and the A-18G “Growler” for electronic warfare.
The A-18 is now a real multirole aircraft, performing excellently in air-to-air, air-to-ground and reconnaissance missions. Having it's home base
on aircraft carriers, flying the “Super Hornet” in day and night missions can be considered one of the biggest challenges for an aviator.
anuals / Support:
There is no need to know all systems described in this manual. This add-on can be used with different knowledge levels.
In addition to this ULL manual, there is the quickstart manual that ships with the aircraft.
Video tutorials on
www.youtube.com/colimatavideos
Technical questions can be discussed on: forums.x-plane.org
x-plane.org forum → Payware Support → Designers → COLIMATA → A-18
My email is: [email protected].
I'm sure that some of you are A-18 experts. eel free to correct me and send some creative critique. But foremost send me an encouragement
if you like the A-18 add-on. My email is: [email protected]u.
Page 4
INTRODUCTION

Highly accurate interactive 3D cockpit, with
projected, collimated, focused to infinity 3D HUD.
Precisely modeled, animated external aircraft with
beautiful textures in 4k (2k option).
Refined flight model with correct landing speeds and AoA, max.
turn rate, fuselage/wing root extensions lift simulation, etc
Reasonable system depth, ideal for semi professional and
beginner, flight simulation fighter pilots.
16 high quality 4k liveries (2k option to save VRAM)
Page 5
What's in the package?

What's in the package?
16 high quality 4k liverys
(2k option to save VRAM)
Default
USA NAVY V A-103
Jolly Rogers
USA NAVY V A-147
Argonauts
USA NAVY lighttest USA NAVY V A-32
Swordsmen
USA NAVY V A-102
Diamondbacks
Switzerland Malaysia Royal Australian Airforce Royal Canadian Airforce Kuwait
inland USA NAVY V A-41 Black
Aces
USA NAVY V A-213 Black
Lions
USA actory rolloutSpain
Page 6
To reduce the download size of the 4k version,
some of the liveries, plus additional ones, can be
downloaded for free from the x-plane.org server.
X-plane.org → Downloads →
Aircraft Skins – Liveries → A-18 by COLIMATA
This is the direct link:
http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/files/category/
166-fa-18f-by-colimata/

INSTALLATION
Page 7
1. Unzip the downloaded zip file
2. Move the resulting main aircraft folder
“ A-18 4k v1.02 by Colimata”
inside “...\X-Plane 10\Aircraft\”
CORRECT: WRONG:
Do NOT move the CONTENTS of the main
aircraft folder ALONE. Move the main
aircraft folder with all it's contents inside.

INSTALLATION TROUBLESHOOTING
Page 7
. Rename/Subfolder
Do not rename or move the A-18 main folder in another sub folder.
This could cause problems to the aircraft plugin due to a too long file path.
2. Administrator rights
Make sure that the main X-Plane folder is NOT located in a system path that needs administrator rights (like C:\Programs\).
The plugin could fail to start due to missing administrator rights.
3. Antivirus software
Assure that your antivirus software does not block the plugin, located in:
...\X-Plane 10\Aircraft\ A-18 4k v1.02 by Colimata\plugins\ A-18 plugins\64\” (32 for 32bit systems)
The software “lives” only inside X-Plane. No harm for your computer.
4. Microsoft libraries
or unknown reasons, some computers, even new ones, miss some Microsoft libraries. If you check the X-Plane LOG.txt file (in the main X-
Plane folder), and there's an “Error code = 126” near the A-18 plugin, then it is very likely that missing Microsoft libraries are the cause.
Many, also big office, CAD an other payware programs outside the X-Plane world need those libraries. It's good to have them on board.
Installation is done pretty quickly and represent no harm or heavy lifting for your computer.
The libraries are called “Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime libraries”. There are various versions of them. One series is called x86 for the old 32bit
systems and one series is called x64 for the 64bit systems (todays standard): v 2005, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015.
Normally only version 2012 is needed. Here's the link:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30679
There where however customers who needed to install the whole series from 2005 to 2015 to get it to run.
On the “issue solutions” thread, inside the x-plane.org forum, point 8 contains all the links to all the versions of the 64bit series.
Normally the aircraft runs “out of the box”. Should you nevertheless encounter a problem here's a list of possible causes. If there are
issues on the A-18 , they are mostly related to the so called “plugin”. This is a custom piece of software that powers the custom made HUD, the
Displays, some switches, the dynamic landing gear damping, etc.
ISSUE SOLUTIONS THREAD:
In the forum on x-plane.org I created an “issue solutions thread” that contains an updated list of issues and there solutions.
x-plane.org → Payware support → Designers → COLIMATA → A-18 Super Hornet
Here's the link: http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/forums/topic/95128-issue-solutions/

QUICK START
Page 8
Takeoff:
- When standing on the runway move throttle to full military thrust
- Check engine values are OK
- Release wheels brakes
- Ignite afterburners by moving the throttle fully forward
- ~130KIAS (depending on weight) pull the nose up gently
Climb:
- After takeoff raise gear and falps very quickly
- Lower thrust to full military (no afterburners)
- Maintain reasonable pitch, speed
- Turn slightly to leave space for the following aircraft
Flight / Maneuver:
- Start turns at 250-400KIAS (Knots indicated airspeed)
- Watch Angles of attack AoA, g's, and decreasing speed
- Ignite afterburners for short accelerations
- Keep an eye on the uel gauge frequently
- Gently with the stick on the beginnings
Weapon usage (armed version):
- Switch one DDI display to Radar
- Switch second DDI display to Weapons console (WPN)
- Set master ARM switch to ARM (left to the top left Display)
- Select a weapon on the WPN console by cycling through the
available weapons ← AA →
- Select a target on the Radar with the TGT arrows (check no
friendly fire – see chapter RADAR or weapons console)
- IRE (spacebar)
Landing:
- Lower the airspeed to 230KIAS a continue slowing down
- At ~160-180KIAS (weight dependent) lower LAPS setp by step
- Lower tailhook in case of carrier landing
- Correct landing speeds are weight dependent. You find them on
a chart in the folder “MANUALS” ~135KIAS with LPAS ULL
- Correct AoA between 7.4° and 8.8° see AoA indexer instrument

RENDERING SETUP
Page 9
Keep the rendering setup “Settings → Rendering Options“ on a reasonable level, that matches the computer hardware.
Be aware that the aircraft needs real time computing power in addition to X-Plane itself.
Lower the settings in case to maintain good fps.
Handy presets

JOYSTICK SETUP
Page 9
If you have a multibutton – multiaxes joystick/throttle, or even rudder pedals, those can be set under:
“Settings → Joystick and Equipment”
You can assign axes and commands to buttons, for example:
In the section: Buttons basic. irst hit the joystick button, then assign a command
Page 10

KNOW YOUR HORNET
Page 11
Leading edge flaps
Folding wings
Flaps
(Flaperons)
Vertical fin
Engines
2x GE F4 4-GE-400
Up to 11 weapon
stations plus gun
Gun
AESA RADAR
Active
Electronically
Scanned
Array
RADAR
Tailhook
Stabilator
(Stabilzer elevator)
Leading edge
(wing root)
extensions
High performance
Landing gear
rudder
Twin seat layout
Air to air refueling probe
L Pitot tube Airbrake doors
(LEX spoilers in
addition to
combined surfaces)
Aileron
also operates as flap
and as airbrake

Boeing Fighter Attacker - 8 F “Super Hornet – Rhino”
Multirole combat aircraft capable of all tasks of today's military air operations, like air to air intercept, air to ground attack,
reconnaissance etc. Capable to carry nearly all the different types of weapons in the arsenal on 11 weapon stations plus gun.
Optimized for naval carrier operations, radar cross section, range, endurance, reduced maintenance effort.
Extremely sophisticated electronic equipment for communications, autodefence and attack. Among others: Passive sensors for
RADAR and laser detection. Low emission, jamming resistant AESA RADAR, with nearly no mechanical parts, for long range
multi-target intercept while ground scanning at the same time.
Page 12
KNOW YOUR HORNET
Length: …...................60ft 2in ( 18,33m )
Wingspan:................. 42ft 10in ( 13,05m )
Height: …...................16ft ( 4,88m )
Empty weight:............ 32,800 lb ( 14.875kg )
Max. takeoff weight:... 66,000 lb ( 29.931kg )
Engines: 2x General Electric 414-GE-400
Dry thrust:.................. 14,290 lb ( 63 kN ) each
Thrust w. afterburner:. 22,000 lb ( 98 kN ) each
Internal fuel:............... 14,700 lb ( 6.660 kg)
Equipped with extendable air refueling probe
Top speed:................. Mach 1.8 at 40.000 ft
Combat radius:.......... 390 nm + in air refueling
Design load factor:..... +7.5g / -3.0g
11 hardpoints for weapon attachment A/A, A/G, pods, etc.
Unit cost ~60million US $

The 3D COCKPIT (shift-9)
U CD
Upfront control
display DDI
Digital Display
Indicator
Page 13
DDI
DDI
Digital Display
Digital Display
Indicator
Indicator
MPC
Multi Purpose
Color Display
Standby
instruments Tailhook
leaver
Gear
handle
Master
Master
ARM
ARM
uel gauge
Emergency ejection
handle
Right
Console
Left
Console
HUD settings
Standby
compass
Clock
Cabin
press.

Page 14
HEAD UP DISPLAY
To see projection / collimation effect, move forward or back in the cockpit
( Switch to 3D view with Shift+9, use arrow keys and . and , key ) Heading bar
Vertical speed indicator
(ft/min * 100)
Altitude in ft
Barometric setting in/hg
Pitch ladder
Nose/wing pitch
ILS localizer line
ILS glideslope line
Horizon line
Velocity vector
Actual flight direction of the aircraft
HUD line thickness
HUD contrast (color)
Toggle Baro/RADAR Altitude
HUD brightness
Reject/Hide HUD info
1. Bank scale
2. Pitch ladder
Bank scale with indicator
Angle of attack bracket
Angle of attack indexer
lap symbology
Gear/hook symbology
Speedbrakes symbology
G-meter
Mach indicator
Angle of attack indicator
Airspeed indicator in kts

The Head up Display is one of the most important instruments in the cockpit. During flight most of the
time the pilot get's vital data through this system.
That's why so much time and resources have been invested to recreate the reallife HUD effects.
The A-18 by COLIMATA has a ultra realistic projected, collimated, fucused to infinity 3D HUD.
Projected: The HUD is only visible from realistic angles, and moves realistically with the pilots head
positions (Use arrow keys for example).
Focused to infinity: The symbols stay on the same focused point, even if the pilot head moves.
Collimated: The size of the HUD stays the same relative to the pilots eye, no mater if he's near or far
the HUD. This effect becomes evident when you move nearer to the HUD (. and , key).
The effect is not visible when you only zoom with the mousewheel.
The HUD symbology is partially rejectable/hideable (pitch ladder, bank scale).
Line thickness, brightness, color can be adjusted dynamically.
Info about gear,flaps, tailhook, ILS, AoA (plus AoA bracket) and more is displayed directly in the HUD.
The indicated airspeed is in knots. Information about true airspeed and groundspeed is shown in the
center of the HSI indicator. Wind direction and speed is also shown there.
or correct altitude values it is necessary to insert the barometic setting on the U CD. or safety
reasons the current barometric setting is always displayed in the HUD below the altitude.
Caution: Be aware that the standby altimeter has it's own, independent barometric setting directly on
the instrument. If it's not set properly it could show wrong values!
To switch the altitude indicator to radar altitude use the appropriate switch (see previous page).
Keep also an eye on the AoA ( α ), Mach number ( M ) and g's ( G ).
Gear down, flaps down, hook down symbols are displayed below these values. Check them after
takeoff and before landing.
If you input a ILS frequency to the active NAV via the U CD panel, on landing gear down, the HUD
will show ILS glideslope, localizer bars and the AoA bracket. Keep them centered on the velocity
vector symbol, not on the nose/wing symbol.
You find the correct landing speeds on a chart in the “MANUALS” folder.
HEAD UP DISPLAY
Page 16

DIGITAL DISPLAY INDICATOR
DDI (main menu)
Brightness
Weapons indicator
Horizontal situation
indicator - circle format
Interaction buttons
light data indicator
RADAR indicator
Engines indicator
uel indicator
Attitude direction indicator
(artificial horizon)
Contrast color
Page 17

The main menu:
Is displayed on request on the left or right DDI or on the MPCD. Via this menu it is possible to
access many different indicators. By clicking the “menu” button, while one of those indicators is
displayed (at the lower side of a display), the active Indicator is turned off and the main menu
becomes available again.
This way different indicator layouts can be chosen and changed easily, depending on the situation.
Brightness and contrast:
urthermore it is possible to change the brightness of every Display with the brightness knob. When
you hover with the mouse over this knob a “+/-” symbol appears. You need to hold the left mouse
button and drag the mouse left or right to change the brightness.
The contrast (color) can be changed with the appropriate buttons. They work like usual click buttons.
Touch and non-touch displays:
Neither DDI nor MPCD are touch displays. Interaction with these displays must occur via the buttons
around the screens. The U CD is touch sensitive however.
A completely touch sensitive displays cockpit has been implemented on a proposed future version of
the A-18, the so called “silent Hornet”.
DIGITAL DISPLAY INDICATOR
Page 18

Attitude direction indicator
(artificial horizon)
Altitude in ft
Vertical speed indicator
( ft/min )
Current heading
Airspeed indicator in kts
Barometric setting in/hg
Pitch ladder
Nose/wing pitch
Return to main menu
Airspeed indicator in kts
Horizon line
Bank scale
Turn indicator
Page 19

DDI- Engine indicator
RIGHT engine
LE T engine
Left air intake temperature
Low pressure compressor rpm
High pressure compressor rpm
Exhaust gas temperature
Nozzle position (turkey fedders)
uel pump on/off
lue flow in pounds/h
uel pressure in psi
Oil pressure in psi
Oil temperature in °C
Interstage turbine temp. °C
Engine pressure ratio
ull autonomy digital
engine control system
Thrust in kN
Afterburner ratio 0-100%
Return to main menu
Page 20