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McDonnell Douglas A-4E Skyhawk Manual

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DCS: Community A-4E-C
By Ali

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Summary of Contents for McDonnell Douglas A-4E Skyhawk

  • Page 1 DCS: Community A-4E-C By Ali...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Contents Introduction COntrols Cockpit + Gauges Startup Takeoff Landing Sensors Weapons + armament Countermeasures Autopilot Navigation Thanks and other resources...
  • Page 3 McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company, Aircraft Division, Long Beach, California. It is powered by a P&W J52-P-6A gas turbine...
  • Page 4 Control Setup To see this menu select this option To assign axis, click on axis assign.
  • Page 5 Control Setup To map flaps, use these two assignments. They will As this is a basic jet aircraft, I increase/decrease flap angle while held. They have no have a minimum of control default binding. assignments, however, there are a few oddities noted here. I have mapped: Zoom [num*, num/] Speedbrake [LShift + B]...
  • Page 9 Approach Power Compensator Angle-Of-Attack Indexer Wheels (and Flaps) Speed Warning Low Altitude Bombing System Low Altitude Warning System Obstacle Warning Identify-Friend-Foe System Low Oil Warning Fire Warning Radar Altitude Low Limit Warning CP-741/A computer display lights Fuel Boost, Control Hydraulics, Utility Hydraulics, Fuel Transport, Speedbrake and Spoiler warning...
  • Page 16 Startup Procedure Contact Ground Crew - Ground Power On ( \ > F8 >F2 > F1) Press Start Button When Throttle RPM reaches 5%, move throttle to start (right click) When throttle RPM reaches 15%, move throttle to idle (right click again) When Throttle RPM reaches 40%, turn off ground power ( \ >...
  • Page 17 Startup Procedure 3, 4 Contact Ground Crew - Ground Power On ( \ > F8 >F2 > F1) Press Start Button When Throttle RPM reaches 5%, move throttle to start (right click) When throttle RPM reaches 15%, move throttle to idle (right click again) When Throttle RPM reaches 40%, turn off...
  • Page 18 Nav Setup Procedure : AN/ASN - 41 Set AN/ANS-41 DNS waypoint selector to STBY and wait 5 mins Set magnetic var (6°E for Caucuses, 12°E for NTTR, 8°E for Normandy, 1.6° E for Persian Gulf) To save waypoints: Set waypoint selector to D2 (present position will be set, and set as D1 and D2 when dial moved off STBY) Set waypoint coordinates via dials...
  • Page 19 Nav Setup Procedure : AN/APN-153 2, 5 2, 6 Set AN/APN-153 Doppler Radar Set to TEST and wait 5 min. (DO NOT DO before power on) 1, 3, 4 After warm up time memory light should extinguish and groundspeed dial should read 121 ± 5 kts, drift angle should read 0 ±...
  • Page 20 Radar Setup Procedure : AN/APG-53A Mode Selector Switch to STBY and allow 3 mins for warm up Mode Selector Switch to SRCH Turn Gain Control Knob Clockwise until targets appear 1, 2 Position Range Switch to SHORT - Confirm flag indicates 20 miles Mode Selector Switch to T/C - Confirm flag indicates 10 miles, tilt control should zero.
  • Page 21 Radar Setup Procedure : AN/APG-53A Mode Selector Switch to STBY and allow 3 mins for warm up Mode Selector Switch to SRCH Turn Gain Control Knob Clockwise until targets appear Position Range Switch to SHORT - Confirm flag indicates 20 miles Mode Selector Switch to T/C - Confirm flag indicates 10 miles, tilt control should zero.
  • Page 22 Radar Setup Procedure : AN/APG-53A Mode Selector Switch to STBY and allow 3 mins for warm up Mode Selector Switch to SRCH Turn Gain Control Knob Clockwise until targets appear Position Range Switch to SHORT - Confirm flag indicates 20 miles Mode Selector Switch to T/C - Confirm flag indicates 10 miles, tilt control should zero.
  • Page 23 Radar Setup Procedure : AN/APG-53A Mode Selector Switch to STBY and allow 3 mins for warm up Mode Selector Switch to SRCH Turn Gain Control Knob Clockwise until targets appear Position Range Switch to SHORT - Confirm flag indicates 20 miles Mode Selector Switch to T/C - Confirm flag indicates 10 miles, tilt control should zero.
  • Page 24 Radar Setup Procedure : AN/APG-53A Mode Selector Switch to STBY and allow 3 mins for warm up Mode Selector Switch to SRCH Turn Gain Control Knob Clockwise until targets appear Position Range Switch to SHORT - Confirm flag indicates 20 miles Mode Selector Switch to T/C - Confirm flag indicates 10 miles, tilt control should zero.
  • Page 25 Takeoff Checklist Trim : ± - Aileron: Stick Centered Tab Faired 1/5in - Rudder: 0 degrees - Elevator (field) 8 Degrees Up Harness Canopy Flaps - Set at ½ Speedbrakes - Closed Armament - All Switches off. Emergency selector switch appropriate setting Spoilers - As desired (If ARMED, closed - power above 70%)

  • Page 26: Takeoff

    Takeoff Complete Checklist As engine accelerates through 90%, release brakes to avoid skidding tyres. Ensure acceleration is within acceptable limits and engine accelerates smoothly Lift nose-wheel at 123 KIAS Takeoff at 133 KIAS Gear up at 40ft Flaps up at 170 KIAS at safe altitude Once climb speed reached switch spoilers off.
  • Page 27 Landing Checklist Armament - All switches off. Emergency selector switch appropriate setting Spoilers - Off Harness Hook Up (field landing) Wheels - Down Flaps - Full Brakes - Pump before landing, gentle pressure upon landing to avoid skid.

  • Page 28: Landing

    Landing After break - Extend speedbrakes and retard throttle to 70% (speedbrakes will remain extended throughout approach and landing) As aircraft decelerates to 225 KIAS or lower, lower landing gear and extend flaps full As aircraft decelerates to 170 KIAS or lower, adjust power to maintain desired airspeed.
  • Page 29 Upon Landing Power to IDLE Flaps as required by conditions Apply full forward stick as necessary to maintain wings level Apply rudder as necessary to maintain control Use brakes as necessary As rudder becomes ineffective, used brakes for directional control For minimum distance landing: Maintain optimal AOA during approach Upon touchdown let nose fall through and...
  • Page 30 Carrier Landing Minimum Straight in of 3 miles on starboard side, parallel to Base Recovery Course at 800 ft and 250 KIAS. Break should occur past bow Speedbrakes out at break (may not be desirable at heavy weights) At 225 KIAS or lower, landing gear down and flaps full Descend do 600 ft after break Complete landing checklist and maintain...
  • Page 31 AN/APN-141 Radar Altimeter Low Limit Indexer The AN/APN-141 radar altimeter employs the pulse radar technique to furnish accurate instantaneous altitude information to the pilot from 0 to 5000 feet terrain clearance. Control Aircraft height is determined by measuring the Knob elapsed transit time of a radar pulse, which is converted directly to altitude in feet and displayed on the cockpit indicator.
  • Page 32 AN/APN-141 Radar Altimeter An OFF flag on the indicator face appears when signal strength becomes inadequate to provide reliable altitude information, when power to the system is lost, or when the system is turned OFF. At altitudes above 5000 feet terrain clearance, the OFF flag will appear and the pointer will move behind the masked portion of the indicator dial.
  • Page 33 Low Altitude Warning System The low altitude warning system is used to warn the pilot of impending danger due to low altitude. The warning system consists of two warning lights and an aural warning tone heard in the pilot's headset that operates in conjunction with the AN/APN-141 radar altimeter.
  • Page 34 AN/APG-53A Radar System The ANI APG- 53A radar system provides the pilot with search or mapping capabilities for navigational purposes, two modes of terrain clearance for obstacle avoidance in either the azimuth or elevation plane, and air-to-ground slant range for weapons delivery.
  • Page 35 AN/APG-53A Radar System The search mode presentation displays range versus azimuth. Either 0- to 20-mile range or 0- to 40-mile range in nautical miles may be selected. The range in use is shown by a flag-type marker in the plan-view aircraft at the bottom of the scope. The indicator face is divided by horizontal lines, each representing one-fifth of the total range.
  • Page 36 AN/APG-53A Radar System TERRAIN CLEARANCE - PLAN MODE With the profile-plan switch in the PLAN position, the rotary mode selector switch in the TiC position, and the angle-of-attack switch ON, the indicator (scope) provides a B-scope (range-versus-azimuth) presentation of obstacles in the projected flight path of the aircraft.
  • Page 37 AN/APG-53A Radar System TERRAIN CLEARANCE - PLAN MODE The pilot may examine terrain above or below the flight path (or ADL) by manually adjusting the tilt control to the desired setting (from plus 10 degrees to minus 15 degrees). However, the tilt control knob is spring loaded in the TiC modes and will return to zero when released.
  • Page 38 Terrain Clearance - Plan Mode...
  • Page 39 AN/APG-53A Radar System TERRAIN CLEARANCE - PROFILE MODE With the presentation switch at PROFILE, the indicator (scope) provides an E-scope (range versus antenna depression angle) display of the terrain profile ahead of the aircraft. The radar beam automatically locks in azimuth and sweeps in elevation from plus 10 degrees to minus 15 degrees using a beam width of 5 degrees and a vertical beam width effectively reduced to 1 degree...
  • Page 40 AN/APG-53A Radar System TERRAIN CLEARANCE - PROFILE MODE The LONG-SHORT range switch provides either 20- or 10-mile ranges for sufficient detail under various conditions. Vertical marks on the horizontal zero-degree elevation line divide the display into 2- or 4-mile segments according to the range in use. A flag-type marker in the aircraft silhouette at the left of the scope shows which range is in use.
  • Page 41 AN/APG-53A Radar System TERRAIN CLEARANCE - PROFILE MODE An irregular line display is the radar return. Assuming level terrain and by flying so that the radar return presentation is parallel to the 1000-foot marker, it is possible to fly at a constant altitude above level terrain.
  • Page 42 AN/APG-53A Radar System TERRAIN CLEARANCE - PROFILE MODE The PROFILE display also provides an aid to letdown under conditions of reduced visibility. The letdown is accomplished simply by descending at the desired schedule until the radar return intersects the 1000- foot terrain clearance scribe line at a range of 5 miles when operating on LONG range.
  • Page 43 Terrain Clearance - Profile Mode...
  • Page 44 AN/APG-53A Radar System AIR-TO-GROUND MODE With the mode selector switch in the A/ G position, the indicator (scope) shows the distance to the ground dead ahead. The antenna is automatically fixed in the azimuth zero position and is parallel to the armament datum line in the elevation coordinate.
  • Page 45 AN/APG-53A Radar System AIR-TO-GROUND MODE When ground lock-on occurs the line will stop cycling and, as the slant range decreases, the bar will move downward. The solid horizontal bar gives the pilot the approximate slant range in yards. The total maximum range in A/G mode is 15,000 yards (approximately 7 1/2 nautical miles.
  • Page 46 Approach Power Compensator The APC controls the fuel control and is designed to maintain the optimum angle of attack of 17.5 units resulting in an optimum approach speed on the glide slope and during normal maneuvers in the landing pattern at any landing gross weight. The APC is designed to command throttle position between an approximate 70 percent rpm and an approximate military rated thrust (MTR) in response...
  • Page 47 Approach Power Compensator When the APC is in operation (power switch - ENGAGE), the system will disengage if any of the following occurs: 1. Throttle friction is applied. 2. Throttle pOSition is below 70 percent (approximate) rpm. 3. Weight is applied to the main landing gear. NOTE It is possible to manually hold the APC engaged and override features 1, 2, and 3.
  • Page 48 Approach Power Compensator APC POWER SWITCH The APC power switch, labeled OFF, STBY, and ENGAGE, controls electrical power to the APC system. When the switch is in the OFF position, the APC is de-energized. Placing the switch in STBY position energizes the APC but does not engage the system.
  • Page 49 Approach Power Compensator APC STATUS LIGHT APC system status is indicated to the pilot by the APC status light attached to the AOA indexer above the instrument glareshield. The light comes on when the system is in STBY and goes off when the APC is engaged. The light comes on when the system is disengaged and/or is returned to STBY.
  • Page 50 Approach Power Compensator Procedure Normal Procedures for Landing: Complete Landing Checklist Throttle Friction - OFF Air Temperature Switch - SET APC Power Switch - STBY (Observe APC Light ON) APC Power Switch - ENGAGE (Observe APC Light OFF) Throttle - Observe movement Angle-Of-Attack/Airspeed - Cross-Check After Landing: Throttle - Position as required...
  • Page 51 Approach Power Compensator Technique The technique required for an APC approach differs from a manual approach in that all glideslope corrections are made by changing aircraft attitude. Since this technique violates the basic rule that altitude is primarily controlled by the throttle, practice is required to develop the proper control habits and coordination necessary to use APC.

  • Page 52: Weapons + Armament

    Weapons and Armament The A-4E is a versatile jet, capable of supporting a wide array of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions across five hard points, including bombs, rockets, missiles and gun-pods It played a key role in conflicts around the world, including the Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War and the Falklands War, as well as serving as a training aircraft for the F-14 and an adversarial...
  • Page 53 Guns The A-4E has twin 20mm cannons built in and has the option of employing up to 3 MK4 HIPEG 20mm gunpods.
  • Page 54 20mm Onboard Cannon Master Arm to ON Set GUNS switch to READY Set gunsight range using dial to side of sight Pull trigger to fire...
  • Page 55 Mk 4 HIPEG 20mm Cannon Pods Master Arm to ON Set GUNS switch to Safe (So internal don’t fire as well) Select pod pylon (Left, Center or Right) Set Pods to Charge Set gunsight range using dial to side of sight Pull trigger to fire...
  • Page 56 Introduction Due to the sheer amount of munitions available for the A-4E-C I will be breaking them down by type. BOMBS WEAPON TYPE WEAPON TYPE AN-M30A1 100lb. General Purpose Mk-77 Mod 0 750lb. Fire bomb AN-M57A1 250lb. General Purpose Mk-77 Mod 1 750lb.
  • Page 57 Bombs The A-4E carries it’s weapons on 5 pylons and has a number of deployment methods, which I will cover here. It is able to release bombs in single, pairs or as a salvo, in step or ripple mode. That is, it can release bombs individually, as a pair, or in a salvo of any number from 1 to a theoretical maximum of 400.
  • Page 58 Bombs - Step Release Master Arm to ON Select hardpoint with desired bombs (2 and 4 in this case) Set desired fusing (Nose & Tail in this case) Weapon selector dial to Bombs & GM Arm Select delivery number (in this case step pairs) Pickle when on target (weapon release)
  • Page 59 Bombs - Ripple Release Master Arm to ON Select hardpoint with desired bombs (2 and 4 in this case) Set desired fusing (Nose & Tail in this case) Weapon selector dial to Bombs & GM Arm Select delivery type (in this case ripple pairs) Set Desired Interval Hold Pickle for duration of weapon drops...
  • Page 60 Bombs - Salvo Release Master Arm to ON Select hardpoint with desired bombs (2 and 4 in this case) Set desired fusing (Nose & Tail in this case) Weapon selector dial to Bombs & GM Arm Select release type - salvo ripple Select salvo number Set Desired Interval Hold Pickle for duration of weapon drops...
  • Page 61 Bombs - Depression Tables Up until now I have been unable to find depression tables for all the bombs employed by the A-4E, however, it seems that a lot of the munitions behave very similarly to the Mk 82 Low Drag Bombs - For which I do have depression tables, I will include some indicative values below.
  • Page 62 Bombs - Depression Tables Up until now I have been unable to find depression tables for all the bombs employed by the A-4E, however, it seems that a lot of the munitions behave very similarly to the MK82 Low Drag Bombs - For which I do have depression tables, I will include some indicative values below.
  • Page 65 Bombs - Depression Tables The same tables for the Mk82 SE now follow...
  • Page 68 Cluster Munitions WEAPON TYPE CBU-1/A Anti personnel cluster munition CBU-2/A Anti materiel cluster munition CBU-2B/A Anti materiel cluster munition...
  • Page 69 Cluster Munitions - Salvo Release Master Arm to ON Select hardpoint with desired bombs (2 and 4 in this case) Weapon selector dial to Bombs & GM Arm Select release type - salvo ripple Select salvo number Set Desired Interval Hold Pickle for duration of weapon drops To set more per salvo, use the x10 switch...
  • Page 70 Rockets WEAPON TYPE LAU-10 - 4* Zuni MK71 5in High Explosive (?) LAU-3 - 19 * FFAR M156 2.75in White Phosphorus LAU-3 - 19 * FFAR Mk1 2.75in High Explosive LAU-3 - 19 * FFAR Mk5 2.75in High Explosive Anti Tank LAU-68 - 7 * 2.75in Rockets 2.75in Parachute Illumination M257...
  • Page 71 Rockets - Pairs Release Master Arm to ON Select hardpoint with desired rockets (3 in this case) Weapon selector dial to ROCKETS Select release type - step pairs Pull trigger when ready Note: Be sure to set GUNS to SAFE to prevent firing both rockets and guns simultaneously Note: Single/Pairs/Ripple/Salvo operate the same as with bombs.
  • Page 72 Rockets - Depression Tables The depression tables for the 2.75’ FFAR Rockets follow...
  • Page 76 Air-to-Air Munitions WEAPON TYPE AIM-9p5 Short-range, all-aspect annular blast-frag missile GAR-8 Early model AIM-9 with USAF Nomenclature...
  • Page 77 AA Missiles Master Arm to ON Select hardpoint with desired missile(2 and 4 are available) Weapon selector dial to BOMBS & GM Select release type (In this case single) Pull trigger when tone changes to high pitch Note: Be sure to set GUNS to SAFE to prevent firing both missile and guns simultaneously Note: Single/Pairs operate the same as with bombs.
  • Page 78 Air-to-Ground Missile WEAPON TYPE AGM-45A “Shrike” Anti-Radiation Missile...
  • Page 79 AA Missiles Master Arm to ON Select hardpoint with desired missile(1 and 5 are available) Weapon selector dial to BOMBS & GM Select release type (In this case single) Pull trigger to launch Note: Be sure to set GUNS to SAFE to prevent firing both missile and guns simultaneously Note: Single/Pairs operate the same as with bombs.

  • Page 80: Countermeasures

    Countermeasures The A-4E-C comes equipped with an AN/ALE Chaff Dispenser loaded with two banks of countermeasures loaded with 30 chaff(flares?) as standard, located fore and aft.
  • Page 81 Countermeasures To arm countermeasures: Turn power on to unit Press countermeasaure release to dispense...
  • Page 82 Autopilot - Systems The A-4E-C has several autopilot measures available to the pilot, these are contained within the AFCS - the Automatic Flight Control System.
  • Page 83 Autopilot - Systems Standby Switch Movement of the standby switch to STANDBY provides electrical power to the AFCS for warmup and automatic control synchronization to prevent engage transients. This switch should be in STANDBY at least 30 seconds prior to engaging the stability augmentation switch or the AFCS main engage switch.
  • Page 84 Engage Autopilot - Systems Switch Movement of the engage switch to the ENGAGE position turns on the AFCS in one of two modes; attitude hold or heading hold, depending on flight attitude. In addition, the pilot can further select anyone of three modes: control stick steering, altitude hold, and/or heading hold.
  • Page 85 Autopilot - Systems Engage Switch When this switch is placed in the OFF position both the heading select switch and the altitude switch return to the OFF position. An abrupt lateral stick force of 40 pounds causes the aileron servo to bypass, which effectively disengages the AFCS lateral controls.
  • Page 86 SET Knob Autopilot - Systems Heading Select Switch HEADING SELECT SWITCH Movement of the heading select switch to the HDG SEL position starts the aircraft turning by the shortest route toward the heading selected on the heading select indicator by use of the SET knob. The heading select switch may be placed in the OFF position at any time.
  • Page 87 Autopilot - Systems SET Knob If the SET knob is used to change the heading on the indicator while the switch is in the HDG SEL position, the following can occur: If the aircraft is in level flight, sudden SET knob movement will result in abrupt aircraft lateral movement.
  • Page 88 Autopilot - Systems ALTITUDE SWITCH Movement of the altitude switch to the ALT position causes the aircraft to maintain the barometric altitude at actuation. If the mode is engaged in a climb or dive, the Altitude Switch aircraft will return to the barometric altitude existing at the time of altitude switch engagement.
  • Page 89 Aileron Trim Norm-Emergency Switch Autopilot - Systems STABILITY AUGMENTATION SWITCH Yaw damping action is provided when the engage switch is in the ENGAGE position or the stability augmentation switch is in the STAB AUG position. AILERON TRIM NORM-EMERGENCY SWITCH The aileron trim switch has two positions NORM Stability Augmentation and EMER.
  • Page 90 Autopilot - Modes of Operation Modes of operation: CONTROL STICK STEERING (CSS) MODE The CSS mode provides for longitudinal and lateral control of the aircraft through the AFCS by pilot movement of the stick as in normal flight. This mode is engaged regardless of other modes selected or in operation by applying a force on the control stick grip of 2 pounds or more.
  • Page 91 Autopilot - Modes of Operation The aircraft is controllable in all attitudes in CSS throughout the AFCS flight envelope, which is 4±1/2 positive-g, 1-1/2±1/2 negative-g, and one-half aileron deflection left or right. If these limits are exceeded, the AFCS disengages. The AFCS will not switch out of CSS at bank angles exceeding 70 degrees or pitch angles exceeding 60 degrees nose-up or nose-down...
  • Page 92 Autopilot - Modes of Operation ATTITUDE HOLD MODE With an aircraft bank angle between 5 degrees and 70 degrees and a pitch angle less than 60 degrees nose-up or nose-down, the aircraft lateral and longitudinal attitude at time of engagement of the AFCS or reversion from the CSS mode will be maintained.

  • Page 93: Autopilot

    Autopilot PRESELECT HEADING MODE Upon engagement of this mode after the heading has been preselected on the indicator, the aircraft will roll into a smooth turn to the preselected heading and then roll out on this heading. The turn will always be in the direction of the shortest route to the preselected heading.
  • Page 94 Autopilot - Modes of Operation STABILITY AUGMENTATION MODE The stability augmentation mode provides rudder yaw damping action which is that of pilot movement of the rudder pedals. The mode can be selected at any time without other AFCS functions. It is also in operation automatically during all other AFCS functions.
  • Page 95 Autopilot - Modes of Operation ALTITUDE HOLD MODE The altitude hold mode may be engaged when the rate-of-change of altitude is less than 4000±500 feet per minute. The aircraft will maintain the altitude at engagement. The aircraft automatically will pull out of its climb or dive and return to and maintain the .
  • Page 96 Nav Setup Procedure : AN/ASN - 41 Set AN/ANS-41 DNS waypoint selector to STBY and wait 5 mins Set magnetic var (6°E for Caucuses, 12°E for NTTR, 8°E for Normandy, 1.6° E for Persian Gulf) To save waypoints: Set waypoint selector to D2 (present position will be set, and set as D1 and D2 when dial moved off STBY) Set waypoint coordinates via dials...
  • Page 97 BDHI Distance Indicator BDHI Heading Navigation : AN/ASN - 41 Once waypoints are set in the AN/ASN-41 system, the Bearing-Distance-Heading Indicator (BDHI) can be set to NAV CMPTR (Navigation Computer) and the distance and bearing to the selected heading can be seen BDHI Switch on the BDHI and manually switched between.
  • Page 98 Power Volume Switch control Navigation : TACAN Channel Selector To tune to a TACAN station: Set power switch to REC After 3 mins switch power to T/R for ground use or A/A for air-to-air use. Set channel on channel selector Use volume control to confirm TACAN is tuned to active station Set Bearing-Distance-Heading...
  • Page 99 Thanks to the A-4E-C team for creating one of the best mods I’ve ever seen: ● Gospadin (In Memoriam) ● Gyrovague ● Plusnine ● Kryb ● Merker ● Jones ● Farlander ● Dr. Manius Thanks to Chuck for his amazing guides and okaying my blatant rip-off.
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