Noob guide: Taking off with locked cockpits

Schroeder · 08-20-08, 06:20 AM

Hi everybody.
Since some of us have a problem with taking off while the cockpit locked setting is in place I thought I make a noob's guide how to take off easily.

First of all zoom out as much as possible.

You can see the edges of the runway nicely through your side windows.

(I marked them red in this picture, compare to the picture above)

Lock the tailwheel.

If you are not sure whether someone is in front of you, ask the tower for permission to take off.
Tab -> 8 (Ground control) -> 5 (Request Take Off Clearance)

Got clearance (if someone is still standing in front of you, you won't get clearance)

While taking off always scan the edges of the runway through your sidewindows. You should have no problem seeing them and with the tailwheel locked you will only need slight right rudder to stay in the middle of it while your tail is still on the ground.

After take off unlock your tailwheel again (or you'll be in for some nasty surprise on landing if you haven't lined up with the runway perfectly

).

When you are on the ground again, move your plane in S-patterns so you can see what is in front of you.

This requires you to go slowly. Not more than 20-30 km/h (~15-20 m.p.h)

When you have more confidence in taking off and landing with locked cockpits you can also use a different method on take off.

Just turn your plane slightly to the right (left works too, but on take off the plane will automatically turn you left so it's easier to line it up with the runway again [works of course only with planes that have propellers spinning to the right, with left turning propellers turn to the left.]). After you have turned a few degrees you will be able to see what is in front of you. This approach requires an unlocked tailwheel of course.

Hope this helped you a little.

HunterICX · 08-20-08, 06:26 AM

*NOTE: the edges of the runway may be dificult to spot in case you're taking off from a DESERT airbase''

HunterICX

Schroeder · 08-20-08, 06:36 AM

It's pretty much the same.
Give me the name of that bloody map (it's not desert online...) and I'll make some screenshots. The technique you use is absolutely the same.

*EDIT*
The map is called onlineMT.

Yes, it is a bit harder to see, but I think anyone who is not blind (or has horrible graphics settings) should be able to see it.

Dowly · 08-20-08, 09:16 AM

Nicely done.

Tho, I dont agree with the unlocked tailwheel landing. I have my TW locked ALWAYS and to be honest, I prefer it that way. Much easier to land.

Schroeder · 08-20-08, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

Nicely done.

Tho, I dont agree with the unlocked tailwheel landing. I have my TW locked ALWAYS and to be honest, I prefer it that way. Much easier to land.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMARTASS

After take off unlock your tailwheel again (or you'll be in for some nasty surprise on landing if you haven't lined up with the runway perfectly).

If you line up with the runway as you should the locked tailwheel is no problem (and was even a standard procedure by some airforces), but if you aren't that well at landings yet you surely want to be able to steer you aircraft during slowing down.:p

Dowly · 08-20-08, 10:49 AM

Yeh, true that.... but one has to be a very crappy lander if he cant turn the plane while the tail is still in the air. :p

But, anyway, I think it all comes to the personal preference category.

Raptor1 · 08-20-08, 11:15 AM

Well, good thing I'm flying planes that will never get as far as landing anyway

Dowly · 08-20-08, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor1

Well, good thing I'm flying planes that will never get as far as landing anyway

Still ranting about the Stuka? :p

Raptor1 · 08-20-08, 11:23 AM

It's much, much worse

Anyway, nice guide, Schroeder

Dowly · 08-20-08, 11:25 AM

Wait, did you reset the WHOLE campaign!? As starting from Poland again?!

Raptor1 · 08-20-08, 11:27 AM

No, I'm just flying for the great and mighty Italian Air Force from now on

Suicide Charlie · 08-20-08, 07:05 PM

Also, remember that some aircraft have the ability to change your seat position. Although, I believe most of these were in the Pacific Fighters category, kind of like the Open Canopy feature.

Fincuan · 08-21-08, 12:35 AM

The way Schröder described it is basically how I take off. Now that I've had some practice with the pedals it usually works without hurting my aircraft, Schultz or bystanders.

A couple of things I do differently:

I never lock the tail wheel, neither on landing or takeoff. This habit probably probably came from flying tricycle geared planes like the P-38 and P-39, and stuck so that I completely forgot you can even lock the wheel.
In taildraggers: To stabilize the plane a little I pull the stick completely back before pushing the throttle forwards. When the speed approaches 80 km/h(in 109s) I slowly release it so that the tail gently rises off the ground.
Trimming. Not much to do in a 109, but important in planes made in the US of A. In a 109 a bit of nose up trim coupled with lightly stepping on the right pedal does the job. The correct amount is a matter of experience. If you get the trim right for example the Mustang will takeoff and climb to combat alt with barely any input from the player.

Suicide Charlie · 08-21-08, 01:26 AM

Trim is one thing that I've never really messed with. More out of inexperience than anything else.

Fincuan · 08-21-08, 02:49 AM

Trim really helps your life. I've nosed over and tipped backwards(in a plane with tricycle gear) a couple of times when I've forgot the elevator trim to a wrong position(it's on a wheel in the throttle).

One more thing: Never use more than combat flaps when taking off from solid ground. In a Mustang you shouldn't use any flaps at all, just take off. Carriers are different, since you need full flaps with some planes.

08-20-08, 06:20 AM	#1
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Noob guide: Taking off with locked cockpits Hi everybody. Since some of us have a problem with taking off while the cockpit locked setting is in place I thought I make a noob's guide how to take off easily. First of all zoom out as much as possible. You can see the edges of the runway nicely through your side windows. (I marked them red in this picture, compare to the picture above) Lock the tailwheel. If you are not sure whether someone is in front of you, ask the tower for permission to take off. Tab -> 8 (Ground control) -> 5 (Request Take Off Clearance) Got clearance (if someone is still standing in front of you, you won't get clearance) While taking off always scan the edges of the runway through your sidewindows. You should have no problem seeing them and with the tailwheel locked you will only need slight right rudder to stay in the middle of it while your tail is still on the ground. After take off unlock your tailwheel again (or you'll be in for some nasty surprise on landing if you haven't lined up with the runway perfectly). When you are on the ground again, move your plane in S-patterns so you can see what is in front of you. This requires you to go slowly. Not more than 20-30 km/h (~15-20 m.p.h) When you have more confidence in taking off and landing with locked cockpits you can also use a different method on take off. Just turn your plane slightly to the right (left works too, but on take off the plane will automatically turn you left so it's easier to line it up with the runway again [works of course only with planes that have propellers spinning to the right, with left turning propellers turn to the left.]). After you have turned a few degrees you will be able to see what is in front of you. This approach requires an unlocked tailwheel of course. Hope this helped you a little.

08-20-08, 06:26 AM	#2
HunterICX Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2006 Location: Malaga, España Posts: 10,750 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	*NOTE: the edges of the runway may be dificult to spot in case you're taking off from a DESERT airbase'' HunterICX __________________

08-20-08, 06:36 AM	#3
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	It's pretty much the same. Give me the name of that bloody map (it's not desert online...) and I'll make some screenshots. The technique you use is absolutely the same. EDIT The map is called onlineMT. Yes, it is a bit harder to see, but I think anyone who is not blind (or has horrible graphics settings) should be able to see it. Last edited by Schroeder; 08-20-08 at 06:48 AM.

08-20-08, 11:15 AM	#7
Raptor1 Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Stavka Posts: 8,211 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Well, good thing I'm flying planes that will never get as far as landing anyway __________________ Current Eastern Front status: Probable Victory

08-20-08, 11:23 AM	#9
Raptor1 Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Stavka Posts: 8,211 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	It's much, much worse Anyway, nice guide, Schroeder __________________ Current Eastern Front status: Probable Victory

08-20-08, 09:16 AM	#4
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Nicely done. Tho, I dont agree with the unlocked tailwheel landing. I have my TW locked ALWAYS and to be honest, I prefer it that way. Much easier to land.

08-20-08, 10:49 AM	#6
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Yeh, true that.... but one has to be a very crappy lander if he cant turn the plane while the tail is still in the air. :p But, anyway, I think it all comes to the personal preference category.

08-20-08, 11:25 AM	#10
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Wait, did you reset the WHOLE campaign!? As starting from Poland again?!

08-20-08, 11:27 AM	#11
Raptor1 Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Stavka Posts: 8,211 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	No, I'm just flying for the great and mighty Italian Air Force from now on __________________ Current Eastern Front status: Probable Victory

08-20-08, 07:05 PM	#12
Suicide Charlie Wild Night in Bangkok Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 179 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Also, remember that some aircraft have the ability to change your seat position. Although, I believe most of these were in the Pacific Fighters category, kind of like the Open Canopy feature. __________________

08-21-08, 12:35 AM	#13
Fincuan Admiral Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Suomi, sauna, puukko, perkele Posts: 2,346 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	The way Schröder described it is basically how I take off. Now that I've had some practice with the pedals it usually works without hurting my aircraft, Schultz or bystanders. A couple of things I do differently: I never lock the tail wheel, neither on landing or takeoff. This habit probably probably came from flying tricycle geared planes like the P-38 and P-39, and stuck so that I completely forgot you can even lock the wheel. In taildraggers: To stabilize the plane a little I pull the stick completely back before pushing the throttle forwards. When the speed approaches 80 km/h(in 109s) I slowly release it so that the tail gently rises off the ground. Trimming. Not much to do in a 109, but important in planes made in the US of A. In a 109 a bit of nose up trim coupled with lightly stepping on the right pedal does the job. The correct amount is a matter of experience. If you get the trim right for example the Mustang will takeoff and climb to combat alt with barely any input from the player.

08-21-08, 01:26 AM	#14
Suicide Charlie Wild Night in Bangkok Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 179 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Trim is one thing that I've never really messed with. More out of inexperience than anything else. __________________

08-21-08, 02:49 AM	#15
Fincuan Admiral Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Suomi, sauna, puukko, perkele Posts: 2,346 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Trim really helps your life. I've nosed over and tipped backwards(in a plane with tricycle gear) a couple of times when I've forgot the elevator trim to a wrong position(it's on a wheel in the throttle). One more thing: Never use more than combat flaps when taking off from solid ground. In a Mustang you shouldn't use any flaps at all, just take off. Carriers are different, since you need full flaps with some planes.