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.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6134383561.jpg

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)

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3739323866.jpg


Lock the tailwheel.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3132636132.jpg

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)


http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6431323362.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3939356261.jpg

Got clearance (if someone is still standing in front of you, you won't get clearance)
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3435306136.jpg


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.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6139363931.jpg


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;)).

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3931633761.jpg



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

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6465326631.jpg



http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6363666363.jpg

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.

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

HunterICX

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.:D

*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.;)

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6462373466.jpg


http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6266646238.jpg

Nicely done. :up:

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. :yep:

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

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. :yep:

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

Still ranting about the Stuka? :p

It's much, much worse

http://www.aeroplaneart.com.au/Image...Fiat_CR_42.jpg

Anyway, nice guide, Schroeder

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

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

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.

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. :lol:

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.

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

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.