Various + Military Specific Questions

[CliffB]

I just found this place a few days ago and have been lurking ever since. I don't know what irritates me more--the fact that I've only come across PE now or the fact that my gaming rig took a dump not long ago. Anyway, a quick intro: I live in NorCal (just outside Redding). My RL flying experience is limited to soloing in a glider in my teens. I mostly do high fidelity combat simming (BMS/DCS) but have ached to get more than just taking off, blowing stuff up, then landing, all done by simply following a pre-programmed line with the occasional unnerving sound of AI ATC.

I want more than that and I want to do it as real as possible in a mature environment. I'm one of those guys who love stuff like this & will stop at the run-up area prior to every flight.

While sitting in my corner I've been listening to the comms via the receiver (thank you VERY much for making/providing it, I'm listening to a declared emergency as I type this) to try to get used to hearing & trying to decipher the dialog...and it's motivating. I've already picked Carenado's B1900D as my favorite (I'm in love with the pit) even though it apparently needs some work per Captain Hoffen, but that'll be after I get a good amount of confidence (via training) with a single engine. Anyway, with that and a mad amount of site-surfing, I've compiled a number of various questions. I apologize in advance as I think this will be a long post while I take an early start in getting somewhat of a clue.

GENERAL PE QUESTIONS

1. INDIVIDUAL SETTINGS: I read some where that the weather within PE is kept as clear skies due to FPS hits that some experience, but elsewhere I read that it's ok for the individual to adjust their own weather as long as they give the controller a heads-up (a remarks note somewhere in the software?). Is there a day/night cycle or is that also left to the individual?

2. NOT-SO-COMMON REQUESTS: I also read that the chatter is to be kept to a high degree of realism to the maximum extent possible (amen to that). If I wanted to practice holding patterns (directed by the controllers at their whim), is that something that could be arranged in remarks?

3. TAIL NUMBERS: I caught a comment (172 PE skins topic) stating that their tail number is reserved. Is that something that's established in the software? I haven't found a topic with requests nor a "hands off" list.

4. WX: Does training include weather in great detail? Seriously, my stupid sparkles like a Twilight vampire with this.

5. FSECONOMY: Does anyone here run a virtual airline for it? I found the forum category regarding it & decided it'll be a goal to eventually participate in. I would rather join up with someone "in house" & help them out locally (when I get to that point) before poking around outside.

6. OUTSIDE COVERAGE AREA: I read what I think was a policy regarding the focus of flying being maximized within the covered area (makes sense). Though, I was wondering if it would be ok if I took my 1900D up as far as Redding while no doubt stopping at San Fran & Sac along the way & back, or start at KRDD and worked my way down? As a follow-up, I don't want to assume it's alright to focus elsewhere, but what is the policy once the towers shut down?

MILITARY STUFF

Yesterday I overheard a type F-86 over the radio and couldn't help but smile that someone enjoys the classic jets (whomever you are, you're my hero). I also came across that B-52 topic with a simulator (that is insanely bada*s). I gather from those two that it's ok to spool up military aircraft within the PE environment (I hope?), which would great for me because I eventually will be getting the VRS Superbug to occasionally fly around while waiting for the DCS: F-18--the plan being I fly proper here, shoot-em-up in the combat environment sim (best of both worlds). I haven't found any topics relating to military-specific questions other than the one mentioned.

7. SQUAWK TACTICAL: While watching the B-52 video I heard the controller state "squawk tactical" when it entered the MOA. I've never heard of the term before & only know of 4000 for military planes within the MTR. To be honest, I'm pretty ignorant on the subject and google provided nothing in return for the term.

In the video at 4:30, B-52 states entering the range. ATC directs to squawk tactical (from 7455). B-52 replies with "squawking VFR". The video snippet fades to black shortly after, so I can't tell if VFR was corrected by ATC or if it remained 1200. So confusing

What would "squawk tactical" be?

8. BELOW 10,000 SPEED: In the spirit of congestion & extended flights though the airspace, I was thinking that basing my Hornet (when I do get an itch to fly it) out of Miramar would be a good choice. With that in mind, I'm somewhat confused about the speeds below 10,000. Generally, 250 below 10k, 200 in Bravo (if I remember right). I did some searching regarding Navy/Marine aircraft speed during overheads and found this...

How often do the military guys exceed 250kt below 10k?

Do they even care about this restriction?

Refer to 91.117 to get a general rule. You'll hear some say if it's military then they are waived. Not exactly. If it isn't authorized by ATC or needed for an operational necessity or through an LAO it's frowned upon. For instance, we had an LAO allowing the local F-18 squadrons to exceed 250 kts below 10,000 ft but not over 350 KIAS. They have an operational necessity specific to that airframe to exceed. Without that LAO, transient aircraft needed to maintain 250 KIAS. Other situations you'll see are: air shows, MTRs, national security, MOAs restricted areas etc.

When I did ATC in the military it was a regular occurrence even for transient aircraft. If it doesn't affect your traffic flow generally you just look the other way. As I said though, for awhile at our base the commander or whoever had power in the food chain clamped down on guys "speeding."

There was one night I went up to tower to hang out. It was a beautiful night just prior to sunset. Local had a student on working a single F-15 (GA ANG) transient inbound. We weren't even monitored his speed when asks the local controller if his speed was OK with him. I looked up on radar and saw 600 kts at 2,500 ft. Holy crap! Local student just comes back with something like "that'll be fine sir." His instructor blows his top and yells at his student "600 fricking knots!" instructor comes back and asks the F-15 if he really needs to do 600 kts for the overhead. "Ah, negative." He slowed to a paltry 400 kts for the break.

Oh yeah, realize also that's an indicated air speed restriction. It's not uncommon on approach to see someone approaching 300 GS because of a TAS / tailwind condition.

Source Location

I guess what I'm looking for is guidance regarding speeds while inbound & outbound at airports/military facilities that are not MOAs. If it's left to controller's discretion (congestion depending, of course), what would that call be? "Request speed waiver?"

9. OTHER DRONES: Is a carrier and/or refueler anywhere in the pacific?

I do know and understand that modern military stuff as a whole isn't the PE's target audience (like long haulers halfway around the world). I'm not trying to suggest it should be, I'm just trying to get my mind ahead of where I am now so when I do get to that point I won't be asking last minute questions or worse, causing ripples in the scheme of things. I'm just curious if they're offered/included for 18s to give them something else to do.

PE RECEIVER

10. HUMBLE REQUESTS:

• Could it please be considered that at some point it be able to be minimized to the systray?
• Could the previously selected checkboxes be "remembered" from previous set selections when restarted?

I know I kind of consolidated three different areas of the forum in one post, but I didn't want to spam all over the place.

I absolutely can't wait to get involved with you folks, but I'm having a blast just listening to you all. In the meantime I'll just keep reading, watching videos (here, AoA & elsewhere) & asking questions. I won't get my tower fixed probably until May (new cooler for sure, but lord knows what else), so I'll just continue to creep around.

~Cliff

[CliffB]

Hm, seems I posted a little prematurely regarding military bases. Add that to a lack of understanding of drone framework & my ignorance peaked to a new high.

So, per the Military fields are now uncontrolled topic as well as other topics [1][2] [3] (not to mention the B-52 flights), military aviation seems active enough. Only if I held off posting for a few more hours my question (and worry) would have been put to rest, heh.

I can't tell if March & Edwards is towered based on the forum. So I get this right, Yuma is the ticket (MCAS/NAS wise) & is currently the only towered military base?

[Ryan Geckler]

March is towered, Edwards is not.

[Peter Grey]

The key to answering which military fields are towered here is simple:

Can a civilian plane land there without being met by people with guns. If so we operate it as a towered airport. As already figured out this means we operate KNYL and KRIV.

[CliffB]

Oh? I wasn't aware that March had opened to civilian traffic. I was there when the base size was cut in half--DoD keeping the airstrip side. That was obviously the last I heard about the place. Yet another fun fact I've learned today.

Nonetheless, fantastic.

Thanks for your responses Peter & Ryan.

[Keith Smith]

Cliff, welcome to the network, I have a feeling you'll be quite happy here.

Some answers for you...

1. weather: The PE software doesn't control the weather in your sim. You set it to whatever you want to meet your training requirements. You can have it sync with real world weather, or you set it to a specific set of conditions and just let the controller know what your approach request is. Controllers will read you the real word weather if they're put in a position where you don't tell them that you 'have the numbers' or the current ATIS code from your sim.

2. there is room for chatter when it's not busy, we have occasional moments of levity on the network. When it's busy, it's all business simply to minimize radio congestion. In general, the controller will set the tone. Even if you don't hear much going on, there could be 3-4 other people calling on other freqs at the time, so don't mistake a moment of silence as meaning that nothing is going on. The controller's tone and pacing will give you the clues as to how things are going. As for special requests, ask for anything you want. You could put custom requests in the remarks if you like. If we can honor them, we will.

3. there are no tail number reservations. There are people who have offered to build custom paint jobs for specific aircraft, but you can connect to the network with any civil or air carrier callsign you like.

4. We don't have any training material on weather at the moment.

5. Not sure. Most ppl seem to do their own thing on FSE and really enjoy it (I'm one of them). There's some great FSE activity in the Socal area (mostly at FBOs that are run by people/groups that aren't on PE as it turns out). I fly all over Socal on various jobs (as do others), using PE at the same time. It's a great combo.

6. You could fly into Redding and Sacramento if you like, but the network will add no value to those flights. There's no ATC at those fields, or anywhere near those fields. We added SFO to allow for jet/turboprop pilots to be able to stretch their legs a little bit. The intention is to allow pilots to fly from SFO to the primary coverage area, or vice versa. A flight from SFO to somewhere else in Norcal is likely to result in termination of radar service very quickly after you leave SFO, because controllers simply aren't trained on the procedures for other airports/airspace other than the airspace required to service the flights described above. I would recommend ditching the home airport and flying in the coverage area. The VAST majority of our user base doesn't live in the coverage area. Case in point, I live and fly in NJ. All my r/w flying is on the east coast. I learned to fly in Norcal (at KSQL). Yet, every simulated flight I do is in the PE coverage area. Flying is flying

Regarding the military portions, I don't know about the tactical squawk. As for speeds, I don't have enough background info to know what goes on in the real world at every field in our coverage area, but if you come in fast for the break, I don't think it's going to matter. I can tell you that the overheads being flown by the drones are somewhat 'spirited'. We have drones at China Lake, Miramar, El Centro, Pt Magu, Vandenberg and Nellis. Park yourself at China Lake or Miramar and watch for 10-15 minutes, you'll get the idea. We also have them ripping up some of the MOAs and MTRs quite nicely. We don't have any refueling or carrier ops being simulated, but some other people do carrier ops from time to time (without ATC for the boat).

Last part, don't wait too long to get involved. Study what you need, then pick some simple flights and get 'er done!

The emergencies you heard today on the network were likely a dual alternator failure and a snapped throttle cable. I was teaching a class and dynamic failures were part of the scenarios. It was good stuff.

[CliffB]

Thanks very much for your reply Keith.

1. Yeah, I was confused about sticking with what the system default was (weather) since that's what the ATC uses. In past experiences it's pretty much just one way for everyone in order for all to see the same thing. That flexibility is awesome. Thank you for clarifying that.

2. I've listened to the funny stuff over in the ATC recordings. Nick's hot mic had me in stitches. What I mean is it's seen and understood as the exception, not the rule. Like in Jim's "big butt" flight, there was still a funny moment but in the end everyone went right back to work. I guess my first post was worded as an absolute. My mistake.

Regarding special requests, brilliant! I know some folks dread them, so once I get a handle on those I'm hoping to be caught off guard. Nothing reinforces training like an "oh no" moment...hopefully before it's actually needed.

3. No tail number reservations. Got it.

4. No weather training. Dang.

5. I was reading a bit of that & yeah, the combo between the two (PE & FSE) has me excited. I only asked because someone posted over on the FSE site about the activity in SoCal & I just figured they had a group established (I should have used the proper word instead of assuming it was an Airline). The person specifically mentioned PE. Still, when I get to that point where I can do both comfortably I'll be in the thick of it too. I just wish FSP could hook into it. Shame.

6. KRDD/KSMF. Yeah, I get what you're saying. I could tweak it where it'll be a north to south run originating at KRDD & skip over the stop at KSMF. It'll ideally be early enough in the morning to where I'll be relatively close/inbound to KSFO when the controller sits down with their first cup of coffee at 8am PST. If it's too late in the morning, I'll just skip the trip since it'll take away from the density during operating hours. Would that work?

Military

a. Tactical squawk: Thanks. Hopefully someone else can chime in on that. It's really interesting.

b. Speeds: Regarding overheads, I just don't see a high performance aircraft doing that pattern in a place as congested as KSAN, KLAX, KSFO or any other major hub, but for military installations (especially their home station), certainly. I just don't want to be coming in at 300-350 kts, 1500 agl and have ATC direct me to the butt chewing alt freq. I just wanted to see what the general guidance was. The rest I'll pick up as I learn more about flight planning & MTRs.

I laughed out loud at the 'spirited' comment regarding drones. I most certainly will plan on poking around those areas to watch them.

c. Carrier ops: Fantastic. I had assumed there wouldn't be ATC, I just wasn't sure how or if there would be a boat available to use.

Ugh. You know, if I had my gaming computer fixed I would be flying right now. Unfortunately it deciding to take a dump on me couldn't have come at a worst time as I have other things that are higher priority on the budget totem pole. It'll be a short while still, but I'm certainly taking advantage of the down time.

Emergencies: Nice. I saw a number of folks using the same on the map & figured there was a period of instruction happening.

[Ryan Geckler]

Regarding "squawk tactical": Most of these things are classified information, but my best educated guess is that it's a specific beacon code assigned by Letter of Agreement between the facility and the military unit.

[CliffB]

Oh! You mean the IFF. I didn't even think about that.

Thanks Ryan.