Digital Combat Simulator (DCS): F-14A - Flatspin recoverable?

Hello folks.

Long time no see.

Is a flatspin in a F-14A recoverable?

Technically yes.

A few factors that will help you get back on track (or back to the boat) are important though:

Ideally, a load of dual Sparrows or Phoenixes will be still in the forward mounts (those just below the cockpit), this causes the center of gravity to be slightly tilted forward and allows for an easier and much quicker exit of a flat spin situation.

Also, as soon as you enter a flatspin (at altitude) and realize there is a compressor stall imminent, cut the throttle to the engines to minimize compressor damage.
As long as one engine is running on idle, you will still retain hydraulic power, which is crucial.

If you are flying clean, try creating as much drag as possible and try to lean into the oscilliations with the elevator (which has some authority, but not much). Many "flat" spins are not entirely flat. Use this to your advantage.

In case you still have your external fuel tanks, choose the right moment during the oscilliations and after you deployed all the possible drag you can before dropping them.
Dropping them will cause a momentary shift in the center of gravity of the plane and might help you induce a nose down attitude or at least an angle of attack where your control surfaces have some authority.

My starting altitude is unknown, I calculated due to falling rate and end altitude that the spin occurred at around 24000ft, a drop of 6000ft and then recovered at 18000ft.
The air density increasing meant that the control surfaces and drag had a bigger impact and this also helped recovering the plane.

In the initial spin, I lost my port engine but, after throttling down the starboard engine to idle, it didn't get any damage and I retained 1 engine through the fall, thus not losing the hydraulics needed for a sucessfull recovery.

I also tried wiggling and increasing drag on both wings with the spoilerons and flaps. Once a roll was possible, I rolled into the spin.

During the "flat" part of the spin the rudders will be partially or entirely obscured by the plane frame, don't waste time (or hydraulic fluid, if you are damaged) in trying to use them until you have a nose down attitude.

There are sure other ways to recover the aircraft for sure, but this is not a tutorial, just an example.

Regarding the music, I chose the beautiful rendition of Il Silenzio by the young Melissa Venema.
I chose this song because while it sounds like something is definite, there is some hope towards the end.

I could have made some overlays and stopped the video at crucial moments to explain things but that is what the replay button is for, that way you get to watch in 4k with minimal distractions.

Please enjoy.

Kind regards,

~ Bogey

The F-14 module is made by Heatblur Simulations.
Digital Combat Simulator is made by Eagle Dynamics.
It is free to play, but highly detailed modules like the F-14 require a purchase.

#dcs #dcsworld #digitalcombatsimulator #f14 #f14A #f14tomcat #f-14 #flatspin #recovery #aerodynamics #simulation #simulator #ilsilenzio