Takeoff Procedures

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The following takeoff procedures are our standard ways of departing in a 4-ship (i.e division). All the different procedures can also be applied to (and are recommended for) 2-ship flights (i.e sections) simply by ignoring the #3 and #4 instructions.

Only 2 aircraft should line up on the runway together. #3 and #4 should wait just short of the runway (with #3 past the usual hold point). As soon as #2 has started rolling, #3 and #4 may line up or perform a rolling takeoff. The reason for this is avoid exposing aircraft for jet blast (not simulated in DCS, but we try to respect it).

As a flight lead, you may deviate from these ways and perform any kind of non-standard takeoff, if there's a good reason for it (for instance mixed flights, uneven/unusual loadouts, extreme winds, special exercises). However, in order to establish common standards, the recommendation is to use these whenever possible.

Standard speed after takeoff is 300 kts. For slow aircraft, like A-10C, 200 kts is recommended.

A rolling takeoff means that you don't stop on the runway after lining up. You just enter the runway on centerline and go.

VFR

A. Rocket Ripple Takeoff

#1 and #2 line up
#1 go, 10 sec wait
#2 go
#3 go (rolling takeoff)
#4 go (rolling takeoff)

Ideally, there should be 10 seconds between each start
Rejoin visually in Fingertip Left

B. VFR Section Takeoff

#1 and #2 line up
#1 and #2 go (in formation)
#3 and #4 line up
#3 and #4 go (in formation)

FL calls "Brakes, Brakes, Brakes" and on third "Brakes" #1 and #2 release the brakes
Second section should lineup and depart ASAP after first section has started rolling and just calls "#3 Rolling", "#4 Rolling"
Rejoin visually in Fingertip Left

IFR

C. Double Sensor Trail Takeoff

#1 and #2 line up
#1 go, 10 sec wait
#2 go
#3 and #4 line up
#3 go, 10 sec wait
#4 go

Use sensor to maintain 1 nm between Lead and Wingman
Use sensor to maintain 1+ nm between sections, slightly offset
Rejoin visually in Fingertip Left when on top of the weather

D. IFR Section Takeoff

#1 and #2 line up
#1 and #2 go (in formation)
#3 and #4 line up
#3 and #4 go (in formation)

Use sensor to maintain 1+ nm between sections, slightly offset
Rejoin visually in Fingertip Left when on top of the weather

In IFR, for aircraft not equipped with radar, split the flight into two 2-ship sections for the departure, with separate ATC clearances. Perform two completely separate Section Takeoffs. Rejoin when on top of the weather.

Detailed description

Initial formation

Example

This section explains how to parse the information above, using A as an example. In this variant, #1 and #2 will line up on the runway, as illustrated in the image. Lead (#1) will apply power first and start to roll. The wingman (#2) waits 10 seconds until he does the same. As #2 starts to roll, #3 lines up on runway centerline and takes off without coming to a halt (i.e rolling takeoff). #4 does the same as same, aiming to be 10 seconds behind #3.

Initial formation

Unless performing a rolling takeoff, line up on the runway in an echelon formation. Lead positions himself on the downwind side (if the wind is coming from the right, lead should be on the left side). The wingman should position himself in echelon formation on the other side of the runway.

Comms

If taking off from an airfield with a manned (human player) Tower, wait for a "Cleared for takeoff". In the flight, lead should make sure everyone is ready before taking off. The recommended way is to ask the wingmen to report in (in flight order) when they're ready, simply saying "1", "2", "3", "4". For non-formation takeoffs, no additional comms are necessary, but it's quite common to report "1 goes", "2 goes" and so on. If lead does it, assume he wants you to the same.

Power setting

Note that power settings are not specified in these SOP. It's up to the flight lead to decide, based on what's best for that aircraft type, the current loadout and so on. Typically, takeoffs are performed in MIL (max power without afterburner) or FULL (max power with afterburner).

Section takeoffs

During section (formation) takeoffs, lead and wingman should spool the engines up and stay still by applying wheel brakes. Lead orders brake release by calling "Brakes brakes brakes", and both aircraft should release brakes on the third "brakes" and apply takeoff power. Lead should set power to just below the advised power setting, in order to give his wingman some margin to stay in formation. The wingman should keep in echelon left/right formation during the whole takeoff.