F-14D panel

[oteymus]

I have FSX Acceleration and I have downloaded Dino Cattanero's F-14D. I works fine but I don't seem to have a panel. The only view is the HUD. I know it's my doing but I can't figure it out. Any ideas? Thanks.

[Daube]

I don't think Dino's Tomcat has any panel.
It doesn't need any. The virtual cockpit is greatly detailled.
In any case, you might be able to download a 2D panel here at SimV and add it to the plane... if you really want to fly with a 2D panel on such a plane, that is...

[jlab58]

as daube says everything essential work fine in VC cockpit. the only difficulty being that you need to practice in order to remember the buttons place. flying in VC gives a more realistic experience. try it, you might enjoy.

[oteymus]

OK! Now I feel really stupid. How do I turn on the Virtual Cockpit? Thanks!

[Daube]

What do you mean exactely with "turn on" ?
The virtual cockpit view is the default view normally in FSX.
In any case, you should be able to reach it with the F9 key... or is it F10 ? I never remember

[jlab58]

it's f9 on my PC, dont forget to activate the F Lock key on your PC. you can also right clic and select virtual cockpit from the rolling menu. and if you're playing with a window there's the menu bar, top left where you choose view then virtual cockpit. the S key give you a third person view

[oteymus]

Thanks all. Now I have more of a problem. Dino's F-14 is cold and dark. Control E won't start the engines in the VC mode. Dino's VC info sheet doesn't help me with the startup proceedure. Guess what? The VC is a toggle. F9 to activate and F10 to stop. I start the engines with the VC off and then activate the VC. Work like a charm - however, I would like to use the VC. It's a challenge.

[Daube]

That might be a problem with your "cold and dark" situation.
Before trying to switch the plane ON with CTRL+E, set the "mixture" and "prop pitch" to 100%, by pressing CTRL+F4 and CTRL+SHIFT+F4.
Then CTRL+E.
This should do the trick.

[oteymus]

Thanks again to all. It works perfectly. oteymus