How do you perform VTOL in an F-35B simulator?

To perform an F-35B vertical take-off and landing in a simulator, keep the aircraft below the add-on’s hover-weight limit, engage its STOVL mode, lift smoothly into a stable hover, then convert gradually to wing-borne flight. For landing, decelerate in STOVL mode, stabilise over the touchdown point, and descend on power without drift.

What must be configured before F-35B VTOL?

You need a genuine F-35B flight model, its STOVL command correctly assigned, a light aircraft and working analogue flight controls. The F-35A and F-35C cannot hover, while some F-35B models provide moving doors and nozzles but do not simulate powered lift.

The real F-35B is a short take-off and vertical landing aircraft with an integrated lift fan, swivelling rear nozzle and roll-control outlets. Its flight-control system schedules these automatically; it is not flown by manually selecting Harrier-style nozzle angles. Add-ons approximate that system in different ways, so their supplied manual takes precedence over generic instructions.

For FSX, our package with an F-35B, working STOVL functions and PDF operating notes provides aircraft-specific guidance. These simulator procedures are not real F-35 operating instructions.

• Assign the throttle, pitch, roll, yaw, wheel brakes and landing gear.
• Bind the add-on’s dedicated STOVL, hover or conversion command. Do not assume the normal flap key controls the nozzle.
• Start with low fuel and no external stores unless the manual provides a permitted hover weight.
• Use a level, unobstructed surface and a light headwind for initial practice.
• Check that the lift-fan doors and rear nozzle reach their commanded positions before attempting lift-off.

How do you take off vertically and transition?

A successful vertical take-off depends on reaching hover thrust smoothly, making very small control inputs and converting only after the aircraft is stable.

1. Position into wind. Use a level apron, runway or stationary deck with clear space around the aircraft. Strong crosswinds make the hover much harder to control.
2. Engage STOVL mode. Allow the lift-fan doors, nozzle and flight-control mode to finish changing. If the add-on displays a mode annunciation, verify it rather than relying only on external animation.
3. Stabilise the engine. Hold the brakes while bringing power up gently, then release them before the aircraft becomes light on its wheels. Avoid snapping the throttle fully forward.
4. Lift off vertically. Increase power until the wheels leave the surface. Arrest the initial rise and establish a low, steady hover using tiny pitch, roll and yaw corrections.
5. Check the hover. Confirm that the aircraft is not drifting, descending or developing an oscillation. Do not remain hovering longer than necessary because it consumes fuel quickly and leaves little performance margin.
6. Begin conversion. Command gentle forward acceleration and use the add-on’s transition control to redirect thrust progressively. Maintain enough power to prevent a sink while the wings begin producing lift.
7. Complete the transition. Continue accelerating until the package indicates conventional flight, then set climb power and configure the aircraft as its manual directs.

Moving the nozzle aft too quickly removes vertical lift before the wings can replace it. Our explanation of how vectored thrust becomes wing-borne lift during VTOL transition covers the aerodynamic reason for this common sink.

How do you land an F-35B vertically?

For a vertical landing, enter STOVL mode within the add-on’s permitted speed range, decelerate without losing height, establish a stable hover and then lower the aircraft using small power changes.

1. Reduce landing weight. Use fuel or adjust the payload before the approach if the aircraft exceeds the package’s hover limit. Being light enough to fly conventionally does not mean it is light enough to hover.
2. Approach into wind. Lower the landing gear and select STOVL or conversion mode at the speed specified by the aircraft manual.
3. Decelerate progressively. Hold altitude as the nozzle vectors downward, adding power as aerodynamic lift falls away. An abrupt conversion often produces a large sink or pitch change.
4. Establish the hover. Stop forward motion over or just short of the touchdown point. Use HUD hover cues when modelled; otherwise watch fixed surface markings to detect drift.
5. Descend under power. Use the package’s vertical-thrust control, normally the throttle, to create a gentle descent. Correct lateral movement before reaching the surface rather than trying to fix it at touchdown.
6. Touch down vertically. Arrest excessive descent, keep the wings level and reduce power only after the landing gear is firmly loaded. Apply the brakes and leave STOVL mode as the manual specifies.

On a moving carrier, first match the deck’s speed and direction, then descend relative to the landing spot. A hover that is stationary over the sea will move backwards relative to the ship.

Common F-35B VTOL problems

If an add-on provides little flight-control assistance, an FSX Harrier flight model built for hover practice can help develop small-input discipline. Its nozzle operation differs from the F-35B, so it should not be used as an aircraft-specific checklist.

When should you use a short take-off instead?

Use a short take-off whenever deck or runway length permits because it provides better payload, fuel and control margins than a pure vertical departure. The F-35B’s vertical take-off capability is limited by hover performance, so a heavily fuelled or armed aircraft may accelerate along the surface successfully but be unable to rise vertically.

For most realistic simulator missions, we recommend a short rolling take-off followed by conversion to conventional flight, then a vertical landing only after the aircraft is below its stated hover-weight limit. Reserve a pure vertical take-off for light configurations, confined-area practice and demonstrations.