Jeff - Flying the Prowler has taken some getting used to. Imagine a REALLY REALLY big T-2C. Of course you're probably a TS guy? Its not bad at all without the HUD. It would be nice to have a velocity vector and E bracket for the approach turn, I'll admit, but its not bad. We don't do anything that would necessitate(sp?) having a HUD for A/A or A/G. The HARM shot works off of existing equipment and is suprisingly simple.
There are two MFDs (one atop the other on the pilot's side), the top one is the ADI and the bottom one is the HSI. Its all off the shelf airline technology so its not the best, no where near what we've got in the T-45C. Obviously no instantaneous VSI etc. The HSI is not bad at all. It works very similar to the T-45C in the fact that you can run course lines similar to the planametric mode you're using now. I'm on a mission to convert all of the ECMOs I fly with to using the planametric mode vice the old swinging needle CDI. They learned in a T-34 and a T-2, obviously no option for planametric there.
I'd have to say the harderst part so far, for me personally, is getting used to having a cockpit wide scan because everything you need isn't displayed neatly in frot of your face. The VSI has proven to be the instrument that is taking the most work for me to get on top of again. The lag and the inprecission of it are a throw back to the T-2C so I know I can do it - just keep taking the practice sim periods and shooting approaches and S-1s...I hated those things in flight school and now I'm doing them on my own
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Overall, the War Pig has everything it needs, it could have more, but it has a enough to get by - guys have been doing it for a long time without the Gucci stuff.
Good luck and don't think Prowlers can't happen to you!