F-35B LIGHTNING II

COCKPIT GUIDE
X-Plane 12 1.0
CONTENTS
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 4
Cockpit switches ........................................................................................................... 5
Battery panel switch group .......................................................................................... 5
Throttle panel switch group .......................................................................................... 6
Gear handle switch group ............................................................................................ 7
Center sub panel and remaining cockpit switches ....................................................... 8
Center sub panel and remaining cockpit switches ....................................................... 9
Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) ................................................................................. 10
HMD left side ............................................................................................................. 11
HMD Center ............................................................................................................... 11
HMD right side ......................................................................................................... 12
Full width “header” display area................................................................................ 14
RGB hot spots ........................................................................................................... 14
Engine N2 gauge ....................................................................................................... 14
Afterburner status ...................................................................................................... 14
HMD status ................................................................................................................ 15
R2c plugin mode status ............................................................................................. 15
Target Track plugin mode status ................................................................................ 16
Loading AI planes in the simulator, step 1 ................................................................. 17
Loading AI planes in the simulator, step 2 ................................................................. 18
Boat mode ................................................................................................................. 19
Weapons modes ........................................................................................................ 19
Landing gear status ................................................................................................... 20
Autopilot panel ............................................................................................................ 21
Auto throttle ............................................................................................................ 21
SPD........................................................................................................................ 22
ATH ........................................................................................................................ 22
Knots/Mach ............................................................................................................ 22
APC........................................................................................................................ 22

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 HDG ....................................................................................................................... 23
SYNC ..................................................................................................................... 23
ALT......................................................................................................................... 23
V/S ......................................................................................................................... 23
TFR ........................................................................................................................ 24
Cockpit Display (PCD) ................................................................................................ 26
PCD divided into four “quarter” panels....................................................................... 26
EFI (Electronic Flight Indicator) primary page ............................................................ 27
FCR (Fire Control Radar) page 2............................................................................... 28
CAM (Camera backed Attitude display + HSI) page 3 ............................................... 29
FCS (Flight Control Systems) primary page .............................................................. 30
FCS primary page continued ..................................................................................... 31
RDR (default X-Plane moving map/weather radar) page 2 ........................................ 32
WEP (Weapons status) page 3 .................................................................................. 33
ENG (Engine data) primary page ............................................................................ 34
CNI (Com, Nav, IFF) page 2 ...................................................................................... 35
FMS (data entry keyboard) page 3 ............................................................................ 36
SYS (Systems) primary page .................................................................................... 37
FUEL (fuel tank diagram) page 2 ............................................................................... 38
PLAN (fuel planing) page 3 ..................................................................................... 39
<SW|AP> ...................................................................................................................... 40
MENU preset page combinations .............................................................................. 42
Special circumstances................................................................................................ 46

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Introduction
The F-35 is dominated by single, large (8’ h x 20” w) Active-Matrix LCD called the
Panoramic Cockpit Display (PCD) that increases pilot situational awareness by
combining all sorts of separate information sources into one integrated display.
This technology also helps to reduce the number of individual cockpit switches (~ 44 in
all, 42 functional in this model).
This cockpit guide will first take you back to front, left to right through each and every
cockpit rotary control knob, toggle switch or press button and tell you briefly what it does
when rotated, toggled or pressed.
After learning what all the switches and controls do we will move on to briefly describe
the F-35’s unique Head Mounted Display.
Next we describe the “header display” across the top of the PCD and then get into the
primary displays on the PCD. There is a lot of them to explore with lots of features to
understand so, get comfortable and plan to get very familiar with the advanced cockpit
of your new jet.

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Cockpit switches
Battery panel switch group

1. Cabin Pressure ON/OFF rotary switch. Automatically OFF if canopy is open. The
canopy must be closed in order to pressurize the cockpit.
2. Formation “slime” lights brightness rotary switch
3. Strobe lights toggle switch
4. Navigation lights toggle switch
5. Engine generator toggle switch
6. Avionics toggle switch
7. Battery switch
8. IPP (Integrated Power Pack) emergency OFF press button
9. IPP start/run rotary switch
Note: The battery must be switched ON first or the IPP will not start.

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A storage “glove” box is for securing CFS (Canopy Fracture System) and ejection seat
safety pins so they do not float around the cockpit inflight. Pulling either pin will stow
both pins in the box.
Note: Once removed, click the storage box lid to reinstall both pins at once.

Throttle panel switch group

10. Throttle friction lock (non functioning control #1)

11. Red guarded fuel ON/OFF toggle switch
Note: The IPP must be running and throttle “cowpie” slid forward (as shown) in
order to lift the fuel switch guard.
12. Guarded engine start switch
Note: The IPP must be running and throttle “cowpie” slid aft to idle stop in order
to unlock the engine start switch guard.
13. VS BIT press to test button. Initiates BIT (Built In Test) of Vehicle System, including
flight control exercises.
Note: The engine must be running first before you can run this BIT.
14. Windscreen defrost (+ all systems anti-ice)

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Gear handle switch group

Left forward panel switches

15. Jettison All weapons select knob / press button. It is safe to do this while on the
ground if you want to reduce the aircraft’s weight before takeoff.
16. Brake application counter display. Partial brake applications counted by decimals.
17. Afterburner enable/disable switch.
18. STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) mode select button. Press ON, press OFF.
19. Landing gear handle.
20. Emergency gear extension button (non functioning control #2).
21. Landing light toggle switch.
22. Rudder trim switch.

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Center sub panel and remaining cockpit switches

Center sub panel

23. HMD ON/OFF rocker switch.
24. HMD brightness rotary adjust knob.
25. Roll 2 See and Boat mode plugin rocker switches.
26. Panel text and line brightness rotary adjust knob.
27. Cockpit flood light brightness rocker switch.
28. Sectional map popup quick access button
29. Manual toggle weapons bay doors open/close
30. Toggle canopy glass reflections and mute pilot breathing sounds
31. Manually deploy Towed Reactive Decoy
32. Align artificial horizon
33. Instrument brightness
34. Barometric pressure setting
35. Parking brake set/release handle

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Center sub panel and remaining cockpit switches

Right side panel switches and safety pins

36. Auto Ground Collision Avoidance manual override switch (lift guard to toggle)
37. Inflight Refueling Probe extend / retract rotary switch
38. Boarding ladder toggle switch. Canopy must be opened first to lower the ladder.
39. Canopy open/close toggle switch. Ladder must be up first to close the canopy.
40. Ejection seat safety pin and remove before flight streamer.*
41. Ejection seat arm/safe activation handle. Pin must be pulled first to actuate.
42. Ejection seat pull handle. Pull pin, arm seat, pull the handle to eject from the jet.
43. Brake with stick ON/OFF toggle switch. Lift guard first to toggle.
44. CFS (Canopy Fracture System) safety pin and remove before flight streamer.*
*Note: Both ejection seat & CFS safety pins stow together if either is clicked.
This airplane remembers how certain things were left at the end of it’s last flight. If the
seat was not SAFED, and the seat and CFS safety pins were not installed before you
shut down the sim the UNSAFE conditions will exist when you next load the model in
the sim. You have been warned. The rest is up to you.

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Helmet Mounted Display (HMD)
“Where is the HUD?!” One of the most significant new features you will see in the F-35
is a helmet mounted display, or HMD. This new invention allows the traditional heads up
display (HUD) hardware, the glass and frame, like what you see in our T-7A Red Hawk
or F-22A Raptor models, to be removed from the area above the instrument panel. One
advantage to this is that it creates a clear, unobstructed view forward though the glass
windscreen, but there are other advantages besides a better forward view.
All the information that was displayed on a HUD is now displayed on the inside of the
pilot's helmet visor, but instead of only being visible when you are looking forward,
certain information is always displayed in front of your eyes as you turn your head in
any direction.
The information displayed on our models HMD is dynamically filtered depending on your
phase of flight; like taxi, takeoff, up and away flight, weapons modes (gun, missile or
bombs), in-flight refueling mode, landing approach, and conventional, short rolling or
vertical landing modes. Each mode presents uniquely relevant data when selected.

Certain information is always displayed, like indicated air speed, magnetic heading and
altitude. Here the HMD is shown just before brake release to takeoff.
Supplemental information is only shown in certain phases of flight and where your are
facing in the cockpit.

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For instance, looking to the sides removes some display elements because they would
become confusing when looking away from the direction of flight. Things like the aircraft
nose “waterline” mark and velocity vector ball disappear when looking away from the
aircraft’s actual flight path. Turning your head back to face the direction of flight makes
these elements reappear.

HMD left side

Navigation data is displayed at the top left corner of the display area. If in a Nav mode
the display will show GPS or VOR and distance, ICAO code and distance in nautical
miles. If a weapons mode is selected the display in the upper left will display GUN or
MISSILE and the target’s Track number, as well as the nm distance to the selected
target.
Indicated airspeed is always displayed in the HMD no matter what mode you have
selected or where you are looking. Speed it life in a fast jet so it is always on display.
Inboard of the digital airspeed is a small solid (filled) triangle that cues your jet’s
acceleration state. An upward pointing cue means you are accelerating while a
downward pointing cue indicates deceleration.
Other elements appear when needed. For instance, mach number is only displayed if
>.5, and angle of attack (AOA) or G forces are never displayed at the same time.
Instead there is a switch over speed (310 knots) that determines whether AOA is
displayed (< 310) or G forces are displayed (>310) because, above 310 knots AOA is
not important, G forces are while below 310 knots G forces are not important, but AOA
is.
In STOVL mode a thrust vector display will appear in the lower left corner of the HMD.

HMD Center
Top center is a “sky pointer”. An empty triangle pointing toward the sky. As you roll the
jet left or right the triangle always points up toward the sky.
Just below top center is is a digital magnetic head display. It is only displayed as MAG
heading if you are looking forward in a 30 degree left to right arc. Looking beyond 30
degrees left or right switches the display to a pilot centered compass bearing where the
aircraft’s nose is 0 = North.
Directly below magnetic head is the reciprocal heading. The reciprocal heading is only
visible if the wings are close to level. Rolling left or right beyond ~ 3 degrees causes the
reciprocal heading to disappear so you can focus on magnetic heading. The reciprocal
will reappear when you roll wings level again.

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Directly below the reciprocal heading is an important navigation device called a “tad
pole”, a small circle with a “tail” protruding from it. The tail always points to the selected
navigation source, whether GPS or Nav radio source. When the tail is pointing straight
up you are flying toward the source while if the tail is pointing down you are flying
directly away from the source. If the tail is pointing to the left or right well, that is
something you can figure out for yourself.
The tip of the aircraft’s nose is its pitch reference point and that is marked by a little “w”
or waterline mark in the HMD.
The velocity vector ball continuously projects the aircraft’s flight path vector angle from
the jet’s center of gravity in the actual direction of flight.
The difference between the “w” and the vector ball is known as Angle of Attack (AOA).
The two meat when AOA is ~ 0 deg and spread apart as AOA increases. Normal cruise
AOA is ~ 3 degrees. Maneuvering AOA can be as high as ~ 25 deg AOA. At very high
AOA angles the wing is completely stalled and the drag of the wing and fuselage can
drop you airspeed to zero knots.
The “w” and vector ball are only visible when you are facing forward in the cockpit as
they reference the nose and a flight path that are both directly in front of the jet. Seeing
them when you are looking off to either side would only confuse you while cluttering the
HMD.
When weapons: bomb mode is selected the word “BOMB” appears in the center of the
HMD below the “w” and a vertical bomb “fall line” draws down the center of the display.
While the bomb objects depicted on this model are laser guided (LGB) and GPS guided
(GBU) X-Plane offer no way of designating a ground target with a laser to guide an LGB
or enter GPS coordinates into an GBU before releasing it so, in effect, both bomb types
are “dumb” bombs as far as X-Plane is concerned.
When dropping bombs make sure you are not pushing forward on the control stick and
placing negative G forces on the jet. Bombs will release and fly up THROUGH the wings
and fuselage and over the jet. You will only notice this if you are in an external view look
back at the jet during release of the bomb(s). This “feature” of X-Plane will not hurt your
model, just your pride, and it looks unprofessional so, make sure you have a few 10ths
of a G pulling the jet’s nose up when you release a bomb.

HMD right side

Wind direction / speed is displayed in the upper right corner of the display area, but the
wind information will only display if there is any wind. If there is no detected wing speed
then that area of the HMD will remain clear.

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Pressure altitude is one of those things that is always display in the HMD no matter the
phase of flight, mode or where you are looking. It is that important to always be present.
To the right of the altitude digital display is another small solid (filled) triangle that cues
your jet’s climb and descent trajectory. When the triangle is pointing up the trajectory is
up, while point down mean you are heading down.
Above and below the pressure altitude vertical speed appears. If you are in a climb then
vertical speed appears above the pressure altitude display, while if you are in a descent
then vertical speed appears below pressure altitude.
Vertical speed does not display when weapon modes Gun or Missiles are active to help
declutter the HMD and make tracking your target easier.
Radar altitude (R x,xxx) displays below the descent rate. Radar altitude is only available
below 4,000 ft AGL. Above that altitude a continuously calculated display of terrain
elevation (TERR) directly below your jet replaces radar altitude.
If flying over actual terrain a text below the digital altitude display will read TERR, while
over water it will read WATER.

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Full width “header” display area

Across the top of the PCD is a full width “header” that displays basic information that
can also be display on the main panel, but that might get buried when selecting a sub
panel, as explained below.

RGB hot spots

On the far left and far right of the header display are vertically arranged R G B hot spots
to adjust panel brightness. Pressing the B dims the panels brightness while pressing the
R increases panel brightness.

Engine N2 gauge
A permanent N2 engine core % rotation speed gauge is located on the left above the
first PCD quarter panel. Before engine start this gauge displays IPP % rotation speed

Afterburner status
Directly to the right of the N2 gauge is an afterburner status text display. When the
afterburner is enabled with the toggle switch next to the landing gear handle this text is
green. When the switch is in the OFF position the text is shaded off white.

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The F-35 does not need to use its afterburner very much. Normal takeoffs, even at
gross weight can be made without afterburner. Using the afterburner increases thrust by
about 50% but doubles fuel flow, so use it sparingly.

HMD status
When the HMD is turned ON a green HMD text displays on the header above the EFI
page. Turning the HMD OFF changes the text color to white. The HMD toggle switch is
located on the center sub panel below the PCD screen.

R2c plugin mode status

The R2c enable switch is on the center sub panel below the PCD screen.
Directly below the HMD status is a R2c (Roll to See) plugin status display. Cockpit mode
must be 3D for R2c to function. R2c is automatically disabled if a Track IR or VR
headset is detected because all three systems needs complete control over the pilot’s
head camera to do their stuff. The three systems obviously cannot all have complete
control at the same time. So, if you have one of those other devices hooked up to your
machine you will not see the “R2c” on the panel, you will see “TRK-IR” or “VR”.
On the ground R2c functions in its “taxi look” mode so a green TAXI text will display
when the plugin is ON and the jet is on the ground (all three weight on wheels proximity
switches indicating wow >.01). Taxi look will smoothly turn your pilot POV camera in the
direction of taxi turns when you taxi speed is < 15 knots. At > 15 knot the camera will
smoothly return to a forward facing view.
Once airborne the text on the panel will change to a green R2c and that will become a
white text if the plugin is turned OFF, or a white 2 D if you switch from the dynamic 3D
cockpit to the static 2D cockpit. 2D cockpit mode is always supported in our models
because it is useful when you want to steady your view in turbulence or refocus on the
panel in front of you.
In the air R2c will point the pilot camera in slightly up and in the direction of your banked
turns. R2c will also switch the POV from the pilot’s head looking out, to a view looking
back from the canopy arch in front of the pilot when ever the jet’s nose is pointing up
beyond a certain (variable) pitch attitude. That pitch attitude varies with altitude, starting
at 45 deg of pitch at low altitude and a steadily decreasing pitch attitude as you climb to
higher altitudes.

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Target Track plugin mode status
When in 3D cockpit mode, with R2c engaged, you then select either Gun or Missile
mode R2c will go into its Target Track mode and point the pilot’s POV camera at a
selected AI plane that you have already loaded in the simulator (Explained next page).
By selected I mean you have to bind a keyboard key or HOTAS switch to cycle up or
down through available AI target planes using the “target select up” or “target select
down” commands.
Tracking an AI plane where ever is goes in relation to your direction of flight might put
the AI plane far off to the sides of your jet or even above, below or behind you. So, how
do you fly the jet if you cannot see where you are going? The HMD helps a lot with this
dilemma but, if you still become disoriented you can always toggle from the 3D cockpit
mode you are in to the 2D cockpit, which point the pilot camera forward where you can
scan the panel, study the FCR and reorient yourself. When you regain situation
awareness you can switch back into Target Track (toggle back into 3D cockpit mode)
and reacquire the target.
Cycling through available AI target planes can also snap your pilot POV camera in wildly
different and disorienting directions, unless the AI planes are closely grouped together.
So, toggling between 3D and 2D and back to 3D cockpit modes is fairly common when
using Target Track. You will want to assign a keyboard key or HOTAS switch to
conveniently toggle between the two cockpit mode.
Finally, before we leave this subject, and since you are already binding keyboard and or
HOTAS keys you might as well consider doing the same for “weapons select up” and
“weapons select down” and make it easier for you to use the weapons system in this
model.
And since an aircraft like our F-22A Raptor is going to shoot missiles at you if loaded as
an “enemy” AI plane you better add “Deploy Chaff” and Deploy Flares” to your
key/switch assignments. I have found that these two systems do absolutely nothing to
actually decoy incoming missiles away from your jet but popping them off frequently
when you get a missile approach warning in the HMD and on the FCR page helps your
psychology. You feel like you are doing something. If nothing else you will be happy
until the incoming missile hits your jet and you are forced to punch out.
Note: Unlike prior versions of the simulator enemy AI planes will not shoot missiles at
you while you are on the ground waiting to takeoff. But, once airborne you are fair
game, so expect incoming.

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Loading AI planes in the simulator, step 1

Note: To load an AI plane in the sim to track, open the “flight configuration window” and
press “AI Aircraft” button.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 17

Loading AI planes in the simulator, step 2

My “friendly” AI KC-130 Tanker is always my first plane (Track1) while my second AI

plane is the deadly AOA F-22A Raptor. Note that he is designated “enemy” so he will fire
missiles at you.

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Boat mode
The Boat mode enable switch is on the center sub panel below the PCD screen,
Boat mode is a sub mode of our Target Track plugin code. It detects the presence of the
default dynamic aircraft carrier and, when ever your are within 10 nautical miles of the
“boat”, and points the pilot’s head camera in that direction. You can maneuver the jet in
any direction while your eyes stay glued on the carrier. The mode will automatically
pause if you fly below 200 ft AGL until you climb back up > 200 ft.
Boat mode status will display in the upper left corner of the HMD, tell you the nautical
mile distance and, the “tadpole” will point you in the right direct to fly to intercept.
Boat mode is disabled if you select one of the weapons mode described below.

Weapons modes
A vertically stacked set of text indicates the status of you available weapons: GUN, MIS
(missiles) or BOMB(s). There is a touch activated weapons mode select switch
embedded in the WEP page but probably the best option is to assign a keyboard or
HOTAS switch to perform that function. Either way you choose you weapon the display
on the header will indicate which weapon you have selected by changing the text color
from white to green.
The jet normally always carries 2 x radar guided AIM-120D air to air missiles internally
on the inboard weapons bay doors and 2 x AIM-9X infrared guided missile on external
launch rails under the outboard area of the wings.
The radar guided missile will always fire first and are marginally effective at a maximum
range of ~ 50 nautical miles (nm) in the sim, with a higher probability of kill (Pk) at closer
ranges down to 20 nm. Within 20 nm the AIM-9 heat seeking missiles can be used.
Minimum range for either missile is 2 nm.
At 2 nm you can switch to the GUN. The range to target display in the HMD and on the
FCR page will switch from nm to feet below 2 nm and gun aiming cues in the HMD will
activate to guide your aim onto the target AI plane. Good luck.

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Landing gear status
An overhead silhouette of the aircraft is always displayed on the header. Landing gear
status displays inside the silhouette. Maximum gear operating speed is 300 knots IAS
but normally, the gear should be retracted before reaching 250 knots to avoid damaging
component attached to the gear, like hydraulic lines and wire bundles.
A dynamic “OVER SPEED GEAR” warning is provided in the cockpit on the SYS page.
It works by comparing current rate of acceleration and issuing a warning if it determines
you will exceed 300 knots within 3 seconds.
If you forget to raise the gear before reaching 300 knots IAS the jet will do it on its own,
and prevent you from lowering the gear until you decelerate below 250 knots.

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Autopilot panel

Autopilot OFF / ON / AUTO mode select switch is a touch screen hot spot embedded in
the small overhead silhouette of the F-35 also used to display landing gear status.
Note: autopilot controls will not display when the aircraft on the ground or while
airborne below 200 ft AGL.
With weight on all three gear the blank space where the autopilot controls will display
inflight above 200 ft AGL is used instead to display parking brake status, when the
aircraft is at a stand still or brake application if the jet is rolling.

Auto throttle
The F-35B auto throttle is used extensively throughout this jet’s mission because it frees
up the pilot (you) to focus on mission tasks without worrying about getting too slow or,
for that matter, flying too fast and loosing track of where you are. That is easy to do at
600 knots or more. So you need to understand how the auto throttle works and use it
regularly when you fly.
First of all, the autopilot does not need to be turned ON for the auto throttle to function.
Second, the jet needs to be airborne and above 200 ft AGL for the autopilot to work.

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SPD
This is the auto throttle airspeed setting. The numbers displayed above SPD are a hot
spot you can use to scroll with your mouse and adjust the autopilot speed setting
The speed adjustments are in 100 knots increments, from a low of 200 knots gear up all
the way up to 600 knots.

ATH
To engage auto throttle press on the white SPD text. The text will change to a green
ATH when the auto throttle is ON. Because auto throttle is such an everyday, every
mission feature of the F-35 the mode will engage automatically after takeoff when you
raise the gear. First accelerate to > 200 knots and climb to > 200 ft AGL, then raise the
gear handle. There will be a short pause while the auto throttle logic determines your
airspeed trend and then it will take over and accelerate the jet to 400 knots. You do not
have to wait for the jet to reach 400 knots though. You can adjust the set speed to what
ever you want “on the fly” whether ATH mode is engaged or not.

Knots/Mach
The KT or M above the set speed is a hot spot to toggle the speed display from knots
(kt) to a percentage of Mach. The mach option is useful if you want to keep from
breaking the sound barrier when flying across a large altitude range. For instance, 400
knots is a useful mid range, subsonic auto throttle setting up to ~ 28,500 ft MSL but,
above that altitude you will be supersonic while still indicating “just” 400 knots.
Meanwhile, your true airspeed is closer to 600 knots at that indicated airspeed and
altitude. True airspeed is, of course, how fast you are actually traveling though the air,
corrected for the lower atmospheric pressure (low air density) at altitude, as apposed to
how fast your static air fed instruments show you to be traveling. But you know all that,
right?

APC
Approach Power Compensation is a very handy auto throttle mode that manages your
approach airspeed, preventing you from either flying too fast or too slow on approach to
landing. The logic considers your current aircraft gross weight and the aircraft’s bank
angle and sets power to maintain the optimum approach airspeed. So, at higher gross
landing weights the jet will fly slightly faster on approach. When you turn from downwind
to base and base to final the jet will add power to keep you above the banked turn stall
speed of the jet at your current gross weight. All you have to do is concentrate on
sticking the landing.
When flying with ATH engaged at any set airspeed (200, 300, 400, 500 or 600 knots)
the auto throttle set speed will automatically reset to 200 knots. Pop the speed brakes

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out if you need to quickly decelerate and lower the gear when you get below 250 knots.
APC mode will then automatically engage as the gear lowers.
Fly your approach down to 200 ft AGL. APC mode automatically disengage at 200 ft
AGL where you can takeover throttle control and either hold power and touchdown or
add power and go around.
The throttle will tend to “stick” on the power setting it was at when APC mode
disengages so give your throttle hardware lever a little fore/aft wiggle to wake it up and
assume full control of the simulators throttle dataref.
If you choose to go around accelerate to 200 knots and climb above 200 ft AGL before
retracting the gear. ATH will reengage and reset speed to 400 knots. Off you go again.

HDG
Heading hold mode bank turns the airplane to a new heading with the autopilot, so the
AP needs to be turn ON for this mode to work. Heading capture is automatic but once a
heading is captured the jet can develop a wing rock motion trying to hold the heading. I
disengage HDG hold mode when this happens and turn the mode back on when I need
it again.
Adjusting the set altitude is done the same way you adjusted the auto throttles airspeed
setting.

SYNC
A sync hot spot above the heading number synchronized the heading bug on the HSI
with the current mag heading. Just press once on the SYNC text. You can do this on the
HSI as well. Just press once on the solid white downward facing triangle at the top of
the HSI compass.

ALT
Altitude hold mode is activated by pressing on white ALT text. The text color changes to
green when the mode is active. Pressing on ALT inputs your current altitude as the “set”
altitude. If what you wanted to do was climb or descend to an already input altitude then
you want to skip pressing the ALT text and set your desired altitude like you did with
airspeed and heading. Scroll the altitude numbers with your mouse, then go to V/S
(vertical speed) mode.

V/S
Vertical Speed mode is used to climb or descend the jet to an altitude you already input
through the altitude adjust method. You didn’t press the ALT text so the currently
showing altitude is either higher or lower than your jet’s current altitude. Press the V/S

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text to activate the mode and adjust the vertical speed numbers to climb or descend to
your set altitude.
Maximum X-Plane autopilot climb or descent rates are limited to 5,000 fpm with one
exception. I will explain that one below when I cover the terrain following mode.
Climbing to high altitude on auto pilot is using the auto throttle and V/S modes is a
luxury in a jet fighter, and it can lead to a trap if you are not paying attention. As you
climb your engine thrust decreases and if you do not reduces your auto throttle set
airspeed you will start to slow down, and eventually stall. Not good. Therefore, I have
programmed altitude thresholds to automatically step down your rate of climb. You can
maintain 5,000 fpm up to 30K but above 30 I reduce your climb rate to 3,000 fpm up to
35K. Above 35 I drop the rate again to 2,000 fpm up to 40K. Above 40K the rate is
reduced to 1,000 fpm up to 45K and above 45 you can only do 500 fpm on V/S mode.

TFR
Terrain following radar mode is used to maintain a set altitude above terrain. It uses a
radar altimeter facing straight down to determine your actual height above the ground
and forward looking radar to determine the terrain elevation ahead of you. The minimum
setting is 200 ft AGL. Set radar altitude the same way you did SPD, HDG, ALT and V/s
by scrolling the setting numbers with your mouse.
Note: If setting an altitude hold altitude with the set altitude numbers and you input an
altitude lower than the current terrain elevation below the jet, the number in the set
altitude space will stop at that current terrain altitude and stop scrolling down any
further. Why? Because you cannot descend below terrain elevation. Now you can press
the V/S text hot spot to engage the mode and scroll in a descent rate. The jet will
descend until it starts to level off to capture your set altitude. If that altitude is < 200 ft
AGL, or any other DH (decision height) you enter the terrain following radar will kick on
and level the jet at that altitude, then fly a terrain following profile while you figure out
the system just saved your life.
Knowing the terrain following radar mode is always watching out for me I often use its
capabilities fly a much more rapid descent profile to a safe, preset altitude.
In TFR mode your descent rate can far exceed the 5,000 fpm limit of X-Plane’s default
V/S mode. To try this out for yourself first takeoff and climb the jet to > 20,000 ft, turn the
autopilot ON and input a TFR set altitude of say, 1,000 ft AGL. Now press the TFR
button and watch while the jet plunges rapidly, far greater than – 5,000 fpm before
capturing your 1,000 ft altitude.
Your basic autopilot tutorial is now complete.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 24

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 25
Cockpit Display (PCD)
The forward instrument panel is dominated by a single, large glass multi function
display. This “panoramic cockpit display, or PCD improves your flight attitude, navigation
and threat situational awareness by simultaneously displaying complementary
information from multiple sources all at once.

PCD primary pages. Shown with IPP (F-35 APU) running and only battery switch ON.

PCD divided into four “quarter” panels

The panel is “quartered” into four multi page sub panels numbered left to right as one
thru four.
The currently selected page subject is displayed in the upper left corner of each page.
Each quarter has a primary page and two optional display pages for a total of three.
The next page (pg2) is selected by pressing on the right facing triangle “click spot” in the
lower right corner of the current page.
The next, next page (pg3) is selected by pressing again on the same click spot.
One more press takes you back to page 1.
To go in reverse order use the click spot at the bottom left corner of the current page.

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Some pages have embedded click spots that will be noted when we get to more
detailed explanations of each page so, keep reading. You are doing well.

EFI (Electronic Flight Indicator) primary page

EFI FCS ENG

The first quarter panel is the one on the left. Its primary display is always the electronic
flight instrument, or EFI. This is a color, “blue sky / brown earth” flight attitude display
flanked on the left with a round analog / digital indicated airspeed gauge and on the
right by a similar analog / digital altitude gauge. A magnetic heading tape is displayed
across the top of the attitude display.
The lower half of the EFI is an HSI compass. The HSI has two modes. GPS and Nav.
The GPS mode displays a cyan bearing needle while in Nav mode there is a green
VOR/ILS bearing needle. Mode is selected by pressing on the click spot embedded in
the display behind the vertically arrange GPS / VOR / ILS text.
VOR course bearing adjustments are made by pressing on the green CRS click spot
that appears on the display when NAV mode is selected.
A white TAC (TACAN) bearing needle is available when the Navigation radio is set to
TACAN mode on the CNI panel but we will get to that later, as the mode cannot be
selected from the EFI display.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 27

FCR (Fire Control Radar) page 2

FCR WEP ENG

The second page is a threat situational awareness page. Up to 5 AI planes loaded in the
sim display as white “tadpoles” swimming on a declutter screen with white range arcs
and a white arc compass.
Selecting a weapons mode, then selecting a target AI plane turns the selected AI plane
target symbol from white to red.
Target select also starts the displays of airspeed and altitude deltas across the top of
the display and the appearance of a range to target bracket.
When an air to air missile is fired at a selected target, the last 30 seconds of the
missiles flight is counted down next to the range to target cue.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 28

CAM (Camera backed Attitude display + HSI) page 3

CAM FCS ENG

The final page is a camera backed attitude display similar to the one in our V-22 Osprey
is the third page option for the left side #1 PCD quarter. It presents all the same
information as the primary EFI page, just with a video camera in place of the blue sky /
brown earth flight attitude display.
The HSI on the bottom half of the page is an exact copy of the one on the EFI page.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 29

FCS (Flight Control Systems) primary page

FCS
This primary page is always an overhead view of your aircraft and concerns Flight
Control Systems (FCS), mainly flaps and slats in conventional takeoff and landing
mode.
The aircraft's current gross weight is also shown. Depending on the lift system mode
selected the color of the digital weight displayed will be white (as show) if the jet’s
current weight is < 40,000 lbs. This means the jet can be safely switched into STOVL
mode and a vertical landing attempted. Otherwise, if gross weight is > 40,000 lbs the
number color will be blue to indicate a roll on landing must be performed instead (nozzle
will be limited to 80 deg down).
Landing gear status is show and the green NWS means nose wheel steering is ON.
Nose Wheel Steering can be controlled with a keyboard or HOTAS switch below 100
knots IAS when the nose wheel weight on wheels switch indicates the tire is in contact
with the ground. Otherwise, NWS switches OFF automatically when speed is > 100
knots or the nose wheel lifts off the runway. NWS automatically switches back on below
100 knot when the wheel brakes are applied the first time during landing roll out.
The box on the right shows your control stick position and trim positions.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 30

FCS primary page continued

Weapons bay door status is shown on the FCS page as well

Here is shown the status of all the lift systems doors in STO/VL mode.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 31

RDR (default X-Plane moving map/weather radar) page 2

FCR RDR
The second page option is a copy of the default X-Plane moving map provides you with
a wealth of navigation position awareness information, like airports, navigation aids, a
TCAS function and especially a weather radar. All are selected or declutter by pressing
on click spot arrange along the bottom of the display.
This page often works with the adjacent FCR page to enhance your overall situational
awareness.
Latitude and longitude displays are embedded in the map.
Weather radar, navigation fixes, airports, VOR’s, traffic and NDB’s (non directional
beacons) can all be decluttered from the radar display by clicking on the hot spots
embedded along the bottom of the display

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 32

WEP (Weapons status) page 3

FCR WEP ENG SYS

The third page option is an overhead and rear view of the weapons loaded on your jet.
This page often works with the adjacent fire control radar page to show you which
weapons you have selected and how many of weapons you have left of that type.
Internal AIM_120D air to air missile are attached to the inside of the inboard weapons
bay doors and extend down below the jet when selected so that they are ready to
launch when ever you give the command.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 33

ENG (Engine data) primary page

ENG SYS
6 round digital/analog engine operating gauges span the upper engine page. Thrust,
EGT and Oil pressure across the top row and N1, N2 rotation speed plus Nozzle open /
close ratio across the bottom row.
In between are digital fuel flow and hydraulic system A & B system pressure displays.
The bottom of the page is split between a small attitude display, with embedded
airspeed, heading and altitude and beside that is a small video camera display.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 34

CNI (Com, Nav, IFF) page 2

CNI SYS
The second page option is a communication, navigation and IFF “identification friend or
foe”, what civilian pilots call a transponder.
The standby communication, navigation and TACAN radio frequencies are adjust with
embedded hot spots behind the up and down triangles.
An embedded FLIP hot spot on the header display com frequency allows you to swap
the current com frequency with the standby com frequency.
Pre programmed GPS destinations are selected by scrolling on the SEL text. Once the
airfield you want comes up to the right of the D→ (direct too) click spot, press the D to
enter the selection into the navigation system.
To tun the IFF system on and select a mode scroll on the IFF (mode) hot spot shown
above.
Com, Nav, GPS and IFF settings are repeated on the header display so frequencies,
destination ICAO and IFF codes are always visible even when the CNI page is not
selected.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 35

FMS (data entry keyboard) page 3

The third page option is an alternate data entry keyboard for the G1000 when it is
popped up.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 36

SYS (Systems) primary page

ENG SYS
This primary page detail aircraft system status. It dynamically displays information about
the jet as you are preparing the cockpit, starting the integrated power pack (IPP) and
engine, and getting ready to taxi.
After engine start the page will add addition systems that need to be configured before
taxi.
Green means they system is ready to go.
Yellow usually means the system needs your attention (except for the ejection seat,
where yellow means the seat is armed, which is OK if you are about to go fly).
Red usually means you have a problem, like an engine FIRE!, but in the case of the fuel
switch is just mean the switch guard is down, protecting the switch from being flipped to
the OFF position while the engine is running.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 37

FUEL (fuel tank diagram) page 2

SYS
The second page option is an overhead diagram of the aircraft internal fuel tanks and
their individual quantities.
Embedded hot spots surround with yellow and black hash marks enable you to refuel
the jet ion the ground (ground refuel) or in the air (IFR), defuel the jet on the ground or
dump fuel while inflight and quick access the default X-Plane weight & balance screen.
In the green box at the upper left are the current fuel load and while inflight endurance
and range in nautical miles.
Current aircraft gross weight and BINGO fuel status (2,000 lbs) are shown directly
below the green box.
On the right are outside air temperature. Clicking on the temp toggles the display from
Fahrenheit o Celsius.
Fuel temperature and ECS cooling capacity are also shown.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 38

PLAN (fuel planing) page 3

ENG FUEL PLAN

The third and final page option is a fuel planning and usage display

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 39

<SW|AP>
In the center of the header display to the right of the autopilot controls display is a
symbol with letters <SW|AP> inside. Pressing on the <SW| with your mouse activates a
click spot to replace the left two PCD quarters with a display of the default X-Plane
G1000 MFD color moving map.

Once the G1000 has replaced the left two quarters, pressing anywhere on the new map
display will “pop up” the G1000 and you can see and access the Nav/Com radio
controls, heading sync/select, map range and FMS buttons. Pressing on the popped up
G1000 closes the popup and pressing on the SW click spot closes the G1000 map and
restores the left two PCD quarter display.
Down the left margin of the display are the familiar G1000 bezel control buttons; pan
and map zoom controls, flight plan and procedure buttons, mode and page select
buttons.
The MODE buttons duplicate the out ring of the G1000 FMS outer knob and scroll thru
the 4 G1000 modes > Nav > Info > GPS > Nearest.
The PAGE buttons duplicate the G1000 FMS inner knob and scroll thru each of the 4
modes available sub pages.
For instance, the default Nav mode 1 color moving map has 4 additional pages > Traffic
> Storm Scope > Weather Data Link > Traffic Advisory Warning System-B (ADS-B).

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 40

Mode 2 default page 1 provides airport information, then intersection info, then NDB
(Non Directional Beacon) info and finally VOR info on page 4.
Mode 3 default GPS status has only one additional, GPS System status page.
And finally, mode 4 provide “nearest” information for Airport on the default page 1, then
nearest Intersections > NDB’s > VOR’s.

Pressing on the |AP> click spot swaps the map on the left for the two underlying
displays and replaces the two right displays with a G1000 map.
You’ve “swapped” the displays on the PCD.
All the actions describe before function the same way, only now they take place on the
right side of the PCD.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 41

MENU preset page combinations

A grid with the word MENU on the header display above the FUEL page activates 6
preset PCD page combinations by clicking repeatedly on the MENU hot spot.

First MENU press = “Flight” preset page combo of EFI, RDR, CNI and Fuel PLAN pages

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 42

Second MENU press = “Fight 1” page combo of FCR, RDR and color moving map
This is a good combination for best overall situational awareness leading up to a fight.

Third MENU press = “Fight 2” page combo of FCR, WEP and color moving map.
This combo allows you to manage your weapons and still see what is going on around
you at a considerable distance. Use this option with Target Track to fire a missile.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 43

Fight over, a fourth MENU press = “Get Home” page. The features a moving map on the
left plus ENG and FUEL diagram pages

Once home a fifth MENU press configures the PCD for a vertical landing with CAM,
FCS, ENG and SYS pages showing.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 44

A final press on the MENU resets all the primary pages.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 45

Special circumstances

Battery switch ON, Avionics switch OFF, secondary PCD pages looks like this. Normal.

Night, cold & dark, red flashing light is ON automatically so you can find the BAT switch.

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 46

We hope you have found this guide useful. If you find any discrepancies, please send
us a note to [Link]@[Link]

F-35B Lightning II > Cockpit Guide 47