DCS F-4E TACAN HSI Display Simulator

🎯 Purpose

This simulator replicates the F-4E Phantom II's TACAN HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator) display for navigation training and practice with realistic wind effects and coordinate tracking.

🎮 Controls

HSI Knobs:

• Heading Knob: Adjust aircraft heading with +1°, -1°, +10°, -10° buttons
• Course Knob: Set desired course/radial with +1°, -1°, +10°, -10° buttons
• Knob Animation: Knobs rotate when clicked and accumulate rotation

Simulation Controls:

• START/STOP: Begin/pause aircraft movement simulation
• RESET: Return aircraft to center position
• Speed Control: Adjust aircraft true airspeed (TAS)
• Wind Controls: Set wind direction and speed for realistic flight simulation
• TRAINING: Progressive training mode for step-by-step learning

Canvas Interaction:

• Drag Aircraft: Click and drag the F-4 (blue) or Fix (red) to reposition
• Screen Wrapping: Aircraft reappears on opposite side when leaving screen
• Breadcrumb Trail: Green trail shows aircraft's flight path

🌬️ Wind System

The simulator includes a realistic wind calculation system:

• Wind Direction: Set wind direction (degrees, where wind is coming FROM)
• Wind Speed: Set wind speed in knots
• Ground Track: Actual path over ground (differs from heading due to wind)
• Ground Speed: Actual speed over ground (TAS ± wind component)
• Wind Drift: Automatic calculation of wind drift effect on aircraft movement
• Real-time Display: Wind information shown in dedicated display area

Wind Tip: Crosswinds cause drift, headwinds reduce ground speed, tailwinds increase ground speed.

📍 Coordinate System

Real-time coordinate tracking and display:

• Own Position: Live latitude/longitude coordinates of your aircraft
• Target Coordinates: Set and track target positions (TGT1, TGT2)
• Bullseye Reference: Coordinates relative to bullseye center
• Real-time Updates: Coordinates update continuously during flight simulation
• Polar Input: Enter coordinates in various formats

🎓 Training Mode

The Training button provides a progressive learning experience:

• Step 1: "Enable Training" - All elements visible (starting position)
• Step 2: "Show Bullseye" - All elements hidden, practice basic orientation
• Step 3: "Bullseye + F-4" - Bullseye map visible, add aircraft reference
• Step 4: "Bullseye, F-4 & Fix" - Add aircraft, practice navigation basics
• Step 5: "Show All" - Add fix helper for complete navigation training
• Step 6: Returns to full display with all elements visible

Training Tip: Use this mode to gradually build your navigation skills, starting with basic map reading and progressing to full HSI interpretation with wind effects.

📊 HSI Display Elements

• Compass Ring: Rotates to show current aircraft heading
• Course Arrow: Shows selected course/radial
• CDI (Course Deviation Indicator): Shows deviation from selected course
• Heading Bug: Triangular indicator showing current heading
• Aircraft Symbol: Center reference point
• Fix Helper: Visual aid showing bearing to Fix/waypoint
• Wind Display: Shows current wind direction, speed, and ground track
• Speed Indicators: Displays both true airspeed (TAS) and ground speed

🧭 Navigation Concepts

• TACAN: Tactical Air Navigation system providing bearing and distance
• Radial: Magnetic bearing FROM the TACAN station
• QDM: Magnetic bearing TO the station
• HSI: Combines heading and navigation information in one display
• Bullseye: Reference coordinate system for tactical navigation
• True Airspeed (TAS): Aircraft's speed through the air mass
• Ground Speed: Aircraft's speed over the ground (affected by wind)
• Ground Track: Actual path over ground (may differ from heading due to wind)
• Wind Triangle: Vector relationship between TAS, wind, and ground track

⚡ Features

• Real-time HSI simulation with rotating elements
• Interactive knob controls with visual feedback
• Aircraft movement with realistic wind physics
• Progressive training mode for skill development
• Breadcrumb trail for flight path visualization
• Screen wrapping for continuous simulation
• Drag-and-drop positioning
• Bullseye coordinate system integration
• NEW: Realistic wind calculation system
• NEW: Live coordinate tracking and display
• NEW: Ground speed vs. true airspeed differentiation
• NEW: Real-time wind drift simulation

🎯 Training Tips

• Start with Training Mode to build skills progressively
• Practice intercepting specific radials
• Use the CDI to maintain course
• Observe how heading changes affect the HSI display
• Try different approach patterns to the Fix
• Use the Fix Helper to understand bearing relationships
• Practice bullseye coordinate navigation
• NEW: Experiment with different wind conditions to understand drift
• NEW: Practice wind correction techniques
• NEW: Monitor coordinate changes during flight
• NEW: Compare true airspeed vs. ground speed in different wind conditions