NATOPS pages:

Flight characteristics: 433

Carrier procedures: 347

Pull FCC channel 1 & 2 breakers for MECH reversion mode (large pitch transient!).

Hold "FCS BIT consent" & "FCS reset" for actuator exerciser mode (lasts 20 sec, paddle switch cancels).

Above 30° AoA, stabilators deflect opposite to stick movement for better roll response.

At low speed, pitch stabilator commands take priority over roll commands.

Low speed/high AoA gives 50% rudder authority to FCS and 50% to pilot, making pedals very effective for lateral control.

Above 600 KIAS, ailerons don't move.

Below 30kft & above 0.7M, leading edge flaps deflect for better roll control (wing warping).

Within ~0.2M of Mach 1, max roll rate is decreased to reduce risk of departure.

Probe heat is on whenever weight is off wheels, AoA probe ice = loss of control until FCS GAIN ORIDE is selected.

GAIN ORIDE mode is calibrated for Mach 0.7, 35,000 ft and 2° AoA. Landing configuration changes should be made at 200 kts. Above 350 kias, uncontrollable pitch oscillations develop. Used for air data sensor failures.

Spin recovery mode (SRM) disables all FCS feedback, gives pilot 1:1 control over all primary control surfaces, and retracts leading/trailing edge flaps.

Spin switch NORM:

Engages SRM when airspeed is low and sustained uncommanded yaw rate is present; reverts to CAS with prospin stick inputs or when yaw rate & airspeed return to normal.

Spin switch RCVY:

Engages SRM below 120kias (+-15), reverts to CAS when airspeed >240 kias (used for oscillatory departures that don't have sustained yaw rate).

FCS limits G loads based on gross weight. Below 44,000 lbs, G limit is adaptive to weight with a 7.5G max setting, above 44,000 lbs, G limit is fixed at 5.5. Pilot's responsibility to respect G limits of specific stores.

FCS has no AoA limiter, and a clean airframe has no AoA restrictions (max achievable AoA is ~60°). Asymmetric or heavy loadouts risk departure at high AoA. In flaps AUTO, maneuver tone warns pilot of increased departure risk or max lift (35°), whichever is lowest. In flaps HALF or FULL, it is a general "stall" warning that beeps with increasing frequency as AoA increases (similar to F-15 overload warning).

Depressing paddle switch increases current G limit by 33% until stick is returned near center.

UFC A/P button engages or reverts back to basic autopilot (pitch & roll attitude hold, heading hold if bank is less than 5°) Advanced modes are selected via UFC display buttons (baro/rad alt hold, attitude hold, heading select, and coupled steering). Coupled steering lets AP follow nav sources like wpts, TCN, and ILS.

Nose gear remains extended if launch bar isn't retracted, launch bar switch flips to "retract" when throttles reach full mil.

Tops of the IAS/ALT boxes on the HUD indicate aircraft waterline.