FLIGHTOUTDownload

Flaps, airbrake, canopy and lights

The Su-27's flaps, airbrake, canopy and its limits, the radome, the outside lights and ejecting.

On this page
A Su-27 Flanker on the runway at Srinagar in FlightOut with its canopy open, the airbrake raised behind the cockpit and the nose radome swung open
On the runway with the canopy open, the airbrake up behind the cockpit and the radome swung open.

Flaps

KeyF, or the TAKEOFF switch on the WING FLAP panel (left console)
SettingsUp or down; nothing in between
Travel time2.5 seconds
IndicationThe FLAPS ° gauge reads 30 when down; the green FLAPS lamp on the WING FLAP panel lights past halfway

Flaps down give more lift and more drag, so you can fly slower: use them for take-off and landing. The leading-edge slats come out with them, and the fly-by-wire holds the nose steady as they lower.

There is no flap speed limit in this version, but there is no reason to fly fast with them down.

Airbrake

The large panel on the Su-27's back, behind the cockpit.

KeyB, or the AIRBRAKE switch on the left console
Travel time1.5 seconds
IndicationThe switch, and the SYS page; there is no lamp

Use it to slow down quickly, or to keep the speed under control in a dive. There is no speed limit for it.

Canopy

The canopy has two switches on the left console, CANOPY (open or closed) and LOCK:

  • A locked canopy won't open, and an open canopy can't be locked.
  • C does both for you: it unlocks and opens, or closes and locks.
  • The amber CANOPY warning lamp lights whenever it is open or unlocked.

The rear-view mirrors are fixed to the canopy, so they swing up with it.

Radome

Press T to swing the nose cone open, as the ground crew would to reach the radar. It is there to look at: it doesn't change how the jet flies or how the radar works. There is no cockpit switch for it.

Outside lights

Switched with L or the NAV LTS switch on the LIGHTS panel (left console). They are on when you start.

  • Navigation lights: red on the left wingtip, green on the right, white on the tail. They are steady; the Su-27 has no flashing beacons or strobes.
  • Landing and taxi lights on the nose gear: on with the navigation lights, but only while the gear is down and locked.
A Su-27 Flanker at dusk in FlightOut with its navigation lights on: a white light on top of the tail and the red wingtip light glowing on the missiles
At dusk: the white light on the tail, and the red left wingtip light glowing on the missiles.

Ejecting

Hold Ctrl and press E three times within 1.5 seconds. The triple press is there so you can't eject by accident.

  • The canopy is blown off and the K-36 seat fires you clear.
  • The parachute opens by itself once you are below 5,000 m (16,400 ft) above sea level and slower than about 360 km/h (195 kt).
  • The jet flies on without you.

Holding Ctrl also pulls the throttle back, and E also yaws right, but by then it no longer matters.

Not in the Su-27 yet

  • Drag chute: the real Su-27 streams a parachute on landing; FlightOut's doesn't have one. Use the wheel brakes and the airbrake.
  • External fuel tanks: none.

Checked against FlightOut 0.5.2.