Basic Operations in the MiG-21bis Fishbed-N

Introduction to the MiG-21bis; history and context

The MiG-21 family was the most prolific supersonic fighter of the 20th century and beyond. First
introduced in 1959 as the guns-only interceptor MiG-21F, the aircraft spans two generations, has
been involved in every major air conflict since its introduction, and has even manged to fly both for
the Warsaw Pact and NATO. What began life ostensibly as an interceptor, the MiG-21 became a
reasonably flexible tactical fighter. Even when the newer MiG-23 became available, many operators
felt the MiG-21 was more than enough for their air defense needs.

NATO designated it Fishbed. A designation beginning with F means fighter while the two syllables
means it's jet powered. In its native Russia, it's known as the Balaika for its similarities to the old
string instrument.

Production of MiG-21s from actual Mikoyan stables ceased in 1986. However, production went on in
China until 2013. Despite the age of the airframe, it soldiers on today. In terms of production, there
isn't a supersonic fighter that comes close. If you include Czechslovak, Indian, and Chinese
production, then the final production figure comes out to a tune of about 13,000 aircraft.

The variant that Leatherneck Sims has made is the MiG-21bis Fishbed-N. The bis is a designation
given to a pair of aircraft that are differed by avionics. The Fishbed-L was made for the PVO (Air
Defense Force) and utilized the Lazur GCI system for intercepts. The N uses the Polyot ILS for
approaches and the SAU (automatic control system) for easy cruising. In Warsaw Pact nomenclature,
they're differed as MiG-21bis-Lazur and MiG-21bis-SAU.

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So, while the Lazur was better equipped for intercepts, that's not to say that the MiG-21bis-SAU
can't do it. To be clear, the version we have in DCS is the tactical fighter.

Start up, Taxi, Take off, and Landing

The MiG-21bis is a simple aircraft to operate and fly, lacking complicated systems like an INS to slow
you down as you wait for it to align. This makes the MiG-21bis and excellent aircraft for scrambles.
As a rule of thumb for managing the aircraft's systems, Up and Forward indicate on whilst Down and
Backwards indicates off.

Also, this is for VFR operations only. As I update this guide, I will add Instrument approaches, as well.

Start up:

1 - Battery and Battery heat on

2 - AC Generator on
3 - DC Generator and Power on
4 - Fuel pumps on

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5 - APU on. Next to the APU switch is the fire extinguisher, turn that
on as well.
6 - Release throttle brake
7 - Open countermeasure and chute release covers
8 - Hold in the starter for 5-6 seconds

At this point, the engine should start to spool up and you will see the HI/LO RPM needles move on
the engine fanspeed indicator.

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9 - With the exception of the gun camera, auxiliary inverter, and JATO controls, switch all of these
particular controls up or forward.
10 - Turn the radar switch into the middle position for stand by. The radar utilizes alcohol to cool it.
This allows you to warm up your radar and have it ready for use without burning up alcohol.
11 - RWR and IFF related systems go on.

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12 - Drop the canopy by removing the support rod from this position.

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13 - Two handles, push both forward to lock and seal cockpit.
14 - Flip gear handle fixator up.

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15 - There are three flaps settings; LANDING, T/OFF, UP. Select T/OFF.

You are now ready for axi and take off.

In order to taxi, apply throttle gently and give full rudder deflection in which direction you desire.
You control the tightness of the turn by how much brake you apply. The brakes utilize compressed
air. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU RETURN THE LANDING GEAR LEVER TO THE MIDDLE POSITIION
WHEN YOU AREN'T RAISING OR LOWERING THE GEAR FOR THIS REASON; IT ALSO USES
CO2. However, before you taxi, you should check your nose wheel setting. Here it is circled, in red:

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This has two settings: NAVIG and LDG. The small knub is indicating what is selected. For taxiing, you
want ot on NAVIG. For take off and landing, set it to LDG.

Now, as you taxi out to the runway, hold in place and look at these. These are the most important
instruments you have for take off and landing:

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In red is your Air Speed Indicator or ASI. It reads in kilometers/hour. This displays your horizontal
speed.

In yellow is your Vertical Speed Indicator or VSI. It reads in meters/second. This displays your
ascent/descent speed.

1 - When you're aligned on the runway, switch your nose gear lever to LDG.
2 - Apply power and keep the nose straight with rudder, but do not use brakes.
3 - At around 200km/h, appy a little back pressure to keep the load off the nose wheel. At 250km/h,
apply stick back to get the nose wheel off the ground. You want pressure off the nose wheel as soon
as possible. Be gentle about pulling the nose off the ground or you will strike the tail.
4 - Maintain about a 10 degree nose high attitude until the aircraft achieves rotational speed
between 340-360km/h.
5 - As soon as you establish a positive rate of climb, retract the landing gear. The moment the last
gear locks into place, return the gear lever to the middle-neutral position to conserve airpressure.

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THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
6 - Once you reach 400km/h, set your flaps to up.
7 - Trim as necessary.

For landing:

1 - Give yourself plenty of room to start the approach, make sure the nose gear lever is on "LDG."
2 - Reduce your airspeed to below 600km/h before dropping gear.
3 - Remember to return your gear lever to neutral.
4 - Start approach at around 450km/h.
5 - About half way down the approach, you want to be at 350km/h.
6 - Do not go below 340km/h during the approach
7 - Your final vertical speed should not exceed 2-3m/s.
8 - Maintain throttle setting until gear meet runway This should be around 330-320km/h. NEVER
CHOP THE THROTTLE.
9 - Keep weight off the nose.
10 - Deploy drag cute if necessary.

For quick referencing, here are speeds on both indicators:

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Finally, this is going to come as a surprise, but you need to practice.

Practice, practice, practice. The MiG is easy, but it just takes getting used to. You need to accept the
fact that the MiG only does one thing: Fast. there's no slow approach for it. Infact, all of the MiG's
trouble shooting can boil down to "Go faster."

Good luck.

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