Name: Panavia Cyclone Mk. IV-B Blk. 5 VTOL
Type: Personal Concept
Attempt #: 9.5
Falkenwut Generation Build: 7.5

After 2 years of many redesigns and broken attempts, I finally present to you the final iteration of the VTOL version of the Panavia Cyclone project!

This has been one of my most challenging and complex designs to date. As per the CTOL / CATOBAR version, I managed to keep things simple, yet giving it more of a JSF-style feel that came out in the successful Mk. II Variant & MK. III Variant, it has come to design that I'm finally happy with! The VTOL System was pretty challenging, but I'll have to give special thanks to Gemini AI which has helped by design and troubleshoot the equations for the VTOL Systems, and user 11qazxc from the "Simple Server" Discord ground who helped me with the VTOL values in the cockpit system.

-- Details

Role: 4.5th / Early 5th Generation Light VTOL Multirole Fighter jet
Intended Origin: NATO collaboration

-- General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 12.2 m / 40.03ft
Wingspan: 8.9m / 29.20 ft
Height: 3.7m / 12.14 ft
Wing area: 61.0 m² / 656.6 ft²
Empty Weight: 10,610 kg / 23,391 lbs
Loaded Weight: 17,610 kg / 38,822lbs
Max CTOL weight: Up to 26,682 kg / 58,824 lbs
Max STO Weight: Up to 15,000KG / 33,069 lbs
Max VTOL weight: Up to 14,000KG / 30,865 lbs
Powerplant: 1 × Modified Pratt & Whitney F119 with VTOL system, 112.5 kN (25,309 lbf) of thrust dry, 178.5 kN (40,128 lbf) with afterburner, and up to 150 kN (33,721 lbf) of Wet thrust for VTOL
Maximum speed: 1863 km/h / 1157.6 mph / 1005.4 kts recorded
Slowest Flight speed: 280 km/h / 174 mph / 151.2 kts
Wing Loading: 288.9 kg/m² / 59.16 lbs/ft²
Fuel Weight: 7000L / 1849.2 US Gallons
Thrust/Weight: 0.651, up to 1.006 for VTOL
Not sonic cruise capable

-- Armament:

Hardpoints: 2 internal hardpoints, Up to 4 external hardpoints on external

-- Includes

-- Detailed Cockpit

Radar by Doomnolymo
Hud by LuminoxBiotechCompany

-- Automatic Head Mounted Targetting System

-- VTOL System (TUTORIAL BELOW)

-- Refueling

-- 2D Thrust Vector

-- Multiple skins

Italian Air Force VTOL Interceptor

Royal Air Force STOVL Strike Fighter

Hope you guys enjoy it. I'm intending to keep this project going and keep upgrading it as I go, trying to make a realistic simulation as much as possible. I'm happy for any criticism or feedback provided as this keeps my project going. I'm not quite sure how the aircraft handles in VR given the use of Head Mounted Targetting system. Please let me know how that goes.

Action Buttons
1 - Weapons arm / Bay door
2 - refuel probe
3 - HMT system
4 - Extra function [VTOL]
5 - Jettison [EXTERNAL STORES ONLY]
6 - NAV Lights
7 - Open canopy
8 - Shut down systems

-- VTOL TUTORIAL--

Before starting, understand that VTOL does not work on a fully loaded aircraft. A reduced load will be required.By having a light armament (Hence why the plane does not have an onboard cannon), or even reduced fuel. This base model is currently set on STOVL loading.
Make sure that you aircraft is within the below weight limits:
- Max STO Weight: Up to 15,000KG / 33,069 lbs
- Max VTOL weight: Up to 14,000KG / 30,865 lbs

• VTOL Take off

  • Activate Action Group 4 (VTOL MODE)
  • Set the VTOL bar to -75%
  • Move throttle to 100%
  • Move the aircraft slightly forward and hover forward, gaining some airspeed
  • Once the plane has gained roughly 110 km/h / 60 lts, Set the VTOL bar to 100%.
  • Once you gained stability, Deactivte Action Group 4 (VTOL MODE)

• STOVL Take off (From USS. Tiny)

  • Activate Action Group 4 (VTOL MODE)
  • Set the VTOL bar to -10%
  • Move throttle to 100%
  • Once the plane has departed from USS Tiny, Drop the VTOL bar to -50% and tilt slightly upwards.
  • Once the plane is gaining altitude, Set the VTOL bar to 100%
  • Once you gained stability, Deactivte Action Group 4 (VTOL MODE)

• Vertical Landing.

  • Activate Action Group 4 (VTOL MODE)
  • Set the VTOL bar to -100% if you need to reduce more speed
  • Once the plane reduces roughly 110 km/h / 60 lts, Set the VTOL bar to -50%. (Keeping the VTOL bar at -100% would loose hover stability)
  • Start reducing throttle as much as possible until you land.