Originally Posted by
sycamore
Perhaps the APD/DFP need to be engaged automatically when the gear and hook are extended, but can be turned OFF, manually when `Brains` wants to prove he is `SH-T HOT`.....and confirmed by the LSO on getting `in the groove`...
For some half a century USN aircraft have had a HOOK BYPASS SWITCH of some kind (the A4G was manually operated by the ground crew outside the cockpit - before FCLP/MADDLS for example). Anyhoo that mechanism as seen in the Super Hornet NATOPS may provide a way:
(I have no access to the F-35C NATOPS however I'll imagine its
HBS may have similar characteristics?)
NATOPS FLIGHT MANUAL NAVY MODEL F/A-18E/F 165533 AND UP AIRCRAFT 15 Sep 2008
https://info.publicintelligence.net/F18-EF-000.pdf (19.4Mb)
"...
2.6.1.5 Approach Lights. The approach lights, located on the nose gear strut, provide AOA indications to an LSO during carrier landings. Three approach lights are provided to indicate a fast (red), on-speed (amber), or slow (green) AOA condition. The approach lights are powered with WoffW and all landing gear down and locked. Therefore, the approach lights are an external indication that the landing gear are down and locked. The approach lights flash when the HOOK BYPASS switch is in the CARRIER position and the arresting hook is not down, indicating to an LSO that the hook must be lowered for a carrier arrestment. The approach lights are dimmed by the WARN/CAUT lights knob.
2.6.1.6 HOOK BYPASS Switch. The HOOK BYPASS switch, located on the lower left main instrument panel, is spring loaded to the CARRIER position and is electrically held in the FIELD position.
FIELD Approach lights and AOA indexers do not flash regardless of hook position. The switch reverts to the CARRIER position if the hook is lowered.
CARRIER Approach lights and AOA indexers flash if the hook is not down..."
&
"...
2.18.6 Angle Of Attack Indexer. The angle of attack indexer is mounted to the left of the HUD. It displays approach angle of attack (AOA) with lighted symbols; corresponding AOA indications are shown on the HUD. The indexer operates with the landing gear down and locked and weight off the gear. The lighted symbol(s) flash if the arresting hook is up and the hook bypass switch, on the left vertical panel, is in CARRIER. The symbols will not flash with the arresting hook up and the hook bypass switch in FIELD. The switch is solenoid held to FIELD and automatically goes to CARRIER when the arresting hook is lowered or aircraft power is removed. The AOA indexer knob on the HUD controls dimming of the symbols. All symbols light when the lights test switch on the interior lights control panel is held to TEST...."