The Sidewinder low level course is a section of the R-2508 complex found in the south Mojave Desert area of California. The R-2508 is composed of at least 8 sections and it's flights are co-ordinated principally through Edwards AFB and China Lake NAS and is a large Military Operating Area (MOA). The Sidewinder route in the South East section centered on the Panamint Valley is used for high speed low level training by the USAF, USMC, and USN aircraft. Aircraft in this area fly between 200 feet AGL to FL18.<br />
<br />
The Sidewinder course is challenging and spectacular....and perhaps one day DCS will increase the resolution in this area and make China Lake Airfield active. What makes this area special is that it contains the aptly named Jedi Transition where aircraft can deviate from the clockwise flight plan and cut across the hills and down into the Panamint valley via a deep cut aptly named Star Wars Canyon. There is a parking area nearby called the Father Crowley lookout just off I190 and plane fans come out to catch a glimpses and photograph aircraft transiting through the canyon. There are numerous youtube video's of aircraft going through the Star Wars canyon, which is really named Rainbow Canyon.
I found out today that it's the third year anniversary of the release of the Nevada terrain so I thought I would modify and release a simple set of missions that I've been using to fine tune navigation, A-A refueling, and fun, fast, low speed flying in the Sidewinder course. This is a flying mission to practice low level high speed flight, fuel management, AA refueling, navigation, and to enjoy the spectacular scenery and is based on real world locations.<br />
It's a busy morning on the course with multiple flights of aircraft. The missions are:<br />
<br />
1) starwars canyon main-at Entry point A: This mission has you in the F-18 roughly 20 miles from entry point A at FL7. You can either do the Sidewinder course and follow the waypoints in the normal manner on your own, or find and join the A-10's and follow them through the Jedi Transition, down through Star Wars Canyon and then exit and refuel if necessary before heading home to Nellis. Well, you can join up with the other flights too if you like.<br />
<br />
2) starwars canyon main-cold start: Cold start at the ramp at Nellis. Fly to the A entry point. Be aware that there will be other aircraft flying the course.<br />
<br />
3) starwars canyon main-hot start: as above, only with the F-18 ready to go.<br />
<br />
4) starwars canyon clear-cold start: Cold start at the famp at Nellis. You are the only aircraft on the Course today, Tanker aircraft will be available as well.<br />
<br />
A Note about Waypoints: The waypoints are placed at the exact co-ordinates given in the F-2508 handbook and while the course is meant to be flown in a clockwise direction from A through M ( with the C through J Jedi transition option), you're not meant to fly with a straight line from one point to another. These are visual reference waypoints...so for example, you'll hear something like "Joshua Traffic...Dodge 1...at B...Needles Lookout tower in site". Your waypoints are the same for each mission...at the visual markers.
