Front Section

The front section of the left console houses the oxygen panel, throttle and engine related controls.

Left Utility Panel

Anti-Skid Switch

A two position switch (1) that activates the anti-skid system which provides an electronically controlled skid protection at wheel speeds over 30 knots.

Anti-Skid Inoperative Light

Illuminates when the Anti-Skid Switch is set to OFF, the Emergency Quick Release Lever is pressed, or there is an issue with the Anti-Skid System.

Canopy/Low Altitude Warning Volume

A rotary dial (2) that sets the audio level for canopy open and low altitude voice warnings.

This system is not installed on this variant of the F-4E.

Oxygen Regulator and Oxygen Quantity Gauge

Supply Lever

Two position switch (6) (ON and OFF) activating flow of oxygen to the mask. For further information see 3.7 Utility chapter, Oxygen section.

Diluter Lever

A two position (5) diluter lever, in the center of the regulator panel, controls the mixture of air and oxygen.

For a proportional amount of air to oxygen, the NORMAL OXYGEN position should be selected.

For pure oxygen, the 100% OXYGEN position should be selected. This setting is preferable if fire, toxic smoke or fumes occur in the cockpit.

Emergency Lever

Three position switch (4) which permits selection of NORMAL (standard supply), EMERGENCY pressure (100% oxygen with continuous positive pressure) or TEST MASK (positive pressure to test the face mask for leaks).

The lever should remain in the center (NORMAL) position at all times, unless an unscheduled pressure increase is required.

Flow Indicator

Alternates between black and white (3) with each aircrew member breath to indicate oxygen flow (white indicates inhalation).

Oxygen Pressure Gauge

The oxygen pressure gauge (7) indicates oxygen supply pressure from 0 to 500 psi.

For further information see 3.7 Utility chapter, Oxygen section.

Oxygen Quantity Gauge

The oxygen quantity gauge (2) has a range from 0 to 10 liters. Loss of electrical power is indicated by appearance of a power off flag on the instrument face.

Oxygen Quantity Test Button

The button (1) is used to test operation of the front and rear cockpit gauges along with operation of the low-oxygen warning system.

With the button pressed, both gauge needles should move to an indication of zero.

As the needle in the front cockpit passes through the 1 liter indication, the OXYGEN LOW warning light on the front telelight panel should illuminate, and remain illuminated until the button is released and the needle moves above 1 liter again.

Forward Hand Control

Small joystick enabling the Pilot to control and steer guided Weapons such as Mavericks or Bullpups.

Outboard Engine Control Panel

Engine Anti-Icing Switch

Two position switch (1) (DE-ICE and NORMAL) controlling de-icing function. When in DE-ICE, the anti-icing air flow is enabled. In NORMAL, no anti-icing is provided.

The system should only be used below high-mach numbers. At high-mach speeds the compressor inlet temperature is enough to prevent ice from building up.

Communications Antenna Select Switch

Two position switch (2) commanding which antenna is being utilized for voice communication- UPR (upper) or LWR (lower).

The Upper position should be used for take-off and landing since the lower antenna could interfere with the anti-skid wheel speed sensor and thus create a malfunction in the anti-skid system. The lower antenna could also interfere with the nose gear steering whilst transmitting. This happens due to electromagnetic interference radiating from the lower UHF antenna.

LCOSS Switch

A two position switch (3) that selects which computer system is installed on this aircraft.

• ARS-107
• ASG-26

The switch is a leftover and not connected.

DVST Switch

A two position switch (4) that selects which radar system is installed on this aircraft.

• APS-107
• APQ-120

The switch is a leftover and not connected.

Inboard Engine Control Panel

The Inboard Engine Control Panel carries the following controls:

Target Contrast Switch

The three position switch (1) is used to select the appropriate contrast conditions for seeker acquisition with the AGM-65A Maverick and AGM-65B Maverick.

💡 This does not change the polarity of the video but the coding of the seeker itself.

Engine Start Switch

Three position switch (2) with automatic return to center used to start the respective engine using the cartridge (if loaded), left or right. See engine system chapter for further detail on when to use the cartridge start.

CADC Static Pressure Compensator Correction Switch

Three position switch (3), momentary in the RESET CORR position, used to correct or disengage the Static Pressure Compensation of the altimeter, thus eliminating, or invoking, altimeter lag from rapid altitude changes.

Engine Master Switches

A pair of two position lever lock switches (4), separated by a guard to alleviate erroneous command of the wrong switch, connects electrical power to the engine boost and transfer pumps for the respective engine when placed in the ON (forward) position. The connection to electrical power is external if the aircraft is connected to a ground crew provided generator, or the aircraft's battery if no external power available. Switching them to OFF (aft) position will engage the fuel shutoff valves so long as the aircraft is not solely running on the internal electrical bus; otherwise, the valves will remain open, unless the engine throttle is placed into the cutoff position. For further Information see 3.2.1 engines chapter.

Rudder Trim Switch

A three position switch with automatic return to center (5), used to apply rudder trim adjustment when pressed to the respective side, left or right.

Throttles

The throttle arrangement for each engine in the F-4E Phantom II is located on the front and rear cockpit left console. Mechanical linkage transmits throttle movement to the engine fuel control. A friction adjusting lever allows customization of throttle friction. Afterburner initiation occurs by shifting the throttles outboard and moving forward from the MIL position. The Afterburner gate can be adjusted in the special options of the module.

Throttle movement is smooth and continuous, with afterburner modulation possible throughout the range. Moving throttles from IDLE to OFF closes the fuel shutoff valve, stopping fuel flow. To transition from OFF to IDLE or MIL, advance the throttles straight forward. Shifting throttles outboard allows movement from MIL to MAX, enabling forward motion in the afterburner range. For further information see 3.1.2 Engines chapter.

Fingerlifts

Front cockpit throttles feature finger lifts (3) for quick chops to IDLE, preventing inadvertent shutoff. The lifts must be raised before retarding throttles to OFF. Rear cockpit throttles are linked to the front cockpit, allowing only the pilot to start engines or move throttles into afterburner range. Rear cockpit throttles can be moved from OFF without front seat assistance.

Ignition Buttons

Engine ignition for startup is performed using a pair of spark plugs on each engine, activated by pressing the red Ignition Button (1) found on the rear of both throttle levers. The button is depressed as part of the starting sequence to ignite the spark plugs, initiating combustion in chambers four and five of the engines.

Cage Button

A spring-loaded button (5) located on the backside of the throttle. In the event that an AIM-7, AIM-9, or the M61A1 must be employed against an airborne target with the sight in A/G mode (for example, the flight is bounced by opposing aircraft), the optical sight reticle can immediately be slewed to the Radar Boresight Line using the Cage Button, found on the inboard (right) throttle handle. Cage mode commands the radar into BST mode with a five mile range, and short pulse, and sets the firing circuit for the currently selected air-to-air weapon relative to the Pinky Switch. For the optical sight, the command activates the respective elevation and azimuth tracking, roll mark, and range functions of the reticle for the chosen weapon, without the pilot having to remove a hand from throttle or stick to swap the sight mode or weapon control panel functions.

Dispense Button

When pressing the dispense button (6) chaff/flare dispensing is initiated as set on the CCU and AN/ALE-40 programmer if the flaps and speed brakes are retracted and the flares select switch is set to NORMAL. Additionally single unit flare dispensing can be initiated by a single button press if the flares select switch is set to FLARES.

Speed Brake

The Speed Brakes are actuated by a three position switch (4) found on the inboard throttle in both cockpits. Either switch will actuate the brakes. The positions are Out, Stop, and In; the Out position is momentary and reverts back to Stop when released. For further information see 3.1.2 Flight Control Surfaces chapter.

Mic Switch

The microphone switch (2) for the Intercom System is the aft position on the inboard throttle grip in both cockpits. When using the intercom, all audio sans the pull-up tone, stall warning, and ECM are reduced (same as RADIO OVERRIDE). In the fwd position the switch will enable transmitting over radio.

Pinky Switch

The guns/missile (pinky switch) is a four position switch (7) which performs the weapon select function for guns(aft), radar(fwd) and heat missiles(center) and performs station select functions(up) for the heat missile. The UP position is a spring-loaded position.