[F-16 Fighter Aircraft Operations Manual] 3. Cockpit Layout
Release time: 2026-03-27
The F-16 cockpit features a conventional layout; apart from the seat (tilted at 30 degrees) and the control stick (mounted on the right-hand console), there are no circuit breakers in the cockpit. The overall layout of the cockpit is shown in the diagram:
In order from top to bottom and left to right, the areas shown in the diagram are:
- Main instrument panel
- Left auxiliary console
- Right auxiliary console
- Left console
- Right console
The throttle lever is located to the left of the left-hand control panel, and the control stick is to the right. The buttons and indicator lights within each section control different system functions; the layout of the buttons within these sections varies slightly between different batches of aircraft.
Introduction to the left console
The various sections of the left-hand console correspond to:
Radar control panel
VHF radio control panel
Flight control/ Navigation Panel
TACAN Control Panel
Manual Trim Panel
AVTR Control Panel
Electronic Countermeasures Pod Control Panel
Anti-G Suit Hose Connection
Anti-G Test ButtonRadar control panel
VHF radio control panel
Flight control/ Navigation Panel
TACAN Control Panel
Manual Trim Panel
AVTR Control Panel
Electronic Countermeasures Pod Control Panel
Anti-G Suit Hose Connection
Anti-G Test Button
Description of the left and right auxiliary consoles
Functions of the left and right auxiliary console areas, as shown in the figure:
No. Left auxiliary console Right auxiliary console
1 Emergency external device release button (with protective cover) Magnetic compass
2 Landing gear down indicator (green) Clock
3 Latch switch (lever lock) Oxygen flow indicator
4 Anti-slip switch System A hydraulic pressure indicator
5 Touchdown and taxiing light switch System B hydraulic pressure gauge
6 Lock release button Emergency power unit fuel gauge
7 Landing gear lever lower release button Cockpit pressure altimeter
8 Landing gear lever warning light (red) Liquid oxygen indicator
9 Landing gear lever Warning light panel
10 Friend or Foe Identification Control Panel Fuel Level Selection Knob
11 Threat warning auxiliary (dimming) Knob-operated external fuel transfer switch
12 Hazard warning auxiliary control unit and indicator
13 Spare landing gear retraction button
14 Spare landing gear lever
15 Speed bump position indicator
16 Leading-edge flap position indicator (disabled)
17 External configuration switch
18 Horn silencer button
19 Ground-level release switch (lever lock)
20 Brake channel switch
Note:
- On the left are the items on the left-hand auxiliary console (20 in total).
- On the right are the items for the right-hand auxiliary console (only the first 11 items contain content; the rest are blank).
Dashboard Guide
Right-hand console instructions
The above provides an overview of the F-16 fighter jet’s cockpit layout; a detailed explanation of the function buttons in each area will follow.
