And just like that my F14 career is over....

So I cannot for the life of me refuel this thing from a tanker. Burned through an entire 20000lbs of fuel and simply could not get even close to the basket let alone connect.

I have been using DCS since the Beta of the A10c and never had any problems with that or the FA-18.

I figure its the most important part of any Naval aircraft to be able to refuel so after some practice takeoffs/Landing I headed to the tanker....

I put the wing sweep to bomb and didn't have too much of an issue. Initially matching speed was difficult because of turbine lag I think. Could be wrong on that though. I'm now expert but found it to be a little tougher than the hornet and mirage because of less hud info but easier than the Harrier. Be patient and keep practicing.

Its only day two sir, don't be so hard on yourself. I'm sure with some practice you'll get it!

There’s gotta be a truck driving school just off your NAS...:D

So I cannot for the life of me refuel this thing from a tanker. Burned through an entire 20000lbs of fuel and simply could not get even close to the basket let alone connect.

 

I have been using DCS since the Beta of the A10c and never had any problems with that or the FA-18.

 

I figure its the most important part of any Naval aircraft to be able to refuel so after some practice takeoffs/Landing I headed to the tanker....

don't quite on me soldier !

Keep practicing and stop your whinning :smartass:

There’s gotta be a truck driving school just off your NAS...:D

I hear there's rubber dog shit that needs to find it's way out of Hong Kong too.

I hear there's rubber dog shit that needs to find it's way out of Hong Kong too.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Boss: Come on! I seen this before.

Pilot: I almost lost it out their....I got a wife and two kids.

Toss wings on desk. :(

Set the wings a bit behind the CADC schedule, in manual, and put out maneuvering flaps. Then trim trim trim.

It’s waaay harder than the hornet, and harder than the Harrier, but once you’re on it’s pretty easy. I also find tanking off the KC-135 (left wing) is quite a bit harder than the KC-130 due to the lack of a sight picture (I’m in VR). I shift down in my seat to get a better view.

I agree completely on the difficulty of tanking this jet. Digital HUDs have obviously been a crutch for me, as I can reliably plug the Hornet and Harrier in and stay plugged no problem, adjusting the throttles as I gain or lose a knot. The F-14's air speed indicator is difficult for me to comprehensively read, so I keep overshooting the tanker. I'll try Jabbers' method when I get home and maybe better results will be forthcoming.

We've had this bird for less than 24 hours. You can't walk away from it that soon. Give it some time, patience, and practice. It'll be a worthwhile conquest.

Lets just say I am really happy the thing I am trying to hook up to has gas for me! Cause I sure spend a looong time getting it hooked in, then suck some gas, back off, and try again.

I also noticed when hooked into the KC-130 that it glitches, jumping around a bit, making tight formation pretty tricky - investigating more.

Bomb mode, trim it out, and try to stay focused on the tanker, not the basket. You'll get it.

Only tried it for a bit last night, but I didn't have any issues.

Even in the Hornet, I'm in the habit of ignoring the HUD, airspeed, attitude - ignore it all. Focus on flying formation on the tanker. You could be upside down for all that it would matter - if you maintain the formation on the tanker, and make small adjustments by cross checking the basket, you'll get it.

Just try to ignore everything else. Use your speed, etc to get close, then fly solely off the tanker.

Teach yourself to properly fly formation. Tanking is fundamentally a formation flying exercise.

If you think that airspeed or autothrottle is how to maintain the parade position, you probably are not flying form properly. I spent about 20-30 hours of my time creating training about formation flying, so I can't explain everything here, but my biggest tip is: TRIM TRIM TRIM. You should be able to momentarily take your hands of the stick and have the jet stay approximately in position.

I just attempted tanking for the first time a few minutes ago. It was not terribly difficult.

Read the refuel section in the NAVAIR idea speed is 250kits with wings at 40.

Do what I do, if you can't get in the basket, shoot the tanker down...

Do what I do, if you can't get in the basket, shoot the tanker down...

LOFL... Spoken like a true Virtual Fighter pilot.... :thumbup:

Without the physical feedback real world provides, it's all judgement and eye -hand coordination, so it's going to take more practice than real life probably.

Thanks all. More practice I was able to hook on for about 20 second's ????. Not much but something to build on

how do you see your actual exact speed? with analog gauge and only mach meter, how can we maintain speed with the tanker?

how do you see your actual exact speed? with analog gauge and only mach meter, how can we maintain speed with the tanker?

The gauge gives you knots too. Just hard to see.

LOFL... Spoken like a true Virtual Fighter pilot.... :thumbup:

I shot down an A7 and two KC135's in real life. Was on my way to being an ace when the tankers began running away when they heard me on the radio...

Well, I'm quite proud of myself. Managed to plug into the C130 tanker on the first attempt. I got a whole load of sarky comments from big J in the back seat mind you! but I did it. Bounced around a bit thought.

One thing I did notice however. In the F18 once the A/C is full the tanker just disconnects and the hose reels in but on the Cat it didn't seem to do this. I stayed plugged in until I couldn't see the fuel gauge increase any further and then pulled back from the tanker. Did I miss something here or is this how it works in the Cat?

Let's be honest here/ we are not equals about these skills. Hardware makes a huge difference.

My extended warthog in a central position in my simpit, makes its relatively easy. Harder than the hornet but probably easier than the harrier.

Give me another joystick, on a desk or something and I am pretty sure it would be a whole other challenge

Flying formation with the cat is very difficult , added to this poor front visibility makes me mad.

Keep practice OP , you will make it!