Enjoying your videos. It’s refreshing to see you cover “the basics” which so many content creators forget to mention. Many people are so caught up on by the book real world procedures, they forget that DCS game mechanics don’t simulate some of these things. These types of videos are essential for first time DCS pilots. Forget all of the real world, milsim, elitist shenanagins. Just keep it simple.
You are correct. The proper procedure is to check switches safe (Master Arm off) and nose cold (FCR off) prior to re-fueling. Not a pilot but I am a weapons director and that is one of the safety calls that we make prior to pushing the fighter over to the refueling (boom) frequency.
"Transfer complete. Disconnect." is BY FAR the most satisfying and rewarding voice line to hear in all of DCS. One of the major difficulties I had on refueling the F-16 is to maintain the perfect alignment (as perfect as humanly possible in that situation) with the Tanker. Having to manage deviation in all 3 axis of movements while hooked up to the tanker is extremely demanding on your hand-eye coordination. And in that aspect, the F-16 has one design choice that, in my humble "not-a-real-life-pilot" opinion, is not a good choice: As soon as you open your refueling hatch, it disables your autopilot, so you can't have the aircraft hold altitude on its own, and then you'll be constantly struggling with vertical PIOs during the entire process. I have a little bit more experience with A-A Refueling in the F-15 than the F-16 (which I only did once, a couple of days ago). In the F-15 (considering it's a "low fidelity" Flaming Cliffs aircraft), the autopilot can be used to maintain altitude and attitude and this alone eliminates the vertical axis of movement from your muscle memory workload, which in this circumstance, makes it A LOT LESS stressful. One other pro for the F-15 in this process is, simply due to it having two engines, you can minimise deviation on another axis of movement - the lateral axis - by simply controlling the asymmetric thrust on the engines. For instance, if you notice the jet deviating from the tanker to the right, you simply add a little bit of power on the right engine, and the Autopilot Attitude Hold will prevent unwanted roll caused by the asymmetric thrust. This still doesn't make Aerial Refueling an easy task by any means, but it certainly is less stressful than doing it with the F-16. But, to be fair, the F-16 has one small good point in the process. Since the refueling hatch is all the way back in the center of the aircraft, you'be seating further ahead (in comparison with the F-15) below the fuselage of the tanker, making the two position indicator panels easier to read.
I don´t think auto pilot is recommend for the fuel receiving airframes, either heading/alt or throttle control. Bear in mind tankers fly racetrack patterns about 40nm long, so they change attitude a lot. If you are flying level with the Eagle refuelling and the tanker begins her usual 15º AOB turn with no warnings, the autopilot is receipt for disaster. Never refueled the Eagle on DCS, so maybe I try that today, thanks for the inspiration! ;)
@@alvarodelaorden8901 Yeah, in DCS the tanker DOES turn with no warning whatsoever (and it also doesn't warn you when it's going to return level). Fortunately enough, it doesn't bank so abruptly when it's refueling, like it does when it's being threatened. It's like the tanker AI has a separate set of behavior rules when it's performing the Refueling task from when it's in normal flight plan. But if the mission creator set the Tanker to keep flying in the same altitude during all of it's flight plan (which I understand it's not realistic according to international aviation standard rules), this factor will not be a problem for the receiver. The tanker AI will keep a perfect altitude hold all the time - even during the turns.
Don't forget that it's more fun the more fuel you onboard because your weight increases and your CG shifts so you're constantly adding throttle and changing trim. It's the little things in life.
07:16 ...would be nice to see one of the most critical moments from inside the cockpit. Thank you for your description, it is very helpful for a AAR noob!
As a "non-pilot", your small movements look like GIANT movements to me! it has always fascinated me how pilots make corrections very quickly before to me it appears anything is even wrong! Watch a real life video of a commercial pilot on the "wheel" or stick landing in windy conditions. To me, amazing.
just point the flight path marker on the tip of the boom. That makes it so much easier. It's what they do in real llife as well. Then the operator is supposed to steer the boom around the cockpit so you don't hit it. In DCS there's a slight delay for the operator top steer it up and to the side around the canopy, so don't do it fast, but that's the way to go. Then you're already at the correct altitude.
Hate that when I complain in ED forums that they say the positioning lights are bright enough and realistic. They are all but invisible. Worse than this in VR...
well ... overall just thank you so much for all the guides you have put out there to the community, you are probably the most practical and "go to the point" guy in these DCS guides, thanks brother, 5 stars
I've been trying to drogue AAR with a tomcat and just can't seem to kick oscillating the pitch. It's such a snappy and responsive plane that one, makes it extremely difficult for me to even just try maintain alt and keep level. The F16 feels a lot steadier so I'm a little more confident in trying to AAR with it. This video certainly preps my mind that it's possible if you're patient. I'll just have to learn here and transfer knowledge to the tomcat ahah.
I wonder how it would be with pressure sensitive stick. One way or another, probably the most difficult thing in this game. I feel like, I'm using lights just to make contact, once I'm in position, I just go by feel. Thank you for the video. I love the channel!
so smoothe at the end...i've only achieved connection twice, and immediately disconnected due to ocillation...will try to do it with finger tips, seems logical.
That was a joy to watch with great information and will watch a few more times till it sticks because seriously I've shot a hell of a lot of tankers down out of frustration which in a way feels great!
Your sub number is surely missing a couple of zeros. Great flying and great videos, and I hope you keep at it. (That ALT+Backslash thing was totally new to me, and I've played DCS for a couple years now.)
good stuff! you should mention the way for your TACAN to display distance readout. Even more helpful once you turn your radar off. Tanker lights show up at precise 0.5nm away. Also worth mention for the Viper, once you get plugged, and something happens and you disconnect, the light from your right eyebrow will turn red, and you won´t be able to reconnect again unless resetting it by pressing "NWS, A/R Disc, MSL Step" button. Thanks for the tutorial!!
Speed control is my biggest challenge. I can close up nice and easy, but matching speed is where it starts to fall apart. So, before even attempting to worry about the boom, you must be able to close up, pace the ship as far as you can without getting too jerky. Once you can do that, the rest is pretty straight forward.
Nice tips! I've been practicing A LOT of AAR recently to the point that on the Hornet, it's almost pretty much routine to me. On the Viper tho, it is really proving to be a bigger challenge, sure I've completed transfers, but I just want to be perfect and just keep re-watching the tracks and do it all over again and correct my mistakes. One problem I've found was, the viper accelerates fast and decelerates just as fast when you spool up/down the engine; and you'll really feel this difference with the Hornet AAR. So, anticipation and counter movements are really the general "tips" I have in mind every time I practice an AAR. One question tho, how do you bring up the boom view? that's pretty sick for a screenshot :D cheers
I know opening your fuel door dampens the FLCS. So does the CATIII switch. I've never tried both on at the same time to see if it changes anything or does it double up the dampening cause you have two that dampen FLCS? I'd have to test this. But just know that simply opening the Fuel Door dampens the Flight Controls as well.
@@BogeyDope while you are correct the AAR FCS curves are currently a work in progress. Haven't tried the cat 3 trick but I wonder if it's smoother than the AAR mode curves.
Well done. Finger tips good advice. Just curious what curves, spring, and hotas setting you use on that x52. I have x56 and recently upgraded to a metal gimbal hotas since I couldn’t do that his procedure! Needless to say, I still can’t AAR, so this is helpful advice!
Nice vid. Would be nice to have a more specific show & tell on the actual light indicators. Many vids talk about the lights but none really focus on what they mean and how to interpret what they are telling you to do.
That actually depends on whether you're using the "Easy Communications" option on your settings or not, or the server is set to Easy Comms or not. There are cases where the \ key will activate an "Auto" radio comms option.
When you want to prevent to squeeze the stick; hold a pencil between with your index and ring finger over your middle finger. For relaxed rudder input; wiggle your toes.
Got the same stick with 25 for curves and 2 for dead zones on both axis Tried bomb mode with speed brakes to have more throttle fine adjustment I can’t manage to refuel the F14 I’ve spent so many years trying
@@BogeyDope great treated myself jst trying to decide on aircraft now for dcs torn between carrier ops or the viper but supposing i sld go viper and if I get stuck ask you 🤣🤣
@@karlbeard29 Both are multi-role fighters and can pretty much do all the same stuff. EXCEPT.... carrier ops. So if you want to be able to have that ability, you will wanna go with the hornet.
Except for me, when I push Alt \ F6 and in my case F4 the contact Arco 4-1, he doesn't respond at all, and neither does Arco 3-1 in my DCS Squads server.
Usually servers will have the tankers on uhf frequencies. However, sometimes they will put them on vhf frequencies. In which case you need to press Ctrl+F6 in order to transmit on vhf.
Currently I have a Virpil Constellation Alpha with their MongoosT Throttle, but I used the Logitech X52 for 10 years. The X52 is really good, but moving to the Virpil has blown my mind.
@@BogeyDope hey man thx il definitely but it on my dcs tunes btw great videos man and continue those dcs mission hidden scimitar was an awesome mission to play with my buddy's we rly had a fun time thx again 😁
Ouais mais t’es courbes de stick ne reflètent absolument pas la réalité ou dans un F16 le stick bouge à peine de quelques millimètres…ici forcément c’est beaucoup plus facile mais pas réaliste du tout
Vous avez raison de dire que le "vrai" bâton ne bouge que de quelques millimètres. Malheureusement, la majorité des lecteurs DCS n'ont pas de bâton HOTAS qui imite la vie réelle. Donc, c'est le mieux que nous puissions faire sans piloter le vrai jet.
Not a good tutorial at all. Definately won't help newbies. One definately need to adjust the roll and pitch sensitivities to ensure they they can microadjustments easy. I had to keep tuning on the vkb gladiator to get it right. The other things is zoom level on the field of view and the perfect frame to which the tanker will connect. There is a sweet spot. The other thing is getting used to reading the tanker green light markers to tell you if you are too high or low in altitude and how far and near you are to the tanker. The lists goes on.
Enjoying your videos. It’s refreshing to see you cover “the basics” which so many content creators forget to mention. Many people are so caught up on by the book real world procedures, they forget that DCS game mechanics don’t simulate some of these things. These types of videos are essential for first time DCS pilots. Forget all of the real world, milsim, elitist shenanagins. Just keep it simple.
You are correct. The proper procedure is to check switches safe (Master Arm off) and nose cold (FCR off) prior to re-fueling. Not a pilot but I am a weapons director and that is one of the safety calls that we make prior to pushing the fighter over to the refueling (boom) frequency.
mmm... radiation... have the boom guy hold out a coffee and watch it warm up
"Transfer complete. Disconnect." is BY FAR the most satisfying and rewarding voice line to hear in all of DCS.
One of the major difficulties I had on refueling the F-16 is to maintain the perfect alignment (as perfect as humanly possible in that situation) with the Tanker. Having to manage deviation in all 3 axis of movements while hooked up to the tanker is extremely demanding on your hand-eye coordination. And in that aspect, the F-16 has one design choice that, in my humble "not-a-real-life-pilot" opinion, is not a good choice: As soon as you open your refueling hatch, it disables your autopilot, so you can't have the aircraft hold altitude on its own, and then you'll be constantly struggling with vertical PIOs during the entire process.
I have a little bit more experience with A-A Refueling in the F-15 than the F-16 (which I only did once, a couple of days ago). In the F-15 (considering it's a "low fidelity" Flaming Cliffs aircraft), the autopilot can be used to maintain altitude and attitude and this alone eliminates the vertical axis of movement from your muscle memory workload, which in this circumstance, makes it A LOT LESS stressful. One other pro for the F-15 in this process is, simply due to it having two engines, you can minimise deviation on another axis of movement - the lateral axis - by simply controlling the asymmetric thrust on the engines. For instance, if you notice the jet deviating from the tanker to the right, you simply add a little bit of power on the right engine, and the Autopilot Attitude Hold will prevent unwanted roll caused by the asymmetric thrust.
This still doesn't make Aerial Refueling an easy task by any means, but it certainly is less stressful than doing it with the F-16. But, to be fair, the F-16 has one small good point in the process. Since the refueling hatch is all the way back in the center of the aircraft, you'be seating further ahead (in comparison with the F-15) below the fuselage of the tanker, making the two position indicator panels easier to read.
I don´t think auto pilot is recommend for the fuel receiving airframes, either heading/alt or throttle control. Bear in mind tankers fly racetrack patterns about 40nm long, so they change attitude a lot. If you are flying level with the Eagle refuelling and the tanker begins her usual 15º AOB turn with no warnings, the autopilot is receipt for disaster.
Never refueled the Eagle on DCS, so maybe I try that today, thanks for the inspiration! ;)
@@alvarodelaorden8901 Yeah, in DCS the tanker DOES turn with no warning whatsoever (and it also doesn't warn you when it's going to return level). Fortunately enough, it doesn't bank so abruptly when it's refueling, like it does when it's being threatened. It's like the tanker AI has a separate set of behavior rules when it's performing the Refueling task from when it's in normal flight plan.
But if the mission creator set the Tanker to keep flying in the same altitude during all of it's flight plan (which I understand it's not realistic according to international aviation standard rules), this factor will not be a problem for the receiver. The tanker AI will keep a perfect altitude hold all the time - even during the turns.
Don't forget that it's more fun the more fuel you onboard because your weight increases and your CG shifts so you're constantly adding throttle and changing trim. It's the little things in life.
Even more compelling when done against the sunset and with that little banking...
07:16 ...would be nice to see one of the most critical moments from inside the cockpit. Thank you for your description, it is very helpful for a AAR noob!
As a "non-pilot", your small movements look like GIANT movements to me! it has always fascinated me how pilots make corrections very quickly before to me it appears anything is even wrong! Watch a real life video of a commercial pilot on the "wheel" or stick landing in windy conditions. To me, amazing.
just point the flight path marker on the tip of the boom. That makes it so much easier. It's what they do in real llife as well. Then the operator is supposed to steer the boom around the cockpit so you don't hit it. In DCS there's a slight delay for the operator top steer it up and to the side around the canopy, so don't do it fast, but that's the way to go. Then you're already at the correct altitude.
Hate that when I complain in ED forums that they say the positioning lights are bright enough and realistic. They are all but invisible. Worse than this in VR...
You make it look so easy. Great content, keep it coming.
well ... overall just thank you so much for all the guides you have put out there to the community, you are probably the most practical and "go to the point" guy in these DCS guides, thanks brother, 5 stars
Thank you. I appreciate that. I'm glad they're helpful!
I've been trying to drogue AAR with a tomcat and just can't seem to kick oscillating the pitch.
It's such a snappy and responsive plane that one, makes it extremely difficult for me to even just try maintain alt and keep level.
The F16 feels a lot steadier so I'm a little more confident in trying to AAR with it.
This video certainly preps my mind that it's possible if you're patient.
I'll just have to learn here and transfer knowledge to the tomcat ahah.
exactly the issue ive been having in the Cat... pitch oscillation
I wonder how it would be with pressure sensitive stick. One way or another, probably the most difficult thing in this game. I feel like, I'm using lights just to make contact, once I'm in position, I just go by feel. Thank you for the video. I love the channel!
so smoothe at the end...i've only achieved connection twice, and immediately disconnected due to ocillation...will try to do it with finger tips, seems logical.
That was a joy to watch with great information and will watch a few more times till it sticks because seriously I've shot a hell of a lot of tankers down out of frustration which in a way feels great!
Your sub number is surely missing a couple of zeros. Great flying and great videos, and I hope you keep at it.
(That ALT+Backslash thing was totally new to me, and I've played DCS for a couple years now.)
Glad it helped!
Same here, about 14 months now. This is the first time I've heard of ALT!
good stuff!
you should mention the way for your TACAN to display distance readout. Even more helpful once you turn your radar off. Tanker lights show up at precise 0.5nm away.
Also worth mention for the Viper, once you get plugged, and something happens and you disconnect, the light from your right eyebrow will turn red, and you won´t be able to reconnect again unless resetting it by pressing "NWS, A/R Disc, MSL Step" button.
Thanks for the tutorial!!
Speed control is my biggest challenge. I can close up nice and easy, but matching speed is where it starts to fall apart. So, before even attempting to worry about the boom, you must be able to close up, pace the ship as far as you can without getting too jerky. Once you can do that, the rest is pretty straight forward.
Very small movements, don’t chase and find a spot to focus on.
Nice tips! I've been practicing A LOT of AAR recently to the point that on the Hornet, it's almost pretty much routine to me. On the Viper tho, it is really proving to be a bigger challenge, sure I've completed transfers, but I just want to be perfect and just keep re-watching the tracks and do it all over again and correct my mistakes. One problem I've found was, the viper accelerates fast and decelerates just as fast when you spool up/down the engine; and you'll really feel this difference with the Hornet AAR. So, anticipation and counter movements are really the general "tips" I have in mind every time I practice an AAR. One question tho, how do you bring up the boom view? that's pretty sick for a screenshot :D cheers
Boom view is F4 and then using right Ctrl+shift+num to navigate back to the boom
Excellent Advice ! And technic.
ALT Backslash! Jeez, I've spent HOURS with people trying to coach me on aerial refueling. Nobody ever said ALT!
mate you make sick videos
imma sub
oh shit i was already subbed
Don't do drugs kids
One of the hardest things to do in DCS
Just got my “transfer complete” last night!!!
Some great tips there, I've not seen those elsewhere :)
also, switich to CAT 3 instead of CAT 1 on the FBW. makes it a lot easier too. I just glide right in on that setting.
I know opening your fuel door dampens the FLCS. So does the CATIII switch. I've never tried both on at the same time to see if it changes anything or does it double up the dampening cause you have two that dampen FLCS? I'd have to test this. But just know that simply opening the Fuel Door dampens the Flight Controls as well.
@@BogeyDope didn't know that
@@BogeyDope while you are correct the AAR FCS curves are currently a work in progress.
Haven't tried the cat 3 trick but I wonder if it's smoother than the AAR mode curves.
Well done. Finger tips good advice. Just curious what curves, spring, and hotas setting you use on that x52. I have x56 and recently upgraded to a metal gimbal hotas since I couldn’t do that his procedure! Needless to say, I still can’t AAR, so this is helpful advice!
Nice vid. Would be nice to have a more specific show & tell on the actual light indicators. Many vids talk about the lights but none really focus on what they mean and how to interpret what they are telling you to do.
Devil's in the details. Tx!
You made that look easy! I'm motivated
Hours of practice and it'll get easier.
Oh shit that's why I couldn't get shell 1-1 to respond. Didn't know about alt+\
Glad it helped!!
That actually depends on whether you're using the "Easy Communications" option on your settings or not, or the server is set to Easy Comms or not. There are cases where the \ key will activate an "Auto" radio comms option.
When you want to prevent to squeeze the stick; hold a pencil between with your index and ring finger over your middle finger. For relaxed rudder input; wiggle your toes.
in the immortal words of Doug Masters: This is da blue bird.. I be ready to refuel
Great videos!!
Don't forget to close the fuel door or try it and see what happens :)
Yes! Don't forget to close the door. I didn't realize I didn't say that! Good catch!
@@BogeyDope I learned the hard way ;)
Iv just started flying the viper. I can't see thet lights at all lol
when i do the UHF radio keybind it just does the normal one
Looks like your stick is easier to do that with than the Thrustmaster A10 HOTAS. I do know that I suck at using the boom vice the basket...sigh.
Got the same stick with 25 for curves and 2 for dead zones on both axis
Tried bomb mode with speed brakes to have more throttle fine adjustment
I can’t manage to refuel the F14
I’ve spent so many years trying
what is the name of your hotas
I have a feeling I'm going to shoot down the tanker at least half a dozen times once I try this!! lol
Loving the videos is that the waited x52 ? Downloaded dcs torn between f18 or f16 what to learn and stick with it
Yes. that's the X52. It's a great HOTAS.
@@BogeyDope great treated myself jst trying to decide on aircraft now for dcs torn between carrier ops or the viper but supposing i sld go viper and if I get stuck ask you 🤣🤣
@@karlbeard29 Both are multi-role fighters and can pretty much do all the same stuff. EXCEPT.... carrier ops. So if you want to be able to have that ability, you will wanna go with the hornet.
@@BogeyDope what have you found the easiest module to learn ?
@@karlbeard29 I don't think I am capable of giving an unbiased answer to that. HAHA. It really comes down to what you want to get out of DCS.
Except for me, when I push Alt \ F6 and in my case F4 the contact Arco 4-1, he doesn't respond at all, and neither does Arco 3-1 in my DCS Squads server.
Usually servers will have the tankers on uhf frequencies. However, sometimes they will put them on vhf frequencies. In which case you need to press Ctrl+F6 in order to transmit on vhf.
@@BogeyDope Ok, gotcha, I'll remember that.
Assuming my controls are set up that way 🤔🤔.
what kind of stick do you have?
Currently I have a Virpil Constellation Alpha with their MongoosT Throttle, but I used the Logitech X52 for 10 years. The X52 is really good, but moving to the Virpil has blown my mind.
Anyone got the music of the intro its really good ngl
Description. Song is called kill it anyway th-cam.com/video/94V0LqNcI64/w-d-xo.html
@@BogeyDope hey man thx il definitely but it on my dcs tunes btw great videos man and continue those dcs mission hidden scimitar was an awesome mission to play with my buddy's we rly had a fun time thx again 😁
Just knowing that I have to be right behind them and get a ready instead of return is probably most of my problem.
I find using the basket on the f-18 much easier
Just the tip u say?
“If you’ve ever been suplexed by a kc-135, smash that like button.”
Still easier the Top Gun on NES!!
At the beginning I saw an explosive way to refuel the f16.
tried on my xbox pad but hell no ain't happenin
What map is that?
Nevada
@@BogeyDope And what about the stick and thruster?
@@JOAAEP in this video I was using the Logitech X52 HOTAS.
@@BogeyDope nice thank you
@@BogeyDope Is it good? Like if I want to buy what do i need to know and how to use and stuff
I fly in a keyboard tho
Fingertips... who would've known.
F18 much easier
It's all pros and cons. I agree easier in some aspects, but the boom is faster transfer rates.
Ouais mais t’es courbes de stick ne reflètent absolument pas la réalité ou dans un F16 le stick bouge à peine de quelques millimètres…ici forcément c’est beaucoup plus facile mais pas réaliste du tout
Vous avez raison de dire que le "vrai" bâton ne bouge que de quelques millimètres. Malheureusement, la majorité des lecteurs DCS n'ont pas de bâton HOTAS qui imite la vie réelle. Donc, c'est le mieux que nous puissions faire sans piloter le vrai jet.
@@BogeyDope Oui je comprends bien sur. Le Thrustmaster HOTAS WARTHOG s’en rapproche beaucoup plus …malgré un prix élevé
Not a good tutorial at all. Definately won't help newbies. One definately need to adjust the roll and pitch sensitivities to ensure they they can microadjustments easy. I had to keep tuning on the vkb gladiator to get it right. The other things is zoom level on the field of view and the perfect frame to which the tanker will connect. There is a sweet spot. The other thing is getting used to reading the tanker green light markers to tell you if you are too high or low in altitude and how far and near you are to the tanker. The lists goes on.
Right!? What a waste of a video.
Wow very interesting, thanks I’ve learned a lot … cool and exciting 👍