DCS - F-14B - Speed & Angels: Day Formation & AAR - Mission 2

[@rwunsche]

I just ran through this mission to quickly try it the other day.. I'm blown away by how well you did it! That was incredible. I have so much practicing to do, but seeing it done properly at least gives me hope as to what is possible - thank you. And I have no idea what was wrong with your landing.. it looked perfect to me!?

[@wavehopper4183]

Bit heavy, ideally it would be at 500-700 fpm. 1000 is pushing it a bit.

[@shadowdog2017]

Nice work I'm still chugging along 3 units forward then 5 units back followed by 3 units forward again. 🤔🤟

[@kahngaming5739]

How in the **** I need so much practice! Thanks for uploading

[@daveslow84]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing, i clearly need this campaign😅

[@KawasakiPeek]

Just a quick nite my man great flying and all but you dont have to tell the rio to align ins in the campaign i believe not sure though good content

[@wavehopper4183]

Good tip. It was a force of habit by that point but you are right, you don't have to tell Jester to do it.

[@brandonzaidi9717]

How did you practice formation flying and how long did it take you to get good at it? I seem to have difficulty with speed and pitch using a Virpil base and stick (with extension due to cockpit setup) and Virpil throttle. Do you change your curves or leave them as is? Dead zones? I couldn’t even get the tanker to acknowledge me so after about 20 tries and reloads I said screw it and headed back to Nellis and landed. Same with the night formation. Any advice or practice regimes would be great.

[@wavehopper4183]

Hi Brandon, sorry, KZbin squirreled away your comment. It took quite a while to get the formation stuff down and it's still incredibly hard with the AI. They make aggressive turns which make it much harder than it should be. I would begin by practicing with a human (preferably someone with a bit of lead experience) as they'll make smoother turns. Failing that, practice with a big target like a refuelling tanker. The only other real advice is not to settle. If you see you're lagging behind (sucked), then get the throttle on and get into position. Work for your position (this has been hammered home by my instructor in my MP squadron), you can't be complacent and you need to correct speed swiftly. Final point, in turns keep the lead on the horizon. Don't let yourself get too high above them or too low beneath them.

[@brandonzaidi9717]

I’m starting to finally get it. I made some adjustments to the curves in not only the stick but the throttle too. I’ve been struggling for a month to hit the tanker. I managed to hit it and stay connected for 10 seconds tonight. One of the things I still struggle with is lateral movement, I just can’t seem to get it right with the rudder. But after what you just said and other things I’ve heard and read, I’m finding the the biggest thing I’m lacking is patience. Getting better!!!! Thanks for the reply sir.

[@wavehopper4183]

​@@brandonzaidi9717 What my KZbin channel doesn't show is the countless tankers I shot down in frustration when I was learning. It does get easier.

[@brandonzaidi9717]

@@wavehopper4183 That's hilarious. I'm able to hook up now, getting better. Now the challenge is staying connected longer than 10 seconds. Thanks for the insight!

[@mattmatt350]

I just played this mission. Is it just me or was the pitch trim different every time it switched tasks? He'd say be light on the stick but the first formation I was pulling back pretty hard, never adjusted the trim, and second formation I was pushing to stay level, got me all f'd up.

[@wavehopper4183]

It is different every time, I don't think trim can be set via the mission editor so it has to be done on the fly. Any difference in speed (altitude also affects it) will throw off the starting trim.

[@rwunsche]

I just hit the autopilot "Engage" button for a few seconds and let it auto-trim for me. Is this considered cheating?

[@wavehopper4183]

@@rwunsche Whatever works for you. Not sure I'd do it personally as I prefer to handle trimming manually. I certainly wouldn't consider it cheating.