DCS F/A-18C #4 - Airfield Approaches

[@michaelmcconnell3777]

Finally, finally a pilot teaching pilot stuff in DCS. Thank you and I am now a subscriber. This is what I am used to when flying airplanes with pre-flight planning, lots of CHECKLISTS and the Section 5 (in Part 23 aircraft) for guidelines and expectations for approach planning, Vref etc.

[@RequiemsACTL]

Thanks Michael for subscribing! Glad you enjoy the approach I'm making with these style of videos as well. I tend to scale how in depth I do based on the sim / module

[@perri401]

I started with DCS and F/A-18C module just 2 months ago, and I was struggling with errors when doing VFR landings. This video helped me a lot. Thanks for this kind of content.

[@RequiemsACTL]

Thanks! I hope it helps with the transition of landing at the carrier easier :-)

[@kerbalette156]

I have to say this is an absolutely excellent tutorial. Very concise, well explained and easy to follow. Well after lots of practice. Thank you very much

[@RequiemsACTL]

Glad it helped! Once you get the hang of this consistently it's time to hit up the carrier!

[@kerbalette156]

@@RequiemsACTL Yes definately :) Find myself balloning a bit after making the initial turn and lowering gear and flaps. What would be awesome would be the option to download your .trk of landings on both the airfield and carrier :)

[@RequiemsACTL]

@@kerbalette156 That would be cool, but I don't bother making the .trks available because they break ALL the time. So it's pointless going to that effort ☹️

[@slyderace]

HOW did I never see this video when I started flying the Hornet a year ago?! :D This was the SMOOTHEST landing I've ever seen from any KZbinr that flies the Hornet! XD I've added this video to my DCS tutorial playlist :)

[@RequiemsACTL]

Although I've played DCS since the beginning I've never been actively involved in the forums or community in general, so my DCS content goes unnoticed for the most part.

[@drumpiedumpie]

You don't need the mod to see if you have the correct AoA. As soon as you've extended gear and flaps a W appears on the hud. This indicates the nose position of the AC. Keep this at 8 degrees in your hud and you're there. It pops up the same time as the E-Bracket. (Around 7:10 in the vid)

[@RequiemsACTL]

Yep that's right, but at that point you'll just be relying on the indexer anyway as you're still approximating where 8 degrees is. The mod is just more of an assist for people learning it and so they can see my control movements for the video. I don't normally have that window up myself. Another technique is to add pitch trim for about 2.5 seconds once the wings are level to get on speed. In the RL Hornets they had a software update which puts the AoA number directly on the HUD but the ED devs have not added it as it came at a date after the Hornet we have modeled.

[@koc988]

Btw there actually is a system that should tell you that puts corrected aoa where the indicated aoa would be on the hud as said by multiple hornet drivers I'm not sure why this wasn't added to the game as it would tell you when your trimmed 8.1 so you don't have to use guess and check

[@AIRWARFAREGROUP]

@drumpiedumpie, spot on! I get guys all the time asking me to turn on that unrealistic overlay in the cockpit; if you are relying on that, you're not eyes out and good cross-check in the cockpit to be where you should be. Dont' get me started on ZOOM EYES to unrealistically see far off through the HUD. True Situational Awareness is realized in the brain...not the eyes, ears, or seat of the pants...those are input mediums to provide the brain with information to process. Forcing yourself to not zoom allows your brain to form the picture on what everything is telling you....Good job on the FOV in the cockpit...that looks about like mine on a 27" monitor. @Requiem, what's your Hornet FOV settings? Mine is 80.0...~JUICE

[@AIRWARFAREGROUP]

@@RequiemsACTL Works great for teaching in a video for viewers...but I don't recommend they fly with it on! 😀

[@RequiemsACTL]

@@AIRWARFAREGROUP Hey Juice, I'm honestly not sure what my FOV is set to... I have a 27" monitor as well, but generally I set my FOV so the side mirrors are close to each side of the monitor. The one thing that annoys me about the default Hornet viewing position is I think the seat is just a touch too high, I keep having to lower the seat so I can see the RPM value clearer.

[@Based_Gopnik89]

Just got DCS, learning the F-18 first after messing around with FC3. Your videos have been extremely helpful, thank you.

[@RequiemsACTL]

Glad to help :-)

[@Based_Gopnik89]

@@RequiemsACTL how do you ensure the proper distance from the threshold - I guess that 1.2 nm distance? when I go into the final turn at 30 degree bank angle I'm going wide and end up right of the runway

[@RequiemsACTL]

@@Based_Gopnik89 when you're learning to judge that distance create a waypoint on the runway threshold and keep it active so you can see it in the HUD. Once you get used to that sight picture you won't need it anymore. You should also be evaluating how the runway looks during that final turn, your bank angle will vary a based if you see yourself overshooting or undershooting final.

[@chrisshurtz5541]

I'm brand new to DCS, with no RL Aviation knowledge whatsoever. I've really been struggling with this Training Mission for the F18. Thank you for sharing this! I'm definitely realizing my stick control is not smooth at all.

[@RequiemsACTL]

If you're completely new be sure to check out the previous videos on the Hornet, especially the On Speed video as that will help you get a grasp on that important concept

[@ianwilliams7740]

Superb tutorial.. Awesome work mate.. you are criminally under appreciated

[@RequiemsACTL]

Thanks Ian :)

[@talisman2443]

About the flared landing i've read on the NATOPS that, when your weight is 39.000lb (so the maximum weight for an airfield landing) you must flare. I saw some F/A-18C doing the same thing in real life. Ah, obviously really nice video man! I watch a lot of your videos about IL2 and yesterday i learned some interesting things like the BFM. Thanks for sharing this!

[@canyonh]

Great vid always, this is my next training target after I get better at on speed AOA.

[@RequiemsACTL]

Good luck!

[@hilaigofast1053]

Coming out of your break turn is so smooth. I tend to gain altitude at that point, then have to try and force it back down. Maybe I'm adding pitch trim too soon. Anyway, great tutorial.

[@RequiemsACTL]

If you wait until you're wings level before adding the trim it's about 2.5 seconds worth of it to get you on speed

[@alecclapperton834]

These videos are fantastic and thank you for doing them. I am having major problems learning the landing at the moment, and I am a new pilot. Looking forward to giving this a go later

[@RequiemsACTL]

It will take a bit to wrap your head around how the plane handles when configured for landing, so be sure to practice that exercise in the previous video (#3)

[@JamesGoodwin1994]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I’ve been getting heaps better at carrier landings but for some reason really struggled with airfield! (Bit backwards I know) watched this during my lunch break and tonight did the most perfect airfield approach and landing! Executed perfectly at every step thanks to you! You’re a legend

[@RequiemsACTL]

I have a CASE I landing completed too but I have a couple of adjustments to make and haven't had time to do it yet. One day my CASE I II and III stuff will be completed lol

[@bayupamungkas9869]

I bought F18 module recently, coming from F16 module in DCS and Falcon BMS player. F18 has difference method than F16. First time I tried it ended up crashing 😂. This tutorial really help me, so thank you.

[@RequiemsACTL]

Thanks for sharing :-) Once you get the hang of landing at the field be sure to go hit up the carrier!

[@IsraeliDino]

I love how to the point you are in these vids!!! Wonderful stuff, thanks as always

[@RequiemsACTL]

Thanks Daniel, I'm not a rambler when it comes to making content as it wastes my time and yours! :-)

[@TheMack]

Agreed! These videos are great. And the landing! OMG, so beautiful and precise! This is really inspirational!

[@RequiemsACTL]

Cheers, I always try and provide a good example to emulate. I'm sure you'll enjoy the carrier landings too :)

[@IsraeliDino]

@@RequiemsACTL Hahaha of course! I myself tend to ramble so I am definirely learning a thing or two beyond the Hornet from your videos ;)

[@tokyomonk]

Absolutely loving this series. I ended up buying the F-5 because of your series on it and I've been watching this one though I don't own the Hornet. I want to ask that you make a similar tutorial series for the F-16. I've had the module for about 6 months now and haven't found any good teachers or videos. Ended up leaving it as there was too much and no one to explain how it works, rather just that it does work.

[@RequiemsACTL]

Thanks Theodore, I need to revisit the F-5 for the weapons but after messing around with it at the time the way they're modeled was really incorrect as I couldn't use RL weapons release tables for it. I know a couple of F-16 SMEs I could ask to review F-16 content if I make it so it's definitely possible once I finish with the Hornet

[@beatsbyjee1563]

learning the hornet now. i got too hyped and instantly started learning how to bomb stuff and once i learned all the weapons and food and all that good stuff i realized i didn’t really know how to operate the aircraft and i had skipped the basics. i can land on a straight end approach but the overhead ones are still tricky for me, i think i might be turning too late when on the downwind because after my turn out of the downwind i’m finding myself way too far off to the right

[@RequiemsACTL]

Yeah you may need to pull more G in the turn or hold the speedbrake out longer if you're flying a speed in excess of standard (350 KCAS).

[@beatsbyjee1563]

@@RequiemsACTL i’m coming in at 350. i do my break, pull 1% of 350 and level out on the reciprocal heading and find myself right at +/- 250. drop the gear, lower the flaps then start to trim to get on speed but it’s after all of that is where i’m having issues. i think i’m turning either too soon or too late when getting back on the runway heading because that’s when i find myself off to the right side of the runway

[@RequiemsACTL]

@@beatsbyjee1563 If that's the case (spacing is too far on downwind), then it could be either due to wind direction and/or maybe you're not offset enough on the initial.

[@beatsbyjee1563]

i will try and report back

[@beatsbyjee1563]

@@RequiemsACTL i figured it out. i wasn’t banking 30 degrees the whole turn and that’s what was offsetting me after i finished turning, i didn’t come out of the turn perfectly aligned but i was pretty close and i landed! i think i just need to learn when to initiate the turn now, i tried counting to 15 seconds but i’m in VR and it’s kinda hard to see the runway hahaha

[@AdrianFourie]

Again, another awsome video. Like your format. Keep it comming!

[@jamietulip639]

Videos like this are such a help when you are first learning (like me!). Thanks!

[@rpersen]

Excellent stuff this. I already can do carrier landings, but I did pick up some tips. Thank you!

[@RequiemsACTL]

Carrier centric videos are coming soon ;-)

[@kerbalette156]

Not able to get mod working in current DCS version 😧

[@MondoRockable]

Taxing with the canopy open is always boss. I was curious whether any F18 drivers flair on runways. Interesting point you made about weight on wheels and the aircraft being in flight idle vs ground idle. Your timing trick on downwind was cool too - wonder if this would be one of the techniques used during a Carrier Class 3 landings? Great work. Learn something new every time I watch your videos. Cheers. 🍻

[@RequiemsACTL]

Hey Mondo, you wouldn't use that timing technique for a carrier landing. The carrier is always moving away from you while the runway isn't, so you use that timing during airfield landings to simulate that carrier movement so your approach has the same consistency

[@MondoRockable]

@@RequiemsACTL Yeah, of course .

[@rogerdarkman157]

Nice video again. Good work.👍

[@bronco1738]

What a work!., excelente thanks

[@thedigitalscribe9621]

This is fine when the terrain is flat, but on many airports they are placed in many mountainous areas, I’m presuming in these areas a pattern landing is not recommended?

[@RequiemsACTL]

In an area with terrain, or even nearby airspace, the type of patterns flown at an airfield can be limited. It could limit it to left hand only, right hand only, or even landing in one direction and taking off in another. Unless you had terrain close by on both sides of the airfield you could do this type of approach.

[@thedigitalscribe9621]

@@RequiemsACTL thanks also I’m seeing pattern landings @ 1,000 or even 1500 feet on upwind as opposed to 800 which seems more for carrier landings but many tutorials including our good friend wags they use 800

[@RequiemsACTL]

@@thedigitalscribe9621 yep. Navy and Air Force fields will have their own rules that need to be adhered to. That's why you're seeing different values. This video is done from a Navy perspective to make transitioning to carrier landings easier

[@thedigitalscribe9621]

@@RequiemsACTL so what would your advice be on landing on airfields on dcs? I know there is charts but in truth I’m not good with them, happy to look at the in game mission map, but go in at 1,500 to be safe or evaluate the terrain and go in accordingly?

[@RequiemsACTL]

@@thedigitalscribe9621 If you're using the Hornet I would stick with 800ft for consistency. Once you're comfortable with that and carrier landings you can go higher if you want to try it.

[@noi747]

Do you have any tricks to get on speed & AOA ASAP after gear downed and flaps full? Thanks. I tend to chase with AOA trim and power struggling to maintain speed and ROD.

[@RequiemsACTL]

I know it's late but the previous lesson covers this topic.

[@xuanhuymai543]

While approaching the rwy my jet nose is always pointing to the left (while the jet is still going forward). Do you know why it happens and how to fix it? Since it is really difficult to aliign the jet with the rwy.

[@RequiemsACTL]

That means you are "crabbing into the wind" so because the wind is not moving the same direction as the runway it is trying to push you away from the runway centerline. By pointing your nose towards the wind, or crabbing into it, you are adjusting where your nose points so your flightpath can keep you flying along the runway centerline. When this happens you will need to do two things just before you land: 1) use rudder to align your nose with the runway 2) add aileron to maintain runway centerline Ideally the wheel closest to the wind will touch down first followed by the other side then the nose wheel.

[@xuanhuymai543]

@@RequiemsACTL Thanks a lot!

[@erfguuipo8084]

How come u dont brake maximum mate?

[@RequiemsACTL]

You can do whatever you want in a sim, but it's just habit from my RL flying. There's no need to slam the brakes on a super long runway as you're not winning any awards other than overheated brakes and shorter brake lifespan

[@tor8887]

Great video. I am not seeing the link for the mod. Am I missing it? Could you share the link to download it? Thanks!

[@RequiemsACTL]

Thanks for pointing it out, I must have forgotten to add it. It's in the description now but here is the direct link for you. IvanK Control mod: www.dropbox.com/s/442hyhu18ijov5q/Controls%20Indicator%20IvanK.zip?dl=0

[@tor8887]

@@RequiemsACTL thanks mate. Any chance of patrion commercial pilot slots opening? I'm keen to join!

[@SDsc0rch]

quality

[@kerbalette156]

How do you install this mod?

[@RequiemsACTL]

What mod? The trim one?

[@kerbalette156]

@@RequiemsACTL yes. I assume it goes somewhere in Saved Games?

[@RequiemsACTL]

Place it in ...\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\Mods\aircraft\FA-18C\Cockpit\Scripts

[@kerbalette156]

@@RequiemsACTL legend thx

[@eaglethedigger]

700-800 fpm descent on touchdown... Wow. Looks heavy. Fighter jets are made up for this?

[@RequiemsACTL]

The Hornet is supposed to land this way, it's designed to take it. Do that in an F-16 or something though and you'll have a bad day!

[@erfguuipo8084]

Nice tutorial mate. Are u a real navy pilot

[@RequiemsACTL]

No, I'm just an airline pilot.

[@erfguuipo8084]

@@RequiemsACTL Your turns and speed and turns are so smooth like autopilot. How? Do you use curvature?

[@RequiemsACTL]

@@erfguuipo8084 I have an extension on my stick so that helps, but I don't use curves at all