DCS: F/A-18C Hornet | Comprehensive UFC Tutorial | Autopilot | Radios | TACAN & ILS | Weapons Progs

Hey Guys! This is a tutorial on how to use the UFC to communicate with the major systems of the aircraft namely the Autopilot, Radios, TACAN and ILS Channels, Weapons programming and Waypoint creation.
This video has been heavily requested by the guys over on the WingmanFinder Discord and Subreddit as the UFC has been a little confusing for both new and veteran DCS Hornet pilots alike!
Hopefully this video will help you guys out!

[@Spudknocker]

Hey guys let me know if you want me to follow up this video with a UFC tutorial in the AV-8B using the same kind of scenario!

[@exiletsj2570]

YES PLEASE!

[@Spudknocker]

Exile 1 sure thing dude!

[@craigh1790]

Yes, please. Definitely. This was a fantastic video. Great job.

[@Spudknocker]

Craig H thanks for the support man! Share it with anyone you think could use it

[@alexanderryan-jones600]

Yes, that would be awesome. I really find the Harrier's avionics confusing.

[@deadly107]

I'm a former Jane's F/A-18 player from several decades back (VFA-107 Sea Dragons) and just recently found DCS and the F/A-18C Hornet. I was having some difficulty learning this sim when I found this tutorial. I just want to say thank you for posting it because it has been a huge help to me while trying to learn this Hornet Sim!

[@vilson.farias]

This is by far the best F18 video about navigation. Believe me, I have watched them all. The way you organizar the content, the in-depth concept explanations and the detailed step by steps made your channel my favorite source for F18 tutorials. Thanks for such great work!

[@keirfarnum6811]

It’s interesting how different the jets are from each other. The F16 doesn’t have the AP controls in the flight control computer like the F18. It has it’s own simplified panel.

[@Allstar14234]

I'm new to the scene but I must say this video has been the most helpful explanation of this system on the F/A18 that I've seen thus far. Going through the rest to learn as much as I can! Hopefully I will build my skills enough to join you one day. Thanks Spud!!!

[@IRONIC1688]

This is exactly what I needed to make sure I got the UFC interface figured out (Just bought the Hornet last week) loved the tutorial! thanks a lot, sir.

[@eightLives_forever]

Best DCS tutorials on the Tube! Hands down! Thanks!

[@pilotngb]

Thanks for another great video. I didn't know how to enter WP's via the UFC. I now know!

[@thomasfranzstockhammer7846]

lg ! Very interesting tutorial's Thema " FA - 18 Hornet "

[@19540608]

For those with autopilot issues make sure you check your game settings. Go to Games play and make sure "Game flight mode is unchecked". Auto pilot will then work fine. Your flying experience will them be outstanding.

[@keilylmm6377]

Awesome info Spud. That's what I'm talking about very helpful info. I'm going to give it a whirl today to practice my radio communications. Thanks.

[@alexanderryan-jones600]

1. I really like the HSEL (Heading Select) autopilot mode, so much so that I've rebound Trim Hat Left and Right to Heading Select, just like it works in the Mirage and Viggen. 2. I need to find out more about ADF frequencies, both getting them to work in the Hornet's pit and setting up reasonable frequencies in the mission editor which are within the various ranges for all aircraft.

[@craig08hull]

Just starting out on DCS and flight sim's in general. this video has helped massively so thank you. must be cool to be so fluent in dcs world cant wait to learn everything?

[@ValiantDWC]

Amazing tutorial! Thanks brother, very informative.

[@williaml9120]

I'm gonna go ahead and say this was a very helpful video. I'm gonna go ahead and put it to use right away. I'm gonna go ahead and thank you very much.

[@hornetdriver8509]

Thanks Spudknocker! New to the Bug and learned a lot from this video! Also just started using VR..

[@pyroscot]

Another excellent tutorial, really helps buddy many thanks. Pete

Thks for this video !!! It seems so simple ..... Let's try !

[@Sledge72au]

Excellent tutorial Spud..thanks for the hours you put in for these informative videos..Small observation..when instructing on the HSI, can you remove the map mode?..might help new pilots recognize the symbology when looking at this display (ie./ when looking at map mode, it tends to make it more cluttered)..Cheers and Beers and keep up the great work

[@Stisse12]

Really good one, You take time and are calm, other tutorials are so stressed,, and for a newbie thats not what U want.. This was perfect! How do you use the AUTO button on HSI/Waypoint to Nav to an Waypoint? Thanks

[@Galf506]

Great video, thank you especially for the waypoint input part. Only one bit: you could have touched on the fact that disabling the "columns" next to the autopilot modes doesn't ACTUALLY disengage the autopilot, you do need to pull the paddle switch back every time. Which still confuses me a bit, as I didn't realize how ATTH worked - now I know that you can disable some autopilot settings without leaving autopilot entirely! Thanks, again.

[@Spudknocker]

Galf506 glad I could help!

[@smoke_eater_]

Hey spud! I hope you can make F-14 videos as comprehensive as this. Thanks for these videos as well as the Friday night flights!

[@Spudknocker]

For sure dude! That is the plan! Were you in this last one?

[@czechpilot]

Cant wait for your F-14 content!! Star level so far:)@@Spudknocker

[@smoke_eater_]

@@Spudknocker Not the most recent on but I was a couple of missions ago...

[@Chosinn]

When inputing coordinates for a waypoint, are you able to use MGRS instead of the traditional reference system you use in the video? Amazing tutorial btw!

[@rwm0268]

Very helpful, thanks !!!

[@NavyGuy2OO7]

That livery is badass!

[@Spudknocker]

CheapSkateSimmer I definitely thought so!

[@JETFOURLITRE]

Bloody oath, where did you get it mate?

[@Spudknocker]

JETFOURLITRE it’s in the ED website downloads section!

[@JETFOURLITRE]

@@Spudknocker sweet! Thanks 😊

[@GreyMaulkin]

@@Spudknocker since there are 64 *pages* of skins here is a specific link: www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3300918/

[@dimitriskatsoulis4834]

Spud, what graphic settings do you use? Cause the overall quality is very smooth and round and juicy! I like the transitions and everything!

[@vedran12345]

Thanks for effort to explain.... 👍🖖

[@nasty7388]

Hey thanks for the video

[@Benoatk]

Nice!!!! Thank u amigos!!!!

[@TheDroppy68]

Been a bit lax in keeping up-to-date with your videos recently. I saw the title of this one, thought "Nah I'm good with this", but decided to watch it anyway and came away learning functionality I didn't even know existed (manually inputting Lat / Long). Thanks heaps buddy! One last thing of note, does anyone else have bad eyes when it comes to reading the moving map? I really think that Belsimtek need to adjust the contrast, or give an option to change the colour of the Command text (even if it's not really prototypical), my eyes have real problems with it at present, especially whilst using the HTC Vive...

[@Spudknocker]

Insurgent 540 haha thanks for the support dude I am glad you liked the video! I would say that your map issue is probably more a VR issue than an art or design issue on ED’s part to be totally honest.

[@iberian21]

Moving the heading selector it can be noticed that the heading bug on the hsi moves around the compass. So inputting a heading with the number keys isn’t always necessary.

[@philbivins7133]

what app did you use on your phone to get coordinates for bombing island? Great video Spud will need to watch about a dozen times before I get it down...You're a wonderful instructor..."FLY NAVY"

[@PiSkiS320]

Amazing video, so well explain, does the F18 has de ACL capability as the F14 on DCS? Thanks

[@shillen65]

Really enjoyable video... You´re right, I haven´t used that HSEL-option yet... Short question concerning the PG-Map: it´s looking so nice and detailed, is it more FPS-hungry compared to the Caucasus?

[@Spudknocker]

Ragnar 65 actually it’s be opposite! You will get much better performance out of the Persian Gulf than the Caucasus

[@ALPHARICCO875]

Super, Thank you

[@rwhunt99]

Should make people aware that the frequencies you input are not default, they are set up per mission. Best place to check is the mission briefing. Sometimes it is in the knee board also.

[@philbivins7133]

Very cool skin...great channel

[@TheDragonfly256]

I think you still need to hit ILS icon on HSI for it to shown lines in your hud.

[@bazexo12.73]

Hay @Spudknocker. have you done a video tutorial on the Bit test? I've been working through the systems as everything comes online but by the time I have everything up and running. There are about 8 things left in the bit test as a nogo. Also with my IFF. What does XP or AI mean? It's not turning on and I'm getting those two choices when I hit the IFF button.

[@o.e.cramps7645]

Would love to see a tutorial on using the Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS controllers with the F/A 18c. Would like to see from a pro how all of the switches and buttons are supposed to operate the various aircraft systems.

[@Spudknocker]

O.E. Cramps if you buy me one I will certainly make you a tutorial video!

[@danroko9364]

Hey, if you could, do one on FA-18 trim controls, as it seems different than regular planes..... and I have seen it behave differently on different occasions. Thanks.

[@dj7duece]

Awesome Video man. Im new to DCS with F18-C. This really broke a lot of things down to me.

[@Spudknocker]

I am very glad that it helped you out man!

[@MrMeric19]

i apologize, im new here. have you any training vids on setting up my own training missions in editor, like for example mid air refueling, or formation flying?

[@Spudknocker]

This should help you out, its a little long but it covers the basics! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGfLdpxjm7uEmMU

[@RicCrouch]

MiG-21 jumping a Hornet? Brave little bastard....

[@utley]

So if you cant use the ICLS for ILS airfields in IFR, how would you use instruments to land at those airfields?

[@TheDragonfly256]

You know what would be cool? Radial menu (just like jester) but for comms. Instead of weird keyboard kungfu we could just chose voice command using radial menus.

[@Kokeshulo]

You hace to set the feecuences un the misión editor?

[@ShannonNewbold]

On your HUD there is that line moving around the compass with the label "E2". what is that ?

[@markcomputertech7997]

How do you turn on the UFC on ground power. Im on the Super carrier and cant talk to the tower for engine start! Someone please help me??

[@smirnoff1589]

so how do you enter in an ILS freq, for example: 111.90?

[@DickenCider]

is there a way to stop the ufc from turning off automatically

[@JonDraper]

Are you using ReShade for this video??

[@bobbyrutz9402]

Why do your lights have a blueish tint to them?

[@mr.crispybacon]

i set it ti my keypad on my keyboard and for a long time idk what it did xD

[@stenseins5606]

And now we go ahead.............

[@rivirugunasinghe2912]

how do i turn off easy comms pls tell me

[@rivirugunasinghe2912]

pls can you tell me how to turn off auto radio

[@henri3446]

my BALT is not working most of the time?

[@ubique6859]

Has much changed since this video release?

[@cenkcdemir]

can we get this livery?

[@nakotaapache4674]

how is the skin of the f18 is named ?

[@dapwn3ritswatido]

looks like you killed a lot of Sand. The Sand was _Very EVIL._

[@Spudknocker]

dapwn3ritswatido very evil!

[@infotechsailor]

Wait so is there no way to do a normal ils approach in dcs hornet?

[@Spudknocker]

Nope only ICLS

[@ghostlogan5299]

pls what is best plane attack ground a10a or a10c ?

[@lbowiejr]

A-10C, no question about it!

[@Galf506]

"A" is earlier than "C", so it's worse. In general that's how it is, but sometimes you will find different letters for trainer aircraft (planes meant for training pilots.) In this case though it's just a straight upgrade. The A version was bare bones and simple, in the event of the cold war going hot the US knew that A-10s would be shot down on a daily basis so they focused on making a really sturdy aircraft that would save the pilot, and all the focus was creating a modern CAS platform that the US really never had since the Skyraider was introduced. The plane was modernized in the 90s, when the cold war was over, and the A-10 needed to adapt to different battlefields.

[@jonnie2bad]

where is the data for what frequencies are being used by awacs?

[@b0bl00i]

It's defined for each mission so hard to answer that question. Sometimes you can find it in the mission brief

[@aslowsin]

When I go to engage my A/P modes I can only get attitude mode to select however it doesn’t hold my attitude. If I look over at the left DDI once I engage any A/P mode it says that A/P is active but it does not do anything. I’ve tried reinstalling the module and repairing my dcs with no luck. If someone could help that would be amazing. I’ve posted about this issue before and have gotten no responses.

[@Spudknocker]

That’s very weird, I have no idea what could be happenong

[@aslowsin]

It’s been like that for me since module release

[@Badair91]

Hey dude, the AP is very sensitive to stick movement. Try checking your dead bands to see if there’s any spiking. I was having issues with getting the AP to engage and came across that advice and it cleared it right up.

[@aslowsin]

Badair91 thanks for the suggestion. I somehow don’t thing it will work. I use a dead zone of 5 for my stick. But I’ll try it anyway

[@aslowsin]

No luck sadly

[@1over137]

You don't need to use ATTH to hold a bank angle for orbit. BALT is enough.

[@blythe7754]

14:43

[@kornstat3253]

RALT= Radio Altimeter

[@joelmulder]

Livery? What livery? I don't even see the plane!

[@jarisipilainen3875]

17:11 reason its dubai there is nothing to bomb lol. and why bad guys grab airfield nearby LOL how is it possible russians just take airfieöld and start base there LOL

[@michaell.8513]

What is it with you and the damn sun? always the damn sun is on the Front so we cannot see a damn thing????