DCS: Free Carrier and Hornet | Automatic Carrier Landing System

Purchase DCS: F/A-18C Hornet from:
www.digitalcombatsimulator.co...
In the previous Automatic Carrier Landing System (ACLS) video, we looked at using this in conjunction with DCS: Supercarrier. In this video, we’ll discuss how to use the Hornet ACLS with the free, CVN-74 John C. Stennis carrier comes with DCS World.
The steps are:
1- Contact the carrier on the correct radio frequency using COMM 1 or COMM 2 and select the ATC option. From the ATC selections, select Inbound.
2- Enter the correct Link 4 frequency from D/L.
3- From the HSI page, enable ACL.
4- Fly a Case III as before, and at 5.5 nm (should be gear down, flaps down, hook down, and on-speed) select AP (autopilot) from the UFC (Upfront Controller) and select the CPL option on the UFC.
5- Once coupled, you can press the paddle switch to uncouple and manually fly the approach on Mode 1A.
Rather than couple, you may also elect not to and fly manually in Mode 2.

[@jaynuck]

Bravo for listening to the community so quickly. I own and will continue using the SC, but this was a great move.

[@HavocCompanyClan]

trying to get people to pay again for something they already paid for was never going to be popular

[@Dion-es6qx]

@@HavocCompanyClan what was it that people would have had to pay for again that they had already paid for?

[@upchuk556]

@@Dion-es6qx the ACLS is a hornet feature, not a carrier feature. They were gonna have you buy SC to get it. It would be like hiding the Harrier NAVFLIR behind buying Combined Arms.

[@Bloodrayne800]

@@upchuk556 Its also on the tomcat, just not as advanced as the hornets

[@HavocCompanyClan]

@@Dion-es6qx ED back tracked last ngiht , so not a problem anymore

[@Razbari]

Great to see such a quick response on this.

[@OfficialUSKRprogram]

Something that may help newcomers: The radio says "runway 08" and runway number is ALWAYS the heading, in this case 080, this can help people orient themselves.

[@mahdisarrami9904]

TNX bro

[@mahdisarrami9904]

And how to find out the ILS channel?

[@alessiob8700]

@@mahdisarrami9904 tacan and icls are listed in the briefing. You can also assign them/check from the editor

[@Jacktherookie_]

Nope its not. Rwy heading are marked in true north. but we have to enter magnetic northfor CRS(for F-16's ILS CRS LINE, or ICLS for F-18)

[@OfficialUSKRprogram]

​@@Jacktherookie_ Accurate heading is not needed, ICLS (or ACLS if you're following the video tutorial) will give you needles, not an arrow, you're thinking about a TACAN approach which works differently and is only used on static runways. The magnetic deviation is irrelevant because you're looking to get lined up for the ACLS needles, nothing more.

[@EvanButler320]

“and this time, i think i’ll add some cheese to my ham sandwich” bruh

[@k.suthproductions8611]

Very awesome! You guys' updates are amazing!!

[@MrPhantom453]

Nicely done ED. Although I would encourage all to buy the super carrier if you can.

[@alessiob8700]

Absolutely! Once it's released.

[@flightstatic4662]

@@alessiob8700 The super carrier was released a while ago

[@josefwitt9772]

I've certainly got my money's worth from the supercarrier, and these improvements are a big step.

[@JamesTyranski]

@@flightstatic4662 probably meant out of Early Access

[@flightstatic4662]

@@JamesTyranski ah that makes more sense

[@antimushroomsd7266]

Nice! Thanks eagle and reddit!

[@user-oz8ir3eo3m]

Finally here! Thanks DCS

[@warrencantero]

Brilliant!! you guys are doing a great job.

[@KevinS47]

SO much respect to you guys for this. I am impressed by how quickly you picked up on the feedback by the community.. Keep rockin!!! =)

[@SDsc0rch]

you guys keep doing excellent work! : )

[@DaddyKoolPop]

Beautiful!!

[@afterburner3584]

You are my favorite KZbinr

[@TrickerDCS]

Most excellent Sir

[@reallybadaim118]

Well done.

[@NicoMavB]

I think Matt can be a real fighter pilot. :)

[@pascalperrin-bonnet7119]

Il commence vraiment a avoir de la gueule se porte-avion super boulot les gars.

[@btratemylegs.6342]

Thank you

[@purplepenguin43]

JUST FYI : LINK 4 has not been setup for the Default instant action missions. (or most multiplayer missions like Hoggit GAW as of july 6 2022 ) you need to mod the mission by opening it in the editor, clicking on the carrier and adding under waypoints "Preform Action > Activate Link 4 " and Activate ACLS. iv've also heard that there are bugs in Multiplayer with more then one A/C group and ACLS, but i havent tested multiplayer yet.

[@Pisslizard]

thanks ed!

[@allent555]

Nice !!!! May I ask what rig configuration you're using for DCS ? Thanks

[@markusawrightus7512]

Hi Wags, this is great, can't thank ED enough for implementing this into the free version. Great work as always. I wondered if the FLOLS icon is something that's in the hornet/free version?

[@Hardcover_Pilot]

The IFLOLS overlay is a feature exclusive to the Supercarrier.

[@markusawrightus7512]

@@Hardcover_Pilot ah ok, thanks for clarifying that.

[@monaamelia]

Hey Mat, when is DCS going to add ground personnel for the ground parking? It will be very cool.

[@SPFLDAngler]

You can set Humvees to help you taxi. Not sure exactly how, I know there are tutorials for it, but that's something you can do. It's not a guy on the ground directing you but it is ground personnel leading you.

[@flightstatic4662]

Thanks

[@jakewolfe7397]

Life comes at you fast

[@jbavaro71]

No u

[@OLIV3R_YT]

Cool!

[@SPFLDAngler]

Quick question. How do you find out the Beacon for carriers in MP? They don't list it in the briefing, only UHF/Tacan/ILS. Is there a default number? Like how Stennis was 256 in this video?

[@mahdisarrami9904]

Hey dude . Is there any guided rocket to add to fa18c?

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

When I set up carrier ops I get all the aircraft, including mine, launched and on their way. But for some reason I cannot get them to land. When their mission is complete, they enter the pattern to land, but will not actually land. They just do a fly by and enter the pattern again. Is there some way of clearing the personnel from the deck so that planes can land? I would imagine the waist cat crews standing there is preventing the jets from landing. Am I missing some command in the editor to clear the deck?

[@actionjackson8439]

Is the Stennis always on D/L channel 256.0? The ACLS fails when I attempt to utilize it.

[@wantdatcadpat44]

Pog

[@SimoneSerponi]

Nice video Matt, eager to test the nev ACLS with my bug... maybe this week end? :-) Can we expect an update of the Supercarrier and Hornet manuals (with all the explanation of ACLS modes an porcedure) along with the update? Also, it is just me or the video quality is poor even at 1080p?

[@anttay109]

So whats yhe tolerance on the carrier's ability to fly you in, will i have to make a good faiths attempt at a proper approach like you or can i just hand it over the second i see data coming in and will it correct extreme angles?

[@Tomas-yg1xz]

You can also use the regular coupled autopilot to align with a tacan course line set to final bearing. That should give you a pretty good approach with minimal effort. On that note, I wonder if it automatically switches to ACLS once the glide slope appears.

[@omega-xe-studio-and-gaming]

Have a quick ? When I’m in the air the comm menu doesn’t open. If no comm menu I can’t communicate with ATC or ship.

[@Venom152]

Will the Tarawa get any love ?

[@SimonSomething]

Whats that high gain you turned on that shun everything up in bright green?

[@TheCasualCosmonaut]

"high gain" there refers to the nose wheel steering, with high gain being the setting used to maneuver on the tight carrier deck. I think the carrier flood lights just happened to pop in at that exact moment.

[@banaantjexx164]

Nothing to do with the NWS High Gain mode, that's purely from the game detecting a player controlled vehicle on the Stennis in a nighttime setting

[@ClevyTR6]

Night vision goggles to on to maneuver on the deck ?

[@SimonSomething]

@@TheCasualCosmonaut Ah, cheers. That's what I suspected but I thought I'd ask in case something useful slipped by my knowledge :D

[@auqanova]

This is a pleasant surprise, I'm sure this is definitely a feature described as "due to popular demand" I'm quite curious though, as by the last video it sounded like there were no plans to add the free carrier acls, but in less than a week you had it ready to show. If it was that quick to add the acls to the supercarrier, how come that wasn't just done in the first place? I can only assume it was with the hope of selling more supercarriers, which admittedly makes sense from a business standpoint, and probably couldve been gotten away with if acls was marketed as a supercarrier feature rather than a plane feature. In any case I'm glad you guys changed your mind on it, makes me much happier as a person who spent too much on planes to afford the auxiliary modules.

[@algroyp3r]

I see no tadpole and can't engage CPL. I still receive data into the ACL page, and see ILS needles. TCN, ILS, DL on. Any ideas?

[@jeffreyleftovers]

What? Impossible! How did you guys do this?! It couldn’t be done! /s Side note thank you for listening, still pissed about the initial take though… got my eye on you.

[@Mako-sz4qr]

Sweet ! What was high gain ? That lite the deck up ? Thx Wags

[@CumulusBurn]

I believe he meant the high gain nose wheel steering (hold in NWS button for a sec while wings are folding/folded) in order to maneuver tightly on the deck. As far as the lights coming on; they come on at night when necessary, but I haven’t done night landings in months, so don’t quote me on that. 🤙🏻

[@Relics_tv]

@@CumulusBurn Quick note it you have the wings unlocked aka handle pulled out the NWS High will remain on. It can be seen that before CAT launch pilots will unfold their wings and then wait till they are connected to the shuttle before locking them.

[@CumulusBurn]

@@Relics_tv Cool, thanks. Good to know. I appreciate the clarification of my response. 🤙🏻

[@Mako-sz4qr]

@@CumulusBurn - ah gotcha thank you 🤙🏼

[@PiSkiS320]

Amazing! although I always get the TILT msg.... any help?

[@chrispoe5292]

I have no idea whats going on when I try this. I do everything correct and get the data message and it WILL NOT allow me to click the CPL button, it simply does nothing. What could I possibly be doing wrong?!?!

[@Taxpayer_416]

This is great... can't wait. Question... how do you get the HUD info to stay "full" with info even when you move your head around?? (I assume TracK IR is being used) i lose some of the HUD info if I move my head around....just wondering if im missing something. Thanks.

[@MattWagner]

You need to turn on the helmet sight.

[@stalhuth]

is this system only for carriers or also for ground runways?

[@JamesTyranski]

This ACLS for the Hornet, which is Automatic Carrier Landing System.

[@AggrarFarmer]

Does this work on Forestal ?

[@spc83]

Question for anyone here. Doesn't the carrier normally operate without lights at night in a combat zone? If so is that an option (or for Wags a Future option) in the game? would the meatball still be displayed?

[@Hardcover_Pilot]

I was Army and not Navy, as a caveat. But logically speaking, I would imagine that if things are secure enough to where the carrier is launching/recovering aircraft at night, it's safe enough for them to have lights on the deck, including the meatball. Especially the meatball, as that's the primary indicator for the pilot for if they're on glideslope. Having the LSO talk you on is nice, but there's an inherent lag in having a human respond to what they're seeing on the PLAT camera and tell the landing aircraft the correction needed.

[@kevinmccallister1343]

I'm prior Navy and to answer your question, no. Carriers never get close to combat zones. They don't have to since they can reach out and touch the enemy with aircraft that can fly very long distances away from the carrier and many of those aircraft are carrying cruise missiles that can travel even further still, giving carriers an enormously long reach. Carriers don't try to hide at sea or care if they have lights running or not since they are so far away from combat zones and they are also surrounded by lots of smaller lower profiles Navy ships (frigates, destroyers, cruisers, etc) and all of those ships are all very well armed with cruise missiles and sophisticated radar and sonar systems and they all relay information back to the carrier and the carrier relays information back to them as well, so that basically everything is seen and known about from extremely long distances. Now sometimes lower profiles ships (frigates, destroyers, cruisers, etc) will operate solo or in small groups and they will "darken ships" at night and do not even use running lights. Carriers basically serve one main function - sending up planes and recovering planes nonstop. Lower profile ships take on many roles. They escort carriers or they do hunter/killer/SAR solo missions or small group missions with other lower profile ships as in a hunter/killer/SAR pack. Submarines are the only ones that constantly try to stay undetected and hidden. They go out to sea and stay hidden underwater for six months before they return to port and surface. They are basically the snipers of the sea. They try to stay hidden and undetected while hunting down enemy submarines and ships, trying to detect them without being detected themselves. And wherever there's a carrier, you can count on there also being at least one submarine escorting the carrier from beneath the waves somewhere close by to the carrier.

[@kekko2007]

Why ILS isn't available also for runway landings?

[@MattWagner]

You will need to ask the US Navy.

[@lavishmctavish4905]

No information, also not in previous video, how to set up the ILS. Love your vids btw

[@MattWagner]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqfPfnukgc-VerM

[@lavishmctavish4905]

@@MattWagner Thank you! I was refering to setting it up in the mission editor. But after messing around with the commands I found it, along the same lines you set up the ACLS and the TACAN :). Im glad to say the auto landing worked!

[@lavishmctavish4905]

@@MattWagner I think I got ACLS and ICLS mixed up after checking it again. Sorry for wasting your time.

[@AlexanderGarzon]

And what happens if you don't have the CRS in hand and is nowhere in the briefing?

[@MattWagner]

Listen to the check in marhal brief.

[@OperatorRattlehead]

Anyone know why datalink from awacs and such stopped working after this update? Even though i turned on the datalink i still cant see aircraft that the awacs can on the SA page.

[@MattWagner]

D/L toggles between L4 and L16

[@JordanBulthuis]

Would you be able to include the super carrier with the fa18. I bought a couple modules for dcs and I would love to get the super carrier but I don’t know if I should spend money on a carrier. Would be really nice to receive it with the hornet. I understand y’all got bills to pay but it would also be pretty sweet!

[@cody5903]

In real life would this be used during case 1 recovery as well or just case 3?

[@MattWagner]

c3

[@PredatorFly]

I followed the instructions in the tutorial. After entering tacan and ILS and activating the ACL function, after the test I display UTM FAIL, why?

[@MattWagner]

You did not set a correct Link 4 frequency.

[@PredatorFly]

@@MattWagner I used the Truman and I put the frequency 256.0

[@MattWagner]

@@PredatorFly Include a track file on our forum and we'll take a look. This YT channel is not really for support. Please use our fourm.

[@PredatorFly]

@@MattWagner ok

[@jpatty5473]

I am getting master caution - AUTO PILOT at the point of attempting to CPL at 5 miles and 1200ft. so it will not CPL. any ideas?

[@MattWagner]

Use the forum with a track file.

[@kevinmccallister1343]

Create a new mission. Old missions created prior to the update will not work properly with ACLS. I tried and tried and tried with an old mission I created and couldn't get CPL to work properly. It turned out that I needed to create a new mission in the editor and then it worked.

[@jpatty5473]

@@kevinmccallister1343 i think i did try a brand new mission in Marianas and it didn't work, i'll give it some time and try again thanks!

[@cody5903]

Does this work with the cv-59?

[@JamesTyranski]

My understanding it's only with ED's carrier modules. The CV-59 is Heatblur.

[@jbavaro71]

Show me that data cartridge wags!

[@hidayatoceandar5004]

Yaah bring it on

[@cesarrios6222]

Super hornet when DCS?

[@whataboutbob1000]

My mouse cursor was frozen the whole time.

[@sniperwolfpk5]

My question to ED. Why ATC is bound to supper carrier. ATC is a basic feature of any flight simulation. Why the ATC is not set for the free carrier as well.

[@tomriley5790]

Perhaps because there's a basic carrier in the game for free and and a Supercarrier if you want a really good carrier simulation?

[@sniperwolfpk5]

@@tomriley5790 I am taking about ATC. Did you see any flight simulator that sales ATC basic feature

[@jebb125]

I'll still manage to crash on the desk even with ACLS connected.

[@MattWagner]

No issue here. Please post a track to our forum and we'll try to help you.

[@jebb125]

​@@MattWagner just making a funny. I will find a way to crash even with all the automation.

[@SDsc0rch]

:))

[@playerguy2]

* happy poor noises *

[@therocinante3443]

ACL is great until there's a bit of a breeze lol

[@Swift476]

Please please please tell me we can do it this way on supercarrier too. Having to run through the AI comms is a deal breaker for us, and we dont want to have to downgrade to the free carrier!

[@cebrady]

Why is running through AI comms a deal breaker?

[@SkateZillaSimulations]

The comms are part of the Super Carrier Module. :SHRUG:

[@Swift476]

@@cebrady Because we have humans to do that instead

[@diwahn]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZfZp2l8aq2Cf5o check out that video.. its the one for the Supercarrier

[@shagrat47]

@@Swift476 Then just use a different voice channel for comms and ignore the AI guy?

[@ChadE1020]

lol Where is the Auto AA Refueling

[@lukew2031]

Just buy the Supercarrier. It's well worth it!

[@CheekClapper879]

great job ED. We basically cyberbullied a major company

[@th3le4d]

lol impressive! Rlly acurate and realistic ACLS procedure, just like a real F-18 pussy pilot do!!! (just joking but...Anytime baby!)

[@ClevyTR6]

Is it just me or was that stressful ?

[@kaan2866]

Sad F-14 ACLS noises :(

[@mini_the_tiny3160]

bro its 70 dollars what are you on about 'free', i just spent so much money on the f14 and it cant fly in a straight path without my having to push my stick fully forward, this game is too expensive for the things it offers and only some things in this game are actually worth the money like the f-16

[@MattWagner]

bro, the game includes two free aircraft, two free maps, and the option of free to play periods. Regarding having to push the stick forward, please take the time to learn about trimming the aircraft... it is quite accurate for the F-14 and older aircraft without auto-trim flight control systems.

[@thienes0477]

first

[@tomo_ka3040]

nope