DCS Fuel School | Complete AAR Tutorial | Episode 1 - F/A-18C

/ 104th_maverick
A detailed look at how to air to air refuel in the F/A-18C Hornet.
What is DCS?
Digital Combat Simulator World (DCS World) is a free-to-play digital battlefield game, focusing on simulation of military aircraft. It includes the FREE Su-25T and TF-51D aircraft and it is extensible through additional DCS modules as well as user-made add-ons and mods. DCS World includes a vast mission area of the Caucasus region that encompasses much of Georgia - the location of the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008. You can download it for free here - www.digitalcom...
Music:
ODESZA - All We Need (Autograf Remix)
• ODESZA - All We Need (...

[@104thMaverick]

I'm now exclusively streaming on TWITCH folks and will no longer be streaming on KZbin! Head over to the Twitch channel to keep up with all the live action! - www.twitch.tv/104th_maverick

[@ApoTroll]

booo twitch sucks!

[@timbrwolf1121]

Twitch has better income at this point. If he streams on youtube twice a day his revenue on this side will be non existent. Having less frequent, quality videos is how you earn on youtube. Viewers and subscribers are all that matters and no one wants a load of notifications from youtube.

[@muhdzahril3866]

@@ApoTroll k

[@gregoryanderson73]

This single video is what took me from zero to hero in terms of being able to AAR. Thanks for sharing knowledge Bro!

[@Rivv96]

I watched your video this afternoon, tried it an hour ago. Took me less than 5 minutes to successfully connect and refuel. Great tutorial.

[@TacticalSandals]

I have put about 20 hours into attempting to refuel any plane in DCS and have failed miserably every time. I wish i had a tally how many tankers I have shot down out of frustration.

[@104thMaverick]

Any better luck since watching the video?

[@peterott8053]

@@divegreenwater9570 first, put a curve into your x and y axis of your stick.. at least 15 to max 40 whatever you like better. and then take it easy... slow is quickest.

[@mizzyroro]

@@peterott8053 the only problem is the bloody tanker keeps turning.

[@olivertv6175]

Haha, same 😂

[@aksmex2576]

It might be your joystick, is it good?

[@gonzosemail]

Thank you! This video saved me! I was so frustrated with refuelinging that I had given up several times. I stumbled into this video 3 nights ago and thought I should try again. The hardest part was learning to fly the pod and not the basket. But on the 1st night I was able to connect several times. 2nd night I could connect easily but still couldn't maintain a connection for a long enough time. The 3rd night I could connect, stay connected to collect fuel and finished fueling in about 10 minutes.

[@104thMaverick]

Great to hear sir! Keep up the good work.

[@jcbak]

Those small throttle movements are SO important. Thanks for making the vid. Great job as always.

[@RedKiteRender]

Nice work Mav! always enjoy some tanking myself, gets quite therapeutic once you're past the learning stage.

[@TacticalSandals]

23 hours of practice and I have still yet to ever even touch the basket. You find it therapeutic, I find it to be the most god awfully irritating thing about DCS lol. Maybe its my shitty thrustmaster joystick but I can NEVER keep that thing remotely stable nor match my speed to it in the slightest, I either fly past it going twice the speed or my plane stalls out.

[@cessna172dude]

@@TacticalSandals have you done it yet?

[@Tridan24]

@thedude try formation flying 1st? it's a good place to start. After your comfy with that then try a2a refuel... 1 step at a time... worked for me though shooting em down can be therapeutic... in a way

[@GenerationGap69]

this is me, I'm making all the mistakes you've outlined. Now I've got an idea where I'm going wrong, hopefully I can do a complete refuel, thanks man.

[@josephorr5175]

Mav, this is one of the best tutorials (not just for DCS BTW) I've seen in a long time. TY for taking the time to put it together and share it with us. See you in the DCS skies...

[@thatnorwegianguy1986]

Man the US air force needs more tankers because just out furious rage I have shot down countless of these fuckers, but I have finally managed to do a refueling properly. Thanks for this tutorial man.

[@DaveyCooter]

Literally tried to plug my FA18 into a tanker for 25 minutes until I ran out of fuel. Watched this and got it on the first attempt in a little practice mission. THANK YOU!

[@CrowdControl123]

Lovely! Looking at the basket was my problem. Hours of failure. First shot after this video... SUCCESS! I could put the basket dead center of the windscreen, rub it all over the canopy, everywhere but on the probe. Thanks for saving my sanity, Scottish man!

[@milehighflyr6022]

Thanks Mav!! I too finally learned how to Pass Gas today watching your videos and also changing my deadzones from 4 to 1 in pitch and roll. Watched this over and over and then watched my bad methodology and realized I was doing ALL the bad habits.. After lots of practice and applying what I learned I was able to get it in and keep it in the basket longer and more frequently.

[@pabs24200]

He described me perfectly when he talked about common mistakes... Awesome vid, spot on hints and lovely accent must admit... Greetings from Spain

[@104thMaverick]

pabs24200 Gracias mi amigo

[@pabs24200]

104th_Maverick Cheers mate! I followed your hints and I was able to refuel like a pro yesterday! I wish I could hit the like button twice. Big thanks

[@HEATER_]

Great coaching! I could listen to this guy talk for hours. True and chill words to live by for tanking. I'd like to add two things: You might have noticed that the altitude and airspeed that you entered for the tanker in the mission editor never translate to what you will see in the air. Keep your speed within 3-4 knots of the actual speed of the tanker at the time you connect. Also, once you connect to the basket the F18 will take on fuel at a rapid rate. So if you are PANIC LOW on fuel, just make that first contact for a few seconds and you will have room to breathe in order to reconnect if you come off. Cheers!

[@waynew8830]

Thanks. I made two connections today and received over 4Klbs in the two connections. I recorded my first two Aerial Refuels in my logbook today. Thanks Again, Wayne Wilson

[@104thMaverick]

Nice work!

[@waynew8830]

I have already gone over to Twitch and joined. Thanks again!

[@nitemunky76]

Thanks for the video brother - I was having a lot of issues with refuelling in the 18, pretty much doing all the things you say not to do - tried again after watching this and nailed a full refuel for the 1st time.

[@andrer1757]

Thank you for this tutorial! Best one I've seen and I can't wait to give these a try tomorrow. I'm guilty of focusing on the basket and chasing the basket and have been able to get hooked up but most fuel I've been able to take at once is about 2000 lbs

[@104thMaverick]

You got this mate, just follow the tips in the video and you’ll be topped up in no time!

[@ac555555555555555]

Thank you very much! Your trick of "working the throttle" works nicely!

[@104thMaverick]

Alfredo Croci you’re very welcome my friend

[@GoldenAura32]

Super late but thanks for the rundown on how to create a refueling training mission. Just performed a couple runs tonight with an extra long distance between waypoints and managed to not only link up twice, but one of those times was through a turn. Now I have something to do every day until I feel 100% capable.

[@seancolvin8545]

I get sick seeing how easy you do that Thank you for your continueing to help with this.

[@gholamrezamehrdad8410]

Thank you so much with your marvellous tutorial on AA refueling ,while so easily explained and rendering it simple to understand and execute it.

[@BrianCinSpruceGrove]

Hey 104th_Maverick, I just wanted to say thanks. Your tutorial helped immensely. I just did a refuel mission and did a full refuel. Not perfect still need a lot of work. My big issue was the throttle control and relaxing with the inputs. And the reference mark on the tanker fuselage really helped as I usually disconnected a lot. This will be a great method to learn. Thanks so much Tracer

[@TjW.]

Focusing on the green light and making tiny throttle adjustments always is key, after watching this I was able to successfully do an AAR. Excellent video.

[@104thMaverick]

Great to hear brother

[@ConvexRook]

Took me more than 120 tries to get my first refuel. Well worth the watch as I was staring at the basket all the time. My only issue is controlling the pitch and roll, but I'll get there 😊

[@TheArizonaMarine]

Awesome video. I created the mission you show us and will practice it until my eyes bleed. Also, the "logo" on the side of the KC-130 is not specifically the USAF. Sometimes referred to as a "roundel" the insignia is on the side of all American military aircraft (not including the Coast Guard). Great job as always Maverick!

[@TacticalSandals]

its a nightmare trying to see that logo on low settings also. I never even knew the KC had lights on it until this video, just a muddy texture to me. lol

[@FatherCommodore]

thank you so much, you helped me learn f18 radar and now how to refuel, transfer complete !!

[@104thMaverick]

Glad to hear that

[@xfavorettx]

Thank you so much Mavv! After 6 months of DCS and Hornet, I finally found a real teching of REVO!!! I finally got it!

[@104thMaverick]

Glad I could help André you are very welcome!

[@SpearHead1011]

Finally...the 104th teaching the masses...LOVE IT! Keep em coming bois!

[@thomasgallagher6935]

The amount of control this guy has over his aircraft is scary

[@willey6127]

EXCELLENT Video!! Thank you for the superb explanation for use Rookies...looking forward to watching more of your videos, Found you from Tricker's links

[@tsharksedge4072]

Great tutorial. Helped me where other KZbin's didn't. Thanks!

[@SunfireGTX25]

Absolutely the Best tutorial I've seen on AAR! Awesome! Going to try it tonight! Edit : Nope! Still can't keep it level no matter what I do! I'm still all over the place! Can't keep the plane level if my life depended on it!

[@DanielLanducciSpotting]

Going to practice on 3, 2, 1... very good job, sir in helping the DCS community!

[@donh8112]

Finally! an IP who understands how to teach DCS Wannabe Combat Aviators clearly and efficiently in a manner that is encouraging and positive. Thank you for this!

[@104thMaverick]

Glad to help!

[@kqbaxt0r]

This was a very good video! You are good at explaining simply and clearly. The best refueling videos I saw unti l today. Thank you!

[@arose001]

The best tutorial on refueling! You’re awesome thanks.

[@AjitSidhu360]

Thank you so much! Was really struggling, funny enough I was making all the mistakes you mentioned.... Hopped right back into DCS and boom refuel and able to stay connected... Will recommend to all my dcs mates!

[@rehil123]

I just needed to say thanks again I used ur formation visual tonight and was able to go from 1900 to 10000 fuel in one shot in passed only stayed connected for 500-1000 lbs before becoming disconnected

[@olddogg60]

What a great tutorial! From a former basket chaser. :-)

[@mattvs117]

"litle pushies, litle pushies" LOL I immediately thought Shrek was flying this. Also, Great vid. going to do this too. Just starting out in DCS.

[@freedomdoodi]

awesome tutorial, still can't do it.

[@steelpanther88]

protip for air to air refueling missions. Spawn yourself with CAS / CAP loadout 50% fuel and droptanks included. And spawn some enemy Beriev Awacses or easy targets at a hostile airbase as a mental reward. Then spawn all three tankers Arco, Texoco and Shell at different altitudes such as 15k 18k and 20k flying racetracks for example. Then spawn yourself in the middle of the tankers and refuel, then bomb the enemy. Keep the groundspede in mission editor around 330-350kts but have different altitudes I think because different servers sometimes spawn em at different flight altitudes

[@MrMarin051]

Ah...yeah... the problem was in the basket :) Thank you so much!

[@PhantomMark]

Thanks for this guide.......been flying 20+ years in sims and really struggled to connect the F18 the other day, been years since I tried and was pretty terrible because I was watching the basket, will practice now thank you :)

[@istotiihonen2425]

Thank your for your AAR school, it is real well done and gave me all information what I was looking for. Now I just need to do more training...and with my own mission...:)

[@danielagoa]

Waw, nicely done. Thank you very much for your dedication, passion and good explanations. Greetings from Spanish Air Force 46th wing Tech branch. :)

[@herethen]

Thanks. I don’t have issues connecting anymore but staying connected. Although I work the throttle I was focussing on a different view after connection. Will try the mentioned reference points in this video.

[@wesleysugalski2842]

Very nice approach and video,...…………..Thanks my Man.

[@104th_pyromaniac5]

Episode 2 in F-14? Hornet is good for a warm-up, but until Maverick has his proper equipment we haven't seen the full potential of 104th Fuel School.

[@104thMaverick]

First time I tried to plug in to a Hercules with the Tomcat I nailed it first time while the tanker was turning ;) ... hopefully I can release some AAR Tomcat footage before release.

[@ivanivanovsky4503]

Watched this in a panic before my check ride with my virtual squadron, easily saved my ass managed to get a full tank with only 2 plugs

[@Jerrys_missing_finger]

Dang great video. Super helpful, Making it look easy

[@steelpanther88]

this was so good especially the mission editor. I thought that in order to make racetraack you would have to spam like 50-100 waypoints going around in a grid square as regular turning points for the tanker like click and spam style xD. Thankfully I was wrong and there is a simpler way to make tanker racetrack

[@5thgearsimracing760]

For those having problems refueling i watched this video and on my first try i made contact and maintained formation with the tanker. Heres the video. Its about tuning your axis. This video tutorial and the following link will have you pumping that octane. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmGuc4eOf5t5gZo

[@Dashty1]

The great mav !!Nice to see you bro 💪✈🚁

[@mrsatchie]

Awesome training video.. Totally logical.. Fixed my issues! Thanks :)

[@mazoo7000]

Thanks Mav..now comes the practice....all the best...!

[@theflyingfool]

Thanks for a really good tutorial Maverick!

[@tonyascaso6254]

Beautiful tanker work!

[@104thMaverick]

Thank you very much!

[@thomasstock1985]

So to summarize: 1) always look at the basket 2) ram it in first time got it, thanks

[@104thMaverick]

100%

[@N34RT]

Excellent video! Very helpful and informative! Thanks!

[@matejko2746]

Dear mister Mavrick, i've been flying DCS and watching you on twitch for almost half a year now. Carrier operations (18, 14 and 33) are my thing. Although AAR is important part of such operations i haven't been able to air-to-air refuel until now. I was trying to learn, i really was. But even in best case scenario I was oscillating around the refueling boom af, maybe i luckily got it in but broke contact soon after. This was going on untill i decided i have too little fuel to try carrier landing and diverted to nearest friendly airfield. Your tips what to keep in focus and what not helped me to be able to do it. Just nowi've been circling around USS Stennis with tanker and was able to sucessfully refuel three times. Will practice to perfect this amazing skill. Thanks for all the videos and tips! happy ny

[@104thMaverick]

Glad I could help my friend!

[@QuietWatcherObserving]

Great video. Thank you. :)

[@guigui78340]

thanks for that. i did my first air to air refueling. but since i’m on controller and only have flaming cliffs 3 i can only use the su-33 since that aircraftt have asc for air refuel. that was a ton of fun

[@104thMaverick]

Nice mate! Props for using a controller!

[@Mi1lerTime]

Top notch, bro!

[@RiflemanLEONE]

I think I would have an easier time refueling if I stop drinking bourbon before I fly DCS. But yes, the key is steadying up with the tanker then finding a fixed object to match on your hud or canopy and look past the basket, not at it.

[@jtkoontz69]

Odesza nice

[@mjh4892]

This was amazingly helpful. Thank you!

[@mattparkinson9752]

Dont look at the f**cking basket. Cheers dude love your videos very helpfull to new jet pilots like me. Used to be ww2 and cold war era before the tomcat, but flying the kitty opened my eyes to modern fighters and now i am balls deep in the hornet.

[@kurt120032002]

I will never refuel in DCS. It is nearly impossible. far from stable, the vortex alone will turn your plane upside down, for the same thrust you advance slower then quicker, not to mention the sharp nose up your plane will have when vortex effect on the wing is is lower then on the tail. It takes me anywhere form 40 min to an hour to refuel an A-10.

[@antimonni]

you're too high if you hit the vortex / wake turbulence. come in nice a slow from below. Just like in the vid.

[@rehil123]

Another super job thanks

[@TheCrjflyr]

Now we just have to get them to add the MQ-25 and life will be peachy with some deep pre-strike tanking.

[@tommyyrock1]

Great vídeo man... I'm from Brasil... thanks.

[@104thMaverick]

Thanks for watching!

[@jandd661]

Wow! Best training session ever!

[@davideverson92]

Great looking video! Nicely done!!!!

[@hirsute_owl]

I am now hearing yr voice in my dreams.

[@SwiftLikesGames]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3mrZGBniK-YZs0

[@SsgtHolland]

Great explanation, massive thanks!!

[@pronounceword]

I like your video very much. It's really great. I'll keep an eye on your channel. I am your fan and I will support you.

[@infocusphotographyandvideo]

Awesome.. thank you for your help..

[@norwaynate]

I'm really curious on how you maintain that perfect pitch with throttle input. With me, even when I have perfect alignment, I'll get pitch oscillations just from the minor throttle adjustments. Has the new update negated these tutorials??? Also, Are you not a little fast??? Speed can allow for more precise movements. NATOPS 9.2.2 Refueling Technique. NOTE The following procedures, as applied to tanker operation, refer to single drogue refuelers. Refueling altitudes and airspeeds are dictated by receiver and/or tanker characteristics and operational needs, consistent with the tanker’s performance and refueling capabilities. This, generally, covers a practical spectrum from the deck to 40,000 feet and 175 to 300 knots while engaged. NOTE For KC-135 aircraft, the following parameters are recommended: Airspeed - 200-275 knots/Mach 0.8, whichever is less Closure rate - 2 knots or less I'd like to see you do your technique at a slower airspeed as I'm having a helluva time trying to keep vertical PIO to a minumum. Also, as a note, with these lower speeds they recommend to make minor lateral adjustments with the rudder, which I see you do. And, why do you have 10 degree pitch up ladder in your HUD during this? A lot have asked but you haven't responded that I could see.

[@dwar3479]

Awesome video maverick. O have one question though. I cannot see the 10 degree line on my hud to line up with the tanker. Any thoughts why I can't see it? Thanks

[@dwar3479]

@y je yea tried that. Still no good. Thanks though mate

[@dwar3479]

@y je thanks man. I thought it could of been my track ir but no matter what I do nothing changes. I think maybe the tankers I try to connect with a slower hence the higher AOA and the reason I can't see the 10 degree line. I dunno

[@patricstandley]

Excellent Thank You Mav.

[@ThePassportPatriot]

That is the where fuel dumps, behind the arrester hook on the S-3. The object your focusing on while refueling.

[@f4udash495]

I tried this technique and it helps. I hooked up to the basket briefly once but that was all. I think some of my problem lies with my CH Fighterstick that is getting a bit old. Set my X and Y axis curves at 35 and a slight deadzone of 2 that seemed to help a little. Also I fly VR exclusively and getting a consistent sight picture in VR isn't as simple as on a monitor. I'll keep at it though.

[@Taurus378]

thanx a lot for your tips...and the music ! I can land on a dark carrier at night through bad weather conditions, but there's no way I can plug on that basket...

[@104thMaverick]

You can do it mate, practice, practice, practice. Just believe in yourself and results will come in time

[@Taurus378]

@@104thMaverick thanx for your support ! i'm really going mad at it

[@MedusaSquadron]

Thx for Your video...2 weeks in training AAR with no succes and big frustration, 2 watch of Your video and within 10 minutes, at the second attempt finally I made it! Have You visual tip also for the Mirage (my next module to try in AAR )? Thx again :)

[@stefanorossi137]

do you have the warthog as a joystick? mind sharing curve settings for pitch and roll?

[@Shinobi117]

Has this guy ever replied back?

[@jonnie2bad]

was looking at the basket and all over the place. I connected to the basket a couple times but would get out of shape after and lose it. Thanks for the tips. I found this more difficult than learning case I carrier landings

[@iang265]

The Peter McKinnon of DCS

[@104thMaverick]

Ha! Not really, but thanks :)

[@Crunch104]

Little Pushies!!!! lol Thanks man!

[@104thMaverick]

Any time big man, glad to have you back in the skies with us, S!

[@Crunch104]

@@104thMaverick Excellent job on the channel and these help videos. Your tips helped a lot. Great to be back. S! 104th_Crunch

[@TheDroppy68]

Wish I could give this more than one like mate, going to start practising AAR with your methods tomorrow (as soon as Wife Agro has disengaged). I've always suffered terribly from Pilot Induced Oscillation (in AAR), and now I know why; I've been watching the basket the whole time. I even gone as far as turning down the Curve's on my HOTAS pitch, thinking my stick was over-sensitive. Guess I will have to reset the curves to 25 and try again. One question I do have was at the start of your initial procedure comments you mentioned that "Auto-trim" should be keeping your aircraft stable. Have I missed a control here? Does the FA-18 have an Auto-trim switch similar to the AV8B-NA? or is this simply a passive FCS feature once you have manually trimmed out for altitude and speed?

[@mackan072]

It's passive. The Hornet auto-trims for 1G in with UA mode (Up and away) in the FCS. This is on by default when in general flight. When in PA mode (Powered approach), you're trimming manually for AoA, and this when you're going in for landing.

[@cowboy10uk]

I was going to ask the same question. My Hornet has NEVER been this stable in flight. Interesting to know it should auto trim. Will have to keep practicing, but yes those pilot ascillations get me every darn time

[@lasselahti4056]

My old saitek x45 throtthle makes that "little movement all the time on throttle" "automatically" when set to center ;D

[@104thMaverick]

🤣🤣🤣

[@chrisgoddard1855]

I never see the 10 per cent hud line only the 5 per cent

[@MrPhantom453]

Thank you very much!

[@TheGangsterFromLPC]

After 3 Hours trying to get the Fuel Connected without 1 time connecting I Rage quited. I loved this game so hard before, now I hate it. I will go and play Minecraft. Fuck this Fuel connector I dont need Fuel xD

[@ultraclear9506ify]

very nice thank you very much

[@104thMaverick]

You are most welcome

[@Bjatc1]

Excellent!!!

[@casperveneman1151]

Man I’m training everyday for 2 months right now... but still Im very bad at it...when I am trying to refuel and get frustrated I just shoot the tanker down... but still it helped me a lot!

[@104thMaverick]

Are you sure you're not looking at the basket? Its the most common thing people get wrong.

[@casperveneman1151]

104th_Maverick yeah probably I do it without knowing it XD

[@epkol]

this was wery usefull

[@dznutts17]

Great video...thanks! Has helped me a lot but I'm struggling with my speed once I connect and have not been able to set up my throttle to increment/decrements any suggestion Maverick? Thanks!!!

[@relicgamer731]

Wake turbulence turned off? I have NEVER been beside a tanker or other aircraft and have parallel paths so smooth as that - even with no input to joystick bouncing up and down. Wake turbulence sucks you toward refueller . GREAT tips thou - actually going to try it again. Thanks for the video - thumbs up.... also subscribed :-)

[@SwiftLikesGames]

i know a easier method im uploading a video and i left a comment on this video

[@SwiftLikesGames]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3mrZGBniK-YZs0