Land Any Jet In DCS World! | Basic Landing Tutorial in the F/A-18C Hornet

Hey guys! I wanted to put together this very basic landing tutorial for not just the F/A-18C But all of these principles apply to any jet within DCS World! Landing is definitely the hardest skill to master for any aircraft whether real or virtual.
The best tips are be patient, have a plan and be relaxed on the controls with small gentle power changes!
If you guys want me to make this same type of basic landing tutorial in the F-16C or the F-14A or B please let me know in the comments!
►System Specs DCS/Gaming PC:
GPU: GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-10900K CPU @ 5.20GHz
Memory: 64 GB RAM 3600mhz
Current resolution: 2560 x 1080, 144Hz
►►System Specs Dedicated Server/Video Editing PC:
GPU: GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X @ 3.9GHz
Memory: 32GB RAM
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and missions possible! / spudknocker
►►If you want to contact me with feedback on videos or want to collaborate feel free to join my personal discord here: / discord \
►►And if you do donate to my Patreon make sure to link your discord account for your Roles in my Discord server.

[@Spudknocker]

If you guys wanna see a basic landing tutorial in any other aircraft types let me know! Remember the basic rules of landing in DCS world are: 1. Have a plan 2. Be Patient 3. Be GENTLE on the controls 4. Easy and small throttle adjustments

[@MagnusDivision]

For me it is try to make the runway and don't do a 360 while skidding down the runway. Thanks for the vid, practicing my landings more and more.

[@DJones476]

Hey, Spud, you may already know this, but in the RCAF at least, pilots are taught to 'walk' the throttles on final approach. This is accomplished by straddling the levers with your hand and adjusting power with only your hand and wrist instead of your entire forearm. Good hunting.

[@321fightson]

Nice vid Spud. I'd like to see a landing in the F-14 & F-16 pls.

[@frankbizzoco1954]

Nice relaxing video Spud. Id love a video on the F-15. I find myself coming in fast and floating above the runway, or coming in slow and popping the tires, or ripping the landing gear off. Or even landing and doing the nose up aerodynamic breaking thing, and touching the nose down and yawing to keep it straight, only to find myself going on 2 wheels while scraping a wing on the runway lol. I've gotten better at it since the begining, but landing the Eagle is always an adventure for me. I might as well be landing the Spitfire, which is a whole other challenge. I can land all of the other modern jets no problem, especially the Soviet jets and Tomcat seem to just fly themselves in. But everyone has something in DCS that they just have a hard time doing, while it comes super easy to others.

[@Spudknocker]

Frank Bizzoco I will try it out!

[@bitzs]

Well i already know how to land but ill watch the video anyways

[@Spudknocker]

Thanks man!

[@bsdude010]

Thanks man!

[@mihajlobanjac2235]

Thanks man!

[@soloturk2063]

Thanks man!

[@jason401.]

Thanks man!

[@MrChaosProf]

I think the A-10 is even easier to land because everything happens so slowly. Usually you tend to land on 120 knots.

[@Spudknocker]

MrChaosProf I would 100% agree however all the things I just talked about still very much apply!

[@vsTerminus]

Yea, but the Hornet's navy jet gear lets you controlled-crash it into the ground while the Warthog requires a delicate touch :P

[@dong7474]

A-10A is the only thing I’ve been able to land since I started a couple days ago lol I keep popping the wheels on everything else from touching down too hard, don’t even get me started with carrier landings lol

[@NuttyGore2039]

@@dong7474 yo same, 2 years later and i have the exact same issue as you. pls tell me it gets better xd

[@whitenoise509]

4 minutes in and I'm already learning a ton of things that were not covered in the in game tutorials, as well as other videos I've watched. Thank you Spud!

[@_Brando_69]

Got my hotas a couple days ago. Bought my hornet last night. Time to start learning. Most complicated sim I've ever tried was vtol VR and I figure out all the radar systems and weapons mostly. This is a lot more in depth than that. Gotta get a head tracker set up too

[@TheEaglePilot]

Hey Spud! I'd like to put a little tip in for new people, I'm on at 10:12 so if i miss it, ill put in my method that I taught my friend and he hasn't flipped a jet since, but my tip is, don't expect you to have a perfect textbook landing every time, everyone develops their own "style" of landing, my friend likes to keep speed up till the end and never go under 50% power, and stays close to the ground, but I come in from high and slow, similar to a naval landing, but before i touch down, i personally gas up so its a tad bit smoother (and so jester doesn't yell at me lol) so I come in high and slow, but unlike other people, I basically am gliding until the last minute. Another thing, another huge tip is to study your runway, and everything around it for about 20~ miles and any terrains that can have an effect on your landing. If you have a runway in a valley surrounded by trees and mountains, your gonna want to try to limit sudden movements as much as possible as it can give you a higher chance of becoming a pancake from cousin Antolov.

[@burningpotato9447]

I'm happy your back. It was strange not seeing you upload for like 2 weeks.

[@Spudknocker]

Burning Potato I was on thanksgiving vacation and then was very busy with IRL flying this past week so not much time to work on videos

[@burningpotato9447]

@@Spudknocker your a pilot irl? thats awesome my goal is to be a pilot as well, im working on getting my private pilots lesson. its kinda diffucult with the pandemic right now, but its my current goal.

[@d.g.m.04]

Wow that was very soothing and well made. Wasn't looking for that tutorial, but now I'm going to setup a simple mission and try on my own. Thank you!

[@Spudknocker]

Kacper Grzybowski soothing?! Do I have a career as an ASMR KZbinr?! Haha thanks man I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@Phrontist]

Had my first ever real landing with the help of your video Spudknocker. You're an amazing tutor man. Thanks.

[@MacNielen]

Love the way you explain things! Thanks again for all that you do for flight sim enthusiasts. It may be a lot to ask, but I would watch all the videos you’d make on your suggested landings. Crosswind, F16 and basic circuits.Crosswind landings would be top of the list for me though. Keep up the fabulous work! I find it very beneficial!! 👍🙏👨‍✈️

[@Spudknocker]

Haha I am glad you liked it and those are on the list!

[@tonygee3284]

@@Spudknocker Do some more tricky landings

[@lilletrille8998]

Love your videos Spud! Stay safe man and take care!

[@Sublim3Transc3nd3nc3]

Great vid Spud! Personal opinion, however, Navy jets, in particular the f-18, doesn't like to flare on landing, as the chance of a tail strike is high due to how the gear is set-up. Had you instead chosen the F-15, F-16, or JF-17 this tutorial would be less risky for the jet. For those watching, everything about this video is correct for landing air-force jets back at base, Navy jets fly the "E-bracket" all the way down, with no flare. You'll still touch down with main gear first, but it'll be a bit "harder" then an air force jet. The ideal for the hornet is to hit the runway on speed, and on AoA with around 500 ft/min descent rate (the number above the speed indicator on the right hand side of the hud, in the box). this isn't meant to be a "Muh realism" comment, and is more intended to save potential pilots from accidentally forcing a 3 minute 10 second repair timer on their navy jets, because they broke their engines flaring their aircraft.

[@Spudknocker]

All very true, and awesome comment, just trying to demonstrate to new pilots how to arrest that descent rate with engine power, because even tho the F/A-18 has some strong landing gear a lot of new players will hit the runway with so much force it will break the gear anyway

[@stevenjamesfrank]

Insanely helpful, thank you!

[@abybos_]

I am very happy to have you back, a good video, good job. For the next event, I vote for the F-16 please. Have a nice day

[@johnbradshaw7525]

Excellent tutorial video. Landing is the one thing that I'm struggling with.

[@rdouglas747]

That was smooth...! A really good job putting this video together.

[@c436237]

Would appreciate a video for the F16. It is a very different jet.

[@encryptedaviation1452]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4u7Z5iBp86Gr5o

[@davidgerber2535]

Great Video Spud! I would love to se one of these videos for the F-16.

[@sadiqwahid1480]

Hey Spudknocker, this was an awesome tutorial! Solid fundamentals ... sometimes you just have to go back to the basics, and this was spot on! Also, I'd love to know of your thoughts on landing the MiG-29 in DCS, especially now since it uses PFM modeling. It seems to be very finicky to pitch adjustments once the gear is down.

[@veteran35th]

Gold! Cheers.

[@hamiltonshangar]

Bro thank you for this video! 💯

[@eclipticsim]

This video will be great for new players!

[@Spudknocker]

That was what I was going for so thanks!

[@andrewyates3863]

Love ya work Mr Knocker

[@alpiinoo135]

Nice.

[@LazySativa]

u have great instructing skills my man

[@tonygee3284]

learnt heaps thank you

[@a.m.bgaming6252]

I know how to land the f16 , I think but maybe you can do a video about f16 aswell, maybe a pattern approach would be nice. Nice video Spud, as always

[@Spudknocker]

Butnaru Andrei thanks man! On the list!

[@PappyGunn]

Suggestion for next video: How to land WW2 fighters. I used to make long finals and that did not go very well because you lose sight of the runway. But doing a tight circuit like landing on a carrier works well. From the break, you are in a constant left turn, having the runway in sight until the last moment.

[@turbo08500]

great tutorial

[@bagelsecelle9308]

A good video. Every time I land I do bounce like a basketball and now I understand why. Thanks for this

[@Spudknocker]

BagelSecelle try adding a little bit of power right before touch down to also slow down your descent rate and make the touch down a little smoother along with trying to avoid that nosewheel touching down first

[@linlin86717455]

You helped me a lot on the softer landing. It turns out I kept pulling power before touch down so I kept getting over G in my f15c.

[@ericandi]

I find long straight-in approaches to be harder than a nice wide pattern approach and landing. It’s because with a long straight-in approach you don’t have the normal pattern checkpoints where you know what to do and when to do it based on where you are in the pattern.

[@shaynesymonds109]

successful landing performed for the first time last night. I've taken off 10 times and landed once hahaha

[@jeffreyc2074]

Would love to see it in the F-16. That's the plane i currently fly exclusivly and would like to improve my landings it in

[@taraxzr2462]

Thank you👍

[@paulkirkland3263]

Great video, thanks. Any chance of a similar video with the Mirage 2000C ?

[@NuttyGore2039]

Spud needs to make tutorials in game for the jets. to this day the tutorials still suck and not every jet has one xd You're a champ Spud, thanks for taking me thru everything to fly, you have thought me most of the knowladge i have of flying, refueling and landing

[@SakibLH44]

awesome

[@rangerray6033]

good class thanks

[@danijelkraljev]

Great stuff ,I was wondering with your PC specs would you be able to run such top looking DCS on 60fps+ in MP on 4K TV and if so what is the model you reccomend,Samsung Qled? F16 is still "nose heavy",so I kind of like to come bit lower to reduce vertical speed... But ,yes,please F16 and cross wind landing will be great,Thx

[@lordhumungus2149]

i had to get track ir 5 using a mouse to look around and interacting with everything in the cockpit is so difficult even more so im told since i picked the a10 for my first plane

[@bryanbishop2377]

"Massive Balloon," Giggity!

[@Themheals]

There nothing I dont know about landing the f18. I approve

[@JSerrato289]

"most fighter jets like to land at around 140 knots" me who lands at 180-190 knots in my F-16: *sweating profusely*

[@damienquinn]

Bring that Nose Up Trim (E-Bracket) right in line with the velocity vector, and keep adjusting it while you use your throttle to point your velocity vector right at those piano keys. Gentle, gentle.

[@The_Coyote_130]

I need to take muscle relaxers if I’m going to play this game. I was white knuckling my phone and I could feel my blood pressure spike. I always thought landing was so much faster than that for some reason. I was getting anxious waiting for you to land. Lol.

[@Christian0382]

Yea could you please make a video of you landing with an F/A-18 with a crosswind please

[@Spudknocker]

Christian Rubio yes sir I was planning on that for the future!

[@rakgitarmen]

I was wondering why I was messing up my flares, and you did it too. Lmao.

[@fastgamingchannels7024]

Question on landing the f18-c do u use just the wheel breaks? or the airbreaks too? sorry to ask im new!

[@subjectc7505]

I'm starting to turn my attention to the F-18 now even tho I prefer the F-16 for it's dogfight capabilities and easy systems.

[@Spudknocker]

Drakov Beats hmmm... it’s interesting cause I find the F-16 to be the hot rod with complex clunky systems and the F/A-18 to be the mini-van with easy to use streamlined systems

[@subjectc7505]

@@Spudknocker I love the hornet but I grow up loving the F-16 because I always knew from it's speed but I still have time to discuss on which aircraft I want before Christmas come

[@toofless4541]

@@Spudknocker Nah the Hornet is the one with clunky button mashing, complicated avionics, and weird HOTAS controls. But different strokes for different folks I guess.

[@chrismilford6930]

Crosswinds, please plus basic circuits

[@MyKillerson]

In an F18, you should never flare. If you're going for the full Sim experience, then you should fly like a real f18 pilot, and SOP for F18 pilots is to land the same way whether they're at an airfield or a carrier. Optimal conditions for the F18 is 8 degrees of AOA with the velocity vector at -3 degrees pitch at around 140 knots, to catch the wire (aiming for the 3 wire). You had it dead on with your landing until you flared to soften the touch down.

[@TimRobertsen]

There is a neat and simple trick which significantly reduces the Flap-ballooning and trim-process for the F/A-18. This makes for a really smooth approach :) I bet most people know about this (so please forgive me if this is old news :p), but I’ve never seen it done/covered in any videos (even Matt Wagner’s videos). On descend: Throttle to idle. Release the gear as standard (250-220 knots). Let the gear slow down the plane. The E-bracket will start to descend down towards the flightpath-marker. When the E-bracket’s centerline passes the flightpath-marker (about 1/3 between the E-brackets centerline and top-line), set the flaps to either full or half (depending on what is needed) and immediately do a quick tap (not hold) on the Nose-up-trim. Let the flaps slow down the plane. When the flightpath-marker starts to drop, increase throttle to arrest the drop, and settle the plane at a desired attitude. At this point you will usually be around 0,3 degrees of perfect AoA. Do a tap on the trim if it is necessary. This can also be done mid-turn, with pressure on stick (the process is just faster), so its perfect for hairy carrier-landings/setting the flaps in the middle of the last turn towards the carrier :p I’m not sure if this is a feature of a real F/A-18, or if it’s just a feature of coding for DCS. Sorry for the long post, hope this was of any use :) Love your videos!

[@Mezott]

Dude, i was looking for videos to improve my landings (new to DCS) with hornet, crushing my mind what im doing wrong, and the best advice you give is "fly the full approach". I assume that y was trying my maximum pretending to learn a new aircraft coming from the P3D MFS world. 😅

[@andrewyates3863]

1 other thing Mr Knocker, your trackir profile you gave in a video where do I actually place the profile file?

[@unsaved013]

i always have a plan unfortunately its rarely a good plan

[@mururoa7024]

I'm only flying the F-16 so I didn't even know it's supposedly the hardest to land. But then again, for me everything is hard in DCS. :)

[@rinzler9775]

Just a question: what sort of head tracking you using - thanks.

[@LawmanIL]

can you do a supplemental tutorial on landing in crosswinds, like 10-20 knots? on an airfield not a carrier.

[@stealthtomcat4739]

I haven't try dcs yet when I play infinite flight simulator f-18 bounces sometimes even after a nice smooth landing.

[@bspendergraass]

Great video, thanks! Yes, please make another video on the F-16. Now, gotta go press those Like and Subscribe buttons.

[@anthonyhudson4826]

I want to get some info on how to install the SRS for fa-18 hornet.

[@dbvetter7485]

What are those red crosshairs in the boxes on the left ?

[@julianmorrisco]

Fantastic. I’ve sped past most of this type of fundamentals, I bought far too many modules in a sale :D. So, now I’m going back and concentrating on the FA18, spitfire and KA50. Stuff like this is really helpful to me, esp as I do now understand how the craft react etc, I just don’t have the procedures understood in my mind, even after reading a bunch of guides (TMI, a lot of detail gets lost to me). Stuff like this really helps to fill in holes and give me the procedures in full.

[@brittoncooke1890]

Learning to land becomes much easier if you spend a little time learning to fly in slow flight first. Also landing involves a lot of different flight skills. If you break it down into smaller pieces and build up to a full landing pattern its much easier. That's how the big boys do it.

[@alpiinoo135]

How can we create the dedicated server? Can you make a video about it? Thanks.

[@nikofpv]

F16 the most difficult aircraft to land in dcs world? I would have said BF109 or Mig21 but nice video though ! A lot of good advices

[@truckerdan2002]

Show how your using the trim on your stick as your landing?

[@ayeitsgerry_5517]

do you leave skid marks? because when i brake i leave skid marks even with anti-skid on

[@bobkeenan5749]

Spudknocker, how can we find out about your sim setup hardware etc? Do you use trackIR? Graphics card? Machine? Thanks.

[@Spudknocker]

Bob Keenan Hey man, I use TrackIR and you can see all of my pc specs in the description of this video

[@comradejames7813]

towards the end, maybe instead of adding power, just pull back gently trying to deny the aircraft from landing almost and bleed of any remaining energy. Ig power could be added but only a fraction.

[@brokecitizen4934]

Hello Spudknocker I have DCS with x56 H.O.T.A.S and want to get started I bought something I thought was an aircraft aggressor campaign but the aircraft only works by A.I I was told I dont have the aircraft just the mission also was told via the website I need to get Nevada test range in order to play so I guess I need 2 things but I think I want the F/A 18c aircraft to fly how can I just get that aircraft alone to fly and maybe some missions.

[@jamesdunlop8704]

How do you activate the speed brake? .Thanks

[@misterhistoryman2214]

How do you know when you need to start your decent?

[@noles0649]

A couple dumb questions here, I apologize.. first things first, how do you allow the view where you can you can look freely around in the cockpit with that cross cursor to press buttons? I can’t seem to find it in the axis options.. secondly, how do you zoom your view in like that to find the runway? Thank you so much!

[@seeskklol]

Alt+C, if you haven't found yet

[@kaden612]

PLEASE do it with the f16 its the jet that i main and that would be amazing since i have a hard time landing

[@patrickwelch365]

What is it called in settings for break and air break

[@w0mblemania]

Very good tutorial, thank you. Q. why is the F/A-18C so popular in DCS?

[@2c0bb61]

It’s an all rounder fighter making it quite popular

[@thedrillin]

Well intended but man that flare made me sad. The jets made to be slammed down my dude its not a girlie viper :)

[@DJones476]

There is an ideal descent rate for the Hornet. If you don't put her down quite hard enough, you won't trigger the WOW (weight on wheels) sensor.

[@TealJosh]

@@DJones476 It's roughly 750(unit feet per minute?). Controlled slam into the ground. Allows you to idle the throttle properly, gets you slow faster too.

[@DJones476]

@@TealJosh Yeah, around 500-700 feet/minute. You wouldn't want to exceed 1,000 feet/minute, though. Experimental tests in the United States and Canada from 1978 to 1981 showed that you could reach 3,000 feet/minute, but you'd probably bend those rods on the main landing gear (the Hornet's Achilles Heel).

[@architectssuck9957]

question, how do you zoom in?

[@MaxRank]

3 steps to learning to land the Hornet 1st and always overlooked map your throttle controls, without correct control flying on speed AOA is virtually impossible. 2 fly up to 5000 feet, slow to 250 knots, drop the gear and flaps and practice trimming the Hornet to the center of the E bracket while flying level. To do this push up or down on the trim switch until the center mark of the E bracket lines up with the velocity vector on the HUD, then push the throttle forward to go up and pull it back to go down. 3) practice flying the pattern without gear or flaps. Pattern can be found online as can the throttle mappings. If you master on speed AOA then master the pattern and put the 2 together you will have a perfect landing every time. I like these tutorials, but there is way to much irrelevant detail that confuses new pilots starting out with the Hornet.

[@wolfygaming1008]

16:41 Btw you can use ATC to keep it at 140

[@N34RT]

Spud, I'm subscribed to several sim-related (mostly DCS) channels here on KZbin including Growling Sidewinder, Grim Reapers, and Jabbers, to name a few. (professionally, I'm a RLPP [real life professional pilot] with over 30 years experience). If I might make an observation, while the content of your videos is above average, you're opening tag line, "Spudknocker here, 'as always' is "lackluster" or "limp", if you will. Have you considered something else that might have more "pop" or "bling"? (Just a suggestion).

[@Qwonk]

When you have trouble landing in this aircraft and then realize it's the most forgiving aircraft to land in lol

[@brunogt1982]

Do the same demonstration for Microsoft flight simulator 👍

[@Skauber]

I would definitely not say that the F-16 is the hardest plane to land in DCS, I am pretty sure that "trophy" belongs with the warbirds and even the older classic jets... :)

[@patrickmichael2968]

Where are all the houses that are on the islands? The ground map looks like it's showing what it looked like back in 2004/'05 . Is that a separate module for DCS? Do they have accurate ground maps? Like does Sheikh Zayed Road have all the high-rise towers and is Burj Khalifa shown? I didn't see Burj Al Arab either as we were on approach.. The explosion of development in Dubai is nothing short off incredible. I was there back in 2004 and since then the islands have been built out with all the homes and condos. The World has residences on it's Islands. Khalifa is now completed. It would make this area way more interesting to be flying over if it showed things like the Marina,. Wild Wadi waterpark, the F1 racetrack Hotel, etc ... Sorry for being somewhat off topic. Of course I appreciate the run thru of how to properly be thinking about your flight plan goals.... I just think it would make for a way cooler aesthetic if the ground detail was more representative of what it really looks like now. Thanks!

[@333crypta]

deadstick landed the F16 in the dark yesterday! true story.....

[@nickbruno1363]

Crosswind in F16

[@wallyjay6299]

how can i get that software hornet c

[@737Maxter]

Hey Spud, are you a CFI in real life? If not, you should be, well done from a pilot with 17,500 hours! 👍

[@Spudknocker]

I am a CFII actually! And Thank you!

[@-.Bas.-]

@@Spudknocker please look up the definition of Region of Reversed Command. Your explanation is incorrect. If you're approaching an airport with a speed anywhere near that region you're doing something wrong. i.e.You're on the backside of the power curve...

[@thealmightychuck2038]

*Crashes plane regularly when trying to land* I'm something of a fighter pilot myself I've spent two hours trying to land yesterday. I seem to slow down too early. That's how I found myself here.

[@ossianm9821]

I always get my wheels popped when land. I hate to call aaa just for some new tires when I drift on the runway

[@Spudknocker]

Sounds like you’re coming down too fast and too hard if you’re popping tires... also don’t smash on your wheel brakes, bring them in gently, also make sure that anti-skid is turned on

[@ossianm9821]

@@Spudknocker ik i often try to land the shortest. By stalling and landing vtol style

[@wolotho]

Hey guys! I’m wanting to purchase a PC for DCS world/ VR recommendations would be gratefully appreciated 😃 thanks!!!

[@paytonschaefer9912]

Would you ever consider teaching someone in a multiplayer lobby? My landing is pretty rough

[@Spudknocker]

I do one on one training for all Patrons who donate $15 or more to support the channel

[@koc988]

Wait, didn't you just give a tutorial on how to land a few months back. I'll still watch it.

[@brunogt1982]

How is dcs f18 compare to msfs?

[@tomaszwota1465]

It's the legacy Hornet (F/A-18C). MSFS has a newer Super Hornet (F/A-18E). You'd have to ask an actual pilot about the flight model but when it comes to systems... Well, last time U tried MSFS super bug most of the systems weren't operable. In DCS however you can fly around and also use the many different armament options on live targets, use the radar, rwr, countermeasures, navigation systems, etc.

[@zainahmed9923]

F-16, please!

[@blazinrounds230]

VMFA 251 vet here.

[@alienj3414]

Slam!