Thunderbird Fighter Pilot Reacts to Advanced F-16 Simulator | DCS

Real Thunderbird Fighter Pilot Flies Most advance F-16 Simulator vs Expert Russian Fighter Jets. Digital Combat Simulator (DCS). Become a channel member here: / @maxafterburnerusa
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My Set up (Links with Discount Coming soon)
Corsair Gaming PC with:
Intel Core i9-14900K,
NVIDIA RTX 4090, 64GB DDR5 6400MT/s Memory, 4TB (2x 2TB) M.2 NVMe SSD
Digital Combat Sim Software (DCS)
Next Level Racing Boeing Sim Cockpit
Thrustmaster Warthog Stick and Throttle
Thrustmaster TPR Rudders
TrackIR Headtracker
Oculus 3 VR Headset
Canon R7
Interested in becoming a fighter pilot? Check out this KZbin Channel to learn how: / @airforcetips4027
*All Max Afterburner videos are for entertainment purposes only. Videos only include information from open, publicly available sources.

[@3Gunzdeep]

They forgot to put the boot prints from the Maint maintenance guys who keep it flying for you

[@DanUpdegraff]

Ahh, PIO ... I was a master at causing it back in the 90s while flying Janes F/A-18 fighter sim on my Windows 98 computer. I dreaded missions requiring mid air refueling. Took me like 10 minutes to get my nozzle in the cone. (Too far left, then right, then up, then down. Grrr.) Great game for it's time. Had the same 3D motion and mouse interaction inside the cockpit as your DCS sim, just had to turn "my head" using the joystick POV hat since there were no VR headsets back then. Complicated as hell too. Had to learn all about using the radar modes, different weapon systems (air to air and air to ground), enemy capabilities, carrier landing procedures. I would love to play it again, but I can't remember enough about how to work the plane anymore, lol. Old age sucks.

[@HectorRoldan]

Hector Roldan​​I so wish you could team up with other groups and maybe some of us can sneak in people of certain nations to train on these systems.. I'm a Thunderbirds/Blue Angel fan since childhood and love this!!

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Hey thanks!

[@drkwrk5229]

9x'es have amazing target identification profiling, it ignores anti measures because it's heading towards what it knows the target looks like through target photography recognition.

[@orlock20]

One article I read says it looks at the heat of the skin of the aircraft. They were used to shoot down Chinese spy balloons and obvious that profile was not put into the missile.

[@qrunchi]

Cool channel. My grandfather and his twin flew the original left & right Thunderbirds & Skyblazers founding members. I have been lucky enough to get closer to the F16s than most civvies at shows. Keep up the good work.

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

That’s awesome! 😎

[@bradhazard4118]

Saw the original title in my feed, refreshed and saw the ninja edit and knew the BMS nuts had already jumped him...

[@FA18_Driver]

bms?

[@lainiw4kura]

@@FA18_Driver Falcon BMS, another simulator, mainly for the f16

[@brettwerner9544]

I would love to hear you talk more about the differences between DCS formation flying and real life. I have such a struggle there and would love more tips on how to conquer this skill.

[@Lux__Veritatis]

I like all the info more than the dogfights. There's enough of that content, I love hearing about what you know.

[@tacticaltoolbox7046]

Great video. Love the commentary. I like how you've obviously put in the time to get some muscle memory for the game setup. Obviously starting to be able to do what you're thinking you want to do. Showing off some skills.

[@OTOss8]

Geez, got down to 40 feet there.

[@podulox]

"Seeks 1G" ^^^I wish I could do that... If I could do that, I could do .\*EVERYTHING*/.

[@wrighttherealist1109]

It would be amazing to see you perform a virtual thunderbird show someday!!!

[@Universal_exports87]

I have to admit Sir, I learned DCS on the Tomcat, but there is absolutely no equal to the Viper in aerial combat. Great jet. Thanks for your service to this country.

[@BeefSupremeAviation]

The missile that nabbed you in the 2nd engagement might have been avoided had you switched to cat 1 after dropping the tanks

[@lcpgalvan2013]

You should get together with @GrowlingSidewinder and do some dogfights together

[@WildWeasel1469]

I like you flying formation with a 14FS jet. Samurai WOOD!!!

[@Y4dran]

came because f16 pilot flies dcs, stayed because geat sense of humor. thnx for laughs.

[@RogueBeatsARG]

That would be Falcon BMS right?

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

This video is on the Viper in DCS

[@DNModels]

Yeah baby! The perpetual fight between good and evil :)

[@ercnsmsk84]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa BMS got more functionalites and system failure simulations too, more advanced AI and all that, Block from 30 to 50+ are present and simulated with their respective systems. If there was to be a comparison the Falcon BMS is way more advanced than ED's current F-16 module.

[@markymarc12]

That was my initial reaction too.

[@ImpendingJoker]

@@ercnsmsk84 When you have a real F-16 pilot saying otherwise it kind of kills your whole argument, doesn't it? Apply cold water to the burned area.

[@alessandrorenna7690]

Hi mate, great videos. Is there any chance to fly some campaign like "Weasels Over Syria" or "red flag" from dcs and recored it? It may be interesting. cheers

[@rickmasseur2008]

Great vid! I'm curious: when you talk of user-friendliness, how does it compare to the Hornet C?

[@marcosavila8215]

tx man for this different video, was so nice....now i need to jump to DCS

[@coreyd5219]

Long time lurker - recent subscriber. Welcome to the VR world! Great job on the content so far. You should do some tutorials!

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

You’re awesome. Welcome to the channel my friend. Good idea 👍

[@Youda00008]

Hi, this might not be your expertise, but can you please comment on how the ingame F-16 feels in a turn compared to the real one, especialy with regards to the energy characteristics. Some pilots said it bleeds speed too quickly, but they only flew Block 30 or earlier. Would love to hear an opinion from somebody from the Block 50/52 family.

[@RTKID]

MAN KEEP GOING IO SAW THE EVOLUTIION CRAZY SONN FULL MOSTION SIM HAHAHA

[@CocoDave37]

Who am I to tell a Thunderbird pilot to hit the CatI/III switch after jetting his bags?

[@onlinebikecoach4213]

Wait - your 'Master Caution' is on - Switch to 'Cat 1' Stores Config and you should be that much more maneuverable.

[@AlphaGatorDCS]

great flying!

[@rvnerd7671]

Good stuff!

[@CheekyMenace]

Do you feel like VR has improved your dogfighting gameplay?

[@DNModels]

What exactly makes this sim the "MOST"? Maybe you should do a comparison between this, BMS and the real jet.

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

That’s a good call! I actually removed “Most” from the title until I have reviewed them all thanks 🙏

[@DNModels]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa Look forward to the comparison video.

[@ImpendingJoker]

@@DNModels And I look forward to your tears.

[@b_tang]

Very cool

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Thanks!

[@Gunfufighter]

can we fly together? lol

[@RW-zn8vy]

Does the viper rate like it should irl to you max?

[@Plexi417]

MaxAB your videos will go from good to great once you start fighting fellow DCS’ers instead of the AI. Come to the DCS Dogfighters server, you’ll find some of the best sticks in DCS there as well as a few IRL fighter pilots from the US and France. I promise it will be worth your while.

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Absolutely! Will be fighting PVP soon. Appreciate you

[@Plexi417]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa that’s seriously the server you want to be in, at least for BFM. We fly with a Raptor guy out of Langley all the time, there’s an ex-Rafale pilot in there, a Viper guy or two, and an airshow MiG-17 pilot. Good bunch of guys, we’d love to have you join the fold.

[@marcosavila8215]

you are a Ace!!!

[@TheDegenerateLord]

I thought you was a F15 Pilot? Oh you answered my question in the video. Which plane did you fly the most and which did you like to fly more? What all jet planes have you flown in your life? Civilian and military if you don't mind me asking?

[@kevinstrong1386]

I’m sorry in the beginning. Did you say that the stick on an F-16 doesn’t actually move or maybe just a little bit?

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Yeah just 3/4 inch if I remember right it’s wild

[@kevinstrong1386]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa wow as many Sims as I’ve played, I guess I never really paid attention. I never had a computer that would run DCS but I did play it and I do love it, but that’s pretty smart. Actually it’s like pressing on my iPad harder when I’m trying to turn my ship faster in Modern Warships lol just stopped doing it ha ha thanks for the reply man love the channel

[@Tattooniac]

nice

[@shearfury147]

Do you play on a server? Where can I go to watch you?

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Yo! I have a twitch account you can check out

[@mmancino1982]

Have you ever fought growing sidewinder?

[@AlphaGatorDCS]

Doubtful that will happen. GS doesn't fight other streamers (other than LongShot)...many have asked.

[@mmancino1982]

@@AlphaGatorDCS ah didn't know that

[@RW-zn8vy]

@@AlphaGatorDCShe doesn’t like to loose seems like 😅

[@spiff1003]

If you take your hands of the stick and the aircraft REIMAINS in that attitude. Which is what it should be in my mind, why do you have a TRIM "hat" on the stick if the aircraft will automatically adjust to keep the attitude?

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

You don’t need to use the trim hat much maybe during aerial refueling or just small adjustments

[@spiff1003]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa Okay, I see. Thanks. That is not how it is portrayed in DCS. The aircraft thends to roll a lot, which I find quite awkward with fly by wire aircraft that is supposed to be easy to fly. But I guess that is not how it is IRL. Have a nice day.

[@captaincurd2681]

Which is better ? Thunderbird or blue... Falcon BMS !

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

This is the Viper in DCS but I will def do a review of Falcon BMS

[@aircombatunclassified7107]

Yes, definitly Falcon BMS

[@jollyroger3941]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa Remember, the framework of Falcon BMS is over 20(!) years old. Check out the excellent campaign, some of the best today.

[@ImpendingJoker]

@@jollyroger3941 It's not MaxAB that you need to remind about but the BMS community that seems to forget that it's over 20 years old and not as good as they think it is. haha

[@RW-zn8vy]

@@ImpendingJokerit’s sad when it’s a 20 year old game and does alot of things better than dcs which is almost just as old and doesn’t even have proper AI

[@erichiller4144]

This is one thing How come they don't have, jet wash. If they want to make it even better. if you're going to fly, fly, do it right.

[@RW-zn8vy]

There is jet wash in dcs

[@erichiller4144]

@@RW-zn8vy OK. I just never saw an aircraft go out of control flying through the jet wash. Thank you for letting me know.

[@busardr1452]

Pause at 21:11 he went right!

[@podulox]

I'm at "Tanks"...

[@podulox]

Awww... Not a bomber then...

[@podulox]

LATERrr: 29:40 - "Now let's blow this thing and go home!" OR: 29:40 - "Great Kid Now Let's NOT Crash Into The Sea!"

[@dreaminknight]

Mosz advanced? So DCS has access to the data of the F-16C block 70/72 😂? That would be worrysome..

[@Plexi417]

It’s the most advanced Viper simulator, not a simulator of the most advanced Viper.

[@nimrodquimbus912]

When did the Falcon become the Viper ?

[@ImpendingJoker]

The official designation for the F-16 is the Fighting Falcon. The pilot's nickname for it is the Viper. This is the same type of thing like the A-10 being called the Warthog, or the P-47 being called the Jug or the F-105 being called the Thud.

[@orlock20]

The unoffical name came from the Vipers from Battlestar Galactica. Blame pop culture of the time. It does have a cousin, the B-21 Raider. Now is the Raider named after the original Cylon Raider? Let's just pretend that's what happened.

[@nimrodquimbus912]

@@ImpendingJoker What do they call your Mom?

[@nimrodquimbus912]

@@orlock20 BSG is gay. F16 doesn't look like Viper. Besides, the Vipers end up getting shot up by the Cylons......pretty dumb name to pick.

[@orlock20]

@@nimrodquimbus912 Well it's better than it's other nickname, the lawn dart because they look like a Lawn Dart, especially how they crashed early in the program. The fly-by-wire would be cut by a bolt and the U.S. Air Force didn't know it and blamed the crashes on the pilots instead.

[@Turboy65]

You say "most advanced" F-16 simulator but this is showing DCS, not Falcon BMS 4.37. BMS IS more advanced in every way except for eye candy.

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Okay I’ll check it out! And maybe compare the two

[@StrikerVTB5]

@@MaxAfterburnerusaDCS F-16 flight model is junk compared to BMS and I fly DCS primarily according to the highly experienced real world viper drivers I fly with online. If interested in flying with us just let me know. All the best.

[@ImpendingJoker]

Because it is. BMS is over 20 years old and not nearly as good as the diehard community tries to make it out to be.

[@ImpendingJoker]

@@StrikerVTB5 BMS is over 20 years old and not nearly as good as the diehard community tries to make it out to be.

[@StrikerVTB5]

Just because it is old doesn't make it worse flight model-wise....and that's only due to ED continually screwing up the Viper FM and not listening to the actual experienced Viper drivers, or at least all the ones I keep talking to. That aside...I agree, DCS is generally better on almost all other accounts, and yes, the BMS crowd is pretty diehard.

[@tenToesUp747]

Hey MaxAb, you get a buttkicker yet?

[@KD-_-]

How do those work? Seems painful to wire up for VR but I already have chair mount HOTAS set up from monstertech/virpil.

[@RW-zn8vy]

@@KD-_-they’re super simple to setup it’s basically a plug and play. Once you have it set up all you do is turn it on and rid good to go

[@KD-_-]

@@RW-zn8vy I'm guessing it scrapes your audio so all you do is mirror steamvr audio to it?

[@RW-zn8vy]

@@KD-_- it’s its own app, it’s hepatic feedback all it does is take sounds from the game for example like rolling down the runway it will take the sound and replicate it so you feel it like you would irl. Or your landing gear will create a small thump. you just open the app whenever you’re ready to use it.

[@alphaomega154]

your mom think you are a genius, ryan? not my mom. the only people think i am, are my ADVERSARIES. because they actually took all my ideas and work on it.

[@ImpendingJoker]

BMS is over 20 years old and not nearly as good as the diehard community tries to make it out to be. It's just the old XPlane vs Microsoft Flight Simulator argument when in reality there isn't that much difference between them. Just diehards falling on their swords to protect their sim of choice. It's more copeium than anything. It's fine to like an ancient simulator but it's not ok to go into someone's video of the one you don't like and tell them they are wrong for liking it. It's like when the War Thunder crowd argues that they are just as realistic as DCS. Poor misguided fools. haha

[@RW-zn8vy]

I don’t play bms but it does do a lot of things better than dcs but it’s because dcs lacks quality of life that’s all.