Real Fighter Pilot Battles Chinese Fighter Jets in F-15E Combat Simulator

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Hey everybody, thanks for watching this video. If you want to check out the sponsor of this video go to www.Ruckpack.com and use code PILOT to get 20% off. This is a series of 3 so stay tuned for the next two. Happy Flying!

[@Callsign_Spartacus_37Fox]

Hmmmm, F-15E point defending an island against PLA fighters and bombers…seems like something that might pop up in the real world 😂

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Hopefully not! But yeah interesting stuff

[@noluck8250]

It's so cool watching you play and seeing all the knowledge you have with flying. Keep up the cool content bro!

[@rmack9226]

He's literally displaying none of his knowledge. This is horrid flying.

[@ashe83]

​@rmack9226 I have been playing DCS for years, and I can 100% tell you that the enemy aircraft do not have missiles loaded in any of his videos. I don't even think they have gun ammo in most.

[@rmack9226]

@@ashe83 it's pretty brutal flying from a "pro" and in my opinion denigrates the image most people have of fighter pilots being some sort of god-tier human. Truth: 90% of fighter pilots likely can't BFM/ACM worth two shits. They don't get enough hours. It's a complex topic and some people just can't wrap their mind around it. And 99.999% of the time, the "fighter pilot community" is unable to be monitored by the public, so the public never sees that 90% of em can't BFM/ACM at all. The public just assumes they're all good. Now, I understand these "real fighter pilots" sucking at DCS..... For a while. It would take some time to get used to the lack of G etc... But when you're into several months of terrible BFM/ACM videos with no improvement, I can't help but start to think that these "real life fighter pilots" were floating around doing BFM/ACM at 120kts IN REAL LIFE. And average glazers on here just worship pilots so much they don't see it. This is trash flyin. Also note: NATO pilots been flying against goat herders in Afghanistan for 20 years. Dropping $22,000 bombs on $300 Toyota pickups. Lots of these guys are glorified manned-drone pilots with "combat experience" in third world shitholes with zero air force or air defense.

[@EatDatBitchAwp]

@@rmack9226lmao you got all pissed off you connected a video game to Afghanistan😭 you should leave your moms basement👍🏽

[@rmack9226]

@@ericlesovs i mean, cool post, but every rando i know would smoke this "real righter pilot"

[@IrishPizzaMan]

Just wanted to say love your content! Started watching when you posted the Top Gun Maverick videos now I’m hooked! Good luck 🍀 Hope you do well today!

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

hey thanks! Glad you are here!

[@superskullmaster]

@@MaxAfterburnerusawhat didn’t you put DCS in the title?

[@Ruweisat]

Nice flying. I'd love to see you fight Growling Sidewinder. That would be a great match!

[@Jason_N7]

Or fight WITH Growling Sidewinder... that would be an interesting tandem!

[@markbolatete5325]

Thank you, Ryan, thank you for your service and now I am always grateful for these awesome contents you are sharing! Always great to see a real pilot demonstrate and show us simmers how the real guys do it! Well done brother! :)

[@letsridehard]

The eye strain using that tracking system must be brutal. My optical nerves hurt just watching him do his thing 😎

[@xdxdxdunix]

It's pretty alright, actually good training for your eyes lol

[@jaceengels5283]

Just stumbled upon these videos. I know nothing about any of this stuff but it’s awesome. Very interesting to watch you dog fight and explain what you’re seeing/thinking. You have a new subscriber.

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Awesome! Glad you’re here! More flight videos locked and loaded

[@Darko7]

These DCS videos are so awesome!

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Glad you like them!

[@penda4054]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa the DCS videos are great bro, you do a good job of 'thinking out loud' and explaining what you are doing and why. Im totally new to flight sims but have started improving a ton in my BFM skills just by taking mental notes from your dogfights

[@nicholasmarshall3191]

It never occurred to me that it would be difficult to locate a wingman.

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Yeah something that's really important but not thought about a lot

[@Verdigo76]

If he coolie switched left he could have IFF'd him and known right away if it was his wingman or not.

[@riphopfer5816]

I always assumed that IRL they could communicate with each other, except on zero-RF stealth missions, which this is not. Speaking g of which…if this mission is point defence, why is the aircraft laden with bombs? Obviously, I cut in when the video started, so I didn’t read the mission briefing , but you said ‘point defence of an island’, presumably in the S. China Sea, as the aggressors are Chinese, so-since I don’t know what’s coming at me, I would want a load out heavy on A-A munitions, and perhaps a couple A-S missiles, just in case. The last thing I want is to be full of bombs.

[@timmaslyn]

Hey Ryan, fun video. Thanks for sharing. I had a thought, I see you struggling with the eye tracker a bit. They make a nice multi-view screen mount that has the ability to stack monitors. I personally have a high mount dual monitor display and I am planning to add a third display mounted on the wall above my existing monitors. Just thought it might help with the immersion/eye tracker struggles. :)

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

hey thanks! I might go VR as well, thoughts on that?

[@RedFox_05]

@@MaxAfterburnerusai heard it's great, but it may hurt your eyes and neck during longer sessions.

[@machewbacca]

vr is the way to go@@MaxAfterburnerusa

[@timmaslyn]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa yeah, that is a good way to solve it, as well. However, as a streamer myself I feel it might be a bit less personable on screen. I think it is better when we see your eyes and facial reactions ... part of the fun IMHO.

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa Varjo Aero, is on sale, just picked one up. It's amazing.

[@DJones476]

Did you forget to turn on your IFF and NCTR, Buddy? Truly amazing video to watch, Ryan. Thanks.

[@JesusIzAPunkRocker]

You're gonna blow up man great content

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Thanks for checking out the channel man! Appreciate the support

[@georgefitzgerald7890]

1v1 Growling Sidewinder, will be match of the century

[@FS2K4Pilot]

GS is good, but he’s not on the level of a real fighter pilot.

[@Carlos27thFS]

​​@@FS2K4PilotGS isn't even on the level of guys in DCS Dogfighters server. There are about 40 guys that would absolutely wreck GS in that server. He knows not to come in DCS Dogfighters server lol

[@nicolasdf1967]

Max, you really need to go VR!

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Will do this soon! Probably in early 2024 thanks!

[@Z-Tbh]

@@MaxAfterburnerusafor sure ! Great stuff

[@ILruffian]

@@MaxAfterburnerusaWondering if you pulled the trigger on this. If so, what unit?

[@rpkett]

Probably the best simulation content on YT.

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Glad you like it more on the way!

[@whalehands]

Just goes to show how real situational awareness is. Shows how scary the f35 is. Because it knows everything.

[@NobiSan.]

This would be dope asf in VR

[@jacket5456]

Oh man it's so cool to get your perspective while you're in your natural habitat, y'know? Gosh, I wish I could be a pilot. I'm colorblind as fuck and wouldn't be able to tell Friend from Enemy at all. Military Pilots like you are expert observers, I'm the exact opposite of that. So, love to you and thank you for your service. You did the job that I couldn't. I also don't have the gusto for it, I'd be the wingman who gets you killed. Edit: I'm just kind of coming to terms with the fact that you cannot have colorblind pilots under any circumstances. I feel much safer knowing people like me, severely colorblind people, cannot become Military Pilots.

[@marcosavila8215]

is always a deep pleasure to watch you dog fighting in DCS and despite my experience in DCS i always learn with you just watching ...well real pilot is a real pilot!! Tx Sir and mostly thank you for your service PS- man get your Track IR you will feel such a diference. It is a must for DCS or other Sims

[@Luckydog1159]

Hey there pilot, this is MX, and thanks to your manuevers, we've had to red X your aircraft for NDI X Rays of the air frame. Time to get P&P out there to determine if this is depot-level maintenance....I believe you us some beers now thanks....

[@Luckydog1159]

In all seriousness though, love the content man keep it up! 👍

[@WarriorNoldor]

The F-15E can dogfight it has to be done right. Loved seeing the F-15C and F-15E at the airshows.

[@Vincent-mi4xc]

This is some fascinating footage, very much enjoy this type of content!

[@HfknK]

Great vid. Looks more intense.

[@rowdyron4111]

You'll be at the panel party later, right? For the over-gs : ) If the E-model was clean you would have spanked that J11.

[@bpit44]

Haha, along with a couple cases of IPA's.

[@madmartigan8305]

lol “wingman come on! I’m not buying you a drink like I said I would!”😂

[@deathsicon]

When I lose track of bandits like that I start watching the RWR to see who's looking at me, I admit I don't mess with the 15 but I'm surprised I didn't notice that info add you looked around

[@MoneyMike2002]

Love these videos man. Keep up the PVP fighter jet content. Me and my dad love watching these on the couch. Such a great video game.

[@garyramirez1420]

Nice to see a actual F-15E pilot behind the controls and flying a F-15E and showing that it CAN actually dogfight instead of a DCS nerd who has no actual F-15E flight experience flying it and claiming it cant dogfight when it actually can

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

It definitely can, I’ve seen it beat vipers in real life so….🔥

[@demus89]

I thought your wingman would have had some kind of radar designator so you could identify him. Really doesn't help miss identifying over and over.

[@6agenthawk]

iirc thats how it is in real life

[@demus89]

@@6agenthawk wow if that's true that really makes life a lot more difficult.

[@theHardChargerVids]

well keep in mind they would be talking on the radio in real life

[@WhiteTemplar01]

I am wondering why you had those bombs in the first place, as a challenge? You did very well against slick J-11s while flying a bomb truck.

[@brians9532]

Its shocking that the radar doesn't help identify friendlies. That can be easily done with tech from decades ago. What a crazy risk.

[@anthonyhershko]

Love you channel so much!! Great video as always!!!

[@_beaverrr]

"my virtual parents are very grateful for that" LOL

[@giggleigloos]

Excellent vid, love how personal it feels. Keep it up and TYFYS

[@aperron88]

Gotta see a 1v1 against Growling Sidewinder

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

He would probably crush me rn. I gotta fly this sim a little longer lol

[@aperron88]

@MaxAfterburnerlife fair enough lol. But when you're ready that would be a cool video. Love the content either way. Wicked cool stuff for sure

[@dinosoarmotorsports]

Defending Tinian/Saipan, yes? Love the pilot technical talk! Thanks.

[@KhrissZaitsev]

Why not try VR instead. It seems your situational awareness is becoming extremely hindered by how uncomfortable it looks when trying to track enemies. Lots of tunnel vision= Disaster waiting to happen.

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

You bet! Doing that soon

[@MishaelSandoval]

Stumbled on your videos very interesting seeing a actual fighter pilot flying these sims very cool. New subscriber. Always liked when the Thunderbirds showed up to the show. Im a DOD contractor over at March ARB. 18yrs. THANKYOU for your service sir. 🫡

[@DeeDee-Sweet]

Gave us a little treat at the end 😂🎤 'lil Neo

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Might be a new tradition haha, stay to the end to hear my rap skills! Eminem I’m coming for you LMAO

[@DeeDee-Sweet]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa 😂😂

[@orenji13]

looks like it'll be more comfortable for you if it's VR.

[@thothheartmaat2833]

you just did a 1/3 over g? ooohhh.. im tellin.. youre so fired...

[@Inferior_Machines]

Once using the HMD or HMDS! Going back and using the older HUD system. Sucks! The In helmet hud or HMD was such an advantage over not having it.

[@0612Devil]

Someone needs to get my man a legit TrackIR - this is killing me! :)

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

haha I'll probably go to VR instead. thoughts?

[@N172GB]

VR is the way to go. I use Pimax 8kx and it suits me fine.

[@usaf_frmrenlisted_nam_vet7182]

I am curious about the answer to this question myself as I am grabbing up hardware to support my passion to be a 'fighter pilot' at age 71@@MaxAfterburnerusa

[@ProGamer-gc3wv]

​@@MaxAfterburnerusa i can tell you this, STAY AWAY FROM VR! If you want to spend some money just for fun, then try it. You also need somebody who will set all those hundred of settings and tweaks, or at least you have to spend enormous time to find the right settings for DCS + VR. I used VR for almost 8 Months and i regret. I have the fastest PC you can buy right now, it costs me +4000 USD and its not worth, because you have to set almost all DCS Settings to low, to be able to have good FPS. Make nonsense at all. DCS only support VR, its not made for VR and it is a heavy graphics Game. My advice is: Buy the TrackIR5 with the IR Sensors, it cost you 50% less then the cheapest VR Device. I can send you my Profile for wide screen for TrackIR5 and you are fine to start, you dont have to spend time to set this and that up. And i want to warn all about VR: If you play DCS for +1.5 hour, then you should not use VR. It will damage your eyes badly, because those two monitors are 1 cm from your eyes. I was playing 2-3-4 Hours with VR, and i noticed, that my eyes were not the same, since stopped playing with VR, its better, but still i have some kind of issues. Its dangerous at this point, but use it on your own risk. And dont forget the heat in the VR mask and the weight, also the limited FOV in the aircraft, you have to look like a owl to see something left/right side, which cause neck pain in my case. PS: you can't see anything, you won't be able to use your keyboard, you won't be able to look at checklists or what ever... @MaxAfterburnerlife be a wise man, or you will feel the pain 🤣 I did go through this pain so i can advise you.

[@ricestrike7937]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa VR has the added advantage of depth perception. Track IR is still good if you "work from home" and need to switch to your desktop lol.

[@jeff-hopkins]

During live dog fighting, is there a hazard or danger of following your enemy too closely? --How likely is, or how dangerous is it, that you could fly through the "rubbish" or "flak" from the enemy craft you are shooting apart? (You don't want any of those scraps sifting into your engine(s).... Right?)

[@michajastrzebski4383]

yeah, if you hit the guy, and are too close, there's definetly chance for FOD

[@jeff-hopkins]

@@michajastrzebski4383 "FOD"? Please explain? 🙂

[@tjlovesrachel]

@@jeff-hopkinsforeign object damage

[@jeff-hopkins]

@@tjlovesrachel Thanks! 🙂

[@Thisisaweirdthing2makeusdo]

Awesome content my man.

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Glad you’re enjoying it 🫡

[@AnotherJohnJohn]

Pretty sure PLAAF people can learn things from your response and tactics.

[@freecheese4143]

Geez! Eagle eye's seeing it way out.

[@F-14_Jockey]

Great stuff Ryan, tell me, do all you Air Force guys use "Surfer dude language", sorry can't resist.

[@liambarber3180]

Bro if you get VR you'll be unstoppable..

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

You know it! Coming soon!

[@CSIG1001]

soon that pilot suit wont fit after being out of the military for awhile lol

[@TheHourYouTurnGold]

Bro! You brought bombs to a A/A fight!! And you’re rocking a Lakenheath Bird! Brother You better start making us look good😂🇺🇸. I’ve never played this game but I wonder if he had the option for an A/A config.

[@AlphaGatorDCS]

awesome to see F-15E content!

[@SackyX]

"U" key to uncage I believe and you can't jettison in ab.

[@reverse_shell]

Just found your channel, LOVE it... subscribed!

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Welcome aboard!

[@ivanangelov589]

Add deadzone and curvature to you axis 10-25

[@Manperor]

Idk how i just found ur channel but if u get VR you should def make it look like ur pilot helmet idk if u can get it custom made or smtn but that would be sick.

[@foamige]

Take me on your mighty wings....Take me on your mighty wings toniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

😂

[@NoahTwentyTwo]

just stumbled upon ur videos and i love them! keep it up!

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Glad you like them! More uploading soon!

[@Partsnotshown]

I’m so glad to see actual combat videos instead of Growling Sidewinder pvp where it’s like arcade and unrealistic… People flying 500 meters from the deck nom stop

[@WillyP_03]

@MaxAfterburnerlife great video, fun to watch! Any chance you'll do som zero to hero tutorials in the future? Keep up the great work!

[@beatboxbuggi6884]

Doesn’t the strike Eagle have some kind of iff? It should be able to identify enemies for you?

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

It does yes, I was not using it in the video but nice observation

[@franciscooliveira9400]

Just got your videos in my recomended list, i dont know anything about jets but love the content Quick question, why dont you invest on a VR set??

[@SacofApples]

You know you can adjust the sensitivity on your head tracker right? Make it so you just do little movement with your head. Lots more comfy. Also have you tried VR?

[@SacofApples]

Now that I think of it, I think I have met you before. Have you flown Duluth mn air show?

[@robpayne1956]

Hmm, aside from this one have you run any other F15's off the runway. 😂

[@avi_kid3667]

Amazing video as always ! I recommend you switching vr cuz it’s much easier.

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Cool will do soon thanks

[@darylcav6285]

Why would you be loaded up with bombs on a point defense? Am I missing something

[@ILruffian]

Agree. I know he tried to punch them off at one point but couldn't figure out how to do it in the game. Would have been the right move.

[@destroyer9817]

Strike Eagle level commentary 😂

[@StevenCanham-p4n]

Does DCS not have IFF or any other EID capability? I teach F-15 Avionics at Sheppard, It would be great if you would walk us through some radar work as well as setup and use of some other systems such as ILS, INS, TACAN, and radios. The AF is too cheap to give us actual E models to train on and there is the possibility of our Two C models going away. Great Video by the way! Spam

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

That’s awesome that you teach that! Thanks for what you do. I try to keep all the videos completely open source. DCS might have IFF and EID but I’m going to keep that info and how it would be used on the DL for now. Keep crushing it!

[@jg3nius135]

Yes, the F-15E in DCS does have IFF simulated. There is also ILS,INS, TACAN and radios as you said.

[@Verdigo76]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa Your IFF was already configured in mode 4. Coolie switch left my dude.

[@ILruffian]

@@MaxAfterburnerusaI'm all for protecting TTPs. But IFF and how it is used is in the DCS F-15 E manual. PP 127-128, 144, and 186. Doesn't get more open source than that. Simply use it in a way consistent with that manual. Zero issues.

[@kerrybrown7398]

No soup for the wingman

[@fatpie8449]

can you add some "effects" ? like G-strain maneuvers during G pulls.. haaa

[@DannyMcPfister]

I know what Viper drivers have to say about F-15 pilots, but what do you guys make fun of the Viper drivers for? Always was curious lol.

[@Janet_Airlines802]

How is it detecting your head looking up? what's the setup if you don't mind me asking.

[@brian_vb]

Ryan.. How close to the real thing is this simulator?

[@Livinghighandwise]

How do you not know if that is your wing man? The IFF plainly tells you..

[@sethr.4600]

Bro, is that one of your old T-bird flight suits??😎

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Yes, not to worry I have a tighter one on order, these have gotten a little baggy 😂

[@sethr.4600]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa That's funny!!

[@Cyge240sx]

god I would kill to have my own flight jumpsuit LOL

[@brianlee129]

NICE FLIGHTSUIT,LOL.

[@umamigo1]

19:10 100% larping!

[@pdxpete48]

No brownie points for your wingman🙃

[@roakner940]

Bro I think I can be Top Gun in this game but even crazier. I need to buy me this set up. Probably a couple K's.

[@johnc8209]

wait..... thats how the head IR tracker works? hahah ive never seen it physically just usually the on screen visuals. that cant be confortable?

[@d.b.1176]

Where’d who go?!?! Ah haaaaaa!!!

[@mlmccollum100]

Why didnt you pull back on the stick for extra drag on landing

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Good call! Aerobrake would have been smart 👍👍

[@DESTRUXTO]

I wanna try your sponsor ruckpack looks good and it's natural bc I don't wanna put unhealthy toxins in my body PS love you videos very entertainment

[@ictpilot]

How did you not know how to jettison your bombs?

[@gerryabbott]

Enjoyed the video right up until the Ruckpack add.

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Glad you enjoyed it! I get it…at least RuckPack is veteran owned. I supported some of their Delta founders in Afghanistan during High Value Target Operations.

[@Joes-Thoughts]

Question, when you’re in a dog fight like that in real life, does your system let you know a jet is flying directly at you? In the game, you barely had to see he was coming directly you. How often do jets run into each other in the simulation? Great videos man!

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

Sort of yes…you can see a box around the aircraft flying at you if you locked it up with your radar 👍👍

[@blinkendecharizard7080]

"herbs that make your mind feel clearer" ......................🤔🤔🤔 Wait a minute...

[@taygray86]

I want a flight suit for when I play DCS

[@Death__007]

What type of eye tracking do you use for DCS?

[@toejam7606]

Not into sims but that was greatvto watch

[@Solo6R]

You got a favorite module in DCS? Is it the F-15?

[@MaxAfterburnerusa]

yeah the F-15E probably but I just got a ton of new ones so we'll see!

[@Solo6R]

@@MaxAfterburnerusa I've been flip flopping too much lately. F/A-18C, F-15E, AH-64D, Mi-24, and Mi-8. That's my go to's right now.

[@kalaspears6288]

Is a grown man I will have to say I would love to be able to afford to play this that this would be my I don't think I could ever stop playing it it just looks so fun

[@mattpaul8936]

haha this guy rules

[@winncollins2356]

How much is dcs like flying the real things like from start up to taking off flight controls and landing and shutting down?

[@islandwanderer1173]

I'd give my left one to fly in that sim..

[@thegamingflyhd1397]

Is there anyway everyone can help you maybe get a nice motion sim rig for dcs or even a vr set g but otherwise fantastic job tho love the content tbh a little more then non real pilots playin lol

[@Dorimeme187]

Please do a reaction to the F-15QA demo video!

[@brianmartin2172]

So much fun to watch! Interesting how u did not drop ur bombs in the ocean to get better flight performance. Saving the tax payer dollar? Maybe that's the difference between a real fighter pilot and a gamer?