Braunn

Yeah your problem seem awfully similar to mine when I had my short extension. But I'm set with a right stick mounted pretty high kinda similar to the F-16 and you're not. I have nothing in between my legs. Errrr, thats what she said. (?)

Here's my 2c on it. Zero curves and seat time needed if you really want to learn it. Drop the stick extension. I tried it in the Viper and boy was it a pain. I couldn't fly it. That was with only 6cm extension!! The extension is basically what makes it sluggish for you, and I cant imagine how difficult it must be with a loooong 20cm extension at that, because the FBW and computer in the Viper IS trying to hold the jet steady at all times. I think they have that modelled very good. But that's when you're inside of fine adjusting stick movements and with your 20cm extension I can imagine it does get sluggish and inaccurate for you when you introduce curves as well. Especially negative curves, which only serves to play to your FLCS computers wishes of holding it steady. So to better simulate the force sensing Viper stick I would suggest the shortest stick possible to make the movements as small as possible while that also introduce the most input to your flight computer. If that makes any sense. Think of the F-16 flight computer and FBW system as driving around with constant autopilot, because basically that's what it is. To overcome it, you need to tell it. Hard. Example: I just did some AAR refueling first time practice in the Hornet yesterday and set my curves to 0, well because I only really know the F-16, and boy did I PIO the crap outta that plane. Set curves to 15 for the Hornet and hit the basket on first try with no disco. With the Viper I cannot use curves at all. No change getting that boom connected for any period without disco.

You know, I tried the Tomcat for a few fly outs and I really really really like the flight controls. Even trapped on the boat on first try, meatballs be damned. It really is a man machine type of bird. But then jumped back into the Viper and just adapted to the FBW again. Once you get used to delegating "some" of your control to the computer and realize that the F-16 will always try to keep you at 1G and stuff like that, it becomes much easier to flick it around like you're in an air show. The more this thread evolves the harder it is to pick a "second love" tbh. Now I'm sitting in a Hornet trying to learn THAT thing. The F15E to me feels mushy but as mentioned already, it's not done yet. If I may suggest, and if you have curves set up on your Viper inputs, don't. Keep it all linear. Only put as much deadzone you need to correct off center inputs from your HOTAS.

That scenario is because the F15 isnt ready yet. I'm not even bothering with the F15 right now. Even when both have datalink it's the radar thats going to be the deciding factor outside of a merge.

Regarding Link16, it's not all hallelujah IMO. I use it mainly for tactical <profanity> and locating wing members. What do you do when a server dont have AWACS? I bet the Mudhen radar and IFF will be more than sufficient in a few updates and nobody should really miss datalink then.

Riddle me this: In my first love, I always take off on mil power unless the runway is very short, regardless of loadout.

As he was talking about handling and all that stuff I assumed he meant it as it is today. But sure, for taking loads of stuff and destroy small towns, F-15 all the way. BVR also should be a no contest when it's closer to finished. I like it. Going to be my second love probably. But not as an early access bird.

F15E is still early access and will probably see a butt load of changes and fixes before a full release. Too early to even compare the two IMO.

It doesnt matter. Fact is tho, MLU program started 1995 and last delivery was fitted at Kjeller in 2000. Total of 56 F-16 airframes recieved the MLU between 1995 and 2000. F-16A Block 15 #674 was one of the newest airframes and it was sent to Balkan for Operation Allied Force, with 5 other RNoAF F-16s in 1999. What do YOU think? Would you send Vipers that didn't have AMRAAM capabilities to war when you have several brand spanking new MLU fitted ones sitting in the hangar? There's no they here. It was one sentence on one website that claimed MLU upgraded F-16's didn't deploy to Balkan. I beg to differ. Could be wrong of course but fighter pilot training aint cheap and I don't think any airforce or defence ministry would risk all that money go to waste by sending less capable airframes to war when they had capable airframes on active duty for the past 4 years. Putting 2 and 2 together with that picture of 674 leaving a tanker from a refueling wing that also deployed to Balkan airspace in 1999, my brain says MLU Vipers were there. Now, here's the kicker: Maybe not ALL SIX were MLU fitted f-16s. Now that would be an ok tactic if wing leads had the AMRAAMs and wingmen didnt.

That picture I posted is literally from above former Yugoslavia 5th of May 1999. The tanker is a KC135R of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. You don't send Fox 2 capable only Vipers to an international NATO Operation doing CAP, sweeps and escorts for over 7-8 hours per sortie when you have MLU aircrafts ready to go. The RNoAF MLU program started in 1995. But I get it, you want to be right. So you're right.

They had AIM120's. But the F-16A they employed had IFF system limitations so they had to use different tactics. The pic shows one of the RNoAF F-16A leaving a KC135 during the Balkan war. Sorry, just a Viper fan here. I get interested whenever people talk about RNoAF Vipers. lol Looking hard at learning a second plane tho, and the M2000 is super interesting.

Shame the wing breaking is still there. It's a neat fighter and great fun but tbh the wings breaking turned me away from it. It is obvious it's not even close to being realistic. I agree 100% no air force would use that jet if the wings were that brittle in real life. USAF sure as hell wouldnt still be using it for red air.

After I made the wingless supersonic and then landing video I haven't touched the F5. Is it still breakey wingy?

ECM pods, short or long, is a crap shoot for me. As a noise generator it works best for me. Step 1 & 2 to break the lock from a SAM works 50% of the time and it depends almost entirely what search radar has you locked. But for SEAD I can't wait to drag the ALN 50 Towed Decoy. They saved lives during Iraq 1 & 2. They are proven to work. ECM pods I assume is harder to find documentation on "effectiveness" as it's harder to analyze what actually made the missile fail to hit the jet. Towed decoys you know worked if they're gone.

Gotta come further up for true midnight sun man. Yours is still touching the horizon. Ours is circling on top of us being a pain in the ass. Kola will be super awesome for locals, even more awesome for nature hungry people from not Scandinavia. Can't wait to operate from Bodø, Andøya, Evenes etc etc etc. Long missions to places like Murmansk for pickles. QRA Bomber intercepts. Ship hunting. If Orbx does this realistic enough we are in for a treat. Otherwise it's just going to be another SA. Which has potential but not even close to finished. IMO

Weasel pilot Dan Hampton praise the HTS pod in his book. They did do some changes to it to make it better but cant remember what it was. I can only assume they made it less work needed (as per OPs question) to operate effectively.

It feels like it limits G onset because of the effect you get when less control surface response/authority is selected in CAT III mode. It's basically just a driving miss daisy mode to help the airframe survive stupid sudden F-16 pilot moves with heavy weapon loadouts.

Where did I state AI planes are hard to shoot down? Pretty sure I never did. So what are you disagreeing with?

OP, Sir, if your aim is to be good at BFM you cannot blossom by doing fights against broken records forever. - Mark Twain But hey. I dont feel like going up against kill horny air to air jockeys all the time either. lol

OP writes hes done it for a while.

AI planes are predictable. Go on a multiplayer server and analyze what you did wrong a million times.

Found another pilot who claims F-16 sustained G capabilities. Dan "Two Dogs" Hampton. Chapter one in his book "Viper Pilot". But I'm not sure if he means the A model, but assume it, because it's in a chapter who explains the evolution of the Wild Weasel squadrons where F-16 takes over for the F-4, and even overlapping with F-4 for a while.

Yeppers. No need to rotate before take off lift at all. I rarely ever use AB anymore on take off unless the rwy is short. Once you got speed she climbs very fast after rotation. Use the whole runway.