Akula

It's not easy because it's not something most players will do every time. You have to understand that this game has risen tremendously in popularity over the past year due in part by the YouTube videos from the community. As a result there are a LOT of people out there who start their missions either on the runway or parked "HOT" YOU, are probably more hardcore and prefer to manually start every jet you have... Good for you. Most are not and thereby will find this list helpful. Hardcore simmers could probably muddle their way to getting any jet started but I'll bet a kidney they can't do every jet by memory and pull of a flawless start procedure. Even REAL pilots use a checklist. You're just bragging.

I don't really know the answer because I just did the training tutorial and wrote the steps down. Basically what you see is what you get. If there's any confusion in the steps let me know and I will tweak them a little. I just had a second look at the steps and the answer is there. Follow the steps and you're good.

True.... Since this is still a game and you get a perfectly working Hornet on start you can fore go the unnecessary formalities. You can also close the canopy from the get go so it's not too loud.

HAHA glad I can help. I found this necessary after entering a server where cold starts were the norm... I was like "SHIT! OK how does this go again???" :megalol:

Hello all, This list is for those that don't often do a manual cold start for the Hornet and often forget how to do it AND, hate going through the mundane lenthy training tutorial in DCS. There are a lot of steps involved and it takes time but it's fairly simple if you know your way around the cockpit. **NOTE: Wags calls them DDI's. Although I'm sure that's what it's called today, they were always known as MFDs (Multi Function Display). Why they changed it is beyond me and moronic and since I'm a grumpy old man I call them MFDs :D I keep this list on my iPhone and the phone between my stick and throttle for easy reference. F-18 COLD START - LOWER RIGHT PANEL: battery ON - Fire test HOLD RIGHT CLICK - Wait 10 seconds - Fire test HOLD LEFT CLICK - APU ON - Crank Right engine on RIGHT CLICK - @20% Press SHIFT HOME - Bleed air NORM TO NORM - Set left and right MFD to DAY, set brightness to MAX - Set Center MFD brightness to MAX - Set HUD brightness to MAX (On the left of the UFC panel ... Where you usually turn on TACAN. Label for knob is hidden) - LEFT MFD Press menu button to SUPPORT - LEFT MFD Press FCS - Reset Master Caution - Set INS to GROUND - Crank Left engine on LEFT CLICK - @20% Press ALT HOME - Reset FCS - SET OBOSS to ON (Far left behind you) - Set radar to OPR - Set flaps to AUTO - RIGHT MFD Press FCS-MC GO - Hold “Y” and Press FCS on RIGHT MFD (BIT TEST) - Once flaps test is done set flaps to HALF - HOLD TAKEOFF TRIM DOWN 10 seconds - ON ATTITUDE INDICATOR rotate knob AFT to stow red flag - Close canopy - Set INS to NAV - Set left MFD to HUD - Set right MFD to FCS for takeoff - Release P-brake - NOT mentioned in training.... ARM YOUR SEAT or Betty will nag you - DONE!

Yeah I've done it too but I like 300 because it affords me the luxury of power vs desperate last minute attempts to correct a stalling jet. More wiggle room is better than less IMHO.

Lower the gear at 300 and set yourself up. 250 is BS and if you wait that long you will have way too much to do while, like you said, the jet is falling out of the sky. Instructions are just that, instructions. Follow the instructions and then apply what you learn vs applying what you have read.

Guess what Jabbers, you just won the tip o' the hat award!!!! Ill admit it's not complete to the point where we know where to click what and when but it's far more helpful and complete than any of the other vids I've seen. LIKED AND SUBSCRIBED!!!! Thanks!! :thumbup:

Let’s stay on topic here. We’re not talking about multi player servers or GPS navigation or waypoints. Those are all separate lessons and when you mention them the reader immediately starts to wonder how that gets done so let’s stay on the topic of TACAN and as I’ve said before, the steps in the replies are helpful, yes and thanks but no one says; “click on this or right click on that.” This is where confusion and further follow up questions are asked making this thread endless. This is why I’m saying a YouTube video would be more complete provided the creator shows how he does absolutely everything. I know it’s a tall order but if anyone is up for it I’m sure the praise and likes will swarm in.

I’d like to request something from someone who’s an absolute genius with TACAN and knows it inside and out. Can you please post a YouTube video clearly showing the following: - How to get TACAN info while in a mission - Why TACAN info is sometimes not available and how you can navigate without it - How to assign TACAN information to carriers and airfields in a mission. - how to correctly align your course heading on a carrier for a proper approach when using TACAN Yes I know a lot of you are going to say; “there are countless videos out there” Honestly, there isn’t a SINGLE video that shows this. All the TACAN tutorials have never demonstrated how we can get the info, why sometimes it’s not available and what we can use when it isn’t. AND THE BIGGEST ISSUE. Actually showing what needs to be clicked on in the cockpit. Even WAG’s vids don’t show this. If anyone can do this I think it would really help a lot of people understand TACAN better. PS. Saying something like RTFM is just douchy. Let’s move forward and help each other.

"Oxygen Mask - how does it work?" It doesn't, it's a game! :megalol:

The LSO Approach camera is locked because it's used to gauge the pilots approach in the box. Can't do that if you are moving the box around.

On a Saitek X52 but I'll try it thanks :thumbup:

Yeah it's not very responsive on my end either. I'll try to tweak it out a little and see if it changes

You don’t need to set trim for takeoff. FCS automatically sets the correct AOA on takeoff according to the takeoff weight. Once in the air simply gear up and correct your pitch so the nose doesn’t pitch up too much. With the F-18, pitch, for the most part, takes care of itself..... Well, for takeoff it does. If you go out of your way to set the trim according to your takeoff weight then you’re doing what the FCS has already done for you, and most likely you’ve done it incorrectly. Also in flight, contrary to the F-15, the hornet doesn’t need trim corrections to stay level in flight. Once you aim the VV on the horizon it stays there unless you drop your speed to where the FBWS has determined it’s too dangerous to keep the nose at that angle. To maintain the production of lift, the FBWS will allow the nose to pitch down just enough.

Mods why has this thread been moved???? It's obviously a bug.

I just tried a practice run using CCIP Bombs and the replay of the mission is WAY OFF 1. Despite dropping my MK82s on target, the replay showed they were about 100 feet to the left of the target. 2. Despite a successful carrier landing the replay showed I landed in the water. I'm sure this has been mentioned before but in case it hasn't there ya go.

"aim 9 growl tone too quiet for me" and that's a bad thing???? LOL

The ship is moving so aim for the tower and as you get closer correct to align with the middle of the runway. My first landing was on carrier that wasn't moving and then I tried it on a carrier moving at 12 knots and there was a noticeable difference.

Try cutting the power then go to full as soon as all three wheels are down.

OK so it's confirmed then In AA Mode pressing C cage/uncage your weapon. Not in AA Mode (didn't test AG mode) pressing C cage/uncage the HUD Thanks everyone :)

OK so it's confirmed then Wheels up pressing "C" will cage/uncage your weapons. Wheels down pressing "C" will cage/uncage HUD. Thanks everyone :)

OK, so just to go off tangent for a bit. What Keyboard command cages/uncages any desired weapon? Yes I know, it should be bound to your HOTAS but let's assume it's not and you need to know which key to press.

So does this mean that: Wheels up pressing "C" will cage/uncage your weapons. Wheels down pressing "C" will cage/uncage HUD. Can someone clarify?

True, If you fly the ball and hold the VV in the middle of the E you will be fine. that said, I've learned that cutting power the instant my nose flies over the stern lets me land and catch., then full power in case you bolter.... I tried flying the ball and the E while maintaining speed and I boltered. It was a perfect landing so I was perplexed as to why I boltered.... Yes the hook was down and set to carrier. For the record I land with full flaps not half.