Most successful controllers for A2A refueling

[Pinefang]

I'm wondering if a certain controller set up is best for A2A refueling than the others. I have tried and tried but when I get close all of a sudden my plane veers left or right, (ghost input). I have tried setting my controls up differently but no joy. I've watched numerous videos and read everything I know to read and have spent over 40 hours practicing with no mare than a five second connect. So please answer with which controls you use. If you have a mix then answer with the stick.

 

Assuming you have practiced at least a few times have you been successful with???

Edited March 25, 2014 by Pinefang
For brevity

[txmtb]

Your poll numbers will probably be skewed by the same amount as peeps that own the stick.

I can only say that I've refueled with a Saitek, because it's all that I own. Just took practice, practice, and then more practice.

[lunaticfringe]

X-36? Never happen.

F-22 with RCS? With some difficulty.

Cougar with RCS? Could get close, but not hold the boom.

Cougar with RS FSSB R1 and RCS? Easy as pie.

Warthog and no pedals? No problem.

[cichlidfan]

The condition of the components in an individual stick, as well as input curves used, combined with the amount of sim formation flying experience and innate skill of the individual will render the poll pretty much useless.

 

EDIT: You also left out a very important entry in your poll. MSFFB2.

Edited March 26, 2014 by cichlidfan

[Blooze]

It is precisely because of these unknown variables that I have refused to agonize myself with this task, and probably never will.

[NhiTrac]

Can't vote as I've only tried it with a TMWH.

 

However I did struggle in the beginning but when I added a curve of 22 it worked out beautifully and connected first go. By third attempt I was already holding it for the full duration of the refuel.

 

Just a week ago I decided to set the curves back to 0 on both axis. Managed to connect fine but probably had about 10 disconnects before I got a full tank. With more practice it shouldn't be a problem...

 

The 40 odd hours you've put in won't make a difference if you're just replicating the exact same thing you've been doing for the last 39. That'll only end up with the same result. Instead try to do something different each time and see what works well. I know it may seem obvious but we all may not realise it and unless your controller is faulty (check the curves in windows?), 40 hrs of proper practice should be way more than enough.

 

What stick are you flying with now?

 

Btw man what a difference 0 curves make. The A10 is now suddenly a nimble beast whereas before it was quite sluggish. I'd recommend 0 curves to all if possible!

[snuffles]

X-65F and Saitek Combat Pedals, SU-33 no problems

[Cali]

I've refueled with CH and a TM Cougar in BMS and they both felt about the same. In FC, I have only used CH. It just takes time and lots of practice to get good at it. I can't say one stick was better then the other cause it's not just the stick, so I didn't vote.

[NeilWillis]

And there is no option for those that, like you, tried and failed!

[Stevos758]

Practice is key.

 

I used to think it was impossible. Now it's easy as pie.

[Blooze]

Practice is key.

 

I used to think it was impossible. Now it's easy as pie.

I don't do that very well either.

[Pinefang]

I thought that I as the OP I might post which controller I am using. I have the CH Products Fighterstick and Pro Throttle both USB. I have also found that when I calibrate them I can see that there are ghost inputs in at least three of the axis between the two controllers. This can't be good for precise maneuvering as in refueling. But I will continue to practice and keep adding to the curves until it just won't respond anymore, sorry a little frustration there. Anyway.....

[Cali]

I thought that I as the OP I might post which controller I am using. I have the CH Products Fighterstick and Pro Throttle both USB. I have also found that when I calibrate them I can see that there are ghost inputs in at least three of the axis between the two controllers. This can't be good for precise maneuvering as in refueling. But I will continue to practice and keep adding to the curves until it just won't respond anymore, sorry a little frustration there. Anyway.....

 

Mess around with the curves and keep practicing. A2A refueling isn't a easy thing to do, even real pilots will tell you that.

[Thick8]

Start with no armament. Concentrate on your breathing. smooth semi deep in and out. Don't strangle the stick. take your feet off the pedal. Keep breathing. Your throttle hand will be dancing up and down while gently guiding the aircraft with the stick to the boom. Don't look at the boom. Take in the whole scene, don't focus on any one spot. You want the belly of the 135 about two fingers above the hud frame. BREATH! Quit strangling the stick; it's not your wee wee. tiny throttle up, down ,up down. Like your trying to tailgate the guy going 10 mph in a 25 mph zone. Did I mention breath???

[Cali]

Just got my warthog today and it's way smoother then the cougar, can't wait to take it for a test fly. AAR might be a lot easier now also, but I'll see.

[Jumbik]

I suppose that the new Saitek X-55 could do the job also. According to the Frooglesim channel its very precise.

[Lange_666]

Didn't vote because i only use(d) the Cougar (U2 modded) so i can't compare.

[Cali]

To be honest my uber cougar was easier to connect to the tanker in BMS, but that could be because of experience. Also, CH is very light and the cougar has some feel to it. There is a mod that you can add rubberbands to the CH stick to give it a stronger feel.

[MacFevre]

I'm sorry, Cali, but your not helping my situation out very well at all! I just put new gimbals into my Cougar, but I've still got a pretty good bump going through either axis, not just through the center. Now I've saved up enough to purchase a Warthog, and every single time I go to purchase it, I psych myself out and say, "Man, that's a lot of money!" Now you come along and say it's easy for you to A2A Refuel when you got the Warthog. What to do, what to do. :music_whistling:

[Cali]

I haven't tried with the warthog yet. I said my user modeled cougar was easier to refuel. I'm sure the warthog will be a breeze because of how smooth it is. Hopefully I'll be able to test it out this weekend and I'll let you know how it is.

[Pinefang]

The poll is showing that a lot fewer people using the CH Products controllers have success refueling than those with the other two control setups. I wonder why? Could it be the ghost inputs that I am having? Just doesn't make any sense to me anymore. Wish their was a way to try a Warthog stick out without first having to spend so much money on one. Oh well

[Cali]

I had no ghost inputs with my CH, my CH was very reliable. It basically comes down to practice. If you don't AR a lot then it's going to be harder then someone that does it once a week. There are people that AR just fine with cheaper controllers. This poll is bias towards what people have unless they have tried out different ones like me.

[Cali]

I'm sorry, Cali, but your not helping my situation out very well at all! I just put new gimbals into my Cougar, but I've still got a pretty good bump going through either axis, not just through the center. Now I've saved up enough to purchase a Warthog, and every single time I go to purchase it, I psych myself out and say, "Man, that's a lot of money!" Now you come along and say it's easy for you to A2A Refuel when you got the Warthog. What to do, what to do. :music_whistling:

 

Ok, got some news you may not like. I tested air refueling with the warthog and it was the best stick I have used! I have used X-45, CH, unmodded cougar, FCC (force sensing) modded cougar, uber modded cougar and the warthog and the warthog was the smoothest and easy so far. But remember some of it is due to experience, although I haven't really flown much in the past 18 months.

[MacFevre]

I think, for me anyway, it's sometimes difficult for me to find the time to do a mission with refueling. Perhaps one of these days I'll figure out how to make missions where it will start me out close behind the tanker so I don't always have to first find, catch up, get behind, etc. Good to know about the Warthog, though. Thanks.

[Winfield_Gold]

x-box 360 all the way. Can't afford a Warthog and x-box 360 control is more sensitive than my Attack3. It was much easier to set up to instead of the attack 3 slider throttle