F-15C fuel and range, rookie questions

[ratkandy]

I just started flying the F-15 and I'm not getting very far on my fuel. I've learned not to over-throttle and to dump the external tanks once they're empty. Are there any other tricks to maximizing range? How far can I expect to fly if I'm doing things right?

[Exorcet]

Range is sensitive to speed and altitude. Your airframe has a point of maximum efficiency as do your engines. The manual says that 12 units of AoA is for max range (I think). I seem to have better luck flying at 30000-32000 feet at ~480 knots true air speed with 8 missiles and two fuel tanks. Flying like that should take you a few thousand miles (or from one side of the map to the other, and then back, and then to the other side again). Basically the F-15 can go anywhere on the DCS map from any starting point and this includes the regions of the map that are empty.

 

I've actually test flow this. You should manage to fly for multiple hours before running out of fuel. I've also gone so far that my plane has disappeared from the F10 map view. Keep in mind though that combat can be very fuel intensive. If you just leave full afterburner on while fighting, you'll lose a lot of fuel.

 

EDIT

 

I forgot to mention that optimum cruise condition changes as fuel is burned (and weapons used) because it depends on weight. If you want true maximum efficiency and range you need to cruise climb, which is basically climbing in order to keep your indicated air speed constant. After dropping tanks, using weapons and using a large amount of internal fuel your cruise altitude might be near 40,000 feet.

Edited June 26, 2014 by Exorcet

[Maximus_Lazarus]

Flying at low altitude with burners on will drain all your tanks in a matter of minutes

 

There is a "fuel flow indicators" in your plane, you can watch them they tell you how much fuel is burning

[Tvol]

@Exorcet: Well...I just learned something. That being that I'm cruising way too damn slow and far too high in the F-15C. (I also vaguely recall being shot down by you before so I guess I should listen. :P )

[Exorcet]

That must have been a while ago, I don't even remember when I was last online. I'm probably horribly out of practice. Don't use this as an opportunity for revenge if you happen to see me online, lol