Best Module to Prep for F/A18?

[SharkBaztard]

Do we have a module that is best for me to get my mind on some of the f/a18 systems?

 

Currently only fly the a10c and helo's..

[Vitormouraa]

A-10C is by far the best one in terms of systems. And the Harrier if it comes out before the Hornet.

[Shadow KT]

A-10C is by far the best one in terms of systems. And the Harrier if it comes out before the Hornet.

 

Well, not really. I would suggest the Mirage or the F-5. Although, they might be lacking the systems of the Hornet (The systems of the Hornet have different controls than the ones in the Hawg anyway), they fit the flying style and the role of the F/A-18 better. Remember, the A-10 is a slow, dedicated CAS jet, made to stay on station and clear killboxes. Where as the Hornets go fast, drop their payloads/complete predetermined task and fly home.

 

So yeah, the systems are systems, they have differences anyway. I think the flying style and mentality is more important if you want to prepare.

[Vitormouraa]

None of these modules have SPI, datalink, targeting pod, a digital store system.. besides the speed, what's similar? Nothing really...

 

A-10C and Harrier (whenever it's out) are the best.

[Andy1966]

the F-18 is an evolution of the F-5 and F-17 series, so to practice the F-5 for handling and A-10 for hotas and avionics makes sense.

[RPY Variable]

Walt Disney way is the best way...

 

[Shadow KT]

None of these modules have SPI, datalink, targeting pod, a digital store system.. besides the speed, what's similar? Nothing really...

 

A-10C and Harrier (whenever it's out) are the best.

 

 

So, what ? The HOTAS controls on the Hornet and the Hawg are not the same. Most of the systems have dramatic differences. You will be learning the systems anyway when it comes out. Do you think, that you will jump in the Hornet and will be ready to go ? Sorry, but that kinda makes me giggle.

 

The Mirage and Tiger, are fast and agile as is the Hornet. More so the Mirage has a radar, which is a major part of the Hornet, and shares most of their modes.

 

And they do exactly what an F-18 would have done in the older days. Go to IP, somebody marks your targets with laser/WP, drop your GBU and Egress. Repeat 'till winchester, go home.

 

 

Yes, if the Harrier was out, I would have agreed that it is the closest mix of systems and style/role, but it isn't out.

Edited September 17, 2017 by Shadow KT

[Vitormouraa]

the F-18 is an evolution of the F-5 and F-17 series, so to practice the F-5 for handling and A-10 for hotas and avionics makes sense.

 

But he's talking about systems, so as you said, it makes more sense using the A-10C than F-5.

[TonyG]

Well, none of the real world FA-18 pilots prepped by flying th A-10C, so I'd say the F-5 or the Hawk.

 

The Canadian Air Force used the F-5 as a lead in fighter training aircraft before adopting the Hawk. The USAF uses the T-38 (similar to the F-5), and the US Navy uses a version of the Hawk for training.

 

With regard to systems, if you already fly the A-10, you're probably going to fine with adapting to the systems in the Hornet. I wouldn't go out and buy the A-10 to learn the systems because you're just going to need to learn another set of systems on the Hornet.

 

The military has lead in fighters, to train with aircraft with high speeds, g-forces and closure rates more along the lines of what they're going to fly and fight in.

[USSInchon]

The t-45 Goshawk is about as close to the T.1 as the F-16A Blk 10 is to the F-16 Blk 60. Entirely different air frames, systems, performance, etc. Now that being said, having to learn how to do massive systems management in the combat environment, then the A-10C is the best place to start. If your looking for something that will let you click around the cockpit with some basic systems and a lot of go-fast, then the F-5E is for you. The Mirage is just well.....French. I would start with the A-10C though if you haven't bought a DCS study level module yet. Its the most seasoned of all of them to-date. There is a lot of content out on YouTube, these forums, etc. But the reality is there is no 1:1 for the Hornet.

[BuzzU]

Would learning the F-16 help with the F/A-18?

[Vitormouraa]

So, what ? The HOTAS controls on the Hornet and the Hawg are not the same. Most of the systems have dramatic differences. You will be learning the systems anyway when it comes out. Do you think, that you will jump in the Hornet and will be ready to go ? Sorry, but that kinda makes me giggle.

 

The Mirage and Tiger, are fast and agile as is the Hornet. More so the Mirage has a radar, which is a major part of the Hornet, and shares most of their modes.

 

And they do exactly what an F-18 would have done in the older days. Go to IP, somebody marks your targets with laser/WP, drop your GBU and Egress. Repeat 'till winchester, go home.

 

 

Yes, if the Harrier was out, I would have agreed that it is the closest mix of systems and style/role, but it isn't out.

 

You are being kinda rude now. Nobody said that if you know how to use the A-10C systems, you'll automatically know how to use the F/A-18C systems, you'll have an idea from where to start, they aren't the same. But principle and idea are pretty similar.

 

I didn't say HOTAS are the same, I didn't even talk about HOTAS... could you please read my comments again...

[Blarney]

I would say start with the F5 and learn BFM first.

[Krippz]

Guys the OP asked:

 

Do we have a module that is best for me to get my mind on some of the f/a18 systems?

 

So Vitormouraa is correct in that the A-10C would prepare him best with respect to learning systems. The OP didn't ask which aircraft would prepare him with the flight characteristics of the Hornet.

[WindyTX]

I would like to add a little, but hopefully not flame the fire, military pilot training is competely different from DCS, I have flown with guys that are great in a fight but cant fly straight and level in the circuit. The Hawk and the F5 are great lead in aircraft in the real world as they teach you to deal with the faster speeds involved in flying a fast jet and you learn to dumb bomb and BFMs. If you want to get ready to operate the F18 quickly then the A10c will get you used to a complex fighter. If you really want to learn, in the style of the real world, then sure do the F5 or Hawk and spend time learning to fly as opposed to learning to operate.

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[wrl11]

F15 for air to air and A10 for air to ground. The systems on the A10 have a very steep learning curve. They will not be the same for F18 but close and using the same terms and concepts.

[Kev2go]

Would learning the F-16 help with the F/A-18?

 

LEarning the F/A18E would help even better :music_whistling:

[lazduc]

There are other f-18 sims that could give you a leg up and learning. When the f-18 arrives here

you will be top gun. It was mentioned that we should take a break and return when the new maps and aircraft and maybe even 2.5 appears. If you did not want to wait any longer......

So on your hiatus you could learn the f-18 else where.

[Shadow KT]

Well, for a finale, I'll say that, as OP already stated, he flies the A-10C, so I am guessing he is already familiar with its systems and what a TGP, SPI, MAV, etc.... аre.

 

Besides having to learn all over the systems anyway, in MY personal opinion, getting used to how to fly it is more important and the smartest thing to do. After all knowing the systems won't "take you off the ground" and keep you from dying in the battlefield.

 

These are my 2 cents on this topic. I think OP has quite some opinions about his question now, so he will pick whatever he finds most suitable for him ^>^

[dimitrischal]

US systems share a degree of commonality even between services. The a10 is the closest thing to the hornet and then the f15. If you learn the systems of one it's easy to transition to the other.

All these planes where designed like this to facilitate training.

The f5 is a wonderful plane but besides the speed has few things in common mainly antiquated cockpit layout,no complex avionics, no auto trim and no autopilot. Very little to transition from.

The mirage is pretty limited in ag capability and has a completely different mentality, very little to use elsewhere.

You can always get "the other" sim that has an f18 and practice there....

[BuzzU]

LEarning the F/A18E would help even better :music_whistling:

 

True, but that's hard to do without the plane.

[lmp]

A-10C, F-15C and maybe Su-33 a little bit once it gets the new PFM. If you're good with the A-10C, you're comfortable with the level of avionics complexity that the F/A-18C will have and you're a competent ground pounder. The F-15C will let you practice your air to air skills, from BFM to BVR engagements. The Su-33 is, like the Hornet, a carrier aircraft and also refuels with the help of a probe-and-drogue system. It also offers a glimpse into the capabilities of the most advanced redfor aircraft currently in DCS (The MiG-29, Su-27 and Su-33 have similar capabilities and limitations).

 

I mostly fly older aircraft and when I tried for the umpteen time to learn the A-10C I noticed I have developed some annoying habits because of it. Like looking at the instruments for information I have on the HUD. OTOH a lot of the skills I picked up in the Albatros or F-5E, like manual bombing, aren't terribly useful in a modern jet.

[BuzzU]

A-10C, F-15C and maybe Su-33 a little bit once it gets the new PFM. If you're good with the A-10C, you're comfortable with the level of avionics complexity that the F/A-18C will have and you're a competent ground pounder. The F-15C will let you practice your air to air skills, from BFM to BVR engagements. The Su-33 is, like the Hornet, a carrier aircraft and also refuels with the help of a probe-and-drogue system. It also offers a glimpse into the capabilities of the most advanced redfor aircraft currently in DCS (The MiG-29, Su-27 and Su-33 have similar capabilities and limitations).

 

I mostly fly older aircraft and when I tried for the umpteen time to learn the A-10C I noticed I have developed some annoying habits because of it. Like looking at the instruments for information I have on the HUD. OTOH a lot of the skills I picked up in the Albatros or F-5E, like manual bombing, aren't terribly useful in a modern jet.

 

 

Don't they give you access to the F/A-18?

[Pasquale1986]

True, but that's hard to do without the plane.

 

The Rhino is available on another platform - just google it.

 

But honestly i would just prepare with the F/A-18 A/B/C/D flight manual and work an A2G and system management skills with the A-10C and on A2A with the F-15C as already mentioned.

 

Cheers

[firmek]

True, but that's hard to do without the plane.

Yes, but that's probably the most honest and straight answer - which is just wait for F-18 to learn it's systems as it's a beast of its own.

Aside of that the best starting point is the manual - assuming that it'll be published before the module or there are publicly available documents.

Otherwise I support the opinion that learning A-10C it's well... learning A-10C systems. Trainer and F-5 would make the sense as a starting point to learn the general aviation, navigation, AFM, BFM, and some of the systems - like TACAN. There are reasons besides of being afraid to crash why real pilots start on a trainer (like Talon). Applying quite often presented forum logic the flight training regiments are should be equipped with A-10.