F/A-18C take off procedure (help)

[Growling Sidewinder]

hey guys i'm just trying to take off with this plane and I can't seem to manage it to save my life.

 

I start hot, on a run way, I push the button for take off trim, flaps are on, and I go full after burner. I barley manage to get off the ground before I run out of runway and even when I do manage that I can't get my speed up beyond 187 TOPS. which obvs doesn't allow me to climb.

 

I read some other threads about trim and stuff but they didn't seem to answer the issues.

 

is there anyone out there whos been taking off with no problems that can help me out here.

 

Thanks in advance.

[WarrenSkip]

I noticed that for my pedals, I had to invert the wheel brakes as they were applying for me when I wasn't pressing them down, but not applying when I put down my foot. That is one possible explanation

[Growling Sidewinder]

I noticed that for my pedals, I had to invert the wheel brakes as they were applying for me when I wasn't pressing them down, but not applying when I put down my foot. That is one possible explanation

 

thanks for the response but I dont have pedals. I just use W on the keyboard no brakes mapped to my joystick

[probad]

upload a track

[NahkaSukka]

Flaps to half, takeoff trim, full AB, pull back stick little bit and she should take off just fine. Are you sure you are getting full afterburner?

[Growling Sidewinder]

Flaps to half, takeoff trim, full AB, pull back stick little bit and she should take off just fine. Are you sure you are getting full afterburner?

 

yes. i'm doing all those things, however I just tried the take off without the external fuel tanks and it worked just fine, so now i'm thinking maybe I was too heavy?

 

is there a different take off procedure if youre close to max weight ?

[DocSigma]

map the left and right throttle lifts to push past the afterburner detent.

[Growling Sidewinder]

map the left and right throttle lifts to push past the afterburner detent.

 

ok i'll try this. what does this do exactly? does that mean when I go full afterburner i'm not actually full burner?

 

I cant seem to find what that is called in the controls section, theres nothing for afterburner detent, or anything that sounds similar under throttle when i search it.

Edited June 1, 2018 by Growling Sidewinder

[DocSigma]

yes. It's subtle, but there is a detent on the hornets throttles. The lifts are on the front side of the throttle that when held up, allows the throttle push past the detent into full burner. Try this. I mapped the l/r lifts to one switch on my throttle. I engage that switch to hold the lifts up, then go full forward. Try that and see if that helps. Look under the Throttle tqs subpage in the controls pull down. It should be there. Also, make sure you set your T/O trim by holding down the button on the lower left console to the side of the seat behind the throttle and next to the fcs override switch. Check the fcs page to confirm that your stims are set to 12.

Edited June 1, 2018 by DocSigma

[Growling Sidewinder]

yes. It's subtle, but there is a detent on the hornets throttles. The lifts are on the front side of the throttle that when held up, allows the throttle push past the detent into full burner. Try this. I mapped the l/r lifts to one switch on my throttle. I engage that switch to hold the lifts up, then go full forward. Try that and see if that helps. Look under the Throttle tqs subpage in the controls pull down. It should be there. Also, make sure you set your T/O trim by holding down the button on the lower left console to the side of the seat behind the throttle and next to the fcs override switch. Check the fcs page to confirm that your stims are set to 12.

 

I was already doing all the stuff u said about the trim but wow did that throttle lift control make a difference. I actually managed to get off the carrier without stalling out. thanks so much for your help brother.

[DocSigma]

Happy to help. Glad that worked.

[Onni]

Nothing

Edited June 1, 2018 by Onni
Did not notice the answer was there

[triplec76]

The finger lifts should only be required if you have the hook or launch bar down.

[Growling Sidewinder]

The finger lifts should only be required if you have the hook or launch bar down.

 

I checked that too those were up.

 

whats weird is I watch carrier launch videos on youtube and they get this random pitch up just as they come off the edge of the carrier but I dont get that. I read its supposed to be automatic ur not supposed to touch the stick until like a second after that. but ya I dont get that pitch up. shit is weird. But I mean i'm getting off the ground now and the stennis so i'm happy for now

[fitness88]

Good read...I've been taking off with a centre tank at mil power only, flaps full, no T/O config. other than that and I've had no trouble getting air born.

I've got some re-config. to do.

[=OPS=Slider]

Tbh, even when you take off from a runway, you don't need to touch the stick as well, that's why we have T/O trim. Flaps to HALF, T/O trim, full AB, and just let it roll, it goes up by itself nice and smooth.

[fitness88]

Tbh, even when you take off from a runway, you don't need to touch the stick as well, that's why we have T/O trim. Flaps to HALF, T/O trim, full AB, and just let it roll, it goes up by itself nice and smooth.

 

 

 

So under what situations would we use:

1. full flaps, switch bottom pos. [landing only?]
   
2. half flaps, switch middle pos. [taking off only or flight less than 250kts?]
   
3. auto flaps, switch up pos. [normal flight conditions above 250kts?]
   
4. How does T/O trim config the plane?
   

Edited June 1, 2018 by fitness88

[Exikutioner]

So under what situations would we use:

1. full flaps, switch bottom pos. [landing only?]
   
2. half flaps, switch middle pos. [taking off only or flight less than 250kts?]
   
3. auto flaps, switch up pos. [normal flight conditions?]
   
4. How does T/O trim config the plane?
   

 

I can't answer the first three questions, but T/O Trim sets the trim to 12* on the (stabilizer?) for take-off.

 

I am an amateur with DCS in general, but I have noticed that full flaps, even on landing, seem to be a bit strong. I have issues keeping the bird airborne without massive throttle input. Could also be due to not actively trimming on approach.

 

Just a theory, but my impression is that full flaps is for a real heavy bird.

[Mad Dog 7.62]

Correct on the TO trim, the Hornet is nose heavy and the TO trim toes in the rudders to help pitch the nose up. I have also been having a problem finding the sweet spot on throttle control when landing, I either have too much power or not enough and cant seem to get it smooth. I am staying off the carrier until I can land smoothly on the runway!

[dburne]

I checked that too those were up.

 

whats weird is I watch carrier launch videos on youtube and they get this random pitch up just as they come off the edge of the carrier but I dont get that. I read its supposed to be automatic ur not supposed to touch the stick until like a second after that. but ya I dont get that pitch up. shit is weird. But I mean i'm getting off the ground now and the stennis so i'm happy for now

 

I get that.

In the takeoff instant action, I just pump full throttle and in a few moments the plane is launched, clears the deck and nose pitches up ( assume due to flap position for take off ).

[Growling Sidewinder]

Correct on the TO trim, the Hornet is nose heavy and the TO trim toes in the rudders to help pitch the nose up. I have also been having a problem finding the sweet spot on throttle control when landing, I either have too much power or not enough and cant seem to get it smooth. I am staying off the carrier until I can land smoothly on the runway!

 

I just give play with throttle and speed brake aim for about 200-230 I find lets you come down pretty nice. You'd be surprised how easy the carrier landings actually are. I got it on my first attempt granted it wasn't pretty but I got it.

 

The hornet just seems like a real easy bird to land tbh. It's harder to mess it up if u ask me. I have a much harder time landing a mig29 or an f15 than the f18

[Growling Sidewinder]

I get that.

In the takeoff instant action, I just pump full throttle and in a few moments the plane is launched, clears the deck and nose pitches up ( assume due to flap position for take off ).

 

Can u outline ur take off precedure for me? Say u start hot on the Stennis ready to go what are u doing exactly

[Jack McCoy]

map the left and right throttle lifts to push past the afterburner detent.

I gave that a try a could see no difference at all.

[Growling Sidewinder]

I gave that a try a could see no difference at all.

 

u probably got the Canadian version of the hornet. runs on tim hortons hot chocolate mixed with maple syrup. they aren't afterburner capable. sorry m8