Advanced trainer for the F18

[Johnr666]

I am still learning the basics of flying military jets so concentrating on learning to fly the Hawke, C101EB and L39 Albatross.

 

I am also attempting to master the F5E and Sabre.

 

Watching the videos of the F18 with its advanced capabilities and technology confirms to me that an advanced trainer for the F18 is needed.

 

Is there a DCS aircraft that could be regarded as an advanced trainer for the F18?

 

Cheers

[zcrazyx]

I am still learning the basics of flying military jets so concentrating on learning to fly the Hawke, C101EB and L39 Albatross.

 

I am also attempting to master the F5E and Sabre.

 

Watching the videos of the F18 with its advanced capabilities and technology confirms to me that an advanced trainer for the F18 is needed.

 

Is there a DCS aircraft that could be regarded as an advanced trainer for the F18?

 

Cheers

 

Advanced trainer? Not really, The Sabre and F5E is the closest advanced jets you'll get as the Sabre is subsonic with radar guided sight making a2a easier and the f5E can carry way more bombs, drop tanks ect, I do wish that we had something like the T-2 Buckeye or T-45 Goshawk though.

[DGC338]

[Nosferatuwhisky 1-1]

Basically any USN/USMC F/A-18 pilot will go from a Cessna 172 or a Piper through a civi flight school at the beginning of their time at Naval Aviation Schools Command, or on their own, previous to the Navy. After that they'll go into a T-6 Texan II for a few months, then if they get selected for Jets, they'll fly the T-45 Goshawk for they carrier qualification and basic stuff, then if they get Hornets they will get sent to the RAG to learn theyre airframe, in this case, the Hornet.

 

So they really aren't going into an 'advanced' trainer, its basic stuff in the T-45, then BAM, hornet.

 

I could be mistaken on a couple points here since I wasn't in the pilot pipeline, rather the NFO pipeline.

[lewdawg]

I am still learning the basics of flying military jets so concentrating on learning to fly the Hawke, C101EB and L39 Albatross.

 

I am also attempting to master the F5E and Sabre.

 

Watching the videos of the F18 with its advanced capabilities and technology confirms to me that an advanced trainer for the F18 is needed.

 

Is there a DCS aircraft that could be regarded as an advanced trainer for the F18?

 

Cheers

In real life the US navy flies the T-45 Goshawk as an advanced trainer. The T-45 is a modified carrier capable version of the BAE Hawk.

[Mad_Max2]

The best "advanced trainer" for the F-18 right now is the current early access F-18. More advanced systems haven't been implemented yet, so the basics are front and center, more approachable to learn. It may look complex, which it is lol, but it's truly designed to make your life easier.

[Yoda967]

To add to the chorus here, I'll point out that after transitioning from the T-45 to the F/A-18, a pilot will spend a while in a Fleet Replacement Squadron (VFA-106 at Oceana) learning to fly the Hornet before transferring to the Fleet.

 

Just get the EA Hornet. Spend all the time you need studying the documentation. Practice everything. Practice more.

 

The Hornet only LOOKS complex. It's actually pretty simple to operate. DIVE IN!

[TechRoss]

The Hornet really is a easy jet to come to terms with except landing. I was procrastinating get it, don't get it, get it and eventually just got it. What a fantastic modual, you will be surprised at how user friendly it is..... Um until time to land.

 

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[hughlb]

You won't have any trouble running through the preflight and getting the Hornet off the ground. Flying is also straightforward, and thoroughly enjoyable. Landing is the only part you will need to practice, and no other module will properly prepare you. You will find yourself overloaded just managing the information on the HUD during approach, the first few attempts. You can land fairly hard and push the throttles to get out of trouble, so I wouldn't expect you will crash outright. But you may have a few go-arounds as you manage the information overload. Just jump in the Hornet today and have a go, you are ready.

[macedk]

The best "advanced trainer" for the F-18 right now is the current early access F-18. More advanced systems haven't been implemented yet, so the basics are front and center, more approachable to learn. It may look complex, which it is lol, but it's truly designed to make your life easier.

 

Agree :)

 

When the A-10c game out, you had a ton to learn in all areas :)

[Yoda967]

You won't have any trouble running through the preflight and getting the Hornet off the ground. Flying is also straightforward, and thoroughly enjoyable. Landing is the only part you will need to practice, and no other module will properly prepare you. You will find yourself overloaded just managing the information on the HUD during approach, the first few attempts. You can land fairly hard and push the throttles to get out of trouble, so I wouldn't expect you will crash outright. But you may have a few go-arounds as you manage the information overload. Just jump in the Hornet today and have a go, you are ready.

 

 

Stick to practicing your landings on runways for a while, too. Trying to land on the carrier right away will just discourage you...there's a reason why carrier landings are more stressful than combat.

 

 

Your focus on landing practice should be on consistency in the landing pattern.

 

 

First lesson: Start away from the field and practice transitioning to the landing configuration at 5,000 feet. Work to get on speed at the correct AOA as smoothly as you can. Then add power, clean it up, and do it again. When you can make the transition easily and smoothly, go back to the field and practice landings.

 

 

Second lesson: Apply what you learned in the first lesson by making a few landings. Hold the correct AOA and manage your descent with the throttles. Put the Velocity Vector on the far end of the white touchdown zone markers on the runway and hold it there with throttle control (not joystick pitch input). Don't flare. Don't hold the nose wheel off. Work toward consistently putting the plane down in the same spot on the runway every time and getting over the desire to flare or holding the nose up. Practice. Practice more. Do it a hundred times.

 

 

You got this. It's a challenge, but it's also a lot of fun when you get it right and when you start getting it right every time.

[Silversmith]

If you want to see how the RCAF do their Hornet training try the Discovery channel series JETSTREAM. I enjoyed it immensely . Link to episode 1

[Steel Jaw]

Yeah Jetstream is excellent.

[RED]

A F/A-18D would be very useful in DCS. The main problem for new pilots starting with DCS is the learning curve. You can teach a new pilot in a few hours what he would learn in months in Single Player.