How do I manage engine thrust?

[npole]

I don't know the (real) F18 so it could be an expected behavior, but I want to be sure I'm not doing anything wrong.

Is it expected that the F18 has a such low thrust? I mean you can barely takeoff with mid-payload?

If compared in example with the other DCS fighters, like the F15 or even the Mirage it's like flying with half engine.

Is this normal or i'm doing something wrong? (except the obvious like.. did u checked your flaps, airbrakes.. :) ).

Thank you.

[hornblower793]

Are you using afterburners for take off?

 

 

This is standard procedure

[npole]

Are you using afterburners for take off?

 

 

This is standard procedure

 

Thank you for the help.

Do they engage at 100% thrust (I'm using a hotas) or I have to setup a different command?

There's something I can check that would make me sure that I'm full thrust + AB? (i see rpm 99/100..).

[razo+r]

Check if the fuel flow goes up or kind of stays "low".

 

Another indicator would be the sound in the cockpit that you hear when you engage the ABs.

 

Another one would be to check if your throttles move fully forward or not...

[kurtz667]

Thank you for the help.

Do they engage at 100% thrust (I'm using a hotas) or I have to setup a different command?

There's something I can check that would make me sure that I'm full thrust + AB? (i see rpm 99/100..).

 

What I do is put the throttle to the max.

And look at it, then press numpad +,

if the throttle still moves forward you need

to adjust throttle curve probably.

Also is your throttle using a AB detent?

If you look in the options, and go to the special tab.

Theres an option to check/uncheck AB detent.

Edited October 20, 2018 by kurtz667

[npole]

What I do is put the throttle to the max.

And look at it, then press numpad +,

if the throttle still moves forward you need

to adjust throttle curve probably.

Also is your throttle using a AB detent?

If you look in the options, and go to the special tab.

Theres an option to check/uncheck AB detent.

 

I'm gonna try this (the "+" added to the throttle).

I have seen the AB detent option but I didn't figure what's about? May you be more specific?

The HOTAS I'm using it's the TM warthhog.

 

However I did some other tests on local instances and it's not bad as those online servers I tested, so it may be related to a server settings (wind? restrictions to the f18? ..).

[BuzzU]

You can always look at the exhaust in F2 view. It's obvious when the AB kicks in.

[Drotik]

You know you have a nozzle position indicator there?

[BuzzU]

We have a lot of ways. I picked the easiest for him.

[npole]

Yes, we were in two and the AB were on by "visual" (F2 external view) and yes I know the nozzle indicators below the left MFD.

However I'm now convinced that it's a problem with some servers.. however how a server setting can influence the performances is a mystery, even by setting a strong wing it's impossible to replicate the same behavior.

[kurtz667]

I'm gonna try this (the "+" added to the throttle).

I have seen the AB detent option but I didn't figure what's about? May you be more specific?

The HOTAS I'm using it's the TM warthhog.

 

However I did some other tests on local instances and it's not bad as those online servers I tested, so it may be related to a server settings (wind? restrictions to the f18? ..).

 

Your TM Warthog has a optional AB detent where you have to finger lift the throttle for AB to engage

(check a yt vid if you don't know how to install the detent).

That being said i've had some issues on a sever as well in the past.

After the carrier launched me, I did not have enough speed to take off, and plunged into the sea.

Can't reproduce this as well.

Edited October 20, 2018 by kurtz667

[S]

TM Warthog will go to full afterburner when the thrust levers are full-forward. If you want, you can take the allen key it came with and turn the piece between the throttles around and have an AB detent built into your hardware. Look at the text alongside the modeled thrust levers and you'll see a 'Mil' indicator and a 'Max' indicator. Generally, 'Mil' is right before AB engages.

 

 

Cheers!

[Vitormouraa]

Perhaps this low thrust you are talking about on some servers comes from the high temperatures? What's the external air temperature?

 

I think the best way to figure this out is a video or a track, so we can see what you're doing.

[Naruto]

Set up the finger lift key bind to your hotas and also ensure the f-18c custom is set to "always on" to get the finger lift to work.

[=Panther=]

The last person who reported something similar had reversed toe brakes. Check RCTRL+ENTER, on the controls overlay looking for proper inputs. Toe brakes shouldn't be engaged, if you are brakes off.

[AG-51_Sabot]

RCTL Enter will give a view of your control indicator. From there you can see what your throttle is doing and how far the throw is

[Tinkickef]

Thank you for the help.

Do they engage at 100% thrust (I'm using a hotas) or I have to setup a different command?

There's something I can check that would make me sure that I'm full thrust + AB? (i see rpm 99/100..).

 

 

Keep one eye on your nozzle position indicators on the engine display. When closed in full military power, both nozzles will show one bar from the top. (Edit... note that you will not see 100% N2 at altitude without AB lighting which is why you watch the nozzles, everything else varies with altitude). When AB lights, you get a progressive opening of the nozzles depending on how much fuel you are pouring into them. AB on the Hornet is progressive and variable, not a one shot deal.

 

I always use the indicators to set full military dry power in the climb. I have even had nozzle actuator malfunctions and had to RTB.

 

The IFEI should be regarded as an instrument that should be cross referenced every few dozen seconds. If you routinely do missions over 750nm with no in-flight refuelling, you should be referencing it as part of your in flight planning and fuel management in any case.

Edited October 21, 2018 by Tinkickef

[Eight Ball]

Parking brake?

[npole]

I can confirm now that is server dependent, but I yet to figure what setting is affecting the performance. Vitormouraa above said it could be related to the air temperature in the server... so that's another thing to check, coz I cannot replicate it yet.

On my own server it's working fine, same procedures, same payload, everything goes smooth... on these "random" servers (we was picking random servers, so I cannot be specific... but next time i'll write down the names) we (both with the F18) were having the same issue, like I reported in the first post, it's not just on the ground, when/if you manage to take off, you can barely climb, it's like the engines were lack of power, despite the full throttle and afterburners.

What settings you can put on the server to affect the flying model or the engine power? Air temperature..? Air density..? Anything else?

[Banman]

If you are taking off from a carrier then I was told that the launch force of the catapult is based on the weight of the jet when you connect to it. So if you are connected to the shuttle automatically when you spawned in or if you taxi to the shuttle and manually connect AND THEN ask Ground Crew to rearm you are much heavier. Just press the "U" key to disconnect from the shuttle then press it again to reconnect after loading has completed. Also make sure you reset your trim AND MOST IMPORTANTLY check and adjust the trim of your STABs so they are between 16 and 19 based on aircraft weight. This is done in the FCS page of your DDI. When you reset trim the STAB defaults to 12. That may very well be your issue. If you connect to the shuttle after you load out AND make sure your trim is set properly then in full AB you should not have an issue.