Easy Refuel Option

[Teriander]

This game needs a easy refuel option when doing Air-air-refuel. Like if you're within 4 feet of the refuel box, that's close enough. Can't tell you how many times I've hit the stupid refuel tube only for it to refuse a connection. It's by far the most frustrating part of the game.

 

 

I just feel like shooting down the refuel tanker when I close in, just so I can have a sense of accomplishment. God knows I'm not refueling.

[Wizard_03]

This game needs a easy refuel option when doing Air-air-refuel. Like if you're within 4 feet of the refuel box, that's close enough. Can't tell you how many times I've hit the stupid refuel tube only for it to refuse a connection. It's by far the most frustrating part of the game.

 

 

I just feel like shooting down the refuel tanker when I close in, just so I can have a sense of accomplishment. God knows I'm not refueling.

It sounds like your chasing the basket, Look only at the tanker never the basket, just use the corner of you eye to watch the probe and basket, but keep your focus on the tanker the entire time.

 

Seems counter intuitive but it works, I promise you.

 

If you miss, don't try and fix it in close. Back on up and think about WHY you missed (Too low, High, Right or Left, ect.) Make the correction and try again.

Also if your having a hard time. Just try and fly close formation with the tanker, and relax for a bit then try again. It's a sim, there's no pressure.

[Deano87]

Easy mode? Naaah. Make it harder, give me wake turbulence from the tanker and the hose and basket bobbing about in the airflow. And then when I screw up I break the basket off on my probe and the tanker has to jettison the flailing hose and I have to RTB with the cone of shame. ;)

 

More seriously, just keep practicing dude. It’s meant to be hard, because it is pretty damn hard IRL. And this is a simulator after all... we are here because we are trying to simulate real life as closely as possible. When you DO finally crack it the satisfaction will be huge.

 

Lots of good tutorials on YouTube about it.

And start with baby steps of just trying to finesse your formation flying so you can hold station reasonably well before you start trying to hook up. Throttle control is super important and remember don’t chase the basket! I’ve found when teaching people and especially with a very light jet a bit of airbrake helps make the throttle a bit less sensitive, and having the afterburner gate fitted to your throttle (if your throttle has one) is also a good idea to stop you inadvertently going into AB during quick throttle movements.

[Fropa]

Ah getting the first virtual "poke". Just keep at it, and utilize the curvature function in the settings menu for your control axes if you haven't already.

[micro]

When i use old <CH HOTAS>, yes, I realy hope , It's mustbe have "Easy Mode" ! or Mission impossibel !

 

But, when i use my new <Warthog HOTAS > and set one Button to change Joystick Curve

EX:

"SetSCurve(&Joystick, JOYX, 0, 2, 0 , 0, -3);"

"SetSCurve(&Joystick, JOYY, 0, 2, 0 , 0, -3);"

"SetSCurve(&Throttle, THR_RIGHT, 0, 0, 0, 0, -2);"

"SetSCurve(&Throttle, THR_LEFT, 0, 0, 0, 0, -2);"

 

when to Refueling it's very helpful, pitch and roll control more stable

and i can finish refueling mission.

 

when i finish refueling , just press another button set Joystick to Noraml Curve

SetSCurve(&Joystick, JOYX, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0); //Scale set to "0"

SetSCurve(&Joystick, JOYY, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0); //Scale set to "0"

"SetSCurve(&Throttle, THR_RIGHT, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0);" //Scale set to "0"

"SetSCurve(&Throttle, THR_LEFT, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0); //Scale set to "0"

Edited December 9, 2018 by micro

[Gladman]

Good HOTAS make a world of difference. I'm torn on the topic because I understand not all can have the good stuff.

[StandingCow]

Practice man, and don't look at the basket. Refueling might actually get harder in the future when they add basket physics and possibly tanker turbulence.

[RePhil]

Practice man, and don't look at the basket. Refueling might actually get harder in the future when they add basket physics and possibly tanker turbulence.

If you are getting the F-14 according to heat blur the have include wake turbulence for it so have fun

[David OC]

Make sure to watch this really well done vid.

 

 

It's not easy and bad things can and do happen.

[SWE-Timberwolf]

Another tip would be to begin with the su-33 instead. As it has auto throttle is is a lot easyer.

[Gorgok]

Getting a good visual key is important. I use the the top of the hud glass and the heading tape to trap the pod thing on the tanker. On run up it is basically needs to just touch to the top of the glass. After contact you need to keep it between there and the heading tape and it will be fine.

 

The 18 also has auto throttle (ATC) but it just seems to make it worse for me, it either is too fast or too slow and then adjusting it is harder than just moving the throttle manually.

[NeilWillis]

Autothrottle during refueling is a huge no no.

 

I'd also stay away from curves. When you add in yet another variable, you will end up chasing the hose even longer.

 

It is fundamentally a very difficult manoeuvre, and as such, the key is to simply stick at it.

 

As already stated, the critical thing is to fly in relation to the tanker, not the basket. Make small, careful inputs or pilot induced oscillation will be the result. If it goes pear-shaped, simply back off, recompose, and try again. Take breaks after short sessions so you can remain relaxed, and just keep plugging away (sorry! terrible pun).

 

Just think of the satisfaction you'll get when you become an expert at it, and treat with scorn anyone who wants it to be made easier, just like a real fighter jock.

[docWilly]

Use ATTH with our autopilot while trying to connect...makes things easier if you wish because it reduces yur user induced oszillations.

And keep on practising.....AR is a rewarding part of this simulation

[Flamin_Squirrel]

I'd also stay away from curves. When you add in yet another variable, you will end up chasing the hose even longer.

 

I have good hardware and still use a bit of a curve. It helps me.

[StandingCow]

I have good hardware and still use a bit of a curve. It helps me.

 

 

Yep, same here.

[David OC]

Oh... and you think the F/A-18 is hard to refuel....:D

 

Try it when also sling loading....:cry:

 

See video here

 

[Weegie]

It is very hard even with really good hardware. Some people do it with a the Hog stick and I take my hat off to them, I'd have no chance

 

All the advice so far is excellent especially the big 2, don't chase the basket and back off if it all goes pear shaped, settle and try again

 

The thing is it needs VERY small smooth inputs.

 

Input wait and try another. Chase the basket or try and correct quickly only leads to PIO

 

At the end of it good hardware and God knows how long practicing are only really the things that are going to get you good at it. Once it clicks it's awesome

 

Good tutorial here IMHO

 

 

 

I use curves too

 

 

By the way the F-18 is not the hardest aircraft in the sim to Air 2 Air Refuel with :megalol:

[StandingCow]

Yep, when I was learning refueling I would spend hours just practicing this until I got frustrated or got better. Every now and then you need to stop and shake out your hand and relax, then try again.

 

As others said do NOT focus on the basket, find a point on the tanker to focus on and use your peripheral vision for the basket. Don't try and chase it at the last second either...

[Winterz]

Just practice, what we have is actually too easy

[ebabil]

getting fuel from basket is easy . i can complete it with su-33 and f18 by using my jittery ch throttle.

but never completed boom refueling with a10 and f15

[Deano87]

getting fuel from basket is easy . i can complete it with su-33 and f18 by using my jittery ch throttle.

but never completed boom refueling with a10 and f15

 

Yeah that’s a whole different ballgame. Flying a lot closer to the tanker too.

[Flummi]

I do not vote for an easy refueling. This is a simulation and it should be as realistic as possible.

[Chelco]

No way I could refuel before I understood what the pitch CAS is doing to the aircraft. After that, no problem refueling.

 

My video:

 

 

Yes, an easy option would be great. Just to compensate for the lack of sensory feedback when accelerating.

 

Cheers,

[Raz_Specter]

This game needs a easy refuel option when doing Air-air-refuel. Like if you're within 4 feet of the refuel box, that's close enough. Can't tell you how many times I've hit the stupid refuel tube only for it to refuse a connection. It's by far the most frustrating part of the game.

 

 

I just feel like shooting down the refuel tanker when I close in, just so I can have a sense of accomplishment. God knows I'm not refueling.

 

I completely disagree as this is a study sim, i want it as real as it can get to be honest lol :)

 

If I wanted an Arcade mode i would fly something else

[corvinus]

I understand it not being realistic, but ... it took me/ many hours to get a single drop of fuel in the F-15C. I am not able to put the hours into sim that are required for getting proficient in AAR (also I don't have VR and only a half decent stick). While I am probably going to spend sometime practicing AAR in the Hornet, I will certainly not do this for every plane I own. Having a an optional (!) easy cheat mode for AAR would help me a lot.