S-3 Air to Air Refuel [Quick Tutorial]

[104th_Maverick]

I've seen a lot of people struggling with this so I thought I'd knock together a quick video with some tips for hooking up with the S-3.

 

I hope it helps!

 

DCS F-14 | S-3 Viking Air to Air Refueling [Quick Tutorial]

[Biggus]

Thanks for doing this, Mav. I have been actively repressing the memory of the first and only attempt I made to hook up to an S-3.

 

Between your tips and the extra thirty or so hours I have in the 'cat, hopefully my second attempt ends with less fratricide.

[VampireNZ]

Nice vid Mav, can't argue with any of those points :thumbup:.

 

 

Good stuff with dropping the view point down, have seen other YT'ers moaning about how they can't see etc etc...while sitting bolt upright and back in their seat!

Obviously a lot easier in VR and I find I can easily keep the pod in view during the whole refuel (albeit with a sore neck!), the hose is quite accomodating with rising up and forward a decent distance from the initial contact point also.

[Eldur]

Great explanations as always

 

2:57 the main challenge for me. But well, I've got some "hardware issues" here that don't make it any easier to achieve.

 

 

The top discs would be completely white for good eyes. Just the blind points are white in all cases. The docs say my vision is literally like peeking through a gun barrel... although I still do have peripheral vision, but it's not particularly good anymore. Those checks are done in complete darkness with some small lights flashing up and you have to press a button if you can see it while staring at a centered crosshair.

 

Interestingly, after struggling with the tanker hidden behind the canopy frames for long enough ("Remember, The Force will always be with you, Luke!" - and yes, the 130 also does a very good job at hiding there), I just tried this ...

 

 

... and literally had no problems at all connecting and even staying connected. I never managed to stay in place with that view in the Harrier (where it also helps a lot to get there) or the Hornet (where it's a lot easier in the natural cockpit view), probably just because their engines take years to spool. The Tomcat is so much easier to control, simply because it reacts instantly to all inputs and doesn't have any FCS lag/dampening interfering either.

 

After all, I'm totally proud of every successful AAR I achieve... and in the Hornet, I did it the first time with the S-3B which is said to be the hardest to refuel from.

[VampireNZ]

Eldur you should save a snap-view with your head straight up directly above the canopy for use when refuelling - ur head out the 'sunroof':thumbup:

[Biggus]

With the lack of seat adjustability I've mapped camera height to the same hat I've got trim on, just with a modifier. Makes it a bit easier to see the carrier in the groove too.

[Hamilton]

;3884149']I've seen a lot of people struggling with this so I thought I'd knock together a quick video with some tips for hooking up with the S-3. I hope it helps!

 

 

Thanks Maverick! :thumbup:

[smallberries]

Why do you switch your air to L.Eng?

[VampireNZ]

Why do you switch your air to L.Eng?

 

 

It's the 'Legit' procedure - to prevent any spilt fuel entering the RH engine/aircon (as this uses compressor bleed air from the engines).

[smallberries]

It's the 'Legit' procedure - to prevent any spilt fuel entering the RH engine/aircon (as this uses compressor bleed air from the engines).

 

Thanks. I guess this is the kind of knowledge you get when you dive deeper and read the NATOPS?