Any A2A refuelling tips greatly needed.

[Cowboy10uk]

Hi all, Apart from the standard practice can anyone here PLEASE let me know the tips and tricks for getting the damn aircraft onto the probe and refuelling in any other situation apart from the KC130 and straight and level?

 

I am currently flying the basket through my refuelling box on the top left of the cockpit, and lining the centre of my compass on the left hand edge of the outer most prop of the Herc. Now this way IF I’m refuelling with a Herc, the weather is perfect and she’s straight and level I can connect and stay connected for the entire refuel.

 

IF however the tanker is any other airframe, or the tanker turns, then I can’t for the life of me connect to the damn probe. Please what is the secret, I’m practising every damn day, and it’s driving me mad, sadly due to her limited fuel capacity without this skill, it’s sad to say the Harrier can’t really complete its mission.

 

God forbid trying to refuel in any type of weather.

 

I’ve tried looking on YouTube and it seems the majority of vids on there are using the 130 straight and level.

 

I really want to learn this skill, before I move onto learning the nav pages, weapons etc, as without fuel, everything else becomes redundant.

 

By the way I’m currently using a TM Warthog, but my Virpil WarBRD base arrived this morning, so I’m planning to swap over to that in a few days

[DD_Fenrir]

1. Keep the control inputs tiny. Make 2-4 tiny pulses instead of one moderate to large correction. Make them small and fast and keep em coming.

 

2. Trust your instincts. If your senses seem to tell you that you need a nose down /left/right/up correction don't wait for an obvious visual signal to confirm - get a couple of tiny pulses in. You should be applying tiny pressures constantly and instinctively.

 

3. TRIM TRIM TRIM TRIM TRIM. Given most people are obliged to use a curve on their control axis, trimming to as neutral as possible at tanking airspeed automatically moves the flatter (and less sensitive part of the control curve to that new datum and will make achieving (1.) easier.

 

4. Find reference points on the tanker tail when you initially connect and watch that - not the pod, not the wing, not the hose. Find a feature on the fuselage that the horizontal stab intersects or falls in line with and keep it there; the KC-135's swept wing can disorient you, causing an illusion that you're banking when you aren't. Ignore it! Watch the tail.

 

5. Practise.

 

6. Take a break. Seriously, it isn't easy and somedays your eye just isn't in; if you're tired or had a long stressful day at work, these can make it extra hard work. At some point if you're leaving finger prints embossed in the joystick and your shoulders are up round your ears, probably best to go do something else for a bit that's fun. Blow up some crap. Have a dogfight, shoot a few touch and go's, heck even log off for the eve and go watch some TV. When you next come back to the tanker, it will seem (marginally) easier.

[bies]

This virpil base will do the trick, VR also makes refueling and formation flying a lot easier.

Simply try to fly in formation with the tanker, when you feel comfortable you are not going to have a problem with refueling.

[ricktoberfest]

As far as connecting goes, I have a spot on my left mirror where I can glance without turning my head that I know when the hose passes through that spot I’m at the right orientation for connection. So it’s like when the hose is 1/3 the way down the mirror I just creep forward and it connects nearly every time as long as I’m slow and steady. Your marker might be different based on where your viewpoint is but this helps me not have to look around too much so I can concentrate on flying formation with the tanker.

[Hawkeye_UK]

Whilst this may not be of comfort for you right now it really is like riding a bike or learning to ski to some extent - impossible to start with and then you never forget.

 

Someone has already highlighted the key and that is trim, however as in real life set your flaps to the up position (not auto) as depending on airspeed they can deploy which means stable flight is impossible.

 

The other secret is to get a line up to a known wing point and not really watch the basket coming towards you - i literally look at in the last few seconds but don't actually need to. On the Marine 135 i use the middle 9 for reference and the outside of the prop line. Check chucks guide this will help you.

 

I don't use curves however some people find this easier - try and set curve on your y and x axis of 25 if your really struggling.

 

Lastly don't get stressed, try and remain relaxed and don't force a bad tank position (or shoot down the tanker lol) .

 

Good luck it will come. Practice Practice Practice.

[sirrah]

VR also makes refueling and formation flying a lot easier.

 

This is by far the best advise you can get (imho)

 

Except in some cases for visibility, VR makes flying so much more easy. Back in my 2D days, I really struggled flying helo's, doing carrier landings, or doing AAR. But as soon as you go VR, it all becomes 2nd nature before you know it. (sure practice makes perfect, but VR depth perception is really what you need).

 

Your system is up for it, so what are you waiting for mate :)

You can always go 2nd hand if you have doubts

Edited March 10, 2020 by sirrah

[Cowboy10uk]

This is by far the best advise you can get (imho)

 

Except in some cases for visibility, VR makes flying so much more easy. Back in my 2D days, I really struggled flying helo's, doing carrier landings, or doing AAR. But as soon as you go VR, it all becomes 2nd nature before you know it. (sure practice makes perfect, but VR depth perception is really what you need).

 

Your system is up for it, so what are you waiting for mate :)

You can always go 2nd hand if you have doubts

 

Oh don’t worry, I do have VR, I’m just currently flying in 2D, so I can also read and see the guides while I’m learning to fly. Once I’ve learnt sensors, nav and basically how to fight with the Harrier, then I am planning to go back to VR.

 

As to the A2A refuelling practice, I was flying for 5 hrs earlier, and although the first hr was ropey as hell, eventually I have seemed to get it. Well certainly with the C130 and S3 anyway. That 135 is still sketchy as hell, and although I did manage a full refuel once on it, I just can’t get the right position for the life of me.

 

Basically I just flew formation, joined refuelled, dumped fuel, and rinse and repeat for hrs.

I am pleased that it did get to the point where I was hitting the 130 basket 1st time on each approach, which I could never do yesterday.

 

The KC135 was taking me 5 mins or so of trying to join, but I did get it a number of times which I’m over the moon about. The plan for tomorrow is more of the same. I will get this cracked by the end of the week.

 

Huge thanks for all the advice, I’m putting it all to great use.