How many wingmen have you killed b/c you couldn't AA refuel?

[CybrSlydr]

So, last night, I decided to try AA refueling while in a Liberation Syria mission in my F-16 for the first time.  Long strike up into Turkey to take out a FARP base.  Me and my wingman had 2x 2000lb JDAMs and two 370gal fuel tanks.  Having gone to the same place last mission (didn't kill everything, oops), I was close to 1000lbs fuel when I got back to Ramat David.  So this time, I figured I'd try AA refueling.

First issue was the tanker didn't take off until almost 10min into the mission, so I had to fly a decent way away from the tanker before going to him.

Second issue was... I suck at AA refueling.  I've tried a practice mission before and only accomplished AA refueling once.  Just so hard to make small corrections with the Cougar HOTAS.

So, I started the mission with about 10klbs or so.  I was so unsuccessful, the tanker had to slow down to 230kts so it could extend it's endurance from 320ish.  The final embarrassment was the tanker had to fly home b/c it was low on fuel and I still hadn't successfully refueled.  I think I was at around 2500lbs down from 10k.  lol

I also lost track of my wingman.  I dunno if he RTB'd when he hit bingo fuel or what, but when I hit F2, he was goooone.

So, how many wingmen have you folks killed because you couldn't manage to AA refuel?  lol

[Mars Exulte]

2 hours ago, CybrSlydr said:

in my F-16

so hard to make small corrections

  Put it in stores mode III if you haven't tried that already. Mode I is for AA only loads, Mode III is for a2g and/or drop tanks and reduces the max g and stick sensitivity (specifically so you don't rip those jdams off with a 9g barrel roll). Also useful for AAR. Switch on front left panel near the gear lever.

 

-edit

Also, boom fueling the F-16 is easier than probing with the navy jets. With the probe it's all on you, with the boom you only have to get relatively close to in position, hold still(ish) a few seconds so the boom guy can plug in, then you can move around a bit, as long as you don't go TOO far you're good.

Edited February 5, 2022 by Mars Exulte

[Dragon1-1]

Actually, the Viper switches, or should switch, to landing gains the moment you open the AAR door. I don't remember how it is on the jet we have, but the switch shouldn't be necessary.

[AKULA_OPTIMUS]

In my experience, wingmans kill themselves pretty often, they don´t need any help 

[Mars Exulte]

8 hours ago, Dragon1-1 said:

Actually, the Viper switches, or should switch, to landing gains the moment you open the AAR door. I don't remember how it is on the jet we have, but the switch shouldn't be necessary.

  I dunno, doesn't feel like it to me. Landing it is very mushy, but if I go up to the tanker in Stores I it is very sensitive. Going to Stores III definitely made a difference (I have an extended stick, so it is hard to miss the extra deflection)

[Eldur]

The question is wrong. It should be: How many tankers did you shoot down in anger because of "Return Pre-Contact"?

[Furiz]

5 hours ago, Eldur said:

The question is wrong. It should be: How many tankers did you shoot down in anger because of "Return Pre-Contact"?

Who ever does that? angry kids?

16 hours ago, Mars Exulte said:

  I dunno, doesn't feel like it to me. Landing it is very mushy, but if I go up to the tanker in Stores I it is very sensitive. Going to Stores III definitely made a difference (I have an extended stick, so it is hard to miss the extra deflection)

When you open AAR doors or drop your landing gear Viper goes into a low gains mode where you cant pull hard and its is not sensitive as in stores I, you can be in any stores mode it makes no difference.