Which one first

[Bleedle]

My question is, is it easier to transition from the F-16 to the F-18C or vice versa? I have both modules, and am equally terrible at both.  I'd like to concentrate my learning efforts on one, the in the future I can transition to the other to learn to become adequate.  Any suggestions are appreciated, and I do really like both modules.

Running an Alienware R13, I900, nVidia 3090, 64GB, Thrustmaster Warthog

 

Edited December 6, 2022 by Bleedle
Forgot to add RAM

[silverdevil]

hello @Bleedle this is a very subjective question. i too have both modules. i learned 18 before 16. i think 18 is easier at many things. and it gives you the carrier ops. 16 is built for wide exportation and seems to be simpler. not easier necessarily. just not as advanced. for example TACAN navigation in 18 took me little time to learn. 16 is a bit harder IMO. landing too is easier in 18. it took be awhile to learn ground ops in 16. squirrely is a good word. 18 just "crashes" into the runway and survives. good luck.

[Bleedle]

Thank you, Right now about all I can do in both is cold start, takeoff and fly.  I've successfully landed the F-18 a few times but not the F-16

[silverdevil]

4 minutes ago, Bleedle said:

Thank you, Right now about all I can do in both is cold start, takeoff and fly.  I've successfully landed the F-18 a few times but not the F-16

you are welcome. good job on what you have done. in 16 aerobrake is your friend. it took me a while to land the 16 without running off the runway. either way enjoy the ride. and always come back with any questions.

[Exorcet]

They are similar enough and different enough that the order doesn't matter. As both are US fighters the same general ideas apply to controls and they have very similar weapons options. They're both light fighters with weaker radars. Specific HOTAS logic is different, and I'd say that F-16 is better here with less steps needed to setup systems in general.

Both are fly by wire, but the Hornet's is a little more hand holding, however the twin tails on the F-18 allow for a lot more high AoA performance. Conversely the F-16 is much much faster than the F-18. Flying each in combat is slightly different because of this.

The last major difference is that the F-18 is carrier capable while the F-16 is not. If you're interested in naval aviation, lean toward the Hornet to learn carrier operations and drogue refueling. If you prefer air force, go with the F-16 and practice land operation and boom refueling.

[Sacarino111]

HI

For me, the F-16 is more intuitive than the Hornet. Every time I spend on the Viper and then go for the Hornet, I find myself in bad mud due to the systems and the HOTAS, while the oposite is true; when back to the Viper, I feel more "at home", like things are again easy and straight forward. I can't help that feeling, but again, it is my personal feeling. Obviously, the F-18 has this naval operations, wich are something really superb. So, follow your heart...

Saludos

Saca111

[silverdevil]

agreed to the HOTAS. i also have learned the A-10. the HOTAS of it and F-16 are same stick buttons which is nice. the throttle is a bit different but manageable. after all HOTAS is important to the learning process. funny story for me. i had bought the warthog stick and throttle in the set. i then started learning the F-16. i thought i should buy the F-16 stick head for my warthog. i did not realize they were the same. lol. thankfully amazon purchase and they took it back. i am an oaf. 

[bigfoot21075]

22 hours ago, silverdevil said:

agreed to the HOTAS. i also have learned the A-10. the HOTAS of it and F-16 are same stick buttons which is nice. the throttle is a bit different but manageable. after all HOTAS is important to the learning process. funny story for me. i had bought the warthog stick and throttle in the set. i then started learning the F-16. i thought i should buy the F-16 stick head for my warthog. i did not realize they were the same. lol. thankfully amazon purchase and they took it back. i am an oaf. 

Then I too am an oaf, well almost oaf, I was going to order the F16 stick when I got home. You saved me the effort.

[silverdevil]

35 minutes ago, bigfoot21075 said:

Then I too am an oaf, well almost oaf, I was going to order the F16 stick when I got home. You saved me the effort.

hahah i am glad the story of my oafness helped someone else not make the same mistake  cheers!

[Roosterfeet]

There is way more single player content available for the F-18 right now. If you're solo focused I would go with the Hornet. If you're more into multiplayer, it probably doesn't matter.

[Bleedle]

Thank you all for the great info!  You have been very helpful. I think I'm going with the F-18 to start with, then after I become at least semi competent I'll jump into the F-16 to get a real feel for the differences in each aircraft.  Maybe someday, I'll be fortunate enough to actually fly with some of you!