Air refueling

[Burn18]

Hello,

I would pikedto know if I can use flaps or air brakes to stabilize the F4.

I have a lot of pitch. The trim let the plane goes up or down and I have to correct.

Thank you

[markturner1960]

I guess what ever works for you, but in reality and in my experience in the sim, it was not done and not needed. I would look more at your controls set up first, as I find the jet is actually pretty stable.....

[Burn18]

I am using a Thrustmaster stick and a Winwing Orion 2 F18 Throttle.

The trim is too strong I thing

Edited May 29, 2024 by Burn18

[Jayhawk1971]

vor 23 Stunden schrieb Burn18:

I am using a Thrustmaster stick and a Winwing Orion 2 F18 Throttle.

The trim is too strong I thing

 

Under "quick missions", there's one that is a ferry flight from Kadena to Andersen AFB on Guam (Marianas map). It is a simple mission that forces you to fly formation and AAR twice. It's a long mission (2 hours), but I find it's a great practice mission for formation flying, which AAR basically is.

It was my first attempt at AAR in the Phantom, and it went very well, with only one disconnect (because I had to sneeze!!   ).

IMO this mission is the perfect training aid for AAR, because as number 4 in your flight, you have to first fly in formation with the rest of your flight, slide over to the outermost left observation position, then stay there until the other 3 flight members have completed their refueling, until it's your turn. Then fly in your spot on the right side of the tanker. Then do it all over again later in the mission. 

This will give you a much better feel for trimming and engine management, because you have a reference point other than the VVI. It will hone your muscle-memory for staying straight and level and ease you into the right "mindset" for AAR. 

IMO. Your mileage may vary. But do give it a try!

BTW, in case you haven't read or heard yet, there's currently a bug with AAR in the Phantom after disconnecting; the workaround being to cycle (close and open) the AAR door. I have this bound on my HOTAS for the time being.

Edit: and use the radio menu again. Forgot to add that, resulting in bad wording and hence miscommunication on my part. The bug is not the cycling part, but the "tanker not noticing cycling" part!

Edited May 30, 2024 by Jayhawk1971
added additional info

[Thump]

The cycling of the door sounds like that's how it is in the actual jet. It's the need to cycle the comms after an inadvertent disconnect that's the bug

 

https://forum.dcs.world/topic/349850-aar-with-external-tanks-tanker-telling-transfer-complete-too-soon/?do=findComment&comment=5444318

[Zabuzard]

Yeah, the bug is that the tanker just ignores the door being closed or the DISCONNECT light still being on. He just sticks it in and then calls "transfer complete".

Instead, he should properly wait until you have recycled your door and can accept fuel again.

[Jayhawk1971]

vor 46 Minuten schrieb Zabuzard:

Yeah, the bug is that the tanker just ignores the door being closed or the DISCONNECT light still being on. He just sticks it in and then calls "transfer complete".

Instead, he should properly wait until you have recycled your door and can accept fuel again.

Ooops, yeah, unfortunate/ incomplete wording on my part. I forgot to add the important part (use radio menu again). 

I've edited the post to include that. Sorry.

Edited May 29, 2024 by Jayhawk1971

[Predator-78]

I tried to refuel, as soon as I connected the probe after contact it tells me that the refueling is complete...where am I going wrong?

[Yannick Pancake]

This happens when you reconnect after a disconnect. You need to cycle the AAR switch before reconnecting.

[Zabuzard]

What you are experiencing is a known "bug" with the tanker where it wont understand that it must not plug the boom in before you have reset the refueling system (flip flop refueling door switch) after a maneuver disconnect.

The tanker doesnt understand it, sticks the boom in regardless and then misunderstands our code telling it "yo, u shall not connect" as "ah cool, so refueling done, right? right?", incorrectly making that callout and then instantly disconnecting.

Until it is fixed this means you also have to reactivate the comms-procedure with the tanker when it happens (intent to refuel, pre contact,...).

But yeah, as far as the Phantom is concerned everything works as it should - after a maneuver disconnect the system must be reset manually with the switch before fuel can be received again, cheers.