Fuel management

[Dama]

Hey there, 

first of all thanks for the campaign, I really enjoy it!

I would like to ask for some tips concerning fuel management, because no matter how strictly I stick to the FP altitudes/speeds, I always seem to be 500-1000 lbs behind schedule, even before the combat part of the missions. 

Any tips on how to do better? Whats the best way to climb to say FL250 in an F18, slow or as fast as possible?

Thanks a lot!

Regards,

Raffael

[ChillNG]

59 minutes ago, Dama said:

Hey there, 

first of all thanks for the campaign, I really enjoy it!

I would like to ask for some tips concerning fuel management, because no matter how strictly I stick to the FP altitudes/speeds, I always seem to be 500-1000 lbs behind schedule, even before the combat part of the missions. 

Any tips on how to do better? Whats the best way to climb to say FL250 in an F18, slow or as fast as possible?

Thanks a lot!

Regards,

Raffael

I usually stay out of burner as much as possible, shouldn't need it on takeoff as the runway is nice and long.  I usually climb at mil power, trying to maintain mach 0.7.  I'm sure there's someone who knows a more fuel efficient way to climb in a hornet, but that's how I normally do it.

[Mr_sukebe]

The F18 has an info page available via the MFDs that provides the optimum speed and altitude.  Check it out.

[PacFlyer23]

Fun campaign for me. Fuel management is definitely a challenge for me too. 

I completed Mission 8 - working on a perfect score until I ran out of gas within sight of the runway and crashed. I may have hit AB when chasing an AA threat, so the next try at M8 I made sure not to go wild chasing AA targets. 

I also dropped my three external tanks once they went empty. I know this wouldn't be normal for actual missions, so maybe its technical cheating. However, I did get back safely on the ground at Incirlik with about 1500 lbs of fuel reserve. 

Also with M8 since you have to follow your flight leader everywhere, I don't know if AAR is an option - although given I suck at this, probably would just get me running out of fuel chasing a tanker.