[Spoilers] Not enough fuel and stuck at M04

[RIXZ]

How am I suppose to play these missions when almost always I'm ending up landing on fumes or running out of fuel in the middle of the mission?

And it's not even like I'm on AB or not even on 100% thottle. Usually I try to fly at Mach .5 or .6. But now stuck at mission 4, and not even an option for me to say, "Let me go grab some fuel and then I'll come and get you"

Missions 2 & 3 I landed at around than 2000LB of fuel, and Mission 4 now feels frustrating. 

How to refuel gracefully? Or perhaps maybe I should just go refuel after taking off and then continue with the mission. But then again the tankers are so far up north (if any at all) that it doesn't even make sense to go to refuel I'll feel I'll just end up wasting the same amount.

[Reflected]

Mission 4? The Dawn one? You should have plenty of fuel for that one. You barely ever need to use afterburner. Did you accidentally jettison your drop tanks? Check out this playthrough, he lands with 3500 lbs. Fuel management is crucial, there will be even longer missions later on.
 

 

Edited April 19 by Reflected

[RIXZ]

I forgot to mention that I play with the F/A-18. 

Regarding the fuel tanks, I do jettison them after they empty, reduces drag, saves fuel and will not block the TGP in certain angles.

[Reflected]

Aaaah, I did not make the Hornet version. Check with Baltic Dragon