What to do when connected to a tanker?

[WildBillKelsoe]

:(

 

I'm able to successfully connect to tanker, but stuck with 7-9 seconds of fueling. Should I trim when connected or rock throttle back and forth?

 

I know rocking throttles causes nose up and down, so what is the official DCS transfer rate, and more importantly, I've set the tanker from point 1 @ 19960 ft and ground speed 250, yet I connected at 19600 and GS 245. Is it logical for tanker to slow down? is it because of losing fuel? how about altitude?

 

Lastly, any plans for future modules to include autopilot refuel? like the Vipers for example?

 

I've redlined @ 2000 lbs and barely could stay attached for couple seconds before disconnect, reconnect. I use CH products fighterstick USB and pro throttle. Does TMWH produce more accuracy with A-A-Refuel?

 

Tanks in advance :)

[Leto]

Weight of fuel is simulated, so yes, you want to trim during refueling. And yes, you have to throttle back and forth and work pitch and bank to stay in the right position to the tanker.

 

Fuel transfer rate is around 2500 pounds per minute, see this thread http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=90799

 

 

I don't think they will implement autopilot for refueling. And they should not. Real A-10 has no such system. On the contrary: when you open the tank gate all autopilots are disabled.

 

Check "curvature" in your pitch/roll/yaw settings of your joystick. Increasing the number will smoothen your flight experience. Number depends on joystick. With HOTAS Warthog I go with 30 on all 3 axis.

 

 

edit: check these video tutorials:

I recommend to approach the tanker in echolon left/right, get trimmed and used to the tanker speed. Mentalize what the fan speed sounds like, so you don't have to look at your HUD. What helped me is zooming out a little bit so I can see more of the tanker. Some people like to lower the seat for a better view.

Edited April 27, 2013 by Leto

[Harzach]

What to do when connected to a tanker?

 

Clench and pray!

 

For me, it is all about keeping my head outside the cockpit while constantly working the throttles (tweak your curves, as Leto mentions) and "stirring the stick". Once I take my attention away from the probe/tanker, I'm screwed, and a tanker is likely going down in flames. :joystick:

 

Plenty of topics on this around with lots of good advice.

[WildBillKelsoe]

unbelievable!!! just finished my first EVER refuel. Starting weight 5000 lbs, transfer complete @ 8000 lbs.

 

I did as you said (except clench of course), and set my deadzone prior to mission to 30/30...

 

What a relief!!!

[Wayc00lio]

unbelievable!!! just finished my first EVER refuel. Starting weight 5000 lbs, transfer complete @ 8000 lbs.

 

I did as you said (except clench of course), and set my deadzone prior to mission to 30/30...

 

What a relief!!!

 

Excellent!! Good stuff mate!!

[Harzach]

Damn, that was fast!

 

*brofist*

[Leto]

:thumbup:

[dave4002000]

Just a quick tip if you are having trouble staying connected. Don't chase the boom around. Focus your attention on the tanker itself and just fly formation with it. The boom operator will fly the boom to your jet. Once you are connected, create a mental sight picture of what the tanker looks like through your front windscreen. Make SMALL adjustments to maintain that picture.

 

If you find yourself slipping backwards or forwards, a 1-2% change of RPM should be all that's needed to stabilize your position. There's no need to be moving the throttles all over the place.

[WildBillKelsoe]

Just a quick tip if you are having trouble staying connected. Don't chase the boom around. Focus your attention on the tanker itself and just fly formation with it. The boom operator will fly the boom to your jet. Once you are connected, create a mental sight picture of what the tanker looks like through your front windscreen. Make SMALL adjustments to maintain that picture.

 

If you find yourself slipping backwards or forwards, a 1-2% change of RPM should be all that's needed to stabilize your position. There's no need to be moving the throttles all over the place.

 

Solid correct hot damn copy on all the above, dave!!! I concur 100% and now what's left is to practice more...

 

Be advised I did it with asymmetrical loadout, in presence of crosswind (my HUD was off center) :thumbup:

REALLY

 

I've made a sequence of steps to help:

_________________

***IMPORTANT***

 

HEALTH WARNING:

 

MAKE SURE YOUR BACK IS SUPPORTED AND NOT KYPHED (FORWARD) AS YOU TANK/FLY.

 

HARDWARE WARNING:

 

SET CURVES FOR PITCH AND ROLL TO 30/30 prior to flight in options.

 

1. From airbase startup, set tanker AM to preset 3
   
2. Also set tanker tacan and lower volume. check for tone.
   
3. Use AI + TAD for GS and altitude contact confirmation
   
4. Observe AI get connected and look at speed. This speed will decrease by time after 2 wingmen connected.
   
5. Trim aircraft to contact altitude and speed + 2 kts
   
6. When ready precontact, center trackIR and raise head so mirrors and HUD are visible.
   
7. Bracket tanker inner engines to HUD top curvature, and boom compartment light to edge of canopy upper middle glass (not class, D'oh!!!)
   
8. From trimmed position, trim one click nose down and use stick to remain TVV on zero azimuth line (horizon).
   
9. slowly and never floor throttles, approach boom in up and forward increments. If you feel getting nose up, reduce throttle. If feel going nose down, pull little more on stick.
   
10. establish fuel flow % for connection speed. memorize arm position on throttles. 1 mm +/- is all needed (at least on CH pro throttle) to get slower/faster.
    
11. bracket the boom op compartment (the thing that looks like a teardrop) and use little and slow moves on throttle to keep position
    
12. contact.
    
13. keep hose green. if orange after green, increase throttle to +1 kts GS
    
14. if red before green reduce throttle one tap on keyboard or throttle, and put nose down (very important - fighter pilots do NOT stick up or trim in up when behind tanker - logical). Better back off and restart than slam the tanker.
    

Edited January 5, 2013 by WildBillKelsoe

[KLR Rico]

I have FINALLY started to get pretty good at tanking... It seems like you need to develop a certain level muscle memory to know exactly how much and when to move the controls. It's a lot like learning to hover a helicopter in that regard...

[Supersheep]

Completely agree with the back part, not so much with the curves. I took mine out quickly, which reduced those oscillations I had on the boom.

 

Now I didn't AAR for eight weeks and have to learn it again. Yesterday's try was made of sadness :D

 

 

Super-

[WildBillKelsoe]

Completely agree with the back part, not so much with the curves. I took mine out quickly, which reduced those oscillations I had on the boom.

 

Now I didn't AAR for eight weeks and have to learn it again. Yesterday's try was made of sadness :D

 

 

Super-

 

Super! Go get them Tiger!!

[towsim]

I wrote this during my refueling training process. Be patient, I am not a native English speaker.

TOWSIM :smilewink:

Air refueling for beginners.pdf

[Suchacz]

I wrote this during my refueling training process. Be patient, I am not a native English speaker.

 

 

TOWSIM :smilewink:

Wow, very nicely done. Would you mind me to translate it to Czech and post it to our webpages in my sig? :thumbup:

[towsim]

What ever you like, you are welcome.

TOWSIM

[WildBillKelsoe]

nice! thank you! off to drills now.:smartass:

[WildBillKelsoe]

one additional remark: keep the curved notch on the boom aligned with TVV, when on speed.

[Supersheep]

I was always told NOT to pay attention to that TVV.

Funny how different techniques there are.

 

 

Super-

[WildBillKelsoe]

I was always told NOT to pay attention to that TVV.

Funny how different techniques there are.

 

 

Super-

 

You're part right. If you have the tanker silhouette visible and stable, you just need to keep TVV centered on that boom when on speed.

[Supersheep]

I see. But speed changes with your weight, that again is only a part :D

 

 

Super-

[WildBillKelsoe]

I see. But speed changes with your weight, that again is only a part :D

 

 

Super-

 

Again you've answered yourself :thumbup:. When on speed.

[Supersheep]

I intended to say that your concept is true for one infinitely short moment.

Honestly, you lost me somewhere, I can't follow anymore :P

 

 

Super-

[Suchacz]

Hey Bill, you had already read all our advices, and it is obvious, that air refueling is only just a matter of training.

 

And if you think, that I'm wrong, you didn't train enough... :thumbup:

 

So - don't waste your precious time on this chit-chat and sit to your cockpit :smilewink:

Edited January 13, 2013 by Suchacz

[WildBillKelsoe]

Hey Bill, you had already read all our advices, and it is obvious, that air refueling is only just a matter of training.

 

And if you think, that I'm wrong, you didn't train enough... :thumbup:

 

So - don't waste your precious time on this chit-chat and sit to your cockpit :smilewink:

 

I was not arguing, but thanks for tips.

[Suchacz]

I was not arguing, but thanks for tips.

Sorry, it was meant as a joke ;)