TrackIR and the Fuel Gauge

[Charly_Owl]

Hullo again, folks! I know I've been posting a lot of topics lately, and I apologize in advance if you've already heard those many times before. I usually go on teamspeak and have a chat with a couple of fellas when I want to learn a new plane, but the DCS multiplayer community is... well, you know... kinda "not there" at the moment.

 

I'm using TrackIR when I'm flying and I always took the habit since my CloD flying days to check my fuel gauge when I'm on a combat sortie :pilotfly:. I always like to know for how much time I can still fly, and when I need to RTB. I know the fuel gauges are not on the front dash like the early Spits: they're on the sides of the pilot seat. I'm trying to look at them, but I just can't find an angle while using TrackIR to see these fuel gauges. Especially the left one (which, I think, is the left wing fuel tank).

 

I would like to know:

 

1) In which order are the fuel tanks of the plane filled? The point of this question is: If you're going on long flights, you can take auxiliary fuel drop tanks (the ones under the wing) and take the fuel from this by moving that red arrow on the fuel console in front of the pilot seat. However, at some point, your left wing fuel tank will eventually run out and you'll have to take your fuel from other tanks in the aircraft (assuming they're all filled up too). Is there a particular order to take for when you're taking your fuel?

 

2) How do you choose your fuel/armament payload/loadout? I've always been wondering if having drop tanks are just multiplayer settings applied to players or if you can choose your loadout when you're planning an instant mission or, say, an auto-generated mission.

 

3) How do you see the bloody fuel gauges with trackIR? I can't find a way to see these gauges... The seat just blocks my field of view...

[White Owl]

3) How do you see the bloody fuel gauges with trackIR? I can't find a way to see these gauges... The seat just blocks my field of view...

 

Try this mod: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=96116

 

It greatly improves the way your point of view moves around inside the cockpit; makes everything much more natural. So far it's the only mod for DCS I've installed.

[lesnyborsuk]

Hi!

 

1) In which order are the fuel tanks of the plane filled?

 

At first both left and right tanks are filled with gas in 50/50 proportions, than the main fuselage tank, and at last - drop tanks (if any).

 

Is there a particular order to take for when you're taking your fuel?

 

AFAIK for the take off you use wing tank at the left. For landing you choose the one with the most gas.

During flight from time to time you change tank from which you are taking gas - so you keep your plane balanced.

[Scrim]

I think the drop tanks are always filled actually, because whenever I use them I'm unable to take very much fuel, due to the added weight of the fuel in the drop tanks.

[Mike Busutil]

Is there a particular order to take for when you're taking your fuel?

 

 

Are you asking how to burn the fuel from the aircraft?

 

After takeoff, for long flight's you should switch the fuel selector to the rear fuselage fuel tank. This is because the rear fuel tank is behind the center of gravity (CG)

 

You want to burn this fuel first, then switch to the external drop tanks (If equipped) and then finally the main wing tanks. (Main wing tank is selected for takeoff and landings)

 

When using the main wing tanks or the external drop tanks, you should never burn all of the fuel from one tank until empty and then switch to the next tank. This will cause an unbalanced aircraft.

 

Instead, you should switch between the left and right tanks about once every hour.

 

The tanks are not interconnected and it is necessary to switch from one tank to the other to maintain balance. :book:

Edited October 3, 2013 by Mike Busutil

[cichlidfan]

After takeoff, for long flight's you should switch the fuel selector to the rear fuselage fuel tank. This is because the rear fuel tank is behind the center of gravity (CG)

 

 

Excuse me, but the manual seems to indicate otherwise.

 

DCS P-51D Flight Manual, page 37

 

The carburetor is of the fuel injection type with a separate idle cut-off device and is equipped with a vapor return line that extends to the left fuel tank. The vapor vent line may become a fuel return line if the needle valve in the vapor eliminator sticks in the open position. The left fuel tank should always be used first to ensure availability of space for any returning fuel.

 

Though I doubt they intend you to empty it, but the manual is not clear on how long you need to run the left tank before an adequate amount of empty space is created.

[Mike Busutil]

The engine start up, engine warm up, taxi, engine run up/mag checks, takeoff and climb out will burn plenty of fuel to make room for any small amount of returning fuel through the vent line.

 

(It's not like an entire fuel tank will try to enter the left main tank)

 

While the left main fuel tank is selected for start up and takeoff, you will want to start burning the fuel in the rear tank once you are well into your climb out or once level on altitude.

 

You don't want low main fuel tanks with a full rear fuel tank... This will cause stability issues.

Edited October 3, 2013 by Mike Busutil

[cichlidfan]

The engine start up, engine warm up, taxi, engine run up/mag checks, takeoff and climb out will burn plenty of fuel to make room for any small amount of returning fuel through the vent line.

 

 

 

I'll bet you a nickel that none of that is accounted for when you do a runway start. ;)

[Mike Busutil]

Runway start? That is for cheater's and people who like arcade mode :D

[cichlidfan]

Runway start? That is for cheater's and people who like arcade mode :D

 

Perhaps so, but this does point out a major flaw in the 'runway start' option as presented in the sim. :smartass:

[Mike Busutil]

Agreed...