DCS F-18 - Air to Air Refueling Procedure

[VBF-12 Gosling]

Hi Chaps

Whitey has managed this and we will all need to at some point...


It’s worth reading some of the theory from the NATO Allied Tactical Publication:

• NATO - ATP-56(B) - Thanks to 476vfightgroup.com

And, of course the NATOPS for the F-18:

• A1-F18AC-NFM-000

Read Section 9.2 Air Refueling (Page 370)

Both are pretty short documents to read...

Here is a guidance video:

[VBF-12 Gosling]

Experience has shown that Air to Air Refueling is a lot easier if the following settings and procedures are conducted.

Controls:

• Controls Position - Have your control low between your knees - Rest your fore arm on your leg
  
  • Control the stick from your wrist, NOT your elbow
• Tune your Pitch and Roll Axes to +15

Procedures:

• Closure Rate - As you approach have about 1-2 kts closure rate from 0.2nm
  
  • To waiting station (On left wing in formation position)
• A/P - Select A/P & ON
  
  • This engages the A/P and reduces the effect of your control inputs
• Range - Get within 0.0nm before calling “Ready Pre Contact”

Alignment:

• Refueling Pod Position - Centered in the top of the HUD between the glass plates - Standard seating position
• Approach - At +1-2 kts, fly in and up keeping the Refueling Pod in the same position with TINY control inputs
• Basket - NEVER, EVER, EVER, (I say again - NEVER..) look at the basket
  
  • The Probe WILL go in
• Refueling - Allow the aircraft to push in slightly, then reduce power a fraction using ONE engine
  
  • Compare the levers in your hand and move one relative to the other VERY slightly

Tanker Turning

• Attitude - Gently roll to match wings - use his wings as your horizon
• Refueling Pod - Bring it back to centered in the top of the HUD gently

Errors
WHEN it starts to drift off:

• Control smoothly about HALF of what you think is needed
  
  • First slow and stop the error
  • THEN start to correct back to centered in the top of the HUD

Finally...
Mental Attitude

• Stay calm and keep relaxed
  
  • "I’ve got this..."

[Wonder]

This is great advice!

Yah, I know I'm necro-posting, but couldn't help it.

I'd like to add one more nugget I've found useful:

To mitigate PIO (pilot induced oscillation) don't try to correct your *position* when making control inputs. Correct your relative velocity *first* i.e. fix your target at a stable spot on your canopy. Once that's accomplished, small (as in infinitesimal) inputs to move the target to where you desire, always keeping control over the *relative velocity*. And of course- keep in mind the lag between control inputs and response. Nudge where you want to correct, and release- and wait a second or two to see the result.

[VBF-12 Gosling]

Yes. Good point.

I often use ATC once I have the position stable.

Something I can now add:

VR - if, like me, you have equal vision in both eyes, you will see Two sets of HUD glass when you focus on the Pod. The pod should be positioned between the diagonal clipped off corners of both sets of the HUD Glass. This is the very centre.