DCS F-14 Tomcat Aerial Refueling Tutorial

I put together a little tutorial that should help you with aerial refueling when flying Heatblur's Grumman F-14 Tomcat in DCS World. This is a required skill for study level campaigns, like my upcoming 'Speed & Angels' campaign.

[Eagleph]

Forgot 1 thing... Finger tips only on the controls... gripping the stick and throttle has the tendency for you to tense up... tense muscles tend to react slower and over compensate... if you are not confident in flying with finger tips only... then the issue is just in your head... your head already told you that you can't do it even before you started.... you will need to overcome that

[sillyrunner]

Showing your control and especially throttle inputs was extremely helpful. So many tutorials out there don't incorporate those and it's so helpful to see what you're doing as you explain. I was finally able to refuel for the first time 🤩

[LogicWarrior]

I find lowering your seat position very helpful. It lets you see much more of the tanker to reference closure etc. for 2D at least.

[Pricklyhedgehog]

Good stuff. It's definitely formation flying stuff, and the analogy you use with the three throttle movements is spot on, I was taught that by a tanker pilot. The other thing is getting trimmed up while flying near the tanker so your stick is neutral, this can help avoid the pilot induced oscillations correcting input. Throttling up will lift the nose too, and throttling back will drop it a little, this too can cause over correction and getting out of sync. I think Ward Carroll said pilots would put in a little left rudder to lift the right shoulder up to the basket, but I don't think this is needed in DCS. As you say, practice, and it's fun to get right!

[marshallwhitlock]

This is one of the best AR tutorials I've ever seen.

[craig]

Thank you SO MUCH for explaining *why* the checklist steps exist. So much easier to remember that way.

[sobpolta]

LOL.. Reflected is the man! makes it look easy on a 15" laptop screen - without VR - BEAST MODE!

[eatleadcobra]

Great video. Especially the last point. DCS is just like learning an instrument. One thing people seem to forget with both DCS and instruments is that not all playing is practicing. If you want to get better at something you have to break it into steps and only move on to the next when you can do the one before without thinking. Just like learning a song

[Zilch]

You're a really fantastic teacher. You do a great job of breaking the task down and building up the listener to feel confident that they can pull off the task. I can't wait to try the Speed and Angels campaign, too. So much good stuff to do in DCS, and it's only getting better. Thanks for making our favorite sim that much better.

[thelupo]

Looks like plan for this evening. Thanks man, your tutorials are one of the best

[MasterZelgadis]

While the essential hint is "stay in Formation with the tanker", you should keep in mind, that when you take fuel, you will gradually get more heavy, so you will have to increase throttle to stay in formation. Helps to keep that in mind, and to be prepared for it

[TheSpaseDestroyeR]

Just saw it, Insta like because this was really necessary video to be made and shown as much as possible

[DCSMax]

Great tutorial and great flying dude! Love the gliding shout-out as well - huge parallels to flying the aerotow.

[Leaddinosaur]

Excellent explanation of a difficult subject. I've been guilty of a few of the mistakes you covered. Got a little better after going VR, but it's still a nerve racking experience!

[Boots]

Beautiful tutorial with excellent advice (just like your Case I Tutorial, which might be the best one on F-14 Case I I've seen). Please keep them coming. You may be a "flight sim nerd", but speaking as an actual CFI, your teaching is exactly right. Can't wait for Speed and Angels--I am loving working my way through Zone 5! I'm off for a few passes at the boat and maybe a plug. Cheers!

[allantotti]

Just what I was looking for. Thanks for the great video mate.

[perrlaur]

Thanks for your advises. Its really hepfull as always. Continue to make a great job!!!

[krisdellalawson]

Great video, I also watched your campaign rating video yesterday and really enjoyed that one as well. In fact it inspired me to re-play the zone 5 campaign since I have become much more proficient with understanding WVR air combat I found it much more fun. The Tomcat is no doubt one of the hardest to master but so much fun when you get to know the jet. As a long time Simm pilot and also a real world pilot and veteran I love the hard core realism. I am looking forward to speed and angels!

[Kishkarius]

I cannot thank you enough man! I followed your tips and got it first try!

[connorberube]

great advice and video here!!

Hardest part for me was managing my frustration. I always felt like I had ants in my pants- like I really had to pee but coudnt get my damn belt and pants down.

Taking it slow like you said was the trick- seen other pilots use different flavors of doing this right. In the f/a 18 I tend to keep attitude control AP on and use NO rudder, only roll and pitch