DCS F-18 Startup, Take off from Carrier, Go Around and Landing

I will never pretend I am good at this game, or fly like a true pilot. I enjoy aviation and just want to share with you all my experiences playing DCS.

For those of you that are struggling with landing here a couple of pointers:

1. The flight path marker is that little circle in the middle of your HUD. That predicts where the aircraft will eventually end up. So if you point it at a spot on the ground, that should be where you’ll touch down.

2. Control your pitch with the throttle, not by pulling back or pushing forward on the stick! Notice in the video as I approach the carrier you can hear the engine speed up and slow down. I’m trying to keep my flight path marker on the arresting wires.

3. Control your speed with your stick. Pull up to slow down and forward to go faster. This applies to landing. It takes practice to know where you need to be so you A) don’t nosedive into the runway or B) land in the dirt before you hit the runway.

4. If you know you’re too high, don’t nosedive. Turn left or right (doesn’t matter in the game) and just make circles until you’re low enough. In your last circle, align with the runway and press on. If you’re too low increase throttle and move your flight path marker forward until it’s on the runway threshold.

5. Keep practicing! It took me awhile do it remotely good and I still don’t think I’m great at it. Every time you’re successful remember what you did right and try to repeat it.

Happy flying!