Getting familiar with the F18

[alexwin]

I really want to try out the F18, however I struggle with the ramp start. Although it should be quite similar to the f16 due to shared avionics, I probably miss some points there. Is there a manual available how to do this from 4.36 on (incl. update 1).
I would really appreciate a pseudo-newbie guide, in the sense, F16 plays really nice, but what are the small details to pay attention to, when swithcing to the F18 (and later maybe the Tornado :)). I also try to follow a bit the OFM work, but it’s not clear to me how this all connects. A helping word from someone who tried this would be appreciated as well.
Apologies already, if I’m just blind and miss the right spots in the manuals or forums. Thanks in advance!

[CheckPoint]

A guy from our wing used to build following document some time ago, back in 4.34 if I well Remember.

https://www.ffw-01.fr/images/documentation/interne/ramp/F18-ramp.pdf

[alexwin]

@CheckPoint Thanks mate, will check it out!

[drtbkj]

Hi, Alexwin. Firstly, thanks, Checkpoint for that link. I haven’t seen that before. I’ll have to get with the writer and see if we can include it it the Mafia Files.
Meanwhile , alexwin, While you can start the jet using the Viper checklist and cockpit docs, we offer https://www.mediafire.com/folder/9w9b7frobcfg9/F-18+Checklists
This will help with Rampstarting with a more Hornet “feel”.

[Icer]

@alexwin said in Getting familiar with the F18:

I really want to try out the F18, however I struggle with the ramp start. Although it should be quite similar to the f16 due to shared avionics, I probably miss some points there. Is there a manual available how to do this from 4.36 on (incl. update 1).
I would really appreciate a pseudo-newbie guide, in the sense, F16 plays really nice, but what are the small details to pay attention to, when swithcing to the F18 (and later maybe the Tornado :)). I also try to follow a bit the OFM work, but it’s not clear to me how this all connects. A helping word from someone who tried this would be appreciated as well.
Apologies already, if I’m just blind and miss the right spots in the manuals or forums. Thanks in advance!

You could look through some of this - https://forum.falcon-bms.com/topic/19270/bms-other-fighters-mafia-bmsofm-journal , but I would just do what @drtbkj tells you…

[drtbkj]

@Icer said , but I would just do what @drtbkj tells you…

Hey, Dude , that’s why I get the Big Bucks . Right…
Seriously, though alexwin, the pdf’s will help. I do recommend you start with the typed checklist. The pfs are both great , but lack a couple of things(like IFF). Speaking of the typed Checklist, the png’s in the Files can be put on your kneeboards via WDP.
And, don’t be shy if you have questions.

[alexwin]

@drtbkj @icer @CheckPoint Big thank you to all of you, ramp start works perfectly now. If you combine the checklist from drtbkj (OFM) especially the part “APU off at 45%!” with the pdf from checkpoint where almost all spots are nicely labeled, I could figure out where I was missing something.
Really nice, this might be a worthy addition to the offical “other aircraft docs”. Thanks again, will also check out the mentioned journal over the next days.

[alexwin]

Here, is my current version (v1) to get this bird in the air. I tried to keep the original provided by CheckPoint as good as possible, because it feels good to me (like a natural flow). The order to work through is reading order top left to bottom right, I needed to switch a few of the lines at the right. The goal would be to bring the jet in the state, such that the official carrier ops manuals can take over from that point, like wing folding, flap position, …
There are still a few open issues:

• I try with F18C, and don’t see any IFF corresponding buttons (off, stby, …) as in the F16.

• Still can’t find the Lights steady/flash button

• Still can’t find the wind correction switch for the hud

Feedback is welcome, hope this helps out other F18C beginners.

Feels just great to be in the air with this nice jet

[picture and description all from the original source (pdf, see post above), added only the blue stuff and resorted a bit, so, credits to the original source!]

[alexwin]

Brief report from my journey with the F18C:

First, I slightly modified the flow with the ramp start (v2), see below. The IFF is also available, see blue mark “E” (left click, actually moves the switch below).

Now, let’s use this plane in a full scale conflict, it’s BMS’ after all.
The plot I’ve chosen as a newbie F18C pilot is: I’m in my first land training missions to practice take-offs and landings, as a conflict breaks out.

The idea is to add this F18C squadron to the Osan AB with 12 aircraft, and reduce the aircraft of the 36th (block 40) by 12 to have a balanced rolling fire campaign. We need the great Mission Commander (MC) tooling for this, see also “Mission Commander beta release” under https://forum.falcon-bms.com/category/67/tools-apps .

First, start Falcon BMS and chose an arbitrary squadron in a new rolling fire campaign. Save it even before pressing start, as shown below (1.).

Start MC and load your saved campaign file. Go to the campaign tab, sort the table by airbase and right-click the row of the Osans block 40s (2.). Select “view squadron”. In the upcoming window click on the "2"s in the table on the active aircraft to set a few of them to 0 until 12 aircrafts remain (3.) and press apply.

Now it’s time to add our new F18C squadron, go to the units tab and press “add squadron” (4.).

Next, select aircraft type F/a 18C, select Osan airbase, click in the name, and give the name you like [don’t move the mouse much this triggered in my case a refresh of the map, and I could not enter text] (5.) and press ok. Go back into the campaign tab, find your new squadron at Osan AB and view the squadron (as done with the F16s before). Set the squadrons name, select its speciality and remove a few aircraft to reach 12 aircraft in total (6.). Click apply and save the whole campaign (File->save).

Back into BMS, load your campaign and select your new squadron (7.). You can now decide to switch off squadron management, 12 aircraft are easily managed (8.).

Prepare the campaigns weather, config PAKs and your first mission. Be impressed by the loadout , ramp up, greetings to our friends from the 36th, takeoff and enjoy (9.).