Fuel tanker won't fly in a straight line.

[TIMMY]

Is there a way to tell the tanker you want fuel? Its constantly banking left for me which makes it a pain in the arse to stay lined up.

One of the mission prerequisites is In Air Refuelling training but can't find that training.

[Shazzy]

Its in an odd spot. its under quick flight i believe. Just open your fuel port it will "signal" him you want fuel. he will still turn however.

[Rucker]

When using the mission editor it is possible to set a more boxed path for the tanker to follow instead of its normal 'Orbit' circle, however it isn't any easier because its unknowable when it will turn. Try a different approach, and I mean mentally, such as visualizing the tanker flying in the straight path and your trim is just pulling off to the side. I know its probably not what you want to hear, but this ever moving formation flying will make you a better pilot in the long run.

[JEL]

As Rucker says, you shouldn't really think of it as turning, as it makes no real difference in difficulty (Only mentally because you think you have to do something you really don't have to do; turn)

Focus ONLY on the tanker, not the ground or your bank-angle or anything else.

Relative to the tanker you are flying in a straight line. You are only turning relative to the ground. So forget all about the ground and just look at the tanker.

Just pretend in your mind your flying straight and level. You have to do the same thing in the aircraft anyway, so it's all about practice practice practice :)

The only difference, compared to if actually flying straight and level, is that when doing a constant turn you are technically in an ever-lasting (If only tiny) climb. This is actually a slight benefit because it causes a tad more drag which makes it a tad easier to keep your position behind the tanker :) (Not that it's easy at all, but everything is relative)

[TIMMY]

Cheers for the responces, I get what your saying in terms of it not making a difference I think I am struggling because keeping a consistent bank the same as the tanker is hard without a fixed joystick if your trying to make fine adjustments.

There would be similar problems with doing it straight and level but you would have the artificial horizon as a marker for the flight path of the tanker so returning to straight and level would mean you know your flying in line with the tanker. With a bank I am having to constantly eyeball the plane and make a best guess as to its exact bank whilst making other adjustments.

Guess I just need to practice more, I can get connected just can't keep it connected

[Shleebs]

It's still another constantly changing vector/axis to think and adjust for and does indeed make it hard. I don't believe this would happen in real life, because they'd want to make it as fool-proof as possible for someone flying a $100million aircraft :-). Be good if we could hear from a real jet fighter pilot who has refuelled from a tanker. OMG the stress! lol

[SpiritofTrini]

Aye... been very hard to do it now. I've yet to get it done on the new plane. The bounce is what is killing me. soon as ya get close, the plane bobs up and down. I'm getting close though, so just need to keep trying a bit more.

I too would have to agree, that it seems now the Tanker is always in a banking to the left when I come in for refuel. Never am I straight level, I am always tilted to my left roughly 3 to 4 deg.

I woudn't mind if the Tanker Orbited... once a plane comes close with fuel port open, then it should go on a fuel up run ( straight & level - as best can / wind, etc. ).

I've seen vid's of peeps still doing it, so I know it can be done... I just need to keep at it.

So keep trying different things... it will work out eventually.