I want to understand this but I’m not sure I do.
Could you draw it? ASCII art works, just a simple diagram with: Initial throttle position, on position, off position, half back on (is that then the final position)?
I’m out on a trip, so a bit tech limited ATM.
But it’s easier than I’m making it sound.
Assuming you roll out with a ball on the lens and trimmed on speed (transient little fasts and little slows are OK. If you are seeing a lot of one but not the other, put a couple of clicks of trim in the appropriate direction):
Anyway. Let’s say that you are two balls high at the start.
-
Reduce the throttle about an inch rearward of what you have. Having an anchor for your hand is a big help. If it’s a little more or less than an inch it doesn’t matter, it’s just an abstract reference. Remember it might be less if you have a sim throttle with a short throw.
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Once you reduce it, put it right back where you started.
This has “removed” energy X from the aircraft.
- Take about half that correction back off.
This is your new “set point”.
Scan meatball, line up, AOA. This not only gives the correction time to do what it does. It also has the side benefit of making sure that your ball work isn’t excellent, but your line up or AOA control, dog crap, because you are staring at the ball.
Now, perhaps you’re 1 ball high. Maybe more, maybe less. It doesn’t matter. Repeat the same correction.
Meatball, line up, AOA.
OK, now it seems like the ball is sagging. Maybe one negative correction too many, maybe something else. Still doesn’t matter.
An inch On, an inch Off, and half back on.
And just keep going. As I said above, even a centered ball may not indicate a perfect energy state. The margins are very small and a tiny deficit or surplus can carry you high or low as the ball narrows in actual height in feet.
If/once your ball is centered (and this particularly is technique from the LSO I spoke to) rev the engine. Just make little, tiny On, Offs to make the ball crest slightly above the datums.
Now you are not somewhere within the 30-40ft vertical slice of a single centered ball at the start, you are in the top few feet of the ball and are narrowing down exactly how much power you need to stay there.
BTW, this technique works for any fine power application. Formation? AR? Little repeat corrections keeps you scanning and keeps you from burying the power one way
or another.
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Here’s a good reference that I’m sure some of you already have.
https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/local/docs/pat-pubs/P-1211.pdf.
So, a couple of things:
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I said that the center ball was 30-40ft. It’s actually a fair bit smaller according to this manual. (that’s what I get for not looking it up first…It’s been awhile
)But there’s still virtue to getting the ball to “crest” and keeping it there. -
As to corrections of speed, there is discussion about adjusting nose attitude. While this is technically true, I was always found that, in the amounts you should be seeing, yanking/shoving your nose should not be necessary. And, just like in any aircraft, the plane will tend to maintain whatever speed it is trimmed for. If you are within the “slightly fast to slightly slow” AOA region, no more than 5-7 clicks of trim (in the aircraft, sims are different and variable according to your hardware of course) should allow you to trim on speed, and keep it there most of the time.
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The manual also seems to suggest that a power correction should be left in until you see its effect. Yet, it also mentions “stair stepping” the ball down. This seems to be contradictory and is contrary to what I had be taught. I think it’s probably too long and will result in chasing the ball. YMMV.
Something I used to do with my FAM students that you are welcome to try is to take your aircraft to a safe altitude, dirty it up, slow and trim to On Speed. Begin a 700FPM rate of descent with power. Now, play around without the distractions of flying the ball. Work on your trim. I’ll bet you can (at least should) be able to just “guard” the stick, correct speed deviations with trim and descend with power adjustments alone.
Next, play with the 3PPC. In the aircraft, you can almost feel a bit of the energy leaving, or being added to, the jet. In sims I generally find this relationship to feel a bit…squishier, but the effect should still work.
Anyway, like a lot of things in aviation, this is interpretive and just the bits and pieces that help me frame it in a useful way.
In the end, you have to come up with what makes sense to you! 
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Sorry to break up the carrier discussions but has anyone tried bfm with ace ai? I was happily surprised when I practiced with my trusty Viper and Tomcat recently. They jink and do real impressive stuff, it’s actually really hard sometimes to get a guns kill. Great job ED. Now fix the wingman ai so we can enjoy some missions together.
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Yes. I held my own for the briefest of periods. Then normal service was resumed and i ended up full of holes and sea water
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Hehe good one 
For years, I practiced BFM in BMS and it helped me quite a lot compared to DCS AI which is (was) just stupid. Once somewhat proficient, practicing against anything else than ACE just dulls you, at least that’s how I see it.
If you want to do a deep dive in BFM, I highly recommend this video series:
What really stuck and helped me a lot is understanding the bubble and when to commit or not along with in plane maneuvering.
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Weekend News
July 2022
Dear Fighter Pilots, Partners and Friends,
We would like to thank all who have taken advantage of the great deals on offer during our ongoing Summer sale and to kindly invite those of you who are still considering a purchase to please be aware that the closing day of the Sale will be on the 11th of July at 15:00 GMT. Don’t miss out on this chance to discover something special and at great bargain prices across our entire range of modules. Thank you!
This week we are delighted to present you with a progress report from our third party partner, Aerges Engineering who have been working tirelessly to bring you something really special and exotic in the near future. DCS: Mirage F1 is coming July 20th, 2022. Please take a look at the details below.
We are also keen to present you with progress on our upcoming B-52H Strategic Bomber which will be available soon as an AI asset. Currently, we are working hard on the texturing. We hope you will appreciate the level of detail which we are investing in this incredibly special and historical aircraft. Check out the inspiring Development Screenshots.
Thank you for your passion and support.
Yours sincerely,
Eagle Dynamics
Sweet Summer
2022 Summer Sale
Our 2022 DCS Summer Sale provides up to 50% discount on most of our modules. Most campaigns are also included. We hope this will give you an opportunity to grab some hot deals and add some legendary fighters to your hangar. This offer ends on the 11th of July at 15:00 GMT. Shop now.
Mirage F1
Development Report
After the Early Access release of the Mirage F1, the immediate focus of the Aerges Engineering team will be on completing the remaining Mirage F1 CE work-in-progress systems. In particular, several radar scan modes, the radio navigation modes of the autopilot, and the implementation of the S530F ‘Supermatra’ missile.
Thereafter, work will continue on the other variants of the Mirage F1, starting with the Mirage F1 EE. Once air-to-air refueling is completed, the inertial navigation system (INS), and the new RWR will be delivered and the EE will be ready for release. The rear cockpit and multiplayer interaction of the F1 BE will be the following task. The final step will be the Mirage F1 M radar, screens, armament, and radios.
AI B-52 Stratofortress
Development Report
In the screenshots above, you can see the characteristic stressed-skin body of the aircraft. Initial work has begun on external texturing. Next, the chassis, chassis niches, bomb bay, and cockpit will be painted. Dirt, dust, signs of wear, and identification marks and technical inscriptions will also be applied.
Thank you again for your passion and support,
Yours sincerely,
Eagle Dynamics
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Someone needs to mod the buff to be flyable
Then again, ill never go to work again so maybe not
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I just took advantage of the summer sale and finally bought the M2000 yaay
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Oh good! You’re going to love that one- I keep coming back to her over and over, especially as Razbam has been working with active-duty AdA pilots to make her better and better.
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The M2000 is in my “neglected” hangar.
Along with the Harrier, Hind, Apache, Viggen, MiG-21, F-14…
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My “neglected hangar” is basically a museum exhibit at this point 
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I love my hangar, for it is of infinite depth. I can keep adding machines without regard for acrage or rent or upkeep. It also allows me to drag a hangar queen from way in the back out for a flight. I think the machine with the least hours on it in my DCS hangar is the Jeff. Can’t wait to add a very pointy French thing to it!
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We should all make a virtual hanger with all our planes polished and lined up. Then charge for virtual tours tto pay for all the other modules we will buy and never fly. YAK 52 Anyone
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I fly mine!!
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Each sale I am tempted by the Yak. It was the first mod I flew in dcs. Courtesy of @Victork2 at his sim pit.
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Get it, if only in support of ED.
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Tbf i took it for a spin over the Falklands for sightseeing
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It’s fun for some of those dirt strips. To my surprise they finally fixed the cooling model…I found out the hard way by leaving the cooling shutters full open.
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I am SURE that engine power has lowered slightly since that happened. Only slightly and only noticeable when doing stuff i shouldn’t be doing. But i am sure its an effect of the cooling working better now
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