Flying The F/A-18C with a Force Feedback Stick is Awesome!

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The stick force of the hornet is just provided by springs (maybe cams as well?) and dampers, well, at least it's the case for the super hornet which has more details in the NATOPS manual, but I think it's highly likely the same case for the legacy. So as someone has already pointed out, there are no motors etc for changing the stick force, it's all done "digitally"/electronically, something like if the FCS is changing the "curve" for the AoA feedback so you have to pull further than before to achieve the same result, thus more force is required, since the displacement vs stick force is always increasing linearly. The max force for pitch (for the super hornet) is about 37+3 lbf, something like a 737. It's nothing like the consumer level toysticks. So an FFB base is arguably the mo$t co$t efective way to have a realistic-ish feel even for FBW fighters, since you have to use very big springs and high grade dampers(I doubt you can do it with dry clutches or motorcycle dampers) for the same result. Plus there are tons of other benefits from FFB, including fast swapping btwn a/c via software.

The warning is "home fuel." There is always at least one waypoint set in the Hornet. By default, that wayppint is #0, and it is the point at which the aircraft was started. (The coordinates at which the ins was aligned). The warning triggers when the aircraft calculates that you could not make it to that point with the current parameters. Throttle, altitude, weight, drag, etc. It can be disabled by moving the home waypoint or through the FPAS page. (This is my understanding of it.)

The real jet has linear springs up to 40lbs(37lbs plus 3lbs breakout force) requiring roughly 3.5lbs/G, with AoA feedback above 22 degrees the FCS generates a nose down command which requires you to pull the stick further back, using the remaining spring force and stick travel to increase the force at high AoA. This is implemented and works the same way with a spring stick and FFB.

The F-4 should be amazing with the FF stick

Now you just need to get a full 6DoF rig and then some buttkicker for the seat!

The beeping is the HOME FUEL warning. It shows up on the left DDI. It triggers if your current fuel flow would be to high to get back to the waypoint thats configured as HOME on the FPAS page (usually WP 0).

Nice vid! I use a different FFB system, Brunner CLS-E Mk.2, this base can be used in two modes: via DirectX FFB, where it relies only on the FFB data via DirectX like a standard FFB joystick, or in it's native "CLS" mode. In native mode there are a lot of parameters to tweak, it can feed data such as airspeed via telemetry from DCS Export script, and you can set up force loading law on the stick depending on airspeed and G, and tune it exactly to your liking, which makes F/A-18 in particular feel much more alive, with much stiffer stick when pulling Gs at high speed, and softer when landing on final. FFB really shines on older jets and warbirds, patiently waiting for F-4 release as well! FFB transforms flight simming, indeed once you try FFB, it's hard to switch back.

looks to be slick product.... would love to see a review side by side of the VPforce Rhino too ;)

You know, I have a feeling you really like FFB! Jokes aside, ffb is definitely awesome. Currently looking into building one myself using the Rhino motors.

Let A-10C II be the next one!

Great review mate, subscribed to the channel and have been watching your reviews for a while.

In a week : f4e phantom with force feetback. I would like to try especialy phantom with ffb. See you in the skies soon ⚡👍

Would love to know what the Harrier is like with FFB. Especially in the hover.

Lovely Swiss Hornet 😜

The warning is the "Home Fuel" warning. You can set the home waypoint on the FPAS page to a waypoint that doesn't exist and stop the warning. You can also extend and retract the fuel probe without taking fuel. I'd recommend set the FPAS home waypoint to 20 for example. Its really annoying listening to the deedle deedle every time you push the throttles up.

Great video which I expernice some of those oddities with my first FFB joystick the old Logitech wingman... And man can I fly much smoother then my gamepad or even my saitech X52 HOTAS! Though the roll thing is annoying and it's proving to be extremely hard to set up... but when it works it's fantastic and has finnlly pulled me away fro my gamepad again!

Not annoyed at all. Only frustrated that I can’t afford one yet 😅

I've been watching your reviews for a while. Its great to have your insights and listening to your reviews. I'm curious how much Nm of force you are using for the Hornet, and the maximum you would use? I feel like 35 Nm might be overkill.

BTW I wonder if the manual trim moves the stick in the backup mode? It's the case in the real one, but I doubt it's implemented. Nice video, and nice to see the preαching of FFB!