Katerina Swanson
The F-16 is a high-fidelity combat flight simulation aircraft in DCS: World and BMS. The F-16's fuel tanks can be jettisoned by pressing the emergency jettison button. However, this will drop all external items except A-A weapons. Alternatively, you can go to the SMS page, select S-J, choose the fuel tanks, and then press pickle. The fuel tanks can also be jettisoned by going into A-A master mode. It is important to note that the fuel tanks will not be displayed on the SMS page and that the fuel gauge may not accurately reflect the fuel level in the external tanks.
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What You'll Learn
The emergency jettison button will drop all fuel tanks
The F-16 has an emergency jettison button that, when depressed, will drop all jettisonable stores and racks, including fuel tanks. This is intended for use right after takeoff or just before landing and has a speed limit of 200 kt. To use the emergency jettison button, push and hold the big push button on the landing gear panel. This will drop wing tanks and bombs, but not missiles.
There is also a regular jettison option, which is set by the pilot in the SMS page when in NAV mode. In NAV mode, go to the SMS page on your MFD and push the OSB next to the JETT label. From there, you can select what parts you want to jettison by highlighting them. Then, leave that JETT SMS page on your MFD, go to the MISC panel, set your MASTER ARM to ARM, and hold the red pickle button on your stick as you would drop ordnance. The jet will then drop the items you selected.
Additionally, there is a selective jettison option, which is used to jettison a selected store, rack, or tank. This is typically used for certain hung live ordnance situations but can also be useful in an emergency if the pilot needs to improve roll control by getting rid of only one external tank. The speed restrictions for jettison are published in the stores limitations manual.
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The S-J option in the SMS page can be used to select stations
The process of jettisoning external fuel tanks on the F-16 in DCS involves several steps. Firstly, it's important to note that the fuel gauge has a tank selector knob on the center console, which allows you to monitor the fuel levels in your external tanks. If you intend to utilise external fuel tanks, ensure that your refueling door is closed, as an open door will prevent fuel transfer to the internal tanks, resulting in a trapped fuel situation.
When it comes to the actual jettisoning process, the S-J option in the SMS page can be used to select stations. However, one user reported an issue with this method, stating that they were unable to select any stations despite having the master arm on. This issue was later clarified in the same thread, with another user responding that the stores jettison function was not yet implemented but would be coming later in Early Access.
As an alternative to the SMS page method, an emergency jettison option is available. Activating the emergency jettison will release everything except A-A weapons, providing a faster solution when facing an A-A threat. To execute the emergency jettison, follow these steps: SMS -> S-J -> select tanks -> pickle -> A-A master mode.
It's worth noting that while external fuel tanks are functional, some pilots prefer not to use them due to the weight and drag they introduce, which can offset the benefit of the additional fuel. Additionally, certain scenarios in DCS may not require the use of external fuel tanks, as there are almost no circumstances where you would need to carry three external tanks.
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Ensure the refueling door is closed to avoid trapped fuel
To jettison the external fuel tanks of the F-16 in DCS, you can either use the emergency release button on the left front panel (near the gear handle) or follow these steps:
MFD -> SMS -> SJ. Select the tanks you want to drop using the OSB buttons, then drop them using the weapons release. Click SJ again to switch off the jettison mode. The emergency release will drop all tanks except for air-to-air munitions.
If you are using the CFT mod, the tanks will not be displayed on the SMS page and will not jettison with the emergency jettison button. However, they can still be dropped using the S-J page. Click/press the station buttons as you normally would for 370-gallon tanks and pickle them off. While there is no indicator on the MFD, they will drop and take whatever fuel they had with them.
It is important to ensure that the refueling door is closed after refueling and before takeoff to avoid any fuel spillage or leakage during flight. This is crucial for both safety and optimal fuel management. A small amount of fuel spillage during refueling can be managed by keeping the canopy closed.
Always follow the proper procedures and safety protocols when dealing with fuel to ensure a smooth and safe flight.
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Use the tank selector knob to monitor fuel levels in external tanks
To jettison external fuel tanks on the F-16, you must first ensure that they are empty. To do this, use the tank selector knob to monitor the fuel levels in the external tanks. The tank selector knob is located on the center console, next to the HSI. When you turn the knob to a tank, the fuel gauge will display the fuel level for that specific tank. This allows you to monitor the fuel levels in your external tanks and determine when they are empty.
The F-16 has a fuel management system that automatically handles the fuel transfer from different tanks. The fuel is drained in a specific order: first from the center tank, then the external wing tanks, then the wings themselves, followed by the fuselage forward and aft, and finally the feeder. The tank selector knob allows you to manually check the fuel levels in each of these tanks.
It is important to note that the F-16's computer aids for fuel conservation are not as advanced as those in other aircraft, such as the F-18. However, the cruise page can provide HUD indicators for the most efficient cruise speed and altitude, which can help with fuel management.
Additionally, there may be a selector knob to the left of the fuel panel that allows you to select specific options for dropping external tanks. This knob can be used in conjunction with the tank selector knob to monitor fuel levels and initiate the jettison process when the external tanks are empty.
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The CFT station can be used to equip empty CFTs
CFTs can be equipped using the CFT station, which adds the correct weight, fuel capacity, and connector weight. Stations 4 and 6 are used to equip "Conformal Fuel Tanks 225 gal" each, and they occupy these stations due to a hardcoded limit. The CFT Mod 3.1.4 includes two empty tank options of 300 gallons and 370 gallons, which can be used when a player wants a tank mounted but without any fuel.
CFTs have some disadvantages, such as imposing a slight drag penalty and minor weight gain on the aircraft, even when empty. They also cannot be discarded in flight and must be removed on the ground, which can impact the aircraft's maneuverability.
It is important to note that while CFTs can be equipped, they may not always be advantageous due to the potential impact on the aircraft's performance.
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