Max trap weight

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Hedgehog
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Max trap weight

Post by Hedgehog » Thu Jan 03, 2019 12:00 am

There's seems to be some inconsistency in max trap weight values stated for the F/A-18C. I'm sure that I heard/read 32,000 lbs somewhere. The NATOPS says 33,000 lbs "unrestricted," and 34,000 lbs "restricted." Restrictions are relative to certain aircraft configurations. (Thanks, Paver, for researching that.)

Chuck's Guide, which is widely regarded as the go-to reference for all DCS aircraft, states, "The maximum weight allowable for a carrier landing is 33,000lbs."

https://www.mudspike.com/chucks-guides- ... 8c-hornet/

For the sake of simplicity and consistency, VFA-41 will consider max trap weight to be 33,000 lbs.

There is no apparent hazard at this moment in the sim from trapping overweight, but it should result in damage to your landing gear. Perhaps it will in the future, but for now, it will simply be procedural compliance.
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Trim
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Re: Max trap weight

Post by Trim » Thu Jan 03, 2019 12:46 am

I've blown tires on landing, I don't recall if I was overweight or anything at the time though. It seemed like it was more that just random failures being turned on though since it was more than one tire.

Lion
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Re: Max trap weight

Post by Lion » Thu Jan 03, 2019 1:17 am

Absolutely landing at an airfield at above 34,000 lbs of weight you may well not stop before the end of the runway. Trapping aboard a carrier, you stop almost instantly...

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Hedgehog
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Re: Max trap weight

Post by Hedgehog » Sat Apr 03, 2021 5:22 pm

Well, damn.

At 2:25 and at 22:45, this guy who flew Hornets says max trap weight is "34 thousand pounds."

https://youtu.be/-w7oc0LczBE

He also says approach speed is 141 knots, but we know in the sim that it is more like 135 knots.

So maybe we need to adjust and call our max trap weight 34K. At this point in the sim, though, I don't know that it matters except for aircraft handling. Seems like you can trap at any weight without risking damage to the aircraft.

So, at this moment, we will call this a non-issue, until/unless ED implements an actual limit.
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Lion
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Re: Max trap weight

Post by Lion » Sun Apr 04, 2021 12:19 am

You can definitely smash your gear on landing but it has to be something crazy like -2000 or -3000 feet per minute descent rate.

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