Training / B-Courses / vACC / F-15EX Eagle II

B-Course vACC 142nd FW · Portland IAP

F-15EX Eagle II

Initial Qualification Course — January 2026 Edition

This course qualifies pilots to safely and effectively operate the F-15EX "Phoenix" within the 142nd Fighter Wing under vACC. Eight lessons progress from cockpit familiarization and basic airfield procedures through combat maneuvering, weapons employment, cross-country ops, AAR, and NVG operations.

B-Course — Not VSOA. Completion authorizes F-15EX operations under the 142nd FW/vACC. Does not affect VATSIM qualification status.

Course Structure — 7 Lessons

Foundation

Lessons 1–3

Cockpit, airfield orientation, fam flight, basic formations, pattern work.

Combat

Lessons 4–5

BFM/DACT, fight against instructor, ground strafe, bombing.

Advanced Ops

Lessons 6–7

Cross-country, air-to-air refueling, NVG setup, night flying.

Foundation

Lessons 1–3: Foundation Block

Aircraft Familiarization & Startup

Learn the F-15EX cockpit layout, key systems, fuel burn characteristics, and complete startup procedure from cold-and-dark to taxi-ready.

Left Panel

•Radar switches
•External Power, Fuel Flow switches
•Autopilot (CAS), Throttle
•External Lights, Landing Gear Lever
•Refueling Door, Emergency Tailhook

Right Panel

•Engine Starters, Pitot & Anti-Ice
•Parking Brake, Canopy Lever
•Internal Lighting
•External Covers, Chocks
•RWR / EWWS

Fuel Burn Reference — F-15 Family

Subsonic (Clean)

~900 gph

Cruise (Combat)

~1,800 gph

Supersonic (Max)

~7,200 gph

Full Afterburner

14,925+ gph

Internal Fuel~2,000 gal + 750 gal CFTs per side

JOKER7,500 lbs — begin RTB planning

BINGO5,000 lbs — RTB immediately

Startup Procedure

1Turn on all external power switches on rear left panel.
2Lower right panel: set engine covers and chocks to OFF. Set RWR and EWWS to ON.
3Turn on Strobe and Nav lights (located below the throttle).
4Upper right panel: set Engine 1 Generator, Control Switch, and Master to ON.
5Turn JFS Switch ON and pull JFS Handle — starts Engine 1. Wait for spool-up.
6Repeat for Engine 2. Wait until Engine 1 is at 10% before pulling JFS Handle again. Allow both engines to reach idle (20%).
7Turn on Taxi Light. Set HUD to show Engine Power, Radar, and Fuel. Startup complete.

MAXFull A/B power

MILMax without A/B

IDLEMinimal power

OFFEngines shut off

Graded Items: Cockpit panel identification, fuel burn recall (Joker/Bingo), complete startup sequence without skipped steps, HUD configured correctly.

Airfield Orientation & Familiarization

Learn Portland International Airport (KPDX) as the 142nd FW home field. Understand parking, taxi routes, EOR procedures, and the local noise ordinance rule for departure.

Field Info — KPDX

•Parking: "Redhawks" ramp, south of Runway 28L — no assigned spots, decided in briefing
•Runways: 28L or 10R (wind-dependent)
•Taxi Route: Taxiway Charlie to EOR
•EOR: Both ends of 28L/10R — stop here for final checks and flight form-up

Departure Rule

!Military power takeoffs only — afterburner is not used for routine 142nd FW departures (KPDX noise abatement)
✓Set Mil Power for the takeoff roll and climb-out; rotate smoothly at Mil
✓Follow assigned departure heading once gear is up

AFTERBURNER: Full afterburner is authorized only during an active scramble, and only when explicitly granted during the briefing. There is no routine-departure burner use at the 142nd FW.

Graded Items: Parking ramp identification, EOR knowledge, taxi route (Taxiway Charlie), noise ordinance compliance, correct runway call for conditions.

Takeoff, Fam Flight, Basic Formations & Pattern Work

First flight in the F-15EX covering all six fam objectives, basic formation types, the PDX traffic pattern, and landing technique from overhead break to full stop.

Six Fam Flight Objectives

1. Perform all startup procedures and initial takeoff
2. Learn basic formation flying (Left/Right Echelon, Tac Initial)
3. Learn overhead break for pattern entry and landing
4. Configure aircraft for landing
5. Perform go-around and landing
6. Taxi back to parking

Takeoff Sequence

→ Extend flaps fully before roll
→ Rotate and lift off — maintain positive climb
→ Retract flaps once speed reaches ~250 KIAS
→ Raise landing gear
! Reduce to Mil Power immediately after rotation
→ Follow departure heading

Landing

→ Decelerate below 250 KIAS on downwind
→ Lower gear and flaps; turn on landing light
→ Maintain 180–195 KIAS on final
→ Use airbrake for assistance and stability
→ Aerobrake on touchdown — nose up, apply brakes gently
→ Taxi to Guard parking, shut down

Echelon Formation

Units arranged diagonally — each aircraft behind and to the right (Right Echelon) or behind and to the left (Left Echelon) of the aircraft ahead. Used for transit and holding formation.

Tac Initial (Crossfield)

Approach 90° from the runway. Pairs space to ½–1 mile. Once across the runway on the opposite side, both turn simultaneously into the traffic pattern (3–4 second break intervals).

PDX Pattern & Radio Calls

Overhead break at pattern altitude over the active runway. After break, turn 180° to downwind. Configure (gear/flaps/landing light) below 250 kts. Call base with intention:

"Redhawk One is base, gear/flaps down, full stop."

"Redhawk One is base, gear/flaps down, low approach."

Graded Items: Takeoff technique (flaps/gear/power sequence), formation position, overhead break timing, pattern radio calls, approach speed 180–195 KIAS, aerobrake technique.

Combat

Lessons 4–5: Combat Block

Introductory BFM/DACT & Fight Against Instructor

Learn air combat maneuvering fundamentals, vTAC kill rules, and engagement setups. Begin with drone practice before advancing to fights against 142nd FW instructors and peers.

BFM — Basic Fighter Maneuvering

Dogfighting against equal aircraft — other 142nd FW F-15s. Identifies strengths and weaknesses against equal variables. Both pilots attempt to achieve a tail guns solution.

DACT — Dissimilar Air Combat Training

Dogfighting against different aircraft types (F-35, F-22, F-16, etc.). Identifies how the F-15 performs against unequal variables. Both pilots attempt a tail guns solution.

vTAC BFM/DACT Kill Rules

•Tail-only kills — no head-to-head, top, or bottom shots
•Within approximately 2,500 ft, call: "1, 2, 3, Guns Guns Guns Kill [type] [altitude]"
•Killed pilot acknowledges: "Good Kill, terminate fight"

Example: "1, 2, 3 Guns Guns Guns Kill enemy F-16 12,000ft"

High Aspect

Head-on pass — aircraft approaching each other. Turn hard to gain tail position.

Offensive

Attacker starts behind the defender. Achieve weapons solution without overshoot.

Defensive

Defender is in front. Deny attacker a weapons solution and reverse to offensive.

1-Circle Fight (Turn Radius)

Nose-to-nose — both aircraft circle inside the same turn. Smaller turn radius wins. Use against slower-turning opponents.

2-Circle Fight (Turn Rate)

Nose-to-tail — both aircraft circle opposite directions. Higher turn rate wins. The F-15's advantage is its sustained turn rate at Mil power.

PROGRESSION: First practice against QF-4 Phantom and QF-16 Falcon drones (IP flies the drone). IP guides you to tail position before calling the kill, so you understand required proximity. Once proficient, advance to BFM against 142nd FW instructors.

Standard A/A Loadouts

Long Range (External Tanks)

× 1 — 20mm Vulcan (600 rds)
× 2 — AIM-9 Sidewinders
× 2 — AIM-120 AMRAAMs
× 2 — External Wing Tanks
× 2 — CFTs

Combat Clean (Centerline Tank)

× 1 — 20mm Vulcan (600 rds)
× 2 — AIM-9 Sidewinders
× 2 — AIM-120 AMRAAMs
× 1 — Centerline Tank
× 2 — CFTs

Graded Items: Kill call procedure and distance, engagement type setup, correct fight circle selection (1 vs 2), kill acknowledgment, fight discipline (tail-only kills), multiple fight types completed.

Ground Strafe & Bombing

The F-15EX can perform Air-to-Ground (A/G) attacks with the 20mm M61 Vulcan and precision-guided bombs. Learn weapon types, standard A/G loadouts, bombing delivery methods, and MSFS weapon simulation calls.

Weapon Capacity — F-15EX

•× 4 GBU-12 Paveway (LGB) under belly
•× 4 GBU-38 JDAMs under belly
•+1 JDAM in mid-section (if no centerline tank)
•20mm M61 Vulcan Cannon (600 rounds)

MSFS Weapon Calls

Weapons cannot be physically released in MSFS — use verbal calls to simulate employment:

"Pickle" — each simulated bomb release

"Winchester" — all A/G ordnance expended

Standard A/G Loadouts

Laser-Guided (LGB)

× 1 — 20mm Vulcan (600 rds)
× 2 — AIM-9 / × 2 — AIM-120
× 1 — ATFLIR Pod + × 1 — SNIPER Pod
× 4 — GBU-12 Paveways
× 2 — External Tanks

GPS-Guided (JDAM)

× 1 — 20mm Vulcan (600 rds)
× 2 — AIM-9 / × 2 — AIM-120
× 1 — ATFLIR Pod + × 1 — SNIPER Pod
× 5 — GBU-38 JDAMs
× 2 — External Tanks

Bombing Delivery Methods

Dive Laydown

Level approach at planned altitude/airspeed. Automatic bomb release at computed release point. Used for CBU/area weapons.

Dive Delivery

Entry at altitude, establish dive angle to target. Press bomb button and initiate escape maneuver at release altitude.

Dive Toss

Reduce dive angle during approach, release at computed point, nose up 30–45° for stand-off separation before impact.

TIP: Multiple delivery profiles are practiced so you understand when each is best. The IP will assign a profile — know the differences before stepping.

Graded Items: Correct loadout selection for mission type, delivery profile execution, "Pickle" call at release point, "Winchester" call at ordnance exhaustion, safe escape maneuver after release.

Advanced Ops

Lessons 6–7: Advanced Operations

Cross Country Flight & Air-to-Air Refueling

Fly the route KPDX → KHIF (Hill AFB), demonstrating autopilot proficiency and Air-to-Air Refueling as receiver. AAR is one of the most demanding skills in the sim — multiple attempts expected.

Cross-Country Route

KPDX → autopilot en route → KHIF

KHIF = Hill AFB, Utah. File using active runway and assigned departure heading. Engage autopilot once established at cruise altitude.

F-15 Autopilot

1. Toggle A/P Master ON
2. Toggle Heading Hold
3. Toggle Altitude Hold
4. Aircraft holds current heading, altitude, and speed

Use at cruise altitude to reduce workload before the approach phase.

Air-to-Air Refueling Procedure

1Join the tanker pattern. Line up in left echelon in order of fuel urgency.
2Call the tanker: "[Tanker] this is Redhawk 1, requesting refueling for 10,000 lbs."
3Open Refueling Door switch (left panel) before approaching the boom.
4Move into pre-contact / boom position. Hold as stable as possible — the tanker runs a silent count for the refuel duration.
5Add fuel via the MSFS menu once contact time is complete. Tanker clears disconnect; move to right echelon.

EXPECT: AAR is one of the most difficult skills in MSFS. Multiple attempts are normal and expected. Stability in pre-contact position is the primary graded skill.

Graded Items: Autopilot engagement and management en route, tanker radio call format, refueling door switch, pre-contact position stability, correct fuel request amount, disconnect and reform procedure.

NVG Setup & Night Flying / Night Cross Country

Configure ReShade for NVG simulation, then fly a familiarization night flight over the Portland/Seattle area before repeating the KPDX→KHIF cross-country route at night. Understand the significant differences between day and night flight operations.

ReShade NVG Setup

•ReShade is free — setup guide in vTAC HQ Tech Support Discord channel
•IP will pause to assist with installation before the night flight begins
•Customize settings to preference during initial night fam flight

Night Ops Progression

1. Night Fam flight over Portland/Seattle — repeat of Lesson 3 at night
2. Adapt to night FOV, depth perception, and formation distance differences
3. Night cross country: KPDX → KHIF (same route as Lesson 6)

NOTE: Night ops present significantly different challenges: reduced visual references, altered depth perception during formation, and different visual cues for closure rate on the tanker. Do not underestimate these differences on the first night sortie.

Graded Items: ReShade NVG configured and functional, night pattern work (spacing and approach), formation integrity at night, night cross-country completed KPDX→KHIF.

B-Course Complete — Lessons 1–7

Upon completion of all seven lessons, the pilot is qualified to operate the F-15EX under the 142nd FW within vACC MAJCOM operations. Qualification is logged in your vTAC record.