Training / B-Courses / vACC / F-16C Fighting Falcon

B-Course vACC 121st FS / 113th Wing · Joint Base Andrews 140th Wing · Buckley SFB

F-16C Fighting Falcon

Initial Qualification Course — Block 50/52 Viper

This course qualifies pilots to safely and effectively operate the F-16C Viper within vACC. Eight lessons progress from cockpit familiarization and startup through basic flight, formation, BFM/DACT, air-to-ground weapons employment, cross-country operations, and NVG night flying. Based on MSFS 2024, DCS F-16C, and real-world F-16 Block 50/52 procedures. Qualifies pilots under the 121st FS/113th Wing and 140th Wing.

Single Engine — F110-GE-129 Fly-by-Wire FLCS — +9g / −3g APG-68 Radar Corner Speed ~450 KIAS

B-Course — Not VSOA. Completion authorizes F-16C operations under 121st FS/113th Wing and 140th Wing/vACC. Does not affect VATSIM qualification status.

Course Structure — 7 Lessons

Foundation

Lessons 1–3

Cockpit & startup, takeoff & departure, fam flight, formation & pattern work.

Combat

Lessons 4–5

BFM/DACT, A/A radar & missile employment, A/G weapons & strafe.

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-16C Viper cockpit layout, fly-by-wire FLCS, fuel system, and complete startup sequence. The F-16 is a single-engine aircraft — engine health awareness is critical from first engine start.

Aircraft Overview

•Engine: Single GE F110-GE-129 — 29,000 lbs thrust (A/B)
•FLCS: Fly-by-wire — limits to +9g / −3g automatically
•Stick: Side-stick controller (right side, not center)
•Seat: 30° reclined — reduces G-LOC onset
•Canopy: Frameless bubble — 360° visibility
•Radar: APG-68 pulse-Doppler (Block 50/52)

Cockpit Layout

•HUD: Primary flight/weapons reference
•MFD L/R: Radar, HSD, SMS, FLCS, TGP, fuel
•UFC: Up-Front Controller — comms, steerpoints, IFF
•ICP: Integrated Control Panel — DED data entry
•Left console: Fuel, lighting, audio, FLCS
•Right console: Avionics power, EW, IFF

Fuel — Capacity & Burn Rates

Internal

~7,000 lbs

370-gal tanks ×2

+5,000 lbs

300-gal CL tank

+2,000 lbs

Max fuel (ferry)

~14,000 lbs

Cruise (M0.8 / 25k)

~5,500 lbs/hr

Low-level (480 kts)

~8,000 lbs/hr

Mil Power (S/L)

~12,000 lbs/hr

Full Afterburner

~30,000+ lbs/hr

JOKER — ~2,500 lbsBegin RTB planning. Declare to flight lead. No further offensive tasking.

BINGO — ~1,500 lbsRTB immediately. No delays. Declare emergency if required to make field.

CAUTION: The F-16 is famously fuel-limited. Afterburner at low altitude burns reserves in minutes. Know your Joker/Bingo before stepping — adjust for mission profile and distance to base.

Startup Procedure

1BATTERY: ON — powers essential bus for startup.
2MAIN PWR switch → MAIN PWR. Wait for system power — avionics bus energizes.
3Avionics power ON — UFC, MFDs, FLCS, INS.
4INS → NAV. Full alignment ~8 min; STOR HDG (stored heading) ~90 sec for quick-align. Use NAV unless mission requires full accuracy.
5JFS → START 2 (Jet Fuel Starter). Verify JFS RPM increases before throttle advance.
6Throttle → IDLE once JFS reaches light-off RPM. Monitor EGT — normal rise to idle ~600°C.
7FLCS BIT: Run FLCS Built-In-Test — verify all surfaces. Check hydraulic pressures (A & B systems).
8IFF → STBY. RWR → ON. Exterior lights (nav, anti-collision). Taxi light ON. Startup complete.

MSFS NOTE: In MSFS 2024, some startup steps may be automated or simplified depending on the F-16 add-on. Always use the most realistic simulation available — avoid "Set to Ready" shortcuts during B-Course evaluation sorties.

Graded Items: Cockpit panel location recall (HUD, MFDs, UFC, ICP), fuel burn rates (Joker/Bingo), startup sequence without IP prompting, FLCS BIT passed, systems operational at taxi-ready.

Takeoff, Departure & Basic Handling

Execute the full takeoff sequence, understand the F-16's fly-by-wire handling characteristics, and complete a departure to assigned airspace. The FLCS does not prevent all exceedances — understand what it limits and what it does not.

Takeoff Procedure

1. Full engine run-up; check flight controls
2. Advance to Mil power — verify EGT/RPM
3. A/B if required — release brakes at full power
4. Rotate at ~160–185 KIAS (weight-dependent), 10–12° pitch
5. Positive rate — gear up
6. Reduce to Mil power; retract gear and flaps
7. Follow departure procedure

Performance Data

Max Speed (High Alt)

Mach 2.0+

Max Speed (Low Alt)

~800 KIAS / Mach 1.2

Service Ceiling

~50,000 ft

Climb Rate (clean, Mil)

>50,000 ft/min

Corner Speed

~450 KIAS (max turn)

FLCS — Fly-by-Wire Flight Control System

What FLCS limits:

✓ G limit: +9g / −3g (auto-limiter)
✓ Angle of attack: ~26° AOA limit
✓ Roll rate at high AOA
✓ Pitch authority at low speeds

What FLCS does NOT prevent:

✗ Structural damage from sustained high-G
✗ Over-speed (Vmax exceedance)
✗ Departure at extreme AOA combinations
✗ G-LOC from sustained pull

SINGLE ENGINE: Engine failure in the F-16 leaves zero thrust and limited hydraulics. Know your EPU (Emergency Power Unit) — it provides 10 minutes of backup hydraulic/electrical power. If the engine quits below 2,000 ft AGL, eject.

Graded Items: Takeoff sequence, rotate speed, gear/flap retraction timing, FLCS limitations recall, departure procedure compliance, EPU knowledge.

FAM Flight, Formation & Pattern Work

First complete sortie in the F-16C: explore handling, fly all formation positions, execute the overhead break, configure for landing, and demonstrate proper approach and touchdown technique.

Fingertip

3–5 ft wingtip clearance. Slight step-down from lead. Used for close parade and photo runs.

Route

500 ft lateral, level or slight step-down. Comfortable cruise formation for long transits.

Combat Spread

~1 NM line abreast. Primary tactical formation — maximum mutual support and radar coverage.

Trail

~1 NM directly behind lead. Used for instrument approaches and specific tactical situations.

Traffic Pattern — Overhead Break

1.Initial: 800 ft AGL, 300 KIAS. Fly overhead runway heading.
2.Break: 5–7° pitch, 60–80° bank toward downwind. Reduce power. 3–4 sec intervals in formation.
3.Downwind: Slow to below 250 KIAS. Gear down. Dirty configuration (gear + flaps). Landing light on.
4.Base: Turn to intercept final. Speed reducing to approach speed.
5.Final: Maintain AOA 13° on approach — this corresponds to ~145–165 KIAS depending on weight. Use the AOA indexer, not airspeed.
6.Touchdown: Main gear first. Aerobrake — hold nose up at 10–12° until ~100 KIAS, then lower nose. Apply brakes smoothly.

Approach AOA13° (use indexer)

Approach Speed (typical)145–165 KIAS

Aerobrake Until~100 KIAS

LANDING TIP: The F-16 uses AOA as the primary approach reference, not airspeed. Set 13° AOA and fly the approach indexer — the correct airspeed follows automatically from your current weight. Chasing a fixed airspeed number is the wrong technique.

Graded Items: All four formation positions demonstrated, overhead break timing and geometry, 13° AOA approach, aerobrake technique, full-stop landing, go-around execution.

Combat

Lessons 4–5: Combat Block

BFM / DACT & Air-to-Air Employment

Learn the F-16's air combat strengths and limitations, vTAC BFM rules, APG-68 radar employment, and AIM-9/AIM-120 employment parameters. The Viper's corner speed of 450 KIAS and instantaneous turn rate of ~26°/sec make it a formidable short-range fighter.

F-16C Strengths

✓Instantaneous turn rate ~26°/sec (one of the highest)
✓Thrust-to-weight ~1:1 at combat weight
✓Excellent low-speed energy management (FLCS)
✓HOTAS — weapon switching without task saturation
✓Bubble canopy — no blind spots
✓Small aircraft — harder to acquire visually

F-16C Weaknesses

✗Fuel-limited — sustained BFM drains reserves fast
✗Single engine — no margin for engine issues in combat
✗Sustained turn rate bleeds rapidly below corner speed
✗Limited BVR weapons compared to F-15EX
✗No second engine for takeoff abort or combat damage

vTAC BFM / DACT Rules

•Tail-only kills — no head-to-head, top, or bottom shots
•Within ~2,500 ft — call: "1, 2, 3 Guns Guns Guns Kill [type] [altitude]"
•Killed pilot responds: "Good Kill, terminate fight"
•DOGFIGHT switch on throttle instantly selects AIM-9 + guns ACM radar — use it entering any BFM engagement

APG-68 Radar — Key Modes

Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR)

• CRM — Combined Range Mode: all-aspect search
• RWS — Range While Search: search while tracking
• TWS — Track While Scan: up to 10 tracks, launch AIM-120
• STT — Single Target Track: lock for AIM-7/120

Within Visual Range (WVR / ACM)

• BORE — Boresight: locks first target in HUD circle
• VERT — Vertical Scan: searches ±10° vertical above nose
• SLEW — Slaved to AIM-9 seeker head position
• MRM — Medium Range Mode: 20 NM scan ahead

Air-to-Air Weapons

M61A1 Vulcan — Guns

511 rounds, 6,000 rpm
Effective range: ~3,000 ft
Lead computing optical sight (LCOS)

AIM-9M/X Sidewinder

IR seeker — all-aspect (AIM-9X)
AIM-9X: off-boresight, HOBS
Max range: ~35 NM (AIM-9X)
Min range: ~1,000 ft

AIM-120C AMRAAM

Active radar — fire and forget
Max range: 50+ NM (BVR)
Pitbull: 10–15 NM (active seeker)
TWS: multiple simultaneous

Standard A/A Loadout

× 2 — AIM-9M/X (wingtip launchers)
× 4 — AIM-120C AMRAAM (stations 3, 5, 6, 8)
× 1 — 20mm M61A1 (511 rounds)
× 1 — 300-gal centerline tank
× 2 — ECM pods or CFTs (optional)

Defensive Systems

• ALR-56M RWR — detects radar threats by type/band
• Chaff — breaks radar lock/seeker (CMS)
• Flares — decoys IR missiles (CMS)
• Jammer — ALQ-131/184 pod (mission-dependent)
Countermeasures: CMS switch on throttle

Graded Items: DOGFIGHT switch use, APG-68 mode selection for situation, AIM-9 tone/uncage, AIM-120 TWS employment, kill call procedure, chaff/flare use vs threat type, multiple fight types completed.

Air-to-Ground Employment

The F-16CM Block 50/52 is a true multirole platform. Learn CCIP and CCRP delivery modes, strafe profiles, laser-guided and GPS bomb employment, and AGM-65 Maverick employment against simulated targets.

CCIP

Continuously Computed Impact Point. Pipper displayed on HUD moves to show where weapons will hit. Pilot flies until pipper is on target, then pickles. Visual — used for strafe, unguided bombs, and Mavericks.

CCRP

Continuously Computed Release Point. System commands release when geometry is met. Pilot flies steering cue — system pickles automatically. Used for level delivery, loft, and GPS/LGB with laser designator.

Manual

Backup mode when avionics unavailable. Pilot uses visual references and timed release. Not precise — used for strafe only or emergency delivery.

20mm Strafe Profile

Dive Angle10–30°

Entry Speed400–480 KIAS

Trigger Range3,000–5,000 ft

Minimum Pull-off1,500 ft AGL

→ Use CCIP mode. Put pipper short of target and walk it forward. Burst length 1–2 seconds.
→ Call "Strafing" before trigger. Call "Off dry" (miss) or "Off hot" (rounds on target).

CAUTION: Ricochet hazard — do not strafe below 10° dive angle. Minimum pull-off is 1,500 ft AGL — there is no safe recovery below this altitude in a dive.

Precision Guided Munitions

GBU-12 Paveway II (LGB): Laser-guided. SNIPER/LANTIRN pod required. Weather-limited. High accuracy vs moving targets.
GBU-38 JDAM: GPS-guided. All-weather. Pre-planned or in-flight coordinates. Set and forget after release.
GBU-31 JDAM (2,000 lb): Large hardened target penetration.
AGM-65D/G Maverick: TV or IR seeker. Slaved to TGP or boresight. Launch-and-leave. Used for armor/vehicles.

Standard A/G Loadouts

CAS / Precision Strike

× 2 AIM-9 / × 2 AIM-120 (self-protect)
× 1 SNIPER targeting pod
× 2 GBU-12 Paveway / × 2 GBU-38
× 1 300-gal centerline tank

SEAD / DEAD

× 2 AIM-9 / × 2 AIM-120
× 1 HTS (HARM Targeting System)
× 2 AGM-88 HARM
× 2 wing tanks

MSFS Weapon Simulation Calls

Weapons cannot be physically released against targets in MSFS. Use verbal simulation calls during IP-evaluated sorties:

"Pickle" — bomb/missile simulated release

"Winchester" — all A/G ordnance expended

"Magnum" — simulated HARM launch

Graded Items: CCIP vs CCRP mode selection per delivery type, strafe pull-off altitude, pickle call at release, sensor/pod operation for LGB, JDAM steerpoint entry, Maverick seeker acquisition, "Winchester" call.

Advanced Ops

Lessons 6–7: Advanced Operations

Cross Country & Air-to-Air Refueling

Plan and execute a cross-country IFR sortie from KSSC to an assigned destination, demonstrating flight planning, autopilot, and AAR as receiver. Given the F-16's limited internal fuel, AAR is a critical operational skill — not optional.

Flight Planning

•Use SimBrief or Little Navmap with F-16 profile
•Fuel-critical planning — calculate AR fuel remaining carefully
•Steerpoints entered via ICP/DED before departure
•TACAN/VOR backup navigation configured
•IFR flight plan filed and briefed before stepping

F-16 Autopilot

•Autopilot panel on left console
•Heading hold, altitude hold, attitude hold modes
•Engage at cruise — do not use during ACM or weapons deliveries
•Disengage by moving stick — reconnect once wings level and stable

Air-to-Air Refueling — F-16C as Receiver

Receptacle location & setup

• Receptacle: dorsal spine, behind cockpit
• Open via FUEL panel → AIR REFUEL switch → OPEN
• Refueling door open light confirms ready state
• MASTER ARM → SAFE before entering AR pattern

AR procedure

1. Join tanker in left echelon
2. Call fuel request: "[Tanker], Viper 1, requesting 5,000 lbs"
3. Move to pre-contact — 50 ft aft, 10 ft below boom
4. Stabilize, then advance to contact position
5. Hold stable — tanker runs silent count
6. Add fuel via MSFS fuel menu at count complete
7. Disconnect and reform to right echelon

TECHNIQUE: The F-16 is small and responsive — small over-corrections create oscillations quickly. Fly the tanker director lights with small trim changes, not stick inputs. Trim, then hold. Stabilize in pre-contact before advancing to contact.

Graded Items: Steerpoint entry before departure, IFR routing compliance, autopilot engagement, fuel state awareness en route, AR radio call format, refueling door open, pre-contact stability, fuel add via MSFS menu.

NVG Setup & Night Flying

Configure ReShade for NVG simulation, fly a night FAM over the local area, then execute a night cross-country. Night ops present fundamentally different challenges for formation, landing, and weapons employment.

ReShade NVG Setup

•ReShade is free — install per guide in vTAC HQ Tech Support Discord
•IP will pause to assist installation before first night sortie
•Adjust gain/brightness settings to preference during night FAM
•Cockpit lighting: reduce intensity for NVG compatibility

Night Ops Considerations

!Formation: Reduced depth perception — increase spacing by 50%
!Landing: Rely on instruments — visual illusions are common at night
!Lighting: Anti-collision, nav, and formation lights briefed before flight
✓TGP/SNIPER pod with IR mode: powerful targeting advantage at night

PROGRESSION: Night FAM flight over the KSSC area first — replicate the Lesson 3 FAM profile at night to identify differences. Then execute a night cross-country to a nearby field (180+ NM) to consolidate night IFR and approach skills before night qualification is issued.

Graded Items: ReShade NVG functional, cockpit lighting configured, night formation (increased spacing), night overhead break, AOA 13° maintained on final at night, night cross-country completed.

B-Course Complete — F-16C Viper Qualified

Pilot is authorized to operate the F-16C under the 121st FS/113th Wing and 140th Wing/vACC in vTAC MAJCOM operations. Qualification logged in your vTAC record.