Training / B-Courses / vGSC / B-1B Lancer

B-Course vGSC 7th BW · Dyess AFB

B-1B Lancer

Initial Qualification Course

This course trains aircrew to safely and effectively operate the B-1B Lancer in accordance with vTAC standards. Upon graduation, pilots achieve mission-ready status for global strike, conventional deterrence, and combat support operations.

B-Course — Not VSOA. Completion of this course does not affect VATSIM qualification status. It is required to operate the B-1B under vGSC in vTAC MAJCOM operations.

No prerequisites required. UPT (Blocks 1–3) is recommended — familiarity with IFR procedures and basic formation will make this course significantly easier.

Course Structure

Phase I Self-Study

Academic Training

Aircraft systems, performance, procedures, and flight planning.

Phase II IP Required

Flying Training

Transition, instrument, refueling, low-level, and weapons sorties.

Phase III IP Eval

Mission Qualification

Full mission profile and Mission Qualification Check (MQC).

Phase I

Academic Training

1.1 — Aircraft Overview

General description, role, and crew positions.

Role & Mission

•Primary Role: Long-range conventional precision strike bomber
•Secondary Roles: Close Air Support (CAS), maritime strike, strategic deterrence
•Home Unit: 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, TX (KDYS)
•Variable-Sweep Wing: Enables both low-level penetration and high-altitude cruise
•MAJCOM: Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC)

Crew Positions (4)

Aircraft Commander

Overall aircraft authority. Primary pilot. Final decisions on mission go/no-go.

Co-Pilot

Second pilot. Shares flight control duties. Monitors systems and checklists.

OSO

Offensive Systems Officer

Weapons employment, navigation, and targeting. Operates the OAS.

DSO

Defensive Systems Officer

Electronic warfare, self-protection, threat monitoring, and countermeasures.

NOTE: In MSFS single-player, you will fly as the AC. Simulate crew callouts by completing checklists for each position before key events (start, T/O, AR, weapons, landing).

1.2 — Dimensions & Weights

Critical numbers to know before every flight. Weight determines rotation speed, approach speed, and structural limits.

Dimensions

Wingspan (Unswept)

137 ft

Wingspan (Full Sweep)

79 ft

Length

146 ft

Height

34 ft

Weight Data

Empty Weight

~190,000 lbs

Typical Training GW

300–350K lbs

Max Takeoff Weight

~477,000 lbs

Critical GW Threshold

>400K lbs

CAUTION: Rotation, pitch response, and landing characteristics change significantly above 400K lbs gross weight. Adjust V-speeds accordingly.

1.3 — Engines & Performance

The B-1B is powered by four F101-GE-102 afterburning turbofan engines. Understanding power settings and limitations is essential for fuel management and mission planning.

Engine Data

Type

4 × F101-GE-102

Thrust (Mil Power)

~30,000 lbs each

Thrust (Afterburner)

~34,000 lbs each

Performance

Max Speed

~Mach 1.2 (high alt)

Typical Cruise

M 0.85–0.90

Service Ceiling

~50,000 ft

Takeoff Data

Min Runway (Heavy)

10,000+ ft

Rotation Speed

150–180 KIAS

AB Restriction

Fuel planning required

CAUTION: Afterburner use must be planned into fuel calculations. Do not use AB for extended periods without verifying fuel state against mission requirements.

NOTE: High EGT sensitivity at high density altitude — monitor engine temps closely during hot/high departures.

1.4 — Wing Sweep & Handling

The variable-geometry wing is the B-1B's defining flight characteristic. Sweep position directly determines speed, lift, drag, and structural limits. Knowing when and why to change sweep is critical.

Sweep Ranges & Use

15°–25°

Takeoff & Landing

Maximum lift, highest drag. Use for low-speed ops.

Mid

Cruise & Climb

Balanced lift/drag. Use for most en route flight.

67.5°

High-Speed Dash

Minimum drag, maximum Mach. Higher stall speed.

Handling Considerations

•Forward sweep = increased lift, more drag — slower speeds, better low-level agility
•Aft sweep = reduced drag, higher stall speed — critical to maintain higher approach speed
•High weight = narrow margin between approach speed and stall — do not let speed decay
•High inertia = energy management is everything. Plan speed changes early.
•Pitch sensitivity — large moment arm makes pitch inputs sensitive; avoid abrupt corrections

Structural Limitations

G Limit (Clean / Heavy)

~+2.5G

G Limit Note

Lower at higher GW

Control Input Rule

No abrupt inputs at high Mach

1.5 — Takeoff & Landing Fundamentals

Due to its high gross weight, the B-1B demands careful speed management at both ends of the flight. Every departure and arrival must be planned with weight-specific V-speeds.

Takeoff

→Rotation speeds vary by GW — typically 150–180 KIAS
→Long ground roll at heavyweight — verify runway length before departure
→Strong rudder input required in crosswind — anticipate weathervaning tendency
→Wing sweep: set to 15°–25° for takeoff; sweep aft as speed increases after gear retraction
→Apply smooth, steady back pressure at rotation — do not jerk the stick

Landing

→Typical approach speed: 150–170 KIAS (weight dependent)
→High sink rate if power is reduced rapidly — manage descent with small throttle adjustments
→Large ground effect cushion — expect float at flare, do not over-rotate
→Max demonstrated crosswind: ~25 knots
→Brake energy management critical — anti-skid essential on wet runway

CAUTION: Do not allow airspeed to drop below computed approach speed on final. With this aircraft's inertia, a speed deficiency below 500 ft AGL may not be recoverable.

1.6 — Low-Level Flight Operations

Low-level penetration is a primary B-1B mission profile. The aircraft's TFR (Terrain-Following Radar) enables hands-off terrain clearance, but pilot override authority must be maintained at all times.

Terrain-Following Radar (TFR)

•Allows semi-automatic terrain clearance at low altitude
•Pilot must monitor override capability at all times
•TFR failure in IMC = immediate climb to MSA required
•Verify TFR mode before entering low-level segment

Typical Low-Level Parameters

Altitude

200–500 ft AGL

Speed

420–540 KCAS

!Turbulence increases structural loading — reduce speed in rough air
!Strict G management required in turns — bank angle determines G loading
!Weather penetration exponentially increases workload — verify forecast before entry

TIP: When entering a low-level route, brief all turning points, escape maneuvers, and weather abort criteria before descending. Do not improvise at 300 ft AGL.

Phase I

Flight Planning with SimBrief

All B-1B missions will be planned through SimBrief using the 7th BW airframe profile. Follow these steps every sortie — do not skip preflight crosscheck.

Create / Log In to SimBrief

Go to simbrief.com and log in to your account. Click Dispatch → New Flight.

Load the 7th BW (B-1B) Airframe Profile

Use the official vTAC airframe profile for accurate fuel and performance numbers:

Import 7th BW (B-1B) Profile

TIP: The airframe profile is what makes fuel and performance numbers realistic. Always verify it's loaded before generating a plan.

Set the Basics — Route & Times

DEP: Enter departure ICAO (e.g., KDYS)

ARR: Enter arrival ICAO (e.g., KDFW)

ALTN: Nearby suitable airport — different weather/terrain, adequate runway length

ETD: Set planned Zulu departure time

CRZ ALT: Enter planned cruise altitude (FL___)

Choose Your Route

Option A — Auto Route

Click Generate Route. Pick a result that uses airways, not random zigzags. Fast and good enough for most sorties.

Option B — Real-World Route

Paste a route from ChartFox, Navigraph, or community sources. Highest realism. Verify waypoints exist in sim.

Option C — Route Tool (Best)

Click Route Tool. Select SID, STAR, Approach. Let SimBrief connect airway segments. Best balance of ease and realism.

Set Payload

Set Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW) or enter payload manually. For training sorties, start at mid-range payload — do not max out unless the mission requires it.

Fuel Planning — Do This Every Sortie

Trip Fuel
Calculated automatically.

Contingency
Leave default (5%). Do not reduce.

Alternate Fuel
Requires an alternate selected.

Final Reserve
Keep default — do not touch.

Taxi Fuel
SimBrief estimate is fine.

Extra Fuel
Add for holds / bad weather.

RULE: If expecting holds or degraded weather, add extra fuel. When in doubt, carry more — the B-1B burns fuel fast at low-level.

Enable Weather & Winds

Enable real-world weather (METAR/TAF) and winds aloft. If using MSFS live weather, SimBrief winds will align with your sim environment.

Check Runway, Performance & Constraints

•Verify departure runway length is sufficient for your gross weight (>10,000 ft for heavy loads)
•Check arrival runway length and expected crosswind component
•If using SIDs/STARs, verify altitude and speed constraints are achievable at your GW

Generate the OFP

Click Generate Flight. Read the plan top-to-bottom: route, cruise level, fuel breakdown, alternates, and any NOTAMs. Do not skip the fuel summary page.

Export to Sim / FMC

Choose export format for MSFS (.pln or direct integration). Download to the correct folder, or use the SimBrief downloader if your add-on supports it.

Load Into the Aircraft

Many add-ons have a SimBrief ID input on the FMS/CDU — enter your pilot ID to auto-import the plan. Otherwise load the route file manually through the sim's flight planner.

Preflight Crosscheck — Do Not Skip

Dep/Arr airports correct

Cruise altitude realistic for route

Fuel: trip + reserves covered

Alternate selected and viable

Route has no broken segments

SID/STAR compatible with runway

Time on Target (TOT) Calculations

TOT planning is a core mission skill. Use this formula to calculate leg times and ensure your aircraft arrives at the target at the precise planned time.

The Formula

GS ÷ 60 = NM per Minute

Distance ÷ NM/min = Leg Time

GS = Groundspeed in knots. Result is leg time in minutes.

Examples

GS 480 kts, 160 NM leg:

480 ÷ 60 = 8 NM/min → 160 ÷ 8 = 20 min

GS 540 kts, 270 NM leg:

540 ÷ 60 = 9 NM/min → 270 ÷ 9 = 30 min

TIP: Always calculate TOT from the IP (Initial Point) to target using low-level speed. Plan your orbit or delay stack en route so you hit the IP at exactly the right time.

Phase II

Flying Training

All Phase II sorties require an Instructor Pilot (IP). Complete all academic training before flying. Log each sortie via the vTAC flight log system.

Transition & Pattern Work

Familiarize with B-1B handling characteristics, power management, and pattern procedures at KDYS. Emphasis on takeoff technique and landing energy management.

Events4–6 touch-and-goes, 1 full stop

AltitudePattern: 1,500 ft AGL

SpeedApproach: 155–170 KIAS

Graded Items: Takeoff technique, climb profile, pattern altitude, approach speed, landing touchdown zone, go-around execution.

Instrument Approaches

Demonstrate proficiency on ILS, RNAV, and VOR approaches. Practice missed approach procedures and holding at published fixes. Brief instrument currency requirements before flight.

Events3 instrument approaches (min)

Required1 ILS + 1 RNAV minimum

WeatherIMC recommended; simulated OK

Graded Items: Intercept geometry, glide slope/course tracking, decision height execution, missed approach procedure, hold entry.

Aerial Refueling (AR)

Rendezvous with tanker and complete aerial refueling. The B-1B's high pitch inertia and tanker wake turbulence make AR one of the most demanding maneuvers. Stable trim is essential before contact.

AR Speed~320 KIAS

Key RiskPIO from overcorrection

Events2 contacts min, 1 full offload

CAUTION: Large pitch inertia causes overcorrection → PIO risk. Use small, deliberate inputs. If PIO develops, reduce power and stabilize before re-attempting contact.

NOTE: Heavy fuel states after AR change pitch authority. Monitor fuel imbalance continuously and transfer as needed.

Graded Items: Tanker rendezvous, pre-contact position, boom/receptacle contact technique, position hold stability, breakaway procedure.

IFR Cross Country

Plan and execute a full IFR cross-country from Dyess AFB, using SimBrief. Demonstrates flight planning, ATC procedures, and IFR currency in a realistic long-duration sortie.

Mission Profile

KDYS → IFR en route → KTIK 3 Touch & Gos → IFR → KDYS IFR Full Stop

KTIK = Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, OK. Choose ILS approach for each T&G. File full IFR plan both legs.

Graded Items: SimBrief plan quality, IFR route compliance, ATC communication, T&G technique at KTIK, final IFR approach at KDYS.

Low-Level Navigation

Execute a low-level route with TOT requirements. Maintain prescribed altitude and speed throughout all turns and straight segments. Demonstrate TFR management and turbulence procedures.

Altitude200–500 ft AGL

Speed420–480 KCAS

TOT Tolerance±30 seconds

Graded Items: Altitude maintenance, speed discipline, TOT accuracy, turn technique, abort criteria recognition.

Weapons Employment

Execute planned weapons delivery profiles using at least two weapon types. Demonstrate correct employment parameters, safe escape maneuvers, and post-release BDA assessment.

Weapon 1JDAM (high-level precision)

Weapon 2LGB or unguided (low-level)

BonusJASSM stand-off profile

Graded Items: Target coordinates loaded correctly, delivery parameters met, safe escape, weapon impact assessment.

Aerial Refueling — Quick Reference

Study this before Sortie 3. AR is a perishable skill — review it before every refueling mission.

Refueling Envelope

Contact Speed

~320 KIAS

Altitude

Tanker-directed

Pre-Contact Position

50 ft aft, 10 ft below

Technique

•Trim aircraft before approaching contact
•Small, deliberate control inputs
•Use tanker reference lines, not instruments
•If unstable, execute breakaway immediately

Common Errors

✗Chasing the boom with large inputs
✗Not trimmed before contact attempt
✗Fixating on boom, losing tanker reference
✗Fuel imbalance ignored post-contact

Weapon Systems Reference

Know your weapons before Sortie 6. Each system has different employment parameters, target types, and delivery requirements.

JDAM Precision / GPS

GBU-31 / GBU-38

• GPS-guided, all-weather precision strike
• Pre-planned fixed target coordinates
• High-altitude delivery preferred
• No laser required — set and forget

LGB Precision / Laser

GBU-54 Laser JDAM

• Requires laser designation (Sniper pod)
• High accuracy vs moving/dynamic targets
• Weather-limited (laser requires LOS)
• Used when target may shift post-release

GP Unguided

Mk-82 / Mk-84

• Mk-82: 500 lb general purpose bomb
• Mk-84: 2,000 lb general purpose bomb
• Area effect — requires stable delivery parameters
• Low-level delivery demands precise release timing

JASSM Stand-Off

AGM-158 JASSM / JASSM-ER

• Long-range stand-off cruise missile
• Reduces aircraft exposure to threats
• Pre-programmed target coordinates
• High survivability; autonomous terminal guidance

LRASM Maritime Strike

Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile

• Anti-ship capability for maritime strike missions
• Autonomous target acquisition and guidance
• Low observable flight profile
• Used in contested/A2AD environments

RULE

Weapons Safety Rules

!Verify target coordinates before any release
!Confirm safe escape maneuver for delivery altitude
!No weapons hot until IP inbound, cleared by IP
!Abort if stable delivery parameters cannot be met

Phase III

Mission Qualification Check (MQC)

The MQC is a single full-mission evaluation sortie flown with an evaluator IP. You will plan the mission independently and execute a complete combat profile from departure through weapons employment and recovery.

MQC Mission Profile

1Independent SimBrief mission plan filed and briefed
2Departure and en route climb — IFR procedures
3Aerial refueling — tanker rendezvous and contact
4Descent to low-level with TOT requirement
5Weapons employment on assigned target (2 deliveries)
6IFR recovery and full-stop landing at KDYS

Grading Standards

Qualified — Outstanding

No significant deviations. Exceeds standards on multiple events.

Qualified

Minor deviations. Corrected without IP intervention. Meets all standards.

Qualified — Marginal

Significant deviations noted. Additional training may be directed.

Unqualified

Required IP intervention. Safety departure. Repeat Phase II sorties required.

B-Course Completion

Upon MQC qualification, the pilot is authorized to operate the B-1B Lancer under vGSC in vTAC MAJCOM operations. B-Course certification is logged by the vGSC training office and reflected in your vTAC qualification record.

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