Doum76, probably only a Hornet pilot can comment on the flying characteristics of the model in FSX. I would presume someone has given it the OK (OK for sim) where there have been many compromises. Worrying about how realistic the sim is is not worthwhile if there is nothing to compare it too. Certainly the Hornet does not fly like a 747. In older FlightSims often the homemade military jets were made to fly like the Lear Jet. OK for some but not realistic. FSX Hornet is not a Lear Jet.
As for line up on the carrier. Draw a diagram. Have a look at the several diagrams in this forum. The angle deck is approximately ten degrees different to the axial heading of the ship. I could give numbers for how much offset this will mean when you are 1.5 Nm from touchdown on the carrier but I know you can work it out also.
When you catapult you can note the catapult heading then turn down wind at 30 degree angle of bank to the reciprocal heading and then add ten degrees more to port to be downwind for the angle deck. Do you follow? OR you can go downwind on the reciprical catapult heading but when you turn base you should turn at a lesser angle of bank, at say 27 degrees? Why? Because if you go downwind on reciprocal heading to catapult (axial deck hdg) then steadily you will be ten degrees off to stbd flying away from the carrier, rather than directly parallel to the angle deck. All this does not matter a lot if you fly downwind close to the correct distance from the ship (whatever that is - once again look at the NATOPS carrier circuit diagrams in this forum).
Even though a former Hornet pilot says to turn on the instruments, he would not be doing that as though he is instrument flying (in cloud). He would be referring to the instruments more often than usual but doing visual flying; whilst keeping an excellent lookout and also looking at the carrier to get feedback about position to turn base at correct distance downwind etc. He will be looking at the ship during the turn but also doing the turn by the book so to speak - so that the aircraft is close to ideal position when rolling wings level 'at the start', lining up correctly, having crossed the wake by a sufficient amount. This is why you need to make your own diagram, to get clear in your mind how much offset that is. Draw a straight line down the angle deck to approx. 1.5NM and measure the distance at that point to a similar distance but straight down the axial deck. It is quite a significant lateral difference - no?
Anyway all this takes practice. There is no other way. No magical formula except 'meatball, line up and airspeed' - "glideslope, line up and Optimum Angle of Attack". Personally I like to keep it simple. As mentioned before I find the HUD distracting. To me it is only good for altitude and heading information. Otherwise the rest of the wobbly bits are ignored. When 'at the start' all is ignored except mentioned because the AoA is to the left of the HUD, while I can see the line up and the mirror in front. This is when the left metal support bracket for the HUD gets in the way, if you are lined up correctly. Anyway that support bracket can be made transparent perhaps?
This is where a Full Screen HUD with room for the AoA indexer to be in view would be very handy; but of course the metal bracket would still be there; but perhaps less intrusive, depending on whatever.
I'll repeat. Landing this aircraft on a runway is easy compared to landing on a carrier. OK? There are many sim limitations to how a carrier landing can be achieved. To me the worst drawback is that the mirror and other ship cues such as lineup, cannot be seen at a sufficient distance; so too much guesswork is required at the start. For similar reasons experienced carrier pilots start their wings level approach much closer to the ship. Why? Because things are clearer up close and the less time in the groove means less time to make mistakes. So I'm told.
Several real online HUD Hornet videos have a very short finals from base turn but this is not showing off - this is realistic. Of course the finals can be too short and if so the LSO will wave you off.
Practice practice practice. Practicing FCLP is good for getting some aspects such as lineup correct from a good base turn position. However ensure that the wind is straight down the runway for FCLP. That is another smaller factor for carrier circuits (wind is down angle deck) and remember that if the carrier is moving then the centreline is moving to the right away from you all the time. 'Nibble' to the right to keep correct lineup - this is unavoidable. Always be in the perfect position and if not then get back to it pronto. There is no drifting to be lined up at touch down or some other method. Be perfect as you can be - all the way.
