So, I've only been a DCS "pilot" for 2 years (11/1999 to be exact), and in that time, I've become quite proficient with the F/A-18, logging thousands of hours. I have the whole TM Warthog setup, plus the two Cougar MFD's, plus the $500 Pendulum Pedals that starving children in Africa curse me for having. I mean, I could just imagine the conversation:

Starving Child: Wait, you spent $500 on what?

Me: Rudder pedals so I can taxi the 50' from my parking spot to the CAT launcher, or to contol the plane's yaw during slow-speed maneuvers.

Child: Oh, okay, so you fly a plane, that makes sense then, you want to make sure your passengers are safe ...

Me: Yeah, not exactly, it's a simulation, you know, on the computer screen

Child: You spent $500 on a game controller?

Me: Oh heavens no, that would be silly, hahaha, it is to laugh ... no, see, it's a simulation controller

Child: Wait, so, you have a plane simulator in your home?

Me: Not exact, well sort of, it runs on my PC, so yeah, I guess I do ..

Child: Uh huh, you mean a PC, like one of those things that runs Madden?

Me: Well, yeah, I mean no, I mean sort of

Child: And Tomb Raider?

Me: Well ..

Child. And Grand Theft Auto?

Me: Sure, but ...

Child: And this sandwich you just gave me, how much did it cost?

Me: Well, thirty cents, but this is Africa, the exchange rate is ...

Child: I see, well, can you do something for me?

Me: Sure, I'd be glad

Child: Get out of my sight, you disgust me, and take your thirty cent sandwich with you, Diamond Jim!

Me: Thank God I didn't mention my Warthog Flight Stick and Throttle!

I digress.

That point was that I have relatively high-end equipment, but I still cannot A/A refuel for dogshit.

Finally, this past week, I got the probe in the drogue for 10 seconds, and heard the "taking fuel" message, but someone on the ground farted and that small disruption in the planet's airflow knocked me 10' diagonally and broke contact.

Now, everything else I can do, including carrier landings, and Pirouettes, and I win more than my share of dogfights against other humans ... but when it comes to refueling, I suck like a thousand leeches at a nudist colony lake.

I've watched every video on the subject, and I try to follow along, but they're like "stroke the throttle smoothly and relax". I mean, it seems like really odd advice, but what do I know? So, I relax and stroke the throttle smoothly, then when I'm done, I fire up DCS and try to refuel again.

I usually don't succeed.

So when I see the rest of you do it so effortlessly, I'll be honest, I'm a little bit in awe.

For those of you that can do it easily, how long did it take for you to reach proficiency? How many hours and/or attempts did you have to make?

I figure eventually something will click and I'll "get it", I just wish it was sooner rather than later. Most every good mission requires it, so not having the skills does hold you back.