Fly the F/A-18 Hornet supersonic in MSFS: engage afterburner, choose the right altitude, read Mach correctly and fix failed acceleration.
To fly the F/A-18 supersonic in Microsoft Flight Simulator, retract the gear, set flaps to AUTO, close the speed brake, climb to roughly 25,000–35,000 ft, level off, disengage autothrottle and select full afterburner. Hold a nearly level attitude until the HUD Mach readout passes 1.00.
How do you break the sound barrier in the MSFS F/A-18?
The reliable method is to climb first and accelerate in a clean, nearly level configuration. Trying to force the aircraft through Mach 1 during a steep climb or at low altitude wastes thrust overcoming drag.
- Reduce unnecessary weight and drag. Use a moderate fuel load and remove external stores if your aircraft model permits it. Extra tanks and weapons make transonic acceleration slower.
- Clean up after take-off. Retract the landing gear, raise the hook, move the flaps to
AUTOand confirm that the speed brake is fully closed. Leaving the flaps atHALFor the speed brake extended is a common cause of failed acceleration. - Climb before accelerating. Climb at roughly 300–350 KIAS where practical, then level at about 25,000–35,000 ft. The thinner air substantially reduces drag compared with a low-level attempt.
- Disconnect autothrottle. Automatic throttle control can hold the selected speed instead of allowing maximum acceleration. Fly manually and keep bank angle and control inputs small.
- Select full afterburner. Move both throttles through the military-power detent into the afterburner range. Full dry thrust, usually called
MIL, is not the same as full afterburner. - Accelerate through the transonic region. Hold level flight and allow time for the aircraft to pass the drag rise around Mach 1. If acceleration settles below Mach 1, use a gentle descent of a few degrees rather than a steep dive.
- Read the Mach number. Once the HUD or primary flight display shows more than Mach 1.00, the aircraft is supersonic. Reduce power before exceeding the model's operating limits.
How do I know whether the afterburner is on?
The afterburner is operating when the engine indications show a sharp increase in fuel flow and nozzle opening, with visible exhaust flames available in an external view. A throttle axis showing 100% does not always prove that it has crossed the simulated afterburner detent.
With a keyboard or gamepad, command full throttle. With a hardware throttle, check that its calibrated range reaches beyond military power. If the aircraft uses a separate command, search the control assignments for afterburner and bind the relevant function; the exact implementation can differ between the built-in jet and community aircraft.
Keep automatic throttle control off during the acceleration run. Our guide to setting and disengaging the F/A-18 autothrottle explains how that system can override the thrust you expect.
Why will the MSFS F/A-18 not pass Mach 1?
An F/A-18 that remains below Mach 1 usually has no afterburner, excessive drag or too much climb angle. Work through the symptoms rather than holding full throttle indefinitely.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Throttle reads 100%, but there is no burner indication | The throttle axis stops at military power | Recalibrate the axis or assign the aircraft's afterburner command |
| Speed settles around Mach 0.9–0.99 | Speed brake, flaps, stores, autothrottle or a nose-high attitude | Clean the aircraft, disconnect autothrottle and level off |
| Acceleration fades at high altitude | The aircraft is too heavy or still climbing | Level completely or descend towards 25,000–30,000 ft |
| Ground speed is very high, but Mach remains below 1 | Ground speed is being mistaken for airspeed | Use the cockpit Mach indication, not GPS ground speed |
| Mach briefly passes 1 and then falls | Afterburner disengaged, the aircraft started climbing or the throttle axis is unstable | Check burner indications and hold a steady flight path |
Does this apply to every MSFS Hornet?
The stock aircraft commonly called the Hornet in MSFS is the Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet, while older F/A-18A–D aircraft are legacy Hornets. The same clean-aircraft and afterburner technique applies broadly, but engine thrust, drag, controls and maximum speed can differ between models.
Community conversions may not reproduce every system or flight characteristic of the built-in aircraft. If using one, check the freeware F/A-18 Hornet package's installation notes and known limitations before treating unusual performance as a control problem. The basic procedure applies in MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024, although control profiles may need to be checked separately.
How can I confirm the F/A-18 is genuinely supersonic?
The Mach readout is the authoritative indication: anything above Mach 1.00 is supersonic relative to the surrounding air. Mach 1 changes with atmospheric temperature and altitude, so there is no single indicated-airspeed value that always marks the sound barrier.
Ground speed is not proof because wind affects it; a strong tailwind can produce a high ground speed while the aircraft remains subsonic. A vapour cone is also not proof, as condensation depends on humidity and pressure. Likewise, the pilot does not hear a sonic boom as the aircraft crosses Mach 1, and MSFS aircraft differ in how their external sound and visual effects represent it.