How do you light the afterburners??

Hello there fellow flight sim enthusiast!

To ignite the afterburners in the F/A-18 Super Hornet (or any jet for that matter) within Microsoft Flight Simulator X, you need to follow these steps:

1. First, make sure you are in a jet aircraft that has afterburner capabilities. Not all jet aircraft in FSX come equipped with afterburners, so selecting a suitable aircraft is key. The default F/A-18 Super Hornet is a perfect example, as it does have afterburner functionality.

2. Next, ensure your throttle is at maximum thrust. To do this, either use your joystick, keyboard, or mouse to push the throttle lever all the way forward.
3. Now, it's time to engage the afterburners. The default key command for this action in FSX is Shift + F4. Pressing this key combination should activate the afterburners, and you will notice the tell-tale visual cues, such as increased exhaust plume and a distinct, louder roaring sound of the engines.

It's worth noting that not all third-party aircraft come with the same key command for afterburners, and some may require additional steps or custom bindings. If you're using a third-party aircraft, consult the aircraft's documentation for more information.

Keep in mind that using afterburners significantly increases your fuel consumption rate. You'll need to carefully monitor your fuel levels and adjust your flight plan accordingly, as running out of fuel mid-flight could result in an unfortunate, unscheduled landing.

I hope this helps! Enjoy lighting up the skies in your F/A-18 Super Hornet or any other jet aircraft you choose to fly. Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or need assistance.

Clear skies and happy flying!