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Hey guys, this thread is getting a wrong spin. One it doesn’t deserve. I think we all agree that the OH-6 is a great contribution and we are all thankful for it. We can equally agree that Tobi has every right to move on AND keep his IP protected if he so desires. Let’s be double thankful for him to indicate that he will maintain the OH-6 in its current form and function. Don’t let us spoil this great topic with “what if”s or legal nitpicking or “what about”s……. please!

It does not matter how open source works (this is not open source it is my IP you are asking here for) It is how the world works and crime works. The open source community won't sue anyone for me in case some one uses it off licence. It is ridiculous tbh. Let's move on.

07 March 2025 Dear Fighter Pilots, Partners and Friends, We’re excited to announce our Spring Sale 2025, bringing fantastic discounts on a wide range of DCS World modules, terrains, and campaigns. Whether you’re a seasoned virtual aviator or a newcomer looking to broaden your horizons, there’s no better time to add the next thrilling asset to your hangar. The upcoming Mission State Save Option provides a way to maintain mission progress across sessions, preserving achievements and unit statuses without requiring complex editing. This feature will allow you to save or generate a new mission at any point, ensuring destroyed or activated groups remain consistent and aircraft return to their latest positions, whether airborne or on the ground. It will also capture essential warehouse data and adjust the mission date and time to reflect the saved state. Dedicated servers will be able to utilise an automatic or on-demand save function to create new .sav files. Please read the details below. This week we brought you a campaigns only update that included several improvements across a variety of DCS campaigns, each focused on refining mission flow and gameplay. Thank you for your passion and support. Yours sincerely, Eagle Dynamics Spring Sale Up to -50% Don’t miss this chance to expand your DCS collection at special springtime prices. Head to our E-Shop to explore all available offers and secure your must-have modules before the sale ends! See you in the skies. The DCS Spring Sale 2025 has already begun on our E-Shop and will run until the 23rd of March, 2025 at 23:59 GMT. We are also pleased to announce our participation in the DCS Steam Edition Spring Sale 2025, which will commence on the 13th of March and end on the 20th of March 2025 at 17:00 GMT. Mission State Save Development Progress We are pleased to share good progress on the Mission State Save Option. This feature is aimed at giving players an easier way to set up their own mission context and environment (story) with basic mission editor skills and be able to keep progress made by transferring achievements to subsequent sessions of the same mission automatically. It’s designed to enhance long-term gameplay, providing a seamless experience for those engaging in lengthy or complex missions. Additionally, we are making it compatible with multiplayer nuances. We hope you’ll enjoy it! The new Save feature will allow you to save mission states between missions. It will also allow you to make mission changes at the save point in the Mission Editor. The feature is now integrated with the existing DCS architecture. The current efforts are focused on adding specific dedicated server controls for running persistent missions and saving them on demand. As always, community feedback will be vital to our development process. Once this feature will be available, we encourage all participants to provide as much detailed feedback as possible so we can plan future improvements. The Mission State Save feature is aimed at giving players an easier way to create new missions based on the saved events state of the played mission. New Save does not save the state of everything in a mission but rather applies the theatre of operations events to a newly generated mission. This allows you to create linked missions with persistence between them. You can save the mission state at any time during the mission or generate a new mission from the state you get at debriefing after you exit the mission. The new mission file will have its time and date set to match the day and time the previous mission was saved at, and groups that were destroyed will be deleted from the mission and groups that were activated will be added as active. If you save a mission state while controlling an aircraft in flight, the aircraft will spawn at the location it was flying when the mission ended. The same transfer of spawn position will also happen at airfields or FARPs when the aircraft is on the ground. Ground unit current positions, speeds and waypoints will also be saved between missions. We are also working on adding new types of triggers that will activate by absolute time passed in the mission, not just time passed since the start of the simulation process. All warehouse states are also transferred. We are working on adding and refining the parameters that are transferred to new mission files. The Mission State generated file will be compatible with the Mission Editor, just like a regular mission file, so you can adjust it as needed to best support a storyline you want. Additionally, we worked on multiplayer functionality to give dedicated servers the option to generate these files automatically at the end of a mission or on demand by the admin panel button. Also, we have developed a new dedicated server mission format .sav to support seamless mission persistence, when a mission is converted to .sav, the server will automatically save the last state of that mission after mission end or restart, while saving on demand will give you a new .sav file at the location of your choice. The dedicated server interface also will allow conversion between .miz and .sav formats. That way you can run missions lists which will iterate through different types of missions and keep persistent missions automatically updated after the server switches to another mission. This feature won’t break protection of DCS paid single player campaigns and is aimed at user generated content only initially. Campaigns Update In the DCS: AH-64D Outpost Campaign by Stone Sky, mission 2 now has a corrected landing procedure on the Arleigh Burke. For DCS: F/A-18C Operation Green Line by Badger633, the boat movement issue in mission 1 is fixed, and F/A-18C Rise of the Persian Lion 2 sees its mission 13 carrier parking conflict resolved. Ground Pounder Sims updated mission 10 in the F-16C Last Out Weasels Over Syria 2 Campaign to prevent the rotor from engaging MiGs prematurely, while F/A-18C Operation Cerberus North mission 5 received various minor tweaks. Finally, Baltic Dragon’s F/A-18C Raven One: Dominant Fury underwent an overhaul in missions 4, 8, and 9, addressing progression blockers, datalink fixes, and comms improvements. To experience these important campaign fixes, please update to the latest DCS version now! Black Angels Air Race This weekend, make sure you tune in to an exciting new DCS Mustang Air Race Championship, hosted by our dedicated community members Black Angels. Inspired by Nick Grey’s recent feedback, they have improved their race result export system to update in near real-time, ensuring that pilots can see their lap times both on their Discord and on the event homepage. Join in for free practice sessions on the 7th and 8th of March, with the main competition taking place on the 9th of March featuring the iconic P-51 and free TF-51 Mustangs. In their commitment to expanding air racing throughout the DCS community, the team will release their racing script for anyone interested in creating their own thrilling events. They also invite participants to #FlyTogether by offering a gift voucher for any Eagle Dynamics module as a prize. If you’d like to get involved please visit the event page, or simply cheer on the racers on the Champions page. We truly hope you take advantage of the fantastic savings available in the DCS Spring Sale 2025 and that the development progress on the persistent save feature is to your satisfaction. Thank you again for your passion and support, Yours sincerely,

Bang on Hiob. This thread's been one of my 'DCS happy places' . This and the Lancaster thread have brought me a load of joy. The idea of this was great from the off. What we've been given even greater and yeah, I'm chuffed Tobi & Eightball ever dreamt it up. Who knew it'd be this much fun as well? I'm hoping in a bit of time they'll pick up where they left off, having worked on bits already? Maybe work on something else, who knows? These skills can't come easy though, they'll have to be made use of and I'd be chuffed to see anything they came up with. Take a bit of time out, chill for a bit I reckon. I think we should all get ourselves some snazzy Hawaiian shirts and start growing out the tashes. Slip on the flip-flops and drink by the pool for a bit. Those of us without a pool, drinks, or the mandatory flip-flops will just have to use our imagination I'm afraid. Or, we can go fly our favourite little chopper . Happy to see I'm not the only one that did this

Doghouse navigation added to DCS Web Viewer Click on waypoints, toggle "solo" to show / hide other waypoints Choose between doghouses and waypoint info in map settings 1 minute leg markers https://dcs-web-editor.github.io/dcs-web-viewer-deploy/

Hey all, this is already reported to the team and when we have spare resources it will be checked and adjusted by the team. thank you

The two birds I would like to purchase are Razbam's AV-8B and the M-2000C. I wish these folks would come to an agreement.

Lol , yes it is , external sounds are complete , but I've just completely redone the cockpit sounds , small update vid coming and then release. Cheers Jafa.

I am very excited to announce VSN has allowed us to test their upcoming F-104C standalone mod. I am very impressed with the 3D model and flight model. It will make a fantastic addition to ITJ when it is released. We are also looking at adding the VSN F-4 B/C. Both mods are having a minor conflict in ITJ we are looking into right now. I hope to find the issue soon so we can place it in the mission. I look forward to making more videos soon with ATA Refueling, Bomber Intercepts and some other functions. Hope you enjoy the kickoff video and again, thank you to the VSN crew for allowing us to test this!

Calm down, it wasn't meant this way. Maybe you should think for a moment that not all here are native english speakers and therefore not every sentence may perfectly enunciated. To instantly insinuate a bad purpose is a strange attitude and I can't believe that I have to defend myself for a simple suggestion, which one and only reason was to show a way that would allow to see these mods are still working in two or more years. This forum is full of great but dead mods because the developer has given up and there was no successor. Anyway, I am out here. I don't need this hostility.

It's your wording. Not the suggestion. Comes off as pretty entitled IMHO.

Hello guys, this is my first DCS mod that's been up on User Files for a couple of months now, but I've made a few updates greatly improving the mod since then and to avoid confussion and to make things easier, I decided to make this thread. This mod doesn't use stock DCS MiG-31 model, neither external or collision. It's not a MiG-31 replacer and what's important to people playing multiplayer - it doesn't break IC. The mod uses custom cockpit with majority of gages working, working lights, and datalink display. Mod is FC3 Su-27 dependent, which since FC2024 update means that you have to load the FC3 aircraft which is used by the mod before being able to jump into the modded aircraft. However the OvGME ready FC3 Fix mod I'm attaching fixes this but sadly it doesn't pass IC as it changes core game files. Along with the MiG-31BM I'm adding custom weapons - R-33, R-37 and R-37M. All of the added A/A missiles can be fired without launch permission override. Besides A/A weapons MiG-31BM mod can also use Kh-31P anti radiation missile, using a "dumb" fire mode with launch permission override. As of now mirrors and refueling option don't work properly. User Files link: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3346479/ Huge thanks to zamoski, Hayds_93 and all of DCS Modding Hub community for helping me with making this mod.

Dear @NineLine, @BIGNEWY and kind staff at ED, it is with great joy that I read about the upcoming "Mission State Save" feature in your March 7, 2025 newsletter. As someone with a vested interest in this feature put to good use (I have authored a bunch of missions, some of which seem moderately popular) and taken advantage of to make missions even better, I'd love to contribute my 2 cents if this is possible. Do you have anyone or location where people can contribute ideas, review drafts, or provide feedback of any kind? When it comes to saving state, I'm truly interested if and how this would be reflected in DCS's mission scripting API, so mission/script authors (I regard myself as the latter) can ensure a smooth transition to the new feature. I'm sure that ED have their well-versed community contacts for this, I'm merely asking if and where people may contribute. For example, I think that it would help if MSE API introduced two events: saveState - this event would be invoked whenever DCS wants to save state, and allows scripts to do their own thing. This could be invoked at any time restoreState - this event would only be invoked once, at mission (re-)start, before mission time starts (and perhaps immediately after a script invokes 'world.addEventHandler) to allow scripts to resume any state that they saved with saveState Ideally there would be some other events like (startSave, endSave, startRestore, endRestore), but I think above two could help smoothen the transition. Also, in order to facilitate transition to saving state without missions having to 'de-sanitize' DCS, I believe we could greatly benefit if the save state feature (a singleton "state" perhaps) featured simple getter and setter methods for named text, e.g. saveState.putText(name, content) - puts the text content under the name 'name' into the save state that will be saved with the rest of the state, overwriting any existing previous content of that same name string saveState.getText(name) - returns the text put in the saveState under name 'name'. If no text was saved, returns nil. This simple mechanism should allow most script authors to save and retrieve their 'script' state along with the rest of the 'real' mission state, and be compatible with a fully sanitized environment. Of course, having a shared state where scripts can write to and read from would be the icing on the cake (allowing a fully sandboxed mission still to share data with other missions). Above are merely the uninformed ruminations of a well-meaning, highly interested DCS enthusiast. So if there is some place where you would welcome further input/ideas, I'd be happy to contribute. Kind regards, and I'm looking forward to the new Mission State Save, -ch

There is no Burnout. Anyway thx

As I said earlier, I can certainly appreciate and understand burnout. Ultimately, they are your creations to do with as you see fit. I am grateful you are both choosing to still support the existing mod, and I thank you both deeply for that. An earlier post gave some great clarity which I had not considered in regards to why it may not be advisable to release everything for someone else to work on. Having read that, I can see where a Modder/Dev might not want to just put it all out there. In any case, your bird, your work, your rules. I respect whatever direction you both take for your own health and wellbeing. Thank you for the incredible contributions you've given us. They have been significant, and we are better for having them in the game. All the best to you both in your future endeavors.

Thanks @rato65. I've gone ahead and packaged everything together into one .7z file + a readme so everything's together: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d0BIRz-AHkA4Wlu03NvgYXbEkdTGni02/view?usp=sharing Nice work and soon I'll have time to create some liveries for it.

Aapje at it again? You seem to be the main character of all these debates, and in internet logo, that's not a good thing. I'm sorry mate but if you're not arguing with kksnowbear then you're doing it again with someone else. Best to move on. And here I was hoping we had users with actual benchmarks. Sigh.

LOL! Try the software bundled with the Moza AB9 force feedback base... Pretty much stolen from VP Force.

I had to do a video on the updated VSN F-4 B/C. Looking to add this as well when we iron out the conflict I am encountering with twitching in VR. I am on the war path and will hopefully have it figured out soon. There were not a lot of recent videos out there of the VSN F-4 B/C and I wanted to reignite the flame. Download link is in the video description if you want to go get it now. Last update was this year back in Jan/Feb time frame.

Hello everyone. To start, I want to let everyone know that this update will be about what I am currently working on and that it does not include any new renders, but rather information about the project. I know that many of you are eagerly awaiting updates and asking what’s new. To clarify, my time is not dedicated solely to DCS—I have a job, family, and friends, and I also spend time with them. So, please don’t expect me to release updates regularly. As you all know, my current priority in my free time is working on the Tornado project for Aviastorm, which takes up most of my time. However, this doesn’t mean that I don’t occasionally work on my Su-22M4 project as well. Of course, I have some new things in progress, and I constantly try to push the project forward whenever time allows. A significant amount of time is spent studying manuals and guides for this aircraft, as well as engaging in discussions with my contacts who assist me with the project. These contacts include former pilots of the Czechoslovak Air Force who flew this aircraft and ground personnel who maintained it. Their insights are invaluable to the project. As many of you know, the project is currently on hold in part because I need to find someone who can help with the flight model and new textures for the aircraft. The textures you’ve seen so far no longer meet DCS standards, and I want to create a mod—or, if possible, a full module—at the quality level required for such projects. I can share a few details that I may not have mentioned before. When developing a module, it's not just about being able to click a switch in the cockpit—it has to make sense in terms of functionality and simulation. It’s not just about the switch being "ON" or "OFF," but also about properly replicating the system behind it. Many of you have asked why I don’t just use the avionics from the Su-25T since they are similar. In reality, however, my goal is not to reuse existing systems but to bring the aircraft to DCS as close to its real-life counterpart as possible. For example, before a flight, a navigation data card with coordinates for waypoints (up to six) and four airfields was inserted into the aircraft’s navigation system. This is one of the features I’d like to implement in the mission editor so that each pilot can program their own flight route. So, as you can see, I have a lot on my plate. Even though you don’t always see the progress, it involves more than just development—it includes studying how these systems functioned, holding discussions, compiling information, and organizing everything into notes for whoever will be working on coding the aircraft’s systems. If you’re curious, one of the most recent things I’ve been gathering detailed information on is the LO-86E system, which is used to control the warheads of Kh-58U and Kh-25MP missiles before they are launched from the aircraft. At the moment, I’m just waiting for photos and additional visual documentation from pilots to confirm how the system was used in the cockpit. In conclusion, as you can see, there is a lot that I have to and want to create for you, and it’s not an easy process. However, I believe that in the end, you will be satisfied, and most importantly, I am actively working on the project. As you know, there aren’t many aircraft like this in DCS, and in my opinion, that’s a shame because even these older aircraft can provide an experience that many of you have never seen before. They offer a glimpse into how aircraft operated on the other side of the world during the Cold War, an era that is now almost entirely historical. I am truly grateful that so many of you remain interested and are patiently waiting to see what can be created for you. Your enthusiasm is a huge source of inspiration for me to ensure this project is successful. Once again, a huge thank you to all of you!

Коллеги, предлагаю в данной теме говорить о событиях и новостях происходящих в нашем любимом DCS. Тем более из сегодняшних новостей, мне кажется очень интересная функция скоро появится Новые возможности сохранения миссий только вот идея сохраняться прямо в полете ИМХО - напрасно! Лучше бы - только на земле с выключенными системами. Хотя с другой стороны - каждый пусть сам решает для себя. Но главное что теперь можно будет путешествовать по карте в рамках одной миссии. Это очень круто! это первый маленький шаг к "открытому миру" .

Hello everyone, Here is the link to the Mission 1: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tJOftOOcsgqqGFYaIIZ8xSiWKaPAXSgq?usp=drive_link Replace the mission in your \DCS\DCS World\Mods\campaigns\AV-8B Hormuz Freedom folder. Change log: - weather updated to remove the old sand storm and add the fog -voices updated for the main character -triggers revised and additional dialogue added This mission will be part of the next DCS update. Please let me know if there are any problems with it. Cheers,

The Thrustmaster grips are fully supported. That is just an extremely ignorant support rep.

Ok...

Fwiw; for whoever is interested: I managed to do the cable mod as described in the above Reddit links, and it works!! Tested for over an hour and it works perfectly again. I didn't even have to recalibrate my PointCtrl (although I still need to reposition the aux buttons a bit for the cable to fit) I know: null

Yes, it appeared in videos, but I'm pretty sure it was the FC3 version. I was talking about Wags' tutorials, which would be about the MiG-29, specifically on how to do various things with it.

@Hiob @Slippa Well said both of you. Spring is already underway Norway already, might get me some flip flops and find some old pictures from Hawaii even if that experience was pretty cold after a year in South Asia. Florida on the other hand... [emoji6] Slippa, congrats to you Limey's for beating Finland in the men's relay in The 2025 World Ski Championship the other day. Didn't see that one coming. [emoji4] Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

install is ok, that was the trick, just under weather select a month in winter or autumn Thanx guys for helping me out. thinking in the correct direction.

First you must install Barthek's mod, then the snow less winter on top. Then set the date to winter, obviously. [emoji6] Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

Thanks, and glad you like it. I thought about making the K version too, but I'm going to be honest - the main reason I haven't even started doing it is because while the BM version is just a cool coldish era/modern interceptor, which with it's A/A weapons can fight on par with modern blufor fighters (BVR of course), it's K version is only used to carry the Kinzhal missile. Which is nice, but main three reasons why I haven't even begun making them are: 1. It's too long range for DCS maps 2. Even if I implement it, it would be just another glorified long range anti-radiation missile as without proper FF systems (or complex CWS) we can't put coordinates in for weapons 3. My personal reason is the use of these missiles on civilians in Ukrainian war. Also, I edited and changed quite a lot with the last update, so if you haven't better download it instead of the older version.

Hi, its usually motion smoothing or ASW ( Asynchronous Spacewarp for meta ) that will do this. Try with it disabled for your headset.

So? It's a wish! Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

This is probably obvious, but just to get it out of the way: Barthek's mod only works in the Caucasus terrain. If you play a mission in any other terrain, Bathek's mod does nothing at all. That said, I don't think missions have any influence over terrain mods - there's no way to tell a mission to use this mod or not. Seeing the mod in one mission but not in another (in the same terrain), that's pretty weird, and I don't have any idea how this could happen. That might point to a faulty or corrupted installation of either DCS or the terrain mod. A proper cleanup would be: Repair DCS from the launcher Run a Cleanup from the launcher, remove all obsolete files Rename Saved Games\DCS (*) and try again clean Install the mod again and try once more, verify it's properly installed (*) Saved Games\DCS: the full default path is C:\Users\{Your Windows Username}\Saved Games\DCS, or its localized equivalent Note: The mod goes into the DCS installation directory, not the Saved Games\DCS directory. But it's still possible that other mods within the Saved Games\DCS structure might cause problems

Thanks! I love the Spit, but I really don't know what sort of campaign I could make with the maps we already have, that would be any different from what's already out there. If we ever get a Battle of Britain planeset, then sure.

Not just in DCS. VOG-30 grenades have only 40g of explosive in them. The HEI-T shells from the cannon have 49g of explosive. Of course, the cannon is much bulkier and heavier than the AGL, and so is its ammo, not to mention the AGL has very little recoil in comparision. AGS-30 is a solid weapon for infantry use. In fact, ArmA players will know how quickly one of those can ruin your day as an infantryman. However, their steep trajectory and short range make it a poor helo weapon. Anything it can do, some other weapon in your arsenal can do better.

You want proofreading, just release it in EA and the community will give you an earful about any bad English that snuck in.

Indeed, TACAN is about intercepting radials and following those radials. There are tons of Youtube videos about all of this. It's mostly VOR/DME I would think (MSFS and X-Plane and real flying), but VOR/DME is functionally identical to a TACAN. A TACAN is also a "VOR"/DME, only the VOR is a bit more accurate, but the DME part is the exact same thing. It doesn't really matters what flight sim you use as long as the technology is represented correct. Different aircraft may have different ways of visualizing, but the principles are still the same. I haven't flown the F-4 much (yet), but it seems to be a good IFR platform. Another important point is that TACAN/VOR is no substitute for GPS and INS or even DME/DME. It's an archaic form of navigation used before GPS/INS. Today it's RNAV. RNAV is short for random navigation, meaning you can set waypoints at "random" and fly between them, preferably on autopilot. "Random" points is what comes out from the ME, and that is really only good for RNAV or VFR. You can in principle do the same with TACAN, but not without transforming points to radials and distances to TACAN stations. The Mirage F1 has a function where you can set a random point out from a TACAN station. You set the radial and distance from the station, and the needle points to that point instead of the TACAN station. With a switch you can switch between that virtual point and the station. You can do the same thing manually, but it requires substantially more brain cells, and preferably a paper map. TACAN will pinpoint your position. The problem boils down to the fact that this information has to be transferred to a map. Paper maps were used for this, an essential part. To do it "properly" you really need a stack of paper maps. A second screen with maps will also do of course. Lots of usable maps on the net. You have to plan differently using TACAN/VOR than what is possible or "default" with the ME. DCS isn't the best sim for this, but with some manual adaption and tweaks it works OK.

Google "intercepting radials". Basically, dial in the radial you want to go. Read your current radial via the bearing pointer. Depending how big the difference is, you fly a correction, 45 degree intercept or a 90 (then 45) degree intercept. Or if you want you can also do a station passing, which is somewhat similar. Just fly to the station, over it dial in the new radial and intercept that. Like already mentioned, you can easily find many of the basic IFR stuff on the new.

Watching with interest

IRL, regardless of the fuel level the ramp can rest on the ground. The normal procedure on startup and shutdown is to keep the ramp about 4 to 6 inches of the ground. The FE raises or lowers the ramp to where he wants it. On startup the ramp is kept off the ground because as the engines are brought to the FLT position, the tail of the aircraft will settle a bit. How far it settles depends on how heavy it is and can also vary depending on the aircraft flight control rigging. The ramp is kept off of the ground to prevent damage from aircraft vibration and from small lateral oscillations that will grind down the pads on the underside of the ramp and also to prevent damage to the ramp struts. Same goes on shutdown. Once the aircraft is completely shut down, the ramp is normally put on the ground so you don't have to step up so high to get in or have such a big step getting out.

All you need is skill and/or luck - because you can join the event even with the free TF-51D! The free practice is already going on, so do not hesitate.

Было бы здорово, если бы еще можно было перед запуском сохранения, настроить (или лучше сгенерировать) время и погоду. Например взлетел с одного аэродрома и совершил посадку на другом. Сохранился - вышел. Потом зашел. сгенерировал новые день (время и погоду). И полетел дальше. Практически бесконечная миссия получилась бы, пусть и с простым, но смыслами.

Thank you for the explantion but I am very aware of this and I know very well that there is a difference between free and open source software. It is a clear decision to make it free but not open source. I am wondering why I really have to discuss this here. Do you really believe that some who would like to take the code does not take it and compile it to a non readable binary because it is a GPL licence??? Sounds like letting doors open and putting a sign please don't steal something. Nobody said the oh-6 won't be maintained. No DCS update had negative impact on the mod til now. Open source won't happen To be honest, I think it's pretty cheeky to ask so insistently.

This thread is dumb op you should delete it

Can't complain about a lack of sales. That's for sure.

I agree with others about DCS and IFR. X-Plane is IMO the best choice of sim for (learning) IFR, hands down. Having said that, DCS isn't far behind, it's more that it's inconsistent and contains idiosyncrasies regarding this. You will use lots of time sorting out those things instead of learning IFR. Then, it's a fact that IFR and autopilot fits together like hand and glove. No one in their right mind would today fly "hard" IFR (in the soup) without an autopilot. Learning how to use the autopilot is essential. Nevertheless, the basic skill is hand flying without external references. This means zero external references, like in a thick cloud. The main instrument is the AI, Attitude Indicator (artificial horizon), with other instruments as secondary. Traditionally this is the "six pack". AI, ASI, alt, turn coordinator, VSI and heading indicator. Today it's typically a Garmin G1000 glass panel or similar. It contains all of that in the main screen, but with a different layout. The principles are the same though, AI is the principal instrument. Then it's just a matter of training until you can fly, turn, climb etc. at will using only those instruments. This can be done in almost all planes in DCS. Then you can start navigating, flying ILS's and so on. I don't know what the best plane for practicing is. In a sim you can just hit esc and start over. I like the Mirage F1 CE. It has it all regarding avionics and it has a good autopilot. But it's also fast of course, things happens fast. Perhaps a good practice is the F-5E shooting some TACAN approaches. TACAN is perhaps the most intuitive navigational instrument there is (same as VOR/DME), and you learn to use the HSI, setting vectors looking at distances, in combination with the AI. It's all hand flying, but it's also rather simple because there's only one instrument, TACAN/HSI. The F-5 is nice to fly as well. When you can fly the F-5 with TACAN, then everything else is simple. It's more a matter of learning the instruments/navigational aids than actually learning something new in flying the plane. The F-5 is in many ways as simple as it gets because you don't have to think about anything else but TACAN, but also as hard as it gets due to lack of autopilot, LOC, glideslope, GPS and INS.

Eventually, sure

Hi We shared our plans which is for a release this year, but everything is subject to change. As soon as we can share more news we will let you all know. thank you