Sérvalpilot

Hey there! You made good progress with this version, well done! I had an issue with the Meteor missile; it looks nothing like the real thing. So I made my own model to replace it. This is what it looks like: You can get my little addon attached to this comment here.Meteor_mod.zip Feel free to implement it into the next release if you want to!

Hey, Why was support for the Rafale mod removed? Is it because of a technical issue or something else?

Yes. I used VS 2019 community edition.

Hey everyone, The source code is now out! https://github.com/IGServal/Basic-custom-flight-model-for-DCS-World/tree/main

I plan on releasing the source code soon. This is intended to be a replacement for the SFM. As it is now, this is intended to be a sort-of "universal" flight model, but I plan on releasing the source code so anyone can tweak it to suit a specific aircraft.

The point of this FM is for modders and regular users to use this for mod aircraft instead of the awful default flight model. It is not intended to, and should not be used with any official aircraft.

The wheel brakes seem to start in the "on" position. Pressing the wheel brake command releases it. Thanks for pointing that out! I'll get that fixed soon.

That's odd. I tested this mod with the Rafale and it works just fine. Maybe try reinstalling it?

Thanks for the quick response, I'll see if I can fix the idle RPM and rolling. Cockpit controls are still on my to-do list.

Maybe put the "FM[1]; FM[2]" stuff before make_flyable. Also check if the "FM" folder and "bin" folder are present, and the latter has "customFM.dll" in it.

After several months of trial and error and learning from other flight model projects, I present to you: Serval's custom Flight Model mod! Credit goes to CptSmiley for creating the prototype F-16 FM that I edited to make this. You can find that here: What is this mod? Every player-controlled aircraft in DCS needs a flight model (FM) along with it. For a while, modders used the FMs from Flaming Cliffs 3 (FC3) aircraft for their mods. At some point last year, an update came along that made those files encrypted, leaving modders with the terrible default FM. The idea behind this mod was to create a flight model that imitates the Su-27/33 "game" flight mode behaviour used along with FC3 style cockpits for unofficial, community-made mods; as a replacement for the awkward and jittery default flight model (I seem to be one of a few people to notice how awful it is. see this post of mine for a demonstration of it: https://forums.eagle.ru/topic/264462-default-flight-model-is-awful-with-video-demonstration/?tab=comments#comment-4591944 ) I am not a programmer or aerodynamics expert; so I apologize if anything looks weird. Now, before I share the files, please read the following warning: DO NOT USE THIS MOD TO FLY OFFICIAL AIRCRAFT. BUY THE MODULES AND SUPPORT THE DEVELOPERS! The files can be found here: CustomFM mod v7.zip Here's the source code. It may take some time for me to update this after the main mod. Now you can fly smoothly without awkward jittering at high angles of attack! Have fun! Be sure to check the follow the instructions in the .README file and give feedback if you have any! Here's a few things that are still in the works: - Cockpit controls; as of now the stick, throttle, and rudder pedals don't move at all despite input. - Engine startup behaviour. - Autopilot. If you wish to integrate this into a mod and redistribute it, go ahead but please give credit to me and Cpt.Smiley. If you wish to modify the source code and re-release it under your name, you may do so; but again, please give credit. Version 2 changes: + Improved engine on/off logic. + Idle RPM is now 50% instead of 25%, afterburners now ignite at ~92% instead of ~85%. + Control surfaces now move smoothly. + Flaps (for aircraft that have them). + Digital or "keyboard" pitch and roll controls are faster. + Improved FBW stability and anti-stall logic, death spirals are now a lot less likely to happen. + Behaviour on the ground is now a bit more realistic, it now takes a bit longer to achieve takeoff speed (~300 Km/h). Version 3 changes: + Improved ground handling. + Smoother FBW stability. + Tail hook functionality (for planes that have one). + More realistic flap and air brake aerodynamics. Version 4 changes: + Reworked stability system, much improved dogfighting performance. + Improved afterburner thrust. + Corrected wheel positions and springs. + Cleaned up the source code, including more comments. Version 5 changes: + Autopilot! Sadly, no route-following mode (yet). + Damage modeling. Wings, tail, and engines have their own effects on flight behaviour when damaged. + Using wheel brakes no longer leaves skid marks. Version 6 changes: + Smooth engine startup and shutdown (at last!) + Slightly tweaked autopilot. + Stability system now behaves a bit more like the Mirage-2000 and MiG-29. + Controls are a bit more responsive, especially downwards pitch. + Pitch trim is slightly faster. + Flaps generate a bit more lift. + Fixed a bug where altitude and roll hold autopilot doesn't reset when restarting a mission. + Damage modeling has been tweaked and made (somewhat) more advanced. Version 7 changes: + Much stall recovery and post-stall behaviour, unrecoverable spins are pretty much impossible now. + Better analog roll control. + Slightly tweaked damage stuff. (ps: this is the first mod I have ever published!)

I think I'm done with creating a custom flight model to replace this!

Thanks, I think I almost have something worth sharing soon!

Good stuff, thanks for sharing!

Yeah, there's also an F-16 EFM thing from 2014 that I'm trying to reverse-engineer.

I've been trying to make a custom FM with that and all I managed to get so far is a glider. I'm still trying to figure out how to implement engines and landing gear.

At some point in 2020, an update came along and made FC3 FM stuff encrypted, so now modders have to either create their own flight model (If you have a guide or tutorial to help do that, that would be great); or resort to the default "nil" flight model, which is called SFM? This flight model is terrible. It just feels to sticky, jittery, awkward and disorienting (especially in VR). Dogfights are just awkward and pretty much impossible (for me) without invulnerability. I made a video that attempts to show some of this weird behaviour especially with rolling, stalling, and high angle-of-attack maneuvers. The only mod I've seen with a custom flight model is Freebirddz' pretty good Su-30 mod, available here: If the embedded video doesn't work, here's the link: https://youtu.be/ICSDFUNydQo If would be great if Eagle Dynamics would improve this default flight model or provide documentation or guides for creating a custom flight model. Both would be fantastic. (side note: I'm experimenting with the creation of a custom flight model. If you got any ideas, feel free to share on this forum post of mine: https://forums.eagle.ru/topic/264171-are-there-any-guides-or-tutorials-for-making-a-custom-flight-model/?tab=comments#comment-4588513 )

This is especially noticeable when stalling with the nose straight up (~90 degrees). At this angle in a stall, all the plane's rotational movement abruptly stops and then awkwardly jitters downwards as the plane gains speed while falling.

I'm experimenting with the creation of a custom flight model. I got the FM template, but I can't find any tutorials or guides on how to implement all the functions into DCS. By "functions" I mostly mean engine control (throttle), landing gear, flaps, etc. However, pitch, roll, and yaw with trimming work just fine out of the box.

Okay, I found it. Now, is there any kind of tutorial or documentation on how to make it work with an aircraft? I haven't seen anything online and the readme isn't helping at all.

At any speed, any altitude, and with any autopilot mode, the plane never keeps stable in game flight mode. Same for the Su-33. I did some tests with "level flight control" mode at around 300, 500, 900, and 1100 Km/h (indicated air speed) and it behaved the same. Again, autopilot only seems to work with game flight mode disabled.

I've seen a couple mods with smooth flight behaviour thanks to custom flight model binaries. The best example I can see is Freebirddz' Su-30 mod ( https://forums.eagle.ru/topic/247098-dcs-su-30mmk-mod/ ) The default flight model for custom aircraft feels too static and awkward, so I am impressed by mods with these flight models. I'm wondering if there's a template (preferably a .sln file) somewhere I can use to make my own.

I am aware that the sounds in DCS are now encrypted and can't be edited directly. I made a sound mod that changes some of the effects (explosions, weapons, etc.) but speech for the Su-25T and FC3 aircraft just won't change. Any ideas?

This is a pretty good mod! How did you get the flight model as smooth as it is? Also the game crashes when I eject.

Exactly. Also, it seems to mess up ground attack aircraft AI (A-10, Su-25, etc.) where they seem to get confused when running in and end up not attacking at all.