HIGHLANDSPRING

For anyone that’s successfully complete this mission I’d appreciate some strategy advice since I’ve failed to make it home three times now Please hide your feedback to prevent spoilers for those that haven’t tried it yet - thanks!

Mission 5 keeps freezing about 5-10 mins after refuel complete (twice so far) as approaching WP5 - no mods, no tacview....anyone else have the same issue? Log attached in case it helps? UPDATE: Rebooted PC and kept my fingers crossed for attempt #3 - success - mission complete. I’m glad I tried again rather than skipped because it was an excellent second half. I particularly enjoyed the third party comms that was reflecting the mission happening around you, extremely immersive…on to Mission 6 dcs.log

I wanted to share my thoughts in the hope that they may be helpful to those people who are considering purchasing the campaign. Short Version: Don't hesitate! Buy First In Weasles Over Syria, complete that campaign, then return and buy Last Out Weasels Over Syria - you will LOVE every moment of these outstanding campaigns for the F-16! Long Version: I completed First In Weasles Over Syria in November 2023, as a result of that outstanding experience Last Out Weasles Over Syria was an instant purchase upon its release. I have to admit that I was slightly skeptical that LOWOS could improve on FIWOS but it did in lots of little ways, more refinement helped by having Akrotiri as our base of operations for example. Several of the points I've summarised below I've copied from my review of FIWOS, adding further details as a result of my experience with LOWOS. Before I start I think it's only fair to state that I am a Ground Pounder Sims fanboy - I LOVE his campaigns. I've completed the F-18 and Harrier campaigns and they were both excellent (if you are an F-18 or Harrier fan I recommend them without hesitation). I wasn't expecting anything less with FIWOS/LOWOS. I bought and learned the F-16 just so that I could play this campaign! So, was I disappointed, of course not, and here's why: 1. Research and documentation: all the campaigns come with extensive supporting material, and they are all free online to review before buying the campaign (https://www.groundpoundersims.com/). This documentation not only sets the theme and objectives but also provides extensive details into the area you will be operating in, and the threats you will face. Independent of the campaign this documentation alone, in my mind, is worth the price of admission. You can also use it as a generic reference source for all your other activities in DCS. Five Stars. 2. Briefing and Kneeboards: The extensive documentation is backed up by excellent mission-by-mission 'briefings', and summarised into clear kneeboards, which are very helpful. Five Stars. 3. Controlled Base Operations: Whilst not complex, the campaigns follow a structure for power-up, taxi, departure, and arrival operations. Specific WPs, routes, and departure/arrival ATC procedures need to be followed which adds a sense of 'real world' operations together with their supporting comms (details on the kneeboard) which I love. This operational environment adds a significant immersion depth to the Campaign and is further enhanced by the scoring system used throughout. 50% from the overall mission score comes from respecting the 'real world' procedures (example: NOTE UP TO 9 POINTS CAN BE LOST FOR BREAKING VARIOUS RESTRICTIONS AROUND AKROTIRI). Five Stars.null 4. Robust use of triggers: I have found trigger issues to be a rarity in Ground Pounder Campaigns, instructions and directions are very clear and I have no recollection of having any issue through both the FIWOS & LOWOS campaigns. I have played campaigns where the trigger logic appears to be a lot less robust/confusing, and that can get very frustrating, but not so with (any) Ground Pounder Simulations campaigns. Five Stars. 5. Interaction with your flight: Interflight comms is beautifully done, comms triggers all function smoothly, directions are clear and the discussion all contribute to a successful understanding of the mission and your objectives. Listen to them, they help, and in certain instances can be the difference between life and death, ask me how I know . One very challenging area that all mission builders have with DCS is managing the 'crazy' AI. Again Ground Pounder Simulations has worked his campaign magic (which improves on each release), I don't recall a single AI issue throughout both campaigns - exceptional! 6. Atmosphere: The logic is that after a hard day's work, you can kick back and have some fun flying your aircraft in DCS. Well, that's all relative! LOWOS will keep you focused and immersed in executing your mission successfully and making it home alive. Callouts from your wingman or flight will have you scanning the sky frantically for incoming SAMS making your heart pound. MISSILE, MISSILE alerts from your defensive aids systems will have you maneuvering and releasing chaff like a madman. Eventually, you will make it out and be heading home exhausted having lost all track of time. Fantastic. Five Stars. 7. Missions: Mission complexity increases as you progress with different weapons, threats, objectives, and teamwork nicely. Mission time is in the 60-90 min range but honestly, I couldn't tell you for sure, as mentioned above you soon lose track of time due to being completely engrossed in each mission! None of them feel 'too long' and when you have a bit of cruise time from WP to WP those are filled with helpful and interesting 'optional conversations' via the F10 menu. None of the missions in FIWOS or LOWOS require AAR, but it is available as an option if required. I've landed back at home base with <500 lbs of fuel twice! Five Stars. 8. Level of experience: I was new to the F-16, coming from the Hornet and then the Harrier. So I was competent with the operational side but not the aircraft systems. In many respects, I found the F-16 the easiest of the three to learn. I completed all the training missions, and some free campaigns (see below) and practiced with each weapon after reading the briefing before starting a particular campaign mission. I am no expert with the F-16 and I learned as I worked my way through, but you do need to understand and be comfortable with the aircraft. It's not a campaign to 'learn' the F-16, it is an excellent campaign to help you master it. The Wild Weasel aspect that is So given the above glowing review surely there must be something you don't like about it? Honest answer - no, truly! Well, what about things that could be improved? I've only got one topic, and it's a common theme with a lot of players, and it's on the to-do list for the DCS team - the ability to save your mission progress! The excellent SEDLO has a setting in his free missions/campaigns where you can jump 'straight into the action', normally the IP point, should you get shot down and want to run the mission again without the need for starting from a cold aircraft. That's a fantastic aspect for learners in particular but of course, it 'doubles' the overhead on the campaign maker so I understand why it's not more widely used. It is a wish item nonetheless. If you haven't tried SEDLOs free missions I highly recommend those also. So to conclude my over-long ramblings, if you fly this F-16 this is a no-brainer five-star recommendation. If you love campaigns but don't own the F-16 then buy it, learn it, then buy FIWOS followed by LOWOS, and enjoy. I guarantee you won't regret it! Happy flying and watch out for smoke in the air! Thank you Ground Pounder Simulations for another excellent campaign, now to take Arctic Thunder for a spin....

Just completed mission 7 - no issues, from take off to landing winds were 275/17 @ 8kft, 338/19 @ 25kft, 347/20 @ 21kft, 283/14 @ 11kft, 259/14 @ 5kft & finally 298/10 at flare…loving part 2 That doesn’t help the very strange behaviour being experienced by Zachi, it’s just another data point that hopefully helps to paint a picture. The campaign has been a completely bug free experience for me so far, which to be honest is my overall experience with all of the GPS campaigns (unless induced by DCS updates)

It is indeed possible, but certainly a challenge due to the conditions

Same here...only have an issue with Afghanistan after today's update...

Hi, I just saw your note. I've just tried multiple training and instant action missions with no issues with NLG deployment. Sorry!

I don’t have the skills to contribute but a big THANK YOU for the effort!

Hi, I'm new to the C-101, I'm enjoying using it in particular for navigation training, especially IFR. After completing all the training I moved over to the Campaign. I enjoyed Mission 1 and managed to land safely with a score of 60. I still have room for improvement/learning and would appreciate the following advice on the correct technique to perform the ILS approach. What I did was fly direct to NDB 430 then turn left to course 306 (300Mag), stayed on that course for 3min, descending to 3,500ft. I then turned left to course 126 (120Mag) and followed the ILS to landing without too much needle chasing The runway suddenly appears out of the fog at the very last minute (scared the life out of me). It was a great feeling to complete a successful landing Question: Is the above the expected procedure? My score was 60, and I wasn't expecting 100 because my glide slope still needs practice, but when I looked into the mission editor to try and work out the pass/fail criteria it wasn't obvious to me. Are you able to provide guidelines for a 100 score that we can strive to achieve? Thanks!

I've just completed Mission 6 of 12 in the FIWOS Campaign. I wanted to share my thoughtsin the hope that they may be helpful for those people that are considering purchasing the campaign. Before I start I think its only fair to state that I am a Ground Pounder Sims fanboy - I LOVE his campaigns. I've completed the F-18 and Harrier campaigns and they were both excellent. I wasn't expecting anything less with FIWOS. I actually bought and learned the F-16 just so I could play this campaign! So, was I disappointed, of course not and here's why: 1. Research and documentation: all the campaigns come with extensive supporting material, and they are all free on line to review before buying the campaign. This documentation not only sets the theme and objectives but also extensive details into the area you will be operating in and the threats you will face. Independent of the campaign this documentation alone, in my mind, is worth the proce of admission. Its also available as a generic reference source for all your activities in DCS. Five Stars. 2. Briefing and Kneeboards: The extensive documentation is backed up by excellent mission by mission 'briefings' which in turn are summarised into clear and kneeboards which are very helpful. Five Stars. 3. Controlled Base Operations: Whilst not complex, the campaigns follow a structure for power up, taxi, departure and arrival operations. Specific WPs, routes and procedures need to be followed which adds a sense of 'real world' operations togther with their supporting comms (derails on the kneeboard) which I absolutely love. Five Stars. 4. Robust use of triggers: I have found trigger issues to be a rarity in Ground Pounder Campaigns, instructions and directions are very clear and I have no recollection of having an issue, and certainly not in the first 6 missions I have completed in FIWOS. I have played campaigns where the trigger logic apprears to be a lot less robust/confusing and that can get very frustrating, not so with FIWOS. Five Stars. 5. Interaction with your flight: Interflight comms is beautifully done, comms triggers all function smoothly, directions are clear and the discussion all contribute to a successful understanding of the mission and your objectives. Listen to them, they help and in certain instances can be the difference between life and death, ask me how I know 6. Atmosphere: The logic is that after a hard days work you can kick back and have some fun flying your aircraft in DCS. Well thats all relative FIWOS will keep you completely focused on executing the mission successfully and making it home alive. Call out from your wingman or flight will have you scanning frantically for incoming SAMS, MISSILE, MISSILE alerts from your defensive aids systems will have you manouvering and releasing chaff like a madman. Eventually you will make it out and be heading for home exhausted having lost all track of time. Fantastic Five Stars. 7. Missions: Missions have been working up with different weapons, threats, objectives, team work nicely. Mission 6 was a lot of fun but honestly they all have their own memories. Mission time is in the 60-90 min range but honestly I couldn't tell you for sure, as mentioned above you soon loose track of time due to being completely engrossed in each mission! None of them feel 'too long' and when you do have a cruise time those are filled with helpful and interesting 'optional conversations' via the F10 menu. The first six mission have all been in daytime, and none required AAR, but thats still available as an option if required. I'm looking forward to seeing what the second half of the campaign has to hold. Five Stars. 8. Level of experience: I was new to the F-16, coming from the Hornet then the Harrier. So I was competent with the operational side but not the aircraft systems. In many respects I found the F-16 the easiest of the three to learn. I completed all the training missions, some free campaigns (see below) and practice with each weapon after reading the briefing before starting a particular campaign mission. I am no expert with the F-16 and I am certainly learning as I work my way through but you need to understand and be comfortable with the aircraft. Its not a campaign to 'learn' the F-16, it is an excellent campaign to help you master it. The Wild Weasel aspects that is :-) So given the above glowing review surely there must be something you don't like about it? Honest answer - no, not in the first six missions anyway :-) Well what about things that could be improved? I've only got two topics 1. The initial aircraft power up comms can be confusing. You are asked to select BATT ON, and then request an engine start to tower via the F10 key. That will not work unless your battery switch is in the MAIN PWR setting. That's caught a number of people out and Ground Pounder has highlighted solution in the forums and his discord, but really that should be updated at the earliest opportunity so new players don't have the same issue. This is the only negative comment I have on the campaign and as you can see its a very minor one. 2. The excellent SEDLO has a setting in his free missions/campaigns where you can jump 'straight into the action', normally the IP point, should you get shot down and want to run the mission again without the need for starting from a cold aircraft. That's a fantastic aspect for learners in particular, but of course it 'doubles' the overhead on the campaign maker so I understand why its not more widely used. Wish list item none the less If you haven't tried SEDLO mission I highly recommend those also. So to conclude my over long ramblings, if you fly this F-16 this is a no-brainer five star recommendation. If you love campaigns but don't own the F-16 then buy it, learn it, then by FIWOS and enjoy. I guarantee you won't regret it! Happy flying and watch out for smoke in the air! Thanks Ground Pounder for another excellent campaign. Let me know what module I need to learn next so I can be ready for your next campaign.

I was having exactly the same issue with the Worlds Apart Campaign for the UH-1H - this top tip from Rudel_chw fixed it - many thanks Rudel!