NoJoe

Just in case, it's worth noting: The LWS only detects laser energy directed at your helicopter. As such, it will not detect IR or radar-guided missiles fired from things like MANPADS, SA-3, SA-6, etc. The only thing the LWS would detect is the laser ranging from vehicles like BMPs and tanks and such. --NoJoe

I'm a flight instructor by profession, and I agree completely with Pyroflash. Study study study! That way you'll be prepared for each lesson, and able to get the most out of it. Also the more often you can fly, the better (up to a point). My students seem to do the best if they can fly 3 times a week, with a day or two in between. That way you get a day to decompress and prepare for the next lesson. Obviously this sort of schedule doesn't work for many people, but if you can at least fly on a Friday and Sunday (for example), you'll help yourself progress faster. And enjoy it, the view up there is incredible! :D Good luck to you! --NoJoe

I'll add a +1 to this! I'm always excited to read the updates, regardless of the content! Plus, because I work a weird schedule my first day of work each week is on a Friday, so the updates give me something positive to look forward to. :P --NoJoe

I do, I get what you mean. Just poking fun. :) --NoJoe

Well, none. :P Nobody is forcing you to buy anything. --NoJoe

It's ctrl + F16 on my keyboard. (I use an Apple extended keyboard). :thumbup: --NoJoe

It comes from Wag's May 7th update. It sure *sounds* like he is referring to the F-15C and the SU-27: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1749105#post1749105 --NoJoe [EDIT] Whoa, I initially came off way more snappy than I meant to the first time. Must be my bed time. Edited to sound more how I meant to sound. :)

Heh, thanks Vampire. Though Ericoh totally beat me to it while I was typing. :P I have to say, I don't quite understand a lot of the negativity regarding Matt's announcements.. A lot of people feel disappointed that a new DCS-level fast jet is not going to be here yet, and I get that. But if I want it now I just remind myself that I could always go program one myself... :smartass: (actually no, I couldn't) Eagle Dynamics is doing awesome stuff, that almost nobody else in the flight sim world is doing to the same (extreme) level of detail. It takes time to do this, so it just means I have to wait. If I get bored of waiting, I'll just go run around outside, or fly the A-10C, or the Blackshark, or go fly Falcon BMS or X-Plane. There's plenty to keep me occupied! :) The announcement of the F-15C and Su-27SM being FC3-level first and DCS-level later doesn't mean I've "lost" anything, and doesn't leave me disappointed. If anything it gives me more awesome simming to look forward to! Again, if it takes time, then it takes time. [shrug] There's really nothing we can do about that other than wait, so we might as well enjoy our time waiting. :thumbup: --NoJoe (then again, people have always said I'm an optimistic kind of person :P )

Well, to directly quote Matt's post: "This is not to say that we will not also continue to create very high level of detail simulations. At a later point, we will further develop these aircraft to include mouse clickable cockpit and the same level of detail as the DCS: A-10C Warthog, but that is a massive effort that will take time." Sounds like we get the best of both worlds: developing an aircraft to the DCS-level takes a very long time. So instead of having to wait for that, we get an FC3-level aircraft with AFM. Then later on we get the DCS level. Sounds great to me! :) --NoJoe [EDIT] I'm too slow. I think I just got, like, quadruple sniped. :P

Haha, that was great! Makes me want to go shoot something from a jet. I wonder if we could rig up an AIM-9M on one of our Cessna 172s...? :P --NoJoe

Dang it, my birthday isn't for another month and a half... I haven't bought the Huey yet, but I REALLY want to! I'm hoping I can convince my wife to buy it for me as a birthday present... --NoJoe

I got slightly confused because when I used the Autoupdater I had the exact opposite problem: The autoupdater didn't overwrite any of my controls, so I was missing all the new keys for CA and FC3 (DCS was still using my old 1.2.3 keyboard.lua files). It took some head-scratching and another helpful forum user to get that one sorted. Is it expected that we manually have to go through and delete our old control files in Saved Games/DCS, even after using the Autoupdater? So Gigidang, I guess we should swap computers! :P You got what I wanted, and I got what you wanted! :thumbup: --NoJoe

Looks like an F/A-18C Hornet.

Ah awesome, thanks! Is this something we have to manually do each update? Seems like the update should have taken care of that on its own? --NoJoe

Hey all, The 1.2.4 changelog has the following line: • Combined Arms. The radar emission control added. Key . This allows players to operate SAM radars in radar-silent mode. What exactly does this mean? How do we use that? I don't see anything in the manual, and I didn't actually find that key in the controls listing. It sounds like a fun feature! I'm just wondering is it actually implemented? I want to wreak havok among all these AI flights I've just set up in the mission editor! :D --NoJoe

Sure, if the engine failed you could autorotate. But if the main rotor failed, there's nothing to autorotate with. :D --NoJoe

That is still the plan. I don't have a link to reference, but I'm sure someone will come along shortly who does. :D --NoJoe [EDIT] Here's a reference, from Matt himself back in January: http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1660812&postcount=1434 (specifically see his note #4)

It looks to me like it's a shot from FSX, judging by the terrain textures and the appearance of the small lake below the wing tip. Still, great looking screenshot, and I still can't wait for DCS: Hornet! :D --NoJoe

Sarcastic or joking, I assume? (I hope) [shrug] --NoJoe

This is so true ^. Flying in and of itself isn't really very "hard", once you get the hang of it. But it's the process of flight training that is difficult. It demands a lot of time and energy (and money), and it's easy to run out of patience and walk away from it if it's not something you love. That's what keeps most of us going when things get difficult. And really, I do think nearly anyone can learn to fly if they're willing to put forth the time and effort. One part that is difficult for many people (myself included) is that throughout the process of flight training you have to face your own failures, accept them, and learn to overcome them. And all the while your instructor is there, painfully pointing out your mistakes. ;) It takes some perseverance (and love of flying) to be able to accept the constant criticism and evaluation, and continue forward. But it's super rewarding when you do finally get through that gauntlet and earn a new pilot's licence or rating! It truly is a great accomplishment! :smartass: Anyway, uh, yeah. :D --NoJoe

Now that it's summer here I work full time as a flight instructor in the Seattle area. I fly all day for a living, then come home and sim all night; must be something wrong with me! I can't get enough flying! :D --NoJoe

Also check out one of his other books, "Strike Eagle, Flying the F-15E in the Gulf War". It's full of combat descriptions like the A-10 book, and does a fascinating job telling the story of the pilots themselves and what it was like to fly in Iraq. --NoJoe

Y'know, that happened to me too, and I had the same concern. But when I hit the activate button it said something about it using the previous activation or something like that. Long story short, it didn't use up one of my activations, so you should be good to go to "re-activate". :thumbup: --NoJoe

Haha, great video. :D I would be neat to know who each person is. Putting faces to the names, and all. I assume that's Yo-Yo with the pony tail in the back by the blackboard? Looks like a fun bunch! --NoJoe

A post might have gotten deleted in there somewhere; it could explain some confusion. Vimanaman, Awesome landing! And great job balancing with the brakes. I find the Mustang hard enough to land on a long straight runway, so my hat's off to you for the deck landings! :thumbup: I obviously need to go practice more! :D --NoJoe