Captain Orso

I've installed The Way. I found it overly complex and the use of an external program made its usage at all overly complex. Plus it still seems to have ever reoccurring issues simply displaying the F10 targeting dot. Scratchpad is completely within DCS, being a set of scripts--mostly lua--installed into '..\Saved Games\DCS.openbeta\Scripts'. To implement the additional function of a plug-in, you simply copy it from '..\Scripts\Scratchpad\Extensions\Disabled\' into '..\Scripts\Scratchpad\Extensions', and that's it. All the things written into the Scratchpad pages are saved for the next session. You can archive them for use with the same mission at another time, or simply clear them out. It's very useful and easy to use. I just wanted to hear of there was something The Way does, which Scratchpad doesn't. If anyone comes up with something, I'd surely like to hear it.

Many thanks for the reply. Scratchpad has some plug-ins which transfers the collected F10 map points directly into the waypoints of the aircraft you are flying: F-15E, AV-8B, AH-64D, F-16C, F/A-18C, and M2000C. With the Apache you can actually select which type of point is inserted per data point, so WayPoint, Control Measure, Target Point, or Hazard Point by modifying the data line beforehand. It's pretty cool watching the data being entered into the UFC

Without having to read through 26 pages of form to find out, but what does "The Way™" offer that Scratchpad doesn't?

Many servers use CTLD to put JTACs up in the air over targeted airfields. I want to use these while flying the AH-64D to fire laser guided AGM-114K Hellfire missiles in LOAL mode (Lock On After Launch). For this to work, however, the Apache must be facing the lazed target almost exactly--within something like a 4° cone, otherwise the Hellfire won't find the Lazed target. I know I can read the F10 Other -> JTAC Status display to get the target unit type and the coordinates, but that can mean going through a while number of units on the F10 map to find the one with the exact same coordinates, which can be a very daunting task while flying a twitchy helicopter which doesn't have hover control and tends to like to tip over while landing if the ground isn't perfectly flat and horizontal. The most ideal solution would be if I could press a button to get the unit added as a Control Measure and the Cxx number posted that I can select it as and Acquisition Source, or if already in the COORD database, just post the Cxx number so that I can select it as the ACQ. I mean that are probably a hundred ways it could be done better than sitting on the F10 map and comparing MGRS numbers. I mean, just getting the targets MGRS number into something I can copy into the Scratchpad would be a huge improvement. Any help would be appreaciated.

I'm not sure what you are talking about, half the time. I'm not talking about some abstract idea. I'm talking about actual technology. If you opened the ME, selected a map, added units and then saved it under a unique name, it is a mission. I have no idea what a "spurious waypoint" might be. If you open your mission in the ME, select the FA-18 you are flying in it as 'player' or 'client' and there is a continuous yellow and/or white line starting at your aircraft, then you have a minimum of two waypoints--waypoint 0 where your aircraft starts, and a second waypoint connected to WP0; you may of course have more. Maybe it would all be easier if you posted your mission so that someone could look at it. One more thought. Do you have your control definitions modded? That would probably be 'c:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\Mods\aircraft\FA-18C\Input\FA-18C\joystick\default.lua'. If yes, you should probably post the modded lua file also.

When you say, "the CPL is live also", do you mean that the text CPL appears in the lowest UFC LED display? That only happens if on the HSI page, a WayPoint is selected and WYPT is boxed, which from the description of your mission, sound very odd. Did you write this mission from scratch, or did you take over part from another mission?

What exactly do you mean? Exactly what are you seeing?

The aircraft does have an idea of where it and the target are; it's called INS. The problem is, the methods of keeping track of them are Imperfect, and over time deviation increases, because even the very best gyroscopes, including laser-gyroscopes, have deviations, which increase over time and motion. The largest difference between CCIP and AUTO release has to do with physics - it's in the trajectory. The most ideal delivery method would be to hover directly above the target and release the weapon. Why? Because there would be no influence of forward or lateral momentum (baring wind) on the trajectory. if the bomb is built to have absolute symmetrical aerodynamics, it will fall absolutely straight down. One would have to implement a lateral force to change its trajectory. The greater the parabolic arch in a trajectory, the greater chance in misaim, because the same degree of change in the "sight" causes an ever increasing change in the trajectory at increasing parabolic curves. Without going into lobbing bombs, which basically doubles the parabolic curves, the worst case scenario for aiming a dropped weapon is therefore dropping it from level flight; in other words AUTO release. Anyway, the solution I figured out is to set the target on the ground. When I get turned around and have localized the target location optically, I can then undesignate the target and the mode immediately jumps to CCIP. So best of both worlds.

IIRC to use AUTO mode you can have a maximum of 30° angle off of the horizon. CCIP allows you an accuracy that AUTO cannot achieve, and flexibility. IIRC AUTO was invented for use with retarded* weapons, and situation in which circumstances negated flying in at higher altitudes. Because NOBODY is actually aiming the bomb release, only INS--or GPS in modern aircraft--is actuating the release when each microsecond can mean several feet of deviation even if INS were absolutely perfectly aligned, which it never is to that degree. I really only use the Target Point to ease finding the target again after turning around. Then I can pick one or more points to aim for, for the actual drop(s). Not being able to have the TP on the ground is just an PITA, and IMHO for nothing. * Sorry, learning impaired

Pilots didn't get to pick and choose what they wanted to do on the deck. The deck officer decided how things were run. If you have evidence of A-4's being pulled around the deck by tractors, from parking to cat, and from landing zone to parking, I'm sure we'd all love to see it. Never too old to learn something new.

.............................................................................................. Many thanks for the answers, guys, even if they almost caused me an aneurism. I'm not targeting a waypoint. I am setting a target point with the TGP as a reference for where the target is: HMD points to it, HUD points to it, HSI shows it. It seems insane to me to force a specific type of attack, because I have designated a target. That you cannot execute an AUTO attack without a designated target point is logical. That you have to use AUTO because you have one, where AUTO has the poorest results for free-fall, unguided weapons just make no sense to me. Thanks again, guys.

I can select mode CCIP, and it appears on my program, but in the HUD it always displays AUTO and only the fall line displays. The CCIP line-cross NEVER appears. I can find nothing to get rid of AUTO. What did I do wrong, and what do I have to do to correct it?

BEFORE ENGINE SHUTDOWN | 3 SARI ...... | I don't have a sari, Can I substitute a kimono?

Of course that is a word. It's even the correct word. A child's air balloon is inflated. An air mattress is inflated. A woman's bre... what's that dear...? too far...? yes dear.....

Scratchpad got rewritten a couple months ago to accept plug-ins. Draken35 wrote some plug-ins, which add a keyboard and inputting the points into the board computer on a number of aircraft, not all, but including the AH-64. From my testing, it works very well. Just read the README and follow the instructions. It's quite impressive.

The solution with the least amount of work installing and learning mods, is to use a new feature. Go to the F10 map. Find the unit, who's coordinates you want to have. Zoom in on the unit to get the highest amount of precision. <LAlt><LClick> on the unit. This will cause a pop-up to appear with the coordinates in all formats. The pop-up remains until you click the button on the pop-up, even if you <F1> <F1> Back into the cockpit and use the coordinates as required. Advantages: No outside work. Disadvantages: You can only work one point at a time, which can be very tedious. --- I cannot suggest "The Way". It seems to be somewhat buggy, and if you are willing to use a mod, there is a better solution, IMHO. --- Scratchpad is the github link. Here is the forum thread: In-Game Scratchpad Mod Available - Works Great In VR! It works perfectly, and with the latest update, can insert all kinds of points into your board computers on the click of a button. Not all aircraft are supported with the feature in insert points, but it always works to collect any number of coordinate points on the <F10> map into it's own Scratchpad file, which you can edit in-game as you wish (like using any simple text editor) or between session with any text editor on the Scratchpad files. What more could one want? Oh, did I say that it works brilliantly in VR?!

You may want to keep the notes from one mission to the next. Categorically deleting them could do a great disservice to the user. I know I've often had notes that I used in multiple missions, and it is far easier to edit a text file than all the work it takes to put a kneeboard page in.

Thanks for the reply Vampire. The DCS User Manual says "Required units (blue coalition)" for Service: "FARP, ATC": "APC M1025 HMMWV, FARP Command Post", whereby the M1025 doesn't even exist in DCS anymore (at least I couldn't find one after an hour of searching thru every place I could think to add it), and as I stated above, I already have a FARP Command Post. Just to exhaust all possibilities I added a LUV HMMWV, which is actually for use as FAC, but it at least has a radio. That however did not help, even after I set the radio frequency to 110 MHz AM under advanced commands, even tho frequency and callsign are already set on the FARP itself.

I setup a FARP, gave it a FARP Fuel Depot, a FARP Ammo Storage, 3*FARP Tent, and a FARP Command Post. I set the FARP callsign to London and the frequency to 110 MHz (AM is hardcoded). I cannot for the life of me, get the FARP to communicate with me in my Apache with VHF set to 110 MHz AM. I'd like it to work like any other ATC and also turn the lights on at night that are sticking up out of the FARP all over the place. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Many t(h)anks in advance.

Thanks for all the answers guys! The P-51D was the only thing I flew for nearly four years when I first got into DCS on the 14th of February 2015 .... ahem I know that at one point I wanted to see a winter map and set up a mission in winter. And because I was kind of a purist, of course I did a cold start... a very cold start in this case. And I know I used Oil Dilute, and I recall it having worked, but I'm fairly sure that I didn't have to hold the switch for 2 minutes straight to achieve this. Maybe I need to use a stop watch to get more exact timings

I'm sure you used to hear a pump running if you flipped and held the oil dilute switch upwards. Now I hear nothing. Has anyone else NOT heard this? Also, how long should you have to hold the switch to start to see effects in the oil pressure at an ambient temperature of -5°C? I'm holding it down for like 1 to 2 minutes and only seeing PSI drop from 200 indicated (maybe it's higher, but the indicator only goes up to 200 PSI) to about 175, maybe 150 after the full two minutes. But that seems like it might be more from the engine temperature raising, and not oil dilution.

Has RAZBAM said they would implement turning off the lollipops on the HUD on the Harrier? Both the AV-8B and the F/A-18C use the AN/ALR-67 Radar Warning Receiver. Both are from McDonnell Douglas. Both are procured through the Department of the Navy. In the Hornet you can turn the lollipops off of the HUD by going to a DDI, access the EW page and simply boxing [HUD] and bingo, gone.

Thanks! I'm an idiot. I was thinking Nellis is at about 5000 feet, when it's just below 2000, so I couldn't figure out what I was seeing. Head screwed on properly now Thanks again

All the aircraft altitude settings for waypoints are in feet, but the map only shows meters. I can click on the coordinates to change the formats from DMS, DMSd, MGRS, etc, but clicking on the altitude doesn't change it to feet. Is there a way to change the displayed altitude to feet?

Uuuuuh the Stennis got a new lunchbox