Pocket Sized

Just FYI, the server name has changed to "DCS Server" and the slot count went from 55 to 16. Last night during a restart it didn't come back up after waiting for an hour or so. Could that have something to do with it?

Holy mother of... I can't thank you enough for such an in depth response! Thank you!

I use an X-55 HOTAS with rudder pedals, and usually have a controller used for another game connected to the computer. This is a problem because it means all 4 input devices have lots of bogus default assignments. Some are fine, others not so much. For instance, the throttles override the stick position by default, and if I don't clear all the axis on my unused controller it will override all of my controls. For flight controls in FC3 I plan on using the same assignments for every plane but have to indevidually set each plane up. Is there a way to set a "blanket" profile for every plane in FC3? I would use the X-55's built in profile system but it is really finicky to get working.

I have a moderate amount of experience flying the F-15 and a tiny bit in a free-for-all dogfight. But pretty soon I'm gonna try again on the 104th (first time I went in with a Mig-21... let's not talk about that). I have all the necessary flight controls bound to my X55, but what about weapons? What is most important for me to have at my fingertips? So far I have guns, weapon release, and countermeasures in comfortable places. I have 3 hats and ~5 buttons available. Also, loadouts. Really all I need to know is how the various missiles track and what situations they're good for. Finally, general newbie tips are always appreciated.

I got FC3 last night and spent a bit of time flying the F-15. I absolutely loathe the way it flies "on rails" but understand it's necessary for combat...

You... are probably right, thanks. I realize that the SU-25, A-10, Mig-21, etc. Are all completely different from modern fighters.

For anyone who doesn't know what I'm talking about: AFAIK being at the top of that curve is very important when your life depends on out-maneuvering your target. E: So the only official reference to what I'm talking about is in Russian aircraft... I guess they have it figured out :huh: (Not trying to start anything political)

On every aircraft there is a specific AoA you want to fly for best turn performance. This is indicated by a "donut" in the F-4/14/16, changing beeps in the A-10C, or the yellow band on the Su-25's AoA indicator. The F-15 doesn't appear to have any such indications, which I seriously doubt. I am fully aware of the HUD and gauge AoA indicators but they aren't very useful when you have to keep your eyes outside the cockpit.

Added video to the OP.

So last night I got TrackIR. I played for a few hours on a free flight server to get the hang of it. I went on the 104th and sure enough I'm having the same issues. I know I still have a long way to go, but is being shot down 6-7 times without even seeing the enemy normal? I can't look behind me without sacrificing my flying abilities, and even then I never come close to seeing the bogey. At one point I THINK I ran a missile into a mountain by dumb luck and saw it's trail behind me. If I know somebody is chasing me should I just firewall it and try to lose them? Also, I noticed it's really easy to get close to the enemy by flying through the weeds, would I have any chance at getting a kill if I popped up behind somebody with my radar off? In theory the only warning they'd get (if they don't see me) is when I launch the missile.

Amazing recovery :lol: Also how do you get that control monitor thing? That will be pretty useful for showing how control inputs effect the craft.

As many of you probably know, the mig likes to "lock" in to 36° AoA when the stick is pulled fully back at low speed. The craft is actually controllable and capable of level flight in this state. [This has no practical purpose, it doesn't even lower your effective stall speed] So, here's how you do it: 1. Drop any external stores, you want to be light as possible. 2. Enable the emergency afterburner, it's just in front of the throttle next to the aileron booster. 3. Slow to 500kmh or lower 4. Level wings and allow the ball to center completely 5. Bring the engine to ~80% (better throttle response later on) 6. Yank the stick back fully, hold it there and do not move the ailerons 7. Increase the throttle just enough to light the afterburner 8. Correct for any roll with very small rudder movements, there will be a huge delay between control input and response 9. The ailerons will work but are reversed and the plane reacts very slowly. The rudder is no better nor is it any worse, but it works the right way around. I need to do more testing but I think you could use them together for better control response. Altitude is controlled with throttle, beware that there is very little spare lift. 10. To recover, push the stick fully forward very quickly just long enough to break the stall while pushing the engine to full afterburner. If done correctly there will be no sink during the recovery. 11. Level wings and hold your AoA in the yellow until pucker factor is satisfactorily low And there you go. If you watch the radar altimeter/vertical speed indicator you can do some very impressive low passes. https://youtu.be/s0MCN4O9oMM

I have at least 1000 hours flying my X55, no real problems other than occasionally rubbing petroleum jelly under the spring. Beware, however, many of the hat switches and a few buttons have a very cheap feel. The tactile feedback is fine when pressed is good, but the hat switches in particular like to jiggle around in their center position. Also, if you have small hands the stick can be uncomfortable to the point of being painful at first.

I've tried landing with empty and neary full tanks. Sure enough, I found that it doesn't have any massive effect on how she lands. As far as fuel dumping... yeah the AB does that quite well. One time I was RTB and had loads of fuel left (over 2000L). I fiddled with the afterburner and turned final with 300L left because I like to live dangerously.

I am very much aware of that. (No pun intended) My plan is to get used to squeezing every last drop of info out of anything I see: Contrails, splashes, radar spikes, the killfeed, etc. That way, when I get FC3 my SA will be waaaay better. In theory.

I put quite a few hours in today, I found mountain flying to be equal parts fun and edge-of-my-seat terrifying. Never used the radar because more often than not I would be looking straight at a bogey, turn on the radar, and get a blank screen. (yes it was in standby before turning on) Managed to break 3 or 4 radar locks by ducking behind the nearest mountain, got shot down 3 times, no kills of course... the only thing that bothers me is the fact that I never even got to use countermeasures. Hadwell, how do you usually tell if somebody fired at you? Do you just look for the missile? I'm gonna be getting TrackIR soon so that should make things easier.

Thanks for the tips! I've yet to actually engage an enemy, but I discovered how amazingly fun it is to creep towards the enemy's airbase using mountains as cover. I saw somebody who was probably a bandit but wasn't close enough to IFF them...

I decided to stop putting around on free flight servers and sink my teeth into combat by connecting to the 104th pub. But I soon realized I have no idea what to put on my wings. I've done the training missions and know how to operate the radar, IFF, flare pods, internal gun, and guided missiles. (Personally I prefer SARH) Do you guys have any suggestions for versatile A2A weapons that are easy to use? I don't care if they're not the best... I'm so early in the trial and error process that getting shot down = success. (Which has yet to happen) Additionally, if there is a better server for starting out in combat pls let me know.

The server is going completely nuts right now. It's constantly mass kicking, restarting, etc. It's bad enough that it's nearly impossible to start taxiing before getting kicked. (Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this, but trust me when I say it's really really bad)

I'm considering getting the Mig-21 this weekend and have one concern: In the manual it mentions the maximum landing weight. This can only be adhered to if the plane is carrying no payload and less than ~1000L of fuel. I have no problem with jettisoning unused payload, but what about fuel? Can it be dumped? If not, how long does it take to burn through the internal tank if I just dropped a bag? Also, how strict is this figure? If I'm 500kg overweight am I destined to be another oil streak on the runway? (My first post on the forum, pls tell me if I messed anything up)