Viktor_UHPK

Dear Belsimtek, thank you for talking to your customers. This is fantastic news. I'd like to suggest a feature for multi crew: Cyclic position via force feedback Many of us helicopter pilots are using force feedback sticks, as it is the only affordable way to simulate the feeling of a helicopter cyclic with magnetic brake / force trim. The idea for multi crew would be to synchronize the pilot monitoring's (slave) stick with the pilot flying's cyclic (master). While only working one way (master -> slave) it would make change of controls easier. The second advantage would be the possibility to learn from a more experianced pilot by keeping your hand on the control or just watching it move.

Hey Imp, HF radios indeed are long range devices. Making use of the atmosphere they can "follow" the curvature of the earth and connect stations far beyond the line of sight. On the other hand, they can be a bit tricky to set up correctly. Depending on the time of day, you'll have to chose different frequencies and call in several times until you finally reach someone who understands you. Speech quality is usually pretty bad, with lot's of noise and distortion. I've had several situations in real life where there would simply be no response on "Stockholm radio" (commercial aviation service channel), despite correct setting of the radio equipment. That's why datalink and satcom have become a great help for airliners over the north atlantic. So for the real life part. I'm curious about what the others have to say about usage of HF radios in DCS.

When working in the FPL page I can not return to the NAV pages. I have to restart the unit to make it work again.

As long as the database is accessible, it would be possible to create different scenarios, missions and campaigns with preset restricted and prohibited areas. How about a no-fly zone during humanitarian missions? These preset zones could be mentioned in the briefing package and announced during the mission by ATC. Where's your imagination? Now, SIDs, STARs and approaches are already simulated. So what's your problem here? The main focus lies on approaches. But SIDs and STARs are great as well. In real life I have flown STARs and even Transitions on light types during flight training. FL150? - No, 5000ft!

For the Caucasus map: - Navdata obviously is out of date (which is ok for me) - Landmarks are missing - only very few approaches / SIDs / STARs available - one example of missing data: Adler / Sochi URSS airport. It's neither a small airfield nor a closed one.

I have managed to add a standard instrument departure (SID) to URSS (Adler Sochi) airport. /DCS World/Mods/aircraft/NS430/Cockpit/Scripts/avionics/terrain/aptdb/U/ Here you'll find all airports that feature approach/arrival/departure procedures. However I was not able to add or modify waypoints or airports. Maybe someone else can? Greetings, Viktor

The software already offers everything you need to use it as flight management system. Some departures / arrivals / approaches are already there. It would just need a database update. This could be done by the users as well. It just needs an open architecture / accessible database. Do I want to fly a STAR out of FL120 with the Mi-8? Probably not. But flying an NDB approach with RNAV overlay makes sense. As for the moving map / landmarks: The real unit offers those but they can be switched on / off in the menu. And yes, the original unit is not a "huge glass cockpit" but still offers those possibilities. I've spent around 150 hours using these devices in real life and I find them very helpful in older "steam gauge" cockpits. Landmarks are very useful. And again, this is just about a database. The programming obviously is already done. About restricted / prohibited areas: Take a look at modern conflicts like Georgia or Ukraine. Aircraft returning from their mission and entering friendly airspace can not do what ever the want to. It's not Vietnam. It's not total war. ;) Again, this is only about the database. The display capability is already there.

Also, I would like to suggest, adding a CDI instrument somewhere on the flightdeck. This would allow easier tracking of the flightplan. Something like this. As the COMM / VLOC part of the GNS430 does not work in the Mi-8 /L-39, I also suggest to free up space on the display and create a Garmin GNS400 instead. It's basically the same unit - but without COM/ VLOC functions and knobs.

Dear developers, I highly appreciate your decision to create this addon. It's a great GPS device and can be used as a simple moving map or as sophisticated flight management system. I have used it in both roles in real life. To support the development I bough it, knowing it is not a finished project. The first test revealed that both IFR and VFR capability are quite limited at the moment. I'm missing most departure, arrival and approach procedures for a proper instrument flight. Airspaces and restricted / prohibited areas are not showing. As for the simple "moving map" - cities, roads and rivers are missing. I've set up the map to show this data but that didn't change anything. So, my questions to you is: what kind of navigational database is used here? (date / AIRAC) May we expect an update? May we expect an updated VFR database as well? Greetings, Viktor

@104th_Money Yes, you can do that kind of stuff with the Mi-8. Low fuel, no cargo, no weapons, no extra crew. And you can fly a B787 like a fighter jet .

Thank you, Sokol. Would you make a drawing of your idea? I don't quite understand. Greetings, Viktor

Well, I never said I was not a real pilot. Understanding turbine engines and aerodynamics and being able to interpret operating handbooks helps a lot. Other than that I know Russian language well enough to read books on the topic and talk to type rated Mi-8 pilots.

And yes, it's fun trying stuff in the sim. And you can achieve all kinds of results - but that doesn't necessarily mean this would work in real life. Then again, everyone has a different approach to simulations.

Squirrel, I think you got a few things mixed up there: 1. Engine RPM varies depending on the torque demand. That's just how gas turbines work: low torque / power demand -> low RPM. high demand -> high rpm. 2. Yes, there are good reasons not to add "lots of power suddenly". Gas turbines can surge and stall, when their operational limits are exceeded. And by that loose power immediately. 3. You don't need to get into VRS to get a blade stall. Try flying faster than Vne and you'll get a (retreating) blade stall. I suggest you try the following: 100m height, maximum weight, maximum speed. Now, reduce collective pitch down to zero. You'll notice the engine rpm decreasing down to 70%. Keep altitude by pulling on the cyclic. Once you reach 70km/h, quickly add collective pitch up to 7-9°. You'll see, the engine won't be able to keep up with the torque demand and only rev up slowly, while the rotor RPM may drastically decrease. This is, when you end up in a blade stall. In order to maintain airflow and lift at high rotor pitch, you need a high forward speed of the rotor. But with the rotor RPM decreasing rapidly you end up in a blade stall.

Well, the Mi-8 is meant to be flown gently, not like an agile attack helicopter. Killing speed with very low collective pitch will bring the engine RPM down to minimum. Then passing 50-70km/h lift is lost drastically, which requires a quick increase in rotor pitch. The engines - being in the low power regimes - can't "keep up" with the torque demand which leads to a blade stall and either a hard landing or a crash.

Guys, see page one for a video tutorial.

Sounds really great! I'm looking forward to that video! Greetings, Viktor

Okey, this is what I have found in the manual: The last sentence basically says that, once the trim button is pushed, the force is "removed" instantly. So I guess, pressing the the trim button and releasing it right away should also instantly give you a new "center spring" position. Molevitch, does that work with your setup? Maybe you could make a video of that? Once again - fantastic project! I'm already thinking about something similar. :)

Dear Molevitch, fantastic work! I've read everything here twice! One question has remained: Will the trimmer also work momentarily? Meaning: recenter by a single short push of the trim button? Greetings, Viktor

I'm sorry folks. I have found it in the current Mi-8 manual. No more help needed. :)

Greetings everyone! I'm presently working on a Mi-8 training video on the topic of sling loading. It's not about mission setup but about the different flight regimes with external load. It's supposed to be a comprehensive guide. If you are interested, here's my first training video (on a different topic): I don't know much about mission editing, but I have managed to create a mission, where I can pick up a cargo with the sling. My flight engineer guides me in and all works well. But I can't find a way to create a drop off zone, where my flight engineer "talks me in". Is that possible without a lot of scripting? If not, can someone create a very basic mission, which shows me how to do it? I have already searched the forum but only found very complex stuff. Please don't get me wrong - but I don't want to waste days or weeks learning scripting. I'd rather do what I'm good at: creating nice training videos. :) Help is very much appreciated. Viktor

Hallo guys and thank you for the kind words! Smoothness on the flight controls of course is practice but to a great extend also depending on your hardware. In my opinion, the choppers in DCS are hard to fly without FFB / springless sticks. Rudel, that's a great topic you have chosen. However I think I'm not proficient enough at that yet. I will look into it though. Your idea with the flight controls is great. I need to find a way to implement it but maintain a good "uncluttered" image. Greetings, Viktor

Dear helicopter pilots, I'd like to introduce you to my first Mi-8 training video: "wide rectangle pattern". It's the first I have created so far and I'll be happy about any feedback. Would you like more of this kind? Any special topics on this type of helicopter? "Wide rectangle pattern" "Helicopter cyclic stick behaviour explained" "Quick and efficient GNS430 moving map setup!" Edit: New Video available. "Surviving engine failure, a comprehensive guide" Greetings, Viktor

Greetings! I suggest to implement the possibility of a "shared stick" via force feedback in multicrew. Provided, they are equipped with FFB, both users could feel the movement of the stick and perform inputs simultaneously. This would be useful mostly for teaching purpose: by showing the right stick movement and feeling the other ones' inputs. Both in airplanes, such as the L-39, and in helicopters.

Nice work, Falcoblu!