Lace

If you want to fly the Kiowa then buy the Kiowa. There are plenty of other modules which haven't seen an update in years which are still more than useable. If it is likely to be discontinued in the future then all the more reason to buy it now. It isn't my favourite helicopter (the Gazelle is, another Polychop product) but it is a good module and fun to fly and mostly complete and bug free (as much as any DCS module can be).

Thanks @Rudel_chw

My solution would be to open a mission which already features this and copy the trigger. @Rudel_chw Are these commands listed anywhere? It would be great to know this stuff.

You'd be better specifying an altitude rather than a height anyway as RADAR works line of sight. It does not 'know' the height of the features below the transmitter.

A few times I've punched out and ended up in an interesting part of the map (usually close to my target) and fancied a little explore. The problem is my pilot strolls around casually without a care in the world, no sense of urgency or self preservation instinct to get away from the enemy forces which are no doubt closing in on him. Can we hurry him up a bit? It takes forever to get anywhere currently.

Use an incremental flag. When in zone increase flag 1 by 1 When above set altitude increase flag 1 by 1 When flag 1 = 2 then Group Activate SA10

Guys, you are all fixating on the wrong issue. Sure hardware can make things nicer, even more realistic, but in no way does anyone need to spend $$$s just to fly a helicopter in DCS. I'm sure I've said before but I spend a lot of time away from home and this is where I do most of my DCS flying. My main input device is an Xbox controller. Even with this it is perfectly capable of fine control and helicopter flight. I'm always wary that people believe the barriers of entry to DCS are too high, and this is reinforced when threads like this turn into recommendations for expensive hardware. The crux of the matter is this - helicopter flight requires the correct anticipation and coordinated input of the three main controls. They way to improve is simply practice. Lots of practice.

More excited that the Jaguar features on their 'Simulation' section too...

I'd love a UK map, but I'd prefer the other end, covering the GIUK gap. Lossie/Kinloss in the south, Keflavik in the west. Oh and a FF Buccaneer to go with it. It would also be great if the CWG map was extended to East Anglia for Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Bentwaters, Woodbridge, Marham, Coltishall etc.

The principle difference between fixed and rotary wing flying is that a fixed wing aircraft will, without any input from the pilot fly perfectly well all by itself in most circumstances. A helicopter requires constant inputs, and not only that, each control input has second and third order effects which need to be countered. This is the trick. At first you will be reacting to each effect but with time you will learn to anticipate the required corrections and without even thinking you will move cyclic, collective and rudder (anti-torque) pedals as one. Some of the best youtube videos I have seen are by vsTerminus - YouTube - these are mostly Mi-8 but the principle is the same, and importantly, the main rotor rotation is the same as the Gazelle (unlike the American stuff which turn the opposite way confusing things further - don't try to learn the Huey and Gazelle at the same time!). Helicopters require a lot of practice but once it clicks they will start to feel more natural. The beauty of DCS means you can have as many tries as you need, without expensive repair or hospital bills!

@twistking Very well said. I'd add that with the best intentions, real-world tactics designed to keep pilots alive and to prevent the loss of expensive toys just doesn't translate well to a 'game' with no real disincentive for death or loss of asset. Perhaps if each online player had one 'life' per week (or even month) it would encourage more realistic tactics and execution of missions, rather than just Leeroy*-ing into the furball every time. If people want realism, then dead should mean dead.

I like the idea of a virtual squadron carrying out semi-realistic PvE missions, however, the main obstacle for me is the inability to commit to a particular mission push time, or to stay connected for several hours at a time. Perhaps this is something to save for retirement, or at least until the children have moved on. At the moment SP suits my needs, and the EDDCE will (hopefully) provide much of what I am looking for without relying on MP servers. I also don't like the fact that some groups require additional software/apps like Discord or SRS, rather than just using the integrated comms. I have zero interest in PvP 'Air-Quake' with unrealistic respawns, instant rearming, air starts, etc.

I'd love to see some retro liveries, as I'm sure many of us will also use the J as a stand-in for other older models, even if not strictly accurate.

I could list 1000 units we 'really need' for realism. The sad truth is that 99.9% of them will never make it into the game.

Given the obvious detail to the cargo bay, cargo physics etc, how comparable is the performance (particularly in VR) to other modules? What feedback can you share that has been received from the early testers?

Worth a listen. Some interesting info there.

Does anyone know if the new air-dropping is a DCS core feature or proprietary ASC thing embedded in the module? Are we likely to see it incorporated into the CH-47, or AI DC-3, IL-76, C-17 etc? Also, will the cargo be functional or just cosmetic? Will dropping ammunition actually provide a rearming function in the same way placing ground logistics vehicles does?

Looks great. A nice surprise about the MC-130 too. Some great new mission profiles to practice with this pair.

Is that not the JFS winding down?

Yep. Some sort of Franken-Lynx which can do anti-tank, light transport, recce, ASW etc. would be a great addition.

After some digging I found a _backup.001 folder in my DCS install, which contained 227GB of terrains, which are normally installed via aliases on another drive. Anyway, after deleting this it loaded up as normal, both in VR and Pancake.

Of course. So do I. But I also want the capabilities they bring. I enjoy doing IMC terrain following in the F-15E. but not because it is an F-15E necessarily. I like the variety of mission profile as much as the variety in aircraft type.

One easy fix for me would be to add LANTIRN to the Viper. At least then we have an all-weather low-level strike capability again, at least until the Tornado (or eventually maybe F-111 or A-6?). Another 'easy' one is to develop the F-35B to replace the Harrier - if it is a good enough replacement for the USMC and RAF/FAA then it is good enough for ED. A lot of the work will be done already for the 'A'. Personally I'd prefer a GR3 which would be great for Germany and the Falklands, but not many other places, and that would be a big project.

Yes, the ME is not difficult to use and is well worth investing the time. And by using a few random flags it is fairly simple to incorporate an element of uncertainty to your own missions allowing surprises and re-playability. The vast majority of my flying is on missions I have made myself and it will probably remain that way, at least until the DCE is available.

Indeed. In the meantime, enjoy them while you can!