Lace

Another thing I have found is that with some of the cheaper Microsoft XBox controller clones is that DCS does not recognise the 'Back' or 'Start' button pushes, which I use as modifiers, therefore massively reducing their usefulness.

Fair enough, then make it an option as suggested above along with the metric/imperial option.

DCS is a sandbox for that very reason. Just because something is not done IRL, it doesn't mean you can't have fun doing it in DCS.

Indeed.

Fully aware, been at sea for 21 years now.

Honestly? I have no idea, and it worries me slightly that when I do come to upgrade I'm not going to see a commensurate increase in performance. There are times when my system struggles, and I don't fly MP which obviously has a big impact, but I'm not on minimum settings, and still get what I would consider 'acceptable' results with my Rift S. I don't do FPS counting so can't give you figures. I'm sure if I went back to flat-screen the settings could be wound back up a bit. It seems inexplicably that DCS just seems to like certain combinations of hardware better than others, as there are lots of examples on here of people with high-spec systems getting low-spec performance. I'm definitely on the limit here - I can't fly the Hind in Marianas for instance, but for me the MiG-21 is one of the best performing (smoothness) modules. The Spitfire is also fine for me. Out of interest, is your system home built or big-name manufacturer?

Swell modelling is absolutely needed for realistic carrier deck movement. Whitecaps for window dressing, swell for pitching and rolling decks.

So one-man air force then? I'd put money on that loadout never seeing real-world use. I'm not telling anyone how to play DCS, to each their own, but personally I would consider that at least two separately tasked flights of two, if not more. i.e. two HARM-shooters, two CBU cleanup. Not sure the LGBs would be even necessary after that, but if high scores are your thing then crack on.

OP, lower your settings. Go to minimum if you have to. Sure it won't look as nice, but I can fly VR on a 1070M. I'm not sure for how much longer, as each new iteration of the game chips away at my framerate, but it is still hanging in there. I have promised myself an upgrade in the new year though, it will be nice to enjoy some of that eye candy.

It's not often that you find randomly mashing buttons will fix the issue. Try TMS Aft, or CZ on the MFD. If that doesn't work the manual has a good section on the TGP, and Chuck's guides are written in a very accessible manner. If you prefer videos Wags has a playlist of Viper training videos which demonstrates the use of the TGP.

It would be nice if there was a DCS Wiki somewhere, a list of ground units, weapons, air assets etc. Like the encyclopaedia function, but web based. So the info could be accessed without launching DCS. When at work daydreaming about mission building for instance... I know a lot of the information can be sourced elsewhere, but that takes a lot of trawling, and will not necessarily be 'correct' with reference to DCS.

Flying (RL) and cycling are summer hobbies, deer stalking and indoor gym are winter hobbies. DCS is a 24/7, 365 hobby.

Really? What threat environment? What target? Why on earth would you carry that loadout? Perhaps I'm missing something.

I just hope they fix all the bugs with October and November first.

A manual workaround could be to map a modifier button (maybe IFF OUT or IFF IN on the cougar throttle, or paddle switch on the stick) which swaps the RDR Cursor X axis for rudder control, this leaves aileron control unfettered for dealing with crosswinds and allows rudder operation with the throttle hand.

Perhaps, but then there would have to be one credible example of when 'wind to' is ever actually used IRL. Since the weather and ATC systems are both undergoing an overhaul this would be the perfect time to fix it.

It is really the only way which makes sense. There is no confusion or mental maths required if the wind in the METAR/TAF/ATC clearance matches the runway in use.

I don't think the range effects the accuracy, you are either in range or you are not. That said, I only release at maximum if it is necessary to maintain separation from a threat, otherwise I will give it a little extra margin by waiting until further into the LAR, just in case. Does anyone know - are the release parameters dictated by forecast winds or measured winds? Or an arbitrary worst-case (i.e 40kt headwind).

IIRC Falcon 3.0 had a Panama map. Quite a versatile option for COIN, peer/near peer, CV ops, etc.

I think people approach loadouts in the wrong way. Instead of just thinking MOAAAR GBU!!!1!, perhaps present a use case where a mission objective dictates a requirement to carry 12x GBU. People say they want realism, but then try to fly completely unrealistic ops.

Actually, sometimes it is. The Pacific is so named for a reason, I've done many crossings in glassy conditions (and a few in rougher states). Point is, both calm and rough conditions are realistic, and we should be able to specify in the ME, just like the atmospheric conditions.

I'm of the exact opposite opinion. My old genuine Microsoft XBox controller also sees the LT RT as separate axis. This allows full travel on each one, so left and right wheel brakes can be mapped, each side can be modified to TGP zoom, RADAR elevation etc, with full axis travel and single finger operation. I use the left stick X axis as rudder, which does work as a single axis. I have tried other controllers (RAZER, XBox clones) and found the common trigger axis was less customisable for DCS and returned or binned them. So you may consider it a short straw, but I see it as a better design implementation, and one I actively seek out in a controller.

+1 Sea states are affected by many factors, not just winds. Some long rolling swells in deep water would add some more realism to the water conditions.

Flying combat jets is a full time job for some people. It is not easy, it is something which requires lots of learning which in an air arm or air force is built methodically, in stages, with clear objectives and standards at each stage. There is a reason (well, several actually) why they don't just thrown ab initio pilots into F/A-18Cs. First they need to learn to fly an aircraft, and navigate, deal with emergencies, and communicate. Fly at night, in formation and in bad weather, and then all three at the same time. Then they would learn to fly aircraft with complex systems and a wide performance envelope. They will learn tactics, enemy capabilities and their tactics. And they will practice, and study, and be assessed along the way. All before reaching a pointy-nosed combat aircraft seat. The point is that even playing this as a game, you are not going to pick it up in five minutes (or even two months). I'm not saying it is as hard as doing it for real, but if you want to fly like a pro, then you need to think like a pro. We are lucky in DCS (from a student pilot POV) in that the comms is non-existent really, and there are no consequences for not meeting the standard (i.e. crashing), we can control the weather and rarely have equipment failures or emergencies to deal with. This means we can spend more time on the other aspects of operating an aircraft, like weapons employment, combat tactics and carrier ops. Break it down in to manageable chunks. If you are struggling with navigation, then plan a simple mission with a route to follow, with large easily recognised landmarks. Mix in some magenta line waypoint nav, with some dead-reckoning (at this point I fly at heading xxx for xx NM at xxx Knots to arrive at the next point at a certain time). When you are more confident try some RNAV stuff. See if you can find an airfield using a TACAN beacon, and then fly an ILS approach. Do this in the daytime, and then do it at night. When you can do that well, move onto the next thing. Crawl, walk, run. Burning holes in the sky is fun, but it won't make you a better sim pilot. Structure and deliberate learning outcomes will.

Indeed. If I were a betting man I'd be going MiG-29A, but I'd love to see a barn door airbrake and a low pig-like snout appearing through the darkness.