Chops

What is the width of the whole pedal unit? (The distance from one side to the other). My CH Pedals are about 13" across and I am looking for something that is of similar size.

I would like to bind the control button shown in the attached picture of the Constellation Alpha Prime grip, to be used as a view button in DCS when flying in 2D (monitor only). My old CH Products Fighter Stick had a hat switch that I used for this function and DCS actually mapped it automatically. I could use the switch to look up, down, left, right and all points in between very easily. My old Fighter Stick had more functionality than this Alpha Prime. I have read the manual for the Alpha Prime, however, it does not describe the names of the buttons on the stick or how to map buttons in a situation such as this. DCS doesn't seem to recognize this button when I try to map it to view controls. I also tried to map an axis to button within the Virpil Software but was not successful. Any ideas on how I can use this button as a view control?

I have the T-50CM3 Base and the threaded connectors for the grip are metal.

I noticed when reading through a lot of posts on the subject of idle/cutoff settings, that a lot of people had to go into the Axis Tune settings within DCS and make complicated adjustments to Saturation and other settings. I didn't do this, so am wondering why my setup is apparently working ok. Any ideas?

@imacken I appreciate the help and suggestions. In case anyone is interested here is how I got the CM3 Throttle idle/cutoff and afterburner setup in DCS for the F/A-18C: So, I started over and created a new profile and calibrated the axes in the VPC software, then I followed the @imacken guide dated April 5, 2022 Below are the screenshots of my VPC software configuration for idle/cutoff and afterburner -

Here are the screens you requested. Thanks for the help. In the configuration shown below, the afterburner in the F18 works great, and the only thing I did was enter Detent 2 as 67%. However, I can't get the idle function to work at all.

@imacken Whew.....after a lot of time and effort, I finally got to Step 1 - L. However I don't see anything showing 2 new buttons, and I am not really understanding this logical to physical button mapping thing.

I am now trying to configure the CM3 Throttle for the DCS F/A-18C. I am using the warthog detents, and now trying to figure out the software. @imacken I found a post where you outlined the process of configuring the Virpil software for idle/cutoff and afterburner. It looks like your post is about a year old. Do you have an updated guide? I was reading the first few steps (1C, 1D) and can't even find these settings in the software so I am not making much progress. Virpil's manuals really don't seem to be very helpful as far as using the software. In the screenshot attached, under the Source heading there are 6 items listed. Do I need to calibrate the VPC_Sens or VPC_Stick ? Edit: Looks like rX is Left Throttle, rY is Right Throttle, and rZ is the lever on the right side of the Throttle. I am guessing that I need to calibrate rX and rY which are VPC_Sens, rather than the X and Y VPC_Stick.

Thanks for the responses. I am disappointed that I failed to order a desk mount for my new CM3 base with my original order. Had to place a new order today and guess I won't be able to use the new base and stick for another couple of months. In case anyone has the same questions about the tools required; here is what I have found so far: For cams and springs in the base - 3 mm allen wrench (also called Hex) 4 mm allen wrench For detents on the throttle - 2.5 mm allen wrench Adjust throttle tension - 10 mm open end wrench (also called spanner) Desk Mount Adapter - 4 mm allen wrench 8 mm open end wrench 10 mm open end wrench Mount throttle to desk mount - 4 mm allen wrench

I just received the Constellation Alpha Prime, 50CM3 base, 50CM3 throttle, desk mount V4-S, and Desk mount V2/V3/V4 Adapter I had to wait 3 months for delivery of my items, which as you know are very expensive. I placed my order at the end of November 2022. My first impressions are not good so far. The online video reviews of these products that I watched prior to purchase, indicated that they come with the allen wrenches and other wrenches needed to configure and adjust the base and throttle. Unfortunately, Virpil did not include any tools and did not provide a list of the tools and sizes needed. I was told by Virpil that they no longer provide the necessary tools. Does anyone know the types and sizes of tools that I will need to change cams, springs, and detents? Also, I failed to order a desk mount for the CM3 base. Virpil said that it could be another month to get a new desk mount for the base. Does anyone know other manufacturers that provide desk mounts or base mounts that work with the CM3 base? I am hoping to find another solution more quickly. Are there any base plates for the CM3 base available like the Warbird base? I was thinking that I might just mount it flat on my desk, and drill holes to secure it, however I need some sort of base plate that will attach to the CM3 base. I asked Virpil if they could give me a discount if I purchased another desk mount and rudder pedals, and they said no. It seems to me that would be appropriate considering the situation I outlined above. Thanks if you can provide some assistance.

I have noticed the same issue with the aircraft wandering all over the place while using Route Mode in the training mission "Enroute Navigation Training". This mission is a hot start on the runway. My track file was to large to upload.

Thanks for the suggestions. As shown in my track file attached to my post above; when I press and hold the trim button for the first time in the flight the aircraft will pitch down. I am not releasing the pitch trim until the aircraft is stabilized so it is not an issue of centering the stick. Later in the flight when pressing and releasing the trim button, maybe I am not centering the stick quickly enough.

I am having difficulty trimming the BS3. I am using Instant Trim (default) with no rudder trim. In the attached track, after takeoff I make a 180 degree turn and then attempt to trim the aircraft. I hold the trim button down and don't release it until I am stabilized with zero on the vertical velocity indicator. However, as soon as I hold the trim button down the helicopter pitches down as shown in the track. A bit later after getting stabilized, I press and release the trim button, but the helicopter pitches up. In other flights sometimes the aircraft will pitch down significantly after pressing the trim button. Additionally, it will bank left or right even after stabilizing the aircraft with zero bank. What am I missing here? BS3 Trim Issue.trk

Flappie and I did some testing of Voice Chat. It did not work in the F/A-18C for either one of us. We tested it in the F-16 and it did work for me, but not him. So not sure what the problem is and we are still troubleshooting. I did not have to open any new ports in my router or firewall. Edit: I should clarify that it does work in the F-18 in room mode for both of us, but we could not get it to work in radio mode. The F-16 worked in both room mode and radio mode for me.

Is it really necessary to open TCP and UDP port 10309 on my router for Voice Chat to work? Do these ports also have to be opened in Windows Firewall? I can't hear my own voice or receive incoming voices in Voice Chat.

The attached track shows both issues - ACLS Mode 1 not working with wingmen, and weird wingmen behavior when landing on the super carrier. After landing on the carrier, almost immediately two AI wingmen aircraft were present stopped on the runway behind me. They seemed to be teleported to the deck. One of them pulled up and crashed into me as I was taxiing off the runway. I ejected at that point. Not sure if the attached track will show this problem correctly, since there are still ongoing bugs and issues with watching tracks. F-18C ACLS 4.trk

F-18 Training 08.miz

I think that I have figured out my No. 2 issue posted above. Mode 1 hands-free ACLS does not seem to work when wingmen are present in the mission. I have tested this issue on different maps. When flying as a single aircraft, Mode 1, CMD CNT and CPL P/R work correctly and the aircraft will land hands-free. Also, with wingmen in a mission I have seen weird behavior such as two AI aircraft landing one behind the other on the carrier deck, so that two aircraft are present on the runway. Additionally wingmen will taxi into the player aircraft on the runway. I am using the most current open beta version and the super carrier. The missions that I have been flying to test these issues were created by myself in the mission editor. So it looks like two bugs are present. I have a track of the ACLS issues included in my above post, but did not save a track with the wingmen issues. Maybe someone else can confirm these findings.

Ok, interesting that CPL TCN is not used in the stack, seems like good technique to maintain correct lateral guidance just like in a holding pattern. Regarding my second issue, any insight on why i can't get hands-free P/R to activate?

Thanks for the information. Is this functionality documented anywhere? I was unable to find information about this in the Manual, and Matt Wagner's video did not explain this in depth. Why does CPLD HDG mode want to send the aircraft in the wrong direction? Is there a way to activate CPLD TCN mode so that I can intercept the inbound course to the carrier? I already have TCN boxed on the HSI.

I have two issues when flying a Case III instrument approach using ACLS in hands-off, Mode 1. 1. First problem is when entering the marshal stack. I was instructed by Air Traffic Control to marshal on the 173 degree radial at 23 DME from the carrier. So I setup my tacan with the 353 degree radial for the inbound course to the carrier. I flew a heading to intercept the 353 radial, and when I was about 2 miles from the 353 radial I turned on autopilot CPL mode to intercept the radial. That worked fine, and the course was intercepted by the autopilot and I was established on the 353 radial inbound to the carrier. At 23 DME I went to heading mode and did a left, 180 degree course reversal to a heading of 173, and started flying outbound in the holding pattern. After several minutes of flying outbound I turned left to a heading of about 030 to intercept the 353 degree radial inbound to the carrier once again in preparation for commencing the approach. Once again within about 2 miles of the inbound course I turned on autopilot CPL mode to intercept the 353 radial, however, this is where I encountered a problem and possible bug. In CPL mode the autopilot turned the aircraft outbound toward 173 degrees (which is not correct) rather than intercepting the course and proceeding inbound on the 353 degree radial (as it did correctly when I first entered the Marshal Stack). 2. The second problem is that I can never get ACLS Mode 1 to activate. When I turn on Auto Throttle (ATC) and autopilot CPL at 6.0 DME from the carrier, the Mode 1 CPL P/R never activates. The Link 4 page shows ACL ready Mode 1, and it never goes to CMD CNT. The HUD always shows CPL HDG and the aircraft never automatically flies the glideslope hands-free to touchdown on the carrier. If I stay hands-free the aircraft will end up crashing into the ocean. I have attached a TRK file to show both of the issues mentioned above. F-18C ACLS 3.trk

Thanks for the info. Yes this is a mission I set up on the Nevada map. I also created a mission on the Marianas map prior to posting here and did exactly as you said. I added zero's however it put the target point in the ocean, so I figured I was doing something incorrectly. My understanding is the Apache requires 8 digits. I will try this again on the Nevada map.

I have been trying to use a JTAC to lase targets for the hellfire with no success. I created a target point using the coordinates that the JTAC gave me, however the coordinates are in the following format: PB645283. How can I convert those coordinates into something that can be entered into the Apache TSD?

Thanks, I figured this out a while ago. That was the issue; the Documents folder was not writable.

I have read through the Tacview support pages, uninstalled and re-installed Tacview, however the software will not record DCS flights. I have the Tacview Advanced 64-bit with a license. My DCS log file is attached. It shows error code 29 associated with Tacview, but not sure what this means. TacView DCS Log.txt