JimMack

Come to ITEC 2010 in May and have look at TFC stand B114

I agree that our current ground graphics are not up to ARMA2, but both JTAC and pilot see the same things, and pilots can see at long range, not 10k. See http://www.thebattlesim.com/index.php?end_pos=9&scr=list&lang=en We now also have a "Joint Fires" module that adds artillery.

This was my third LLTM. Even if you do not participate, it is well worth attending as an observer. I guarantee that you will learn a lot.

On another matter, at LLTM we showed a video of the DCS: A-10C work-in-progress. It was a video because I do not travel with alpha code on a laptop - the laptop could get stolen / lost! I asked those who saw it not to take pictures or videos, and this was respected. However, those who saw it are free to post their comments.

Report on LLTM http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=49691

There is an ATC and Ground Controller module available, the German squadrons use it, and it was certainly used at LLTM. Very useful, you can choose to see all, red only, blue only with associated radar and SAM threat coverage. I'll let someone from one of the German squadrons give more details. Pictures of GCI in operation - see here http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=49691

What you saw at LLTM was a previous multiplayer beta of Black Shark and a multiplayer beta patched FC2. What you may not have seen was a 15 minute combat with a reasonably skilled pilot flying an A-10, against an actual very experienced military Lynx pilot flying the Ka-50 (he does have a copy of Black Shark!) - guns only. With real life training, it was very interesting to see the tactics employed by the Black Shark pilot - ridge hopping, dropping into valleys etc. At all times he had great situational awareness of where the A10 was. He actually managed to get some hits on the A-10 by quickly spinning and getting a shot at the departing A-10. The A-10 finally managed to shoot down the Ka-50, - one ridge too far! In practice, helos would not operate in an air threat area without their own air cover. I am sure squadrons will take this into account when they create multiplayer missions with Black Shark and FC2.

Visited a specialist map printer yesterday. Looks like we will need to have a folded map as shipping costs of an oversize tube will be too expensive. Users will have to apply waterproofing to the map themselves so they can write on and then wipe-off. Some techniques can be found here http://www.adventuresportsonline.com/navigationmaps.htm Or do a google search "map waterproofing". Personally I have previously applied a thin film on an A0 size map, but will do tests on this much larger map. It is still "work-in-progress"

The dimensions are 1070mm x 1400mm, which is a non-industry size. We are in discussions with map printing companies to discuss the optimum mix: Lowest printing cost Best format to reduce shipping costs (worlwide delivery of a rolled map in an oversize tube is very expensive). Please wait until we have resolved these issues, and IGORMK has finished the map!

We did think about the option of delaying the release of FC2 until we had patched DCS to be compatible. However, we felt that would not be fair to LOMAC/Flaming Cliffs owners, who have been waiting for so long for FC2.

Simulators teach you switchology - how to start up, emergency procedures etc. They do not teach you how to fly. You have to learn to fly in a real aircraft or helo. Simulators can assist in converting from one type to another. For instance, the pilots who fly the aircraft in The Fighter Collection. They have probably 1000+ hours in commercial/military aircraft. They then spend about 100 hours in a T6 Harvard - dual control WW2 trainer. If they pass, they can fly a Spitfire etc. Mind you, in 1940, UK pilots with only 40 hours on a Tiger Moth, were given 6 hours on a Spitfire, and then went into battle. Most were killed within the first 5 sorties. But it was war.

Bug is known and will be fixed.

FC2 checks if LOMAC is present, an Ubisoft requirement. If LOMAC is present, the FC2 install will install without a problem. If LOMAC is not present, FC2 will not install with a message that it can not find LOMAC>

You might find IRONHAND's videos useful http://flankertraining.com/ironhand/a2g.htm

Thanks, I'll find out who their shipper is. However the problem is that the tube will have to be 110 cm long, and the standard shipping tube size is 90 cms. Once you go over 90 cms, it is categorised as a parcel by Royal Mail, UPS, etc and costs increase greatly.

BeachAV8R - should you now be learning to change nappies, instead of flying combat missions! Congrats and an excellent read.

We do not consider you are breaking any law. What we are trying to explore is how to provide users with a 1:500,000 map that is of an appropriate size, and for which the average user will not have access to a printer that can print such a large scale map. In addition, the map creator will be adding much more information than is available in a screen dump of F10. If the community is not interested, then no problem, but let me know. I'll then go back to testing DCS:A10C!

That is a decision for the map creator, who is currently away until next week.

We have no more Flaming Cliffs manual left in stock. We are discussing with printers the printing of the FC2 manual. As soon as we have news about availability and price, I will make a post.

Actually - not a problem. Just unfold the map.

Tried that option, no luck, map is non-standard size

We may have to move to a PLAN B. The shipping costs for an unfolded map in a cardboard tube are ridiculous, as UK to USA = $60! The problem is that shipping costs are related to volume, not just weight. I am meeting a specialised map printer next week to discuss a folded 1:500,000 map. The shipping costs for this will be very much lower. I will post when I have more information.

This is a known problem that is being investigated