salsantana

This A-4 Skyhawk thing has been badgering me...... it's on my "surprise myself" list; for such a relatively small vehicle, the cockpit is incredibly, densely complex. I grew up directly across Severn River from US Naval Academy; my father had the great fortune of being stationed at the Academy his entire 20 years in the Navy. I spent grades 1-3 at the Naval Academy Primary School, 1963-1966. My bus stop was in front of the USNA Chapel, where on display were an F-4 Phantom and an A-4 Skyhawk. We'd climb into the engine cavities, wishing we could find a way into the cockpits I'm not sure if those relics are still on display at the Academy, but for many years there's been an F-18 in Blue Angels livery at the US Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis. The sheer size of any of the fighter/attack class planes is awesome...... I wonder if the propulsion system or weapons accommodation is the primary reason...... either way it's a long way down from cockpit. In those years, both the Phantom and Skyhawk were the beasts of choice of the Blue Angels. The Phantoms' dual-engine thunder was absolutely awesome, especially in their full-blast climbs in formation....... but the agility of the Skyhawk was equally thrilling to watch. I was lucky to have seen 20+ years of Blue Angels evolution; the existence of this Skyhawk model is a piece of dream come true Therefore, BIG thanks!!!! I am curious as to the highest common denominator 3D software used in generation of such materiel as statics, and/or details on aircraft, etc.? I'm going to presume Blender.....(?)

Jef, if you happen upon this request, can you indicate where/how in the mission editor to tune the laser reliability? I'll be scoping for it momentarily; if I discover it I'll certainly post. Thanks for any pointers.

Hello Foka, you mentioned "one text file to edit"....... any chance you could name that file and where to find it? I presume it's an .lua file? I'd like to create a default cockpit setup so MAV is back on right MFD and TGP back on left MFD. Since the topic here is MFD-related, I wonder if there's any way to adjust the size of the mouse cursor in cockpit? My display is 3840x2160; for whatever reason I find it quite difficult to even see the cockpit mouse cursor, adding a lot of tedium to repetitive tasks.

As posted elsewhere, I'd like to see access to fixing retention time for laser code in use. It currently appears the system requires manual entry on a per-weapon basis? Once you've fired both Mavericks, for example, you have to reenter the codes if you're using unlimited weapons in practice sessions.

I've got just enough coding savvy to know it's probable that my recent (big stride) upgrade of World 2.5 to OpenBeta is the reason for this, but the improvements to the flight performance of the Huey are fantastic. Seriously, while I am working with a very aged Logitech Extreme 3D Pro stick, I'd regretted having bought this module. The guru-caliber suggestion of Bignewy definitely was worth all effort; the improvements dedicated to this module actually make the Huey a pleasure to fly, despite the slop in the stick. ALSO improved, if not just repaired, is the camera performance for each door gunner, which previously made them essentially unusable....... the camera invariably getting gimbal lock. Just sayin'...... thanks for the attention to this aircraft, also looking VERY forward to access to its Apache kinfolk.

May I add a relevant question, instead of creating new topic? The laser code retention time seems essentially 0, once having deployed each LG weapon......... do you have to reenter the laser code after each use; is there a way to have a fixed automatic default code throughout flight?

Regarding the F18c nosewheel activation, I too recently had some issue with the "S" key; good to find LeCuvier's post about the weight-on-wheels trigger for NWS. Also, I found that holding "S" is essential for getting minimum radius turns from F18c's NW, such as on carrier deck.

X_legio's post FIXED same problem for me...... changing in Gameplay settings from "Native" to "English" got Devrim's English Shkval 1.7b WORKING!!

Lockmaster, this is the closest I can find to my question as to whether we can save the edited bottom row of the MFCD's and make that the default setup when you enter cockpit? I just replaced World latest stable to Open Beta last night, found how to edit the OSB placement so MAV is on right, TGP on left, etc. per the standalone A-10C, but have no idea if I can save that config........ I'm referring to holding an OSB down for a few seconds, clicking a replacement like DSMS into its place. Nice feature but every time? I browsed many lua files that might be pertinent but any ideas on a better way greatly appreciated! EDIT: or just adapt to the new format?

I'm trying the install_(module).bat files as advised on "Technical Questions" web page. So far it's installed my F/A-18C and Nevada map. As above mentioned my A-10C was the only owned module that appeared in Open Beta Module Manager. SUCCESS! All purchased modules now appear under Open Beta.

Thanks dorianR666...... well, since I own A-10C (which is showing up in OB now, but not the other aircraft or Nevada), I presumed that since there was no price and it was on its own tab under Module Manager with "Install" button, it was grooming A-10C for OB (updating textures, etc.) Down to 6 GB on SSD boot/game drive I might just wipe all DCS, clean up registry, and go with OB only now...... here in Baltimore we've got a half inch of ice so what a nice way to spend a Saturday night . At 12.6 MB/s the download time is right good. I'd thought that shortcuts into OB's directories pointing to the stable version's known-good products would be an option but NOGO. Thanks for the blazing fast help....... I was looking around the room but the only other person here is my cat plotting a way to conquer and dominate the space heater. I am in the process of reading up on the command line option, too.

This is just a continuation of "open beta install" here....... truly hope this isn't an annoyingly common question with obvious answer I'm missing, but...... concerned about available space on SSD, I was going to uninstall latest World 2.5.6.58625 to make plenty of room for OB; it turns out that the A/G radar is bare-bones functional outside of OB. I was able to fit the OB install. Upon opening OB, none of my many purchased modules and Nevada map are available. Good thing I DIDN'T uninstall latest stable version? In Module Manager running in OB I DID find the opportunity to install A-10C Warthog which I do own, but none of my purchased F/A-18C, Su-33, Ka-50, UH-1H, Mig-29, Combined Arms, etc. appear. The updates web page doesn't address any contingencies nor how to assure existing modules are recognized and available in Open Beta. TIA!!!

I'm gathering that the A/G radar MAP/SEA/GMT modes are functional as of 2/13/2021 in OpenBeta only........ I just updated to 2.5.6.58625 and have same A/G radar issue as Justin1Ntime. A little slim on SSD space, I'm going to uninstall latest stable version and replace with OpenBeta. I will say there's impressive true updates in latest stable, though. For some reason my A-10C's engines seem to have a little more cajones I wonder if in YouTube videos there's a way to indicate the version in use at the time of production....... the date wouldn't necessarily reveal that it's under an OpenBeta version.

WOW.... BIGNEWY and toilet2000, thanks for the great replies..... I'd no idea I was so far behind on updates. Thing is I don't get the update notification on start-up, perhaps opted it to "off". No doubt this will fix the A/G radar. Be well stay well!

Is it perhaps the autonomous takeoff system of the F-18? I think you're hands-off the stick when launching from carrier, other than retracting landing gear to reduce drag. The autonomy begins during thrust buildup....... I was trying to get full afterburn thrust while holding wheelbrake, but apparently as long as you're under the catapult's rules, you get little to no control. First time I learned this reminded me of the first-ever F-111 pilots to hand over total flight control to the terrain-following radar..... at night......

Good day, gurus. When I perform all known steps to get A-G radar working, the right side (R DDI) seems as if the A-G radar won't turn on. I haven't yet installed OpenBeta, am using World 2.5.5, presuming most recent build prior to Open Beta. Equipped with 2 AGM-65E and 2 GBU-16, and Litening TGP......... all switches tied to FLIR/LTD-R are turned ON. A-G Master Mode ON. 1. With A-G Master Mode on, I select "SURF" (Screen1) 2. Screen2 shows result. I've combed through Chuck's Guide for F-18, YouTube videos, and Googled....... no dice. Is the A-G radar only available in OpenBeta? Thanks in advance for any ideas. P.S. if I'm slim on space on my SSD and I want to install/commit to Open Beta, be okay to uninstall my DCS World 2.5 to make room for OpenBeta? It isn't clear as to whether OB updates parts of existing 2.5.5. or is entirely a standalone product. I also have A-10C Warthog, which obviously hooks into World 2.5, so I'm curious if A-10C will recognize OB and vice versa?

mouaherbert, i'll presume you've solved the issue, given the age of the topic but i'll take a swing at it....... i've remapped the trim controls to the arrow keys. in flight, a couple quick taps on the arrow keys should get you leveled. i've also remapped to the hat switch on my logitech extreme 3d pro the slew functions. i did wonder if your weapons loadout may have been the culprit? note that most of my statements are also questions at 6+ decades i've still got a lifetime-size mostly-empty vessel to work with....... half of this is learning what NOT to do. hope this helped....... in the beginning of my a-10c learning it was squeezing enough power from the turbofans to stay aloft....... i do think that proper trim procedures on most aircraft are in some cases sophisticated enough to warrant an entire video on trim alone. be well, stay well!

As I've just reformatted and upgraded from Win 7 to 10, I can't backtrack to my participation in discussions regarding the effect of moving your entire DCS directories to SSD from HDD. However, I'm happy to share my own experience, having followed suggestions in these forums...... er.....I'm also clueless on how to track down my posted msg's, but to those who'd conjured the way to go, BIG thanks. I favor beginning in Mission Editor, swapping aircraft and "saving as" custom mission built upon existing. Even on a 3.7 GHz quad core Intel w/ Win 7 x64 Ultimate and SATA HDD's, it was taking at least 3-4 minutes to load missions, then about 5 minutes for sputtering and hiccuping to subside. Reloading missions took nearly as long to load as the initial load. The simulator at times was ridiculously sluggish. I installed a Samsung 860 EVO, still booting system from HDD, but had transferred my entire DCS folder structure to SSD, then modifying links and registry values per the ideas of fellow pilots, and......... Close enough to 1000% increase in load speed and performance....... I haven't even yet clean-installed DCS World onto the SSD, which is now my boot drive for Windows 10 build 1909. It literally plays silky smooth now..... in short, if you're wondering if SSD can make a difference, "just do it". :) Hope it helps as needed...... this post represents pretty much the limits of my technical prowess, but all eyes and ears for any corrective ideas :) Be well, all.

Hoping all are well, eluding the CoVid nightmare. In F/A-18C, when I'm seeking a target on FLIR, I wish I could see in HUD simultaneously the motion of the targeting cursor...... forgive the noobness of this inquiry. When I'm slewing in Litening pod I keep wishing I could see the aimpoint also moving in sync, in the HUD. The look-down view in Litening that shows the azimuth of the aimpoint is somewhat helpful. Slewing while holding target designator is probably as helpful but it seems it's "either or"; only one sensor can be aimed at a time? MY first guess is I'll need a much better understanding of slaving sensors..... I'm pretty sure I've seen in A-10C this ability, and in most cases modern aircraft share technologies, but differing mostly in terminology. thanks in advance, be well all.

Howdy, hoping all are well...... I'd somehow accumulated a ton of (system-wide) registry errors; cleaned house, and have discovered my axis commands have been reduced to a few camera adjustment items. I checked across my fleet from A-10C to BS2 to F/A-18C to UH-1h, Migs and Su's. What's always eluded me is how to use the Profile commands above the bindings lists...... Save As, Load, even Set Category to Default buttons don't respond. I did the "DCS_updater repair" exercise as well, to no avail. And BTW I'm pretty sure all bindings are trashed, to include those under the "All" header. I'm going to be optimistic and presume a default key/joystick binding file(s) is on the drive, or can be downloaded in case an update smoked the controller settings. Any ideas, big thanks in advance and thereafter :)

Enough time in A-10C convinced me that Mavs can be downright contrary...... like they'll lock if they're in the mood :) I find the slew rates to be a bit heavy...... they actually remind me of rudder pedals with lag in their response so you overshoot. I cringe to mention this, but...... still pretty green here...... A/G radar? I know it well enough from F-16's, but how and where in F-18?? Only when using AGM-84/88??

I can't provide the depth of physics and methods herewith, but when I saw your post I can say that despite my decades as a draftsman/AutoCAD operator, and time in the air in 4-seater Cessna, I cannot get my flight path parallel to runway/on centerline. I spend more effort on azimuth adjustments than altitude. I'm suspecting the flight path marker/velocity vector is much more essential than I yet appreciate. I DO find I need to trim the nose quite downward (in F-18C) so I'm not fighting so much to get on the ground. The pilot I'd fly with showed me the extent to which planes actually "want to" stay aloft...... he'd told me to line up for landing on runway, then to try to lose altitude...... it was quite the challenge, very much as if the plane was much happier in the air :) GREAT content in this thread, many thanks.

Firstly, this page's discussions definitely helped in a few ways, not the least of which is the move of the DCS folder to a new SSD being a benefit to load times, and also the fact I won't necessarily need to upgrade to Win10 from Win7 x64. While it's apparent that benefits have been realized, may I ask in terms of estimated percentage the increase in load speed of missions? Like if a mission took 8 minutes to load, would it be reasonable to expect 50% load time..... a 200% improvement? Many TIA's ...... I'm trying to resist relegating this (first purchase) still-boxed SSD to a repository for hoarded media..... and anything to lighten the load on the ADHD and learning curve are rather desperately needed :)

Howdy, E69_DaniV. Welcome E69_DaniV. Your "never dared to (post msg)......". Me too :) Just my thin skin, though......, I've seen some backlash for questions I'm glad I didn't ask......in terms of customer relations, I've been really impressed with the service from HQ in Moscow. Fast and congenial, can't ask for much better. Big envy for your job, man..... wow....... ever taken a ride for diagnostic purposes? I've seen the Blue Angels just short of 60 times; I grew up essentially on the grounds of the US Naval Academy as my father was one of the luckiest enlisted ever to get stationed for 20 years at one base. In mid 60's my school bus stop was an F-4 and A-4 on display outside the USNA Chapel...... we used to climb into the engine cavities hoping to find a way to the cockpit :) As far as posting msg's, if I recall right, best to package multiple questions in one msg. I'm actually trying to revive my sim-flying, having awaited the annual Easter sale :) I'm torn between F-18, F-16, and UH-1H helicopter. I've had the A-10c for a few years and love it. Never been able to get an answer as to why they don't have afterburn capability for quicker exit when necessary. One answer was "there usually isn't anyone left to be shooting at you......."

I recall in Flaming Cliffs or standalone A-10c that the mode showing in the Options/Controls page determined which mode the flight session would boot into..... what mode you chose in the pull-down; A-10c Game or A-10c Real. Regardless, the tip in here about it available on an options screen is huge help.