Jackjack171

It takes time! I've never stood there and watched IRL, but it takes time for the Hydraulics to bleed off. I'm not even sure if it is implemented in DCS because, who would waste time waiting for that just to see the horizontal stabs droop?

I think everyone in the chat dude, and he's right! Anyone that knows anything about the Strike Eagle and its origins, as well as the F-15C, knows this as well!

Good points all around. Here's the thing about realism and why I responded with corrections. Some users hoot and holler about realism all day long, until it hits them in the face! This weapon or that system, the developers give it to us and some of us still complain. I came from the days of wishing DCS existed (FS98, Janes, etc.) And now it does! Why bother using resources on a thing that is not even a real or practical thing? IMHO, I'd rather see a more robust and animated Flight Deck crew. More parking and start positions. Better ATC around the boat (and ashore), more LSO/CATCC interaction, De-Arm after landing and arming on the CAT. Cyclic OPS would be nice! Recovery/mission Tankers and the TTLR (Turning Tanker, Last recovery). Even having a working barricade would be great. What is not needed IMO is a ready room (next users will ask for the paraloft) unless we are talking about planning from start to finish to coincide with an on-time recovery within a legit recovery cycle (no coming back when you feel like it, you need to be on-schedule). The AIR BOSS station would be good except, the only thing to get out of that would be turning on the deck lights and the Lens and such. The AIR BOSS is responsible for aircraft coordination and control up to 5 NM around the boat. All aircraft moves on deck are coordinated from Flight Deck control via the Handler (Aircraft handling Officer) btw! All of which should and could be done automatically (in DCS) if cyclic ops are done the way it should/could. Push back is definitely something that is needed. Last but not least, there are certain ordnance loads that cannot launch from CAT's 3 and 4. Some will strike the launch bubble adjacent to CAT 4 (Go-no-go restrictions). There are even restrictions on when a prop (E-2/C-2) can launch and recover when hot jet exhaust is in the vicinity. I cannot have a hot 4 row (CAT 2) and recover or launch a prop. The engines will flame out due to hot jet exhaust ingestion. What caught my attention was the assumption that pilots hang out in the hangar bay. Anyone that knows, knows that there's not much down there to look at, much less move around. Aircraft do not get armed in the bay, nor do they start engines and ride up to the deck, despite what's shown in entertainment. Pilots and aircrew often may be seen in the hangar for training on certain weapons or practice loading evolutions or Pilates classes, but the hangar is for AIRCRAFT UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE! GO birds are kept topside. If a bird goes HARD DOWN, it will be sent to the bay at the earliest convenience as to make room on deck! We have a specific pecking order for how and when things move down there. Most aircraft moves (swaps) happen at night, after Flight quarters has ceased. There are some moves before that but not a lot and only on a case by case (as needed) situation. At night, aircraft are respotted for the next day. Think minimal movement of elevators, (which are real estate during flight ops) and ships movement. Launch and recovery onboard an aircraft carrier is a beautiful and dangerous evolution (I love it) and if it is going to be done, it should be done as right possible! Anything else and we should just call it, Ace DCS (which I tried, once upon a time and it made me nauseous). This is not a diss in case one likes that kind of thing. But IRT realism... I don't know what ED's plan for this is. I'm here for it regardless (can't help myself) but I feel it is my duty to tell the truth about it. Also, I realize DCS is just a game, however, are we aiming for as real as possible or just some puffy arcade mumbo jumbo like the aforementioned? JJ171

Cool. You must've gotten that express permission that I was talking about. Usually, us Aircraft Handlers have to wait until we can put the safety lines up, much less, raise or lower. God forbid riders! Maybe the reserves got lucky that day (in the video). Riding the elevator has many associated hazards when it is lowered. People and equipment have been swept away. There's lots of unseen with this video. I've seen this video and it's not from 1999. I give it, mid to late 80's. There's A-7's and A-6's and the birds (Tomcats) are in low holding overhead a Forrestal class ship. I'm assuming the person in the cockpit riding the elevator is from way back in the day, as is this video! The pilots and aircraft appear to be from VF-301, disestablished in 1994. Before we invented safety, maybe it was a thing. Top Gun and Hollywood have people thinking it's the norm. There are family day participants that have more rides than I do (former Flight Deck Chief) as that's the time it's most reserved for people. You're welcome and BTW, I lost my tact 25 years ago. I think it's still on the ship. Just giving it to you straight!

Video please! Add to that, the HUD footage that shows going past 30,000. What you see in a YT video and reality are 2 different things. No aircraft on the planet can go vertical almost indefinitely. Eventually, you run out of airspeed. This also depends on the profile flown, weight and other factors called out by the others replying as well. Please reproduce the footage with more solid information other than you saw a YT video!

Who told you that pilots do this? Riding the elevator IRL is prohibited and needs higher permissions. Pilots transit the hangar for several reasons, and it is not for the purpose of manning, nor going to the flight deck to man the aircraft. The paralofts are all on the 03 level so there's no need for them to go several decks below in all that gear just to go back up. NO ONE without express permission is allowed to ride the elevators underway! It is a safety issue. The amount of ignorance on this issue is absurd! Add to it, the number of those cosigning on it!

Now this is just...sexy! Thank you for sharing.

Thank you! Forgot my bindings, silly me...

My NAV/INST/ A/G modes will not switch. In fact, I can't use nor change the LMPCD to anything other than A/A. Am I doing something wrong?

There already are plenty of MODS out there, so no one's restricting anything. You speak of using the Mission editor but that's not for modding, it's for editing! Don't conflate the two. Users are free to mod at-will! Just not within the sim itself. There is a specific weapons mod somewhere in the User files. Take a look at the MODS section and you may find what you are looking for.

Kneeboards good enough!

@RoughmasterFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you! This means so much. I wish that I could buy you a beer or donate or something. I've been a fan of your work since you started. But this right here means so much. Can't thank you enough brother! Sincerely, JJ171

Are there any up to date 100th FS "Redtails" Alabama ANG liveries out there? The ones in the user files appear a bit dated (no offence intended). Thanks in advance!

Right here bud! 88-0485, 175th Fighter Squadron, 114th Fighter Wing "75th Anniversary, Joe Foss Tribute", Joe Foss Field, SD (digitalcombatsimulator.com)

Blue wands mate...blue wands! Hasn't been implemented yet and probably never will.

Impressive as always! Looking forward to them.

Just a concern, I wouldn't go that far and call it a fear. But I get your point. I've just been on this rock too long and have seen when things with "good intentions" are added. Before long, they become expected. I like that ED squashed this idea (AAR) however. And I did catch that you like AAR. I do too! This is just healthy discussion. As far as the community accepting it, that can change as well. Maybe the change won't happen today or tomorrow, but eventually...I guess we shall see. Just study the Forums. Some may call me a purist...guilty as charged in some way. My point is and always will be, precedent! I've got no say what happens either way. It's just my 2 cents. Thanks

You may want to check the forums, mate. This has been discussed and is not the Apache that ED is modeling.

You got it! I use a Winwing F-18 Super Taurus/Libra setup and having the stick between my legs with an extension is the way for me. Also got the F-16EX HOTAS. The FFB takes some getting used to but it's amazing!

I saw that. My interpretation of hand holding may be different. I was handheld my first year in the Navy, which just meant trained and always with a mentor. Hand holding isn't the same as "done for me." I did it all under guidance and had to learn. There's a big difference! Even if I'm wrong, I still stand on precedent. The more cheats given, the more expected! The next thing to happen will be sharks with laser beams on their foreheads...a little humor of course! If we were talking about an AI WSO giving you coaching from the backseat, kind of like Jester (without the banter), that would be great and more effective. ED or RB can do whatever they like as far as this goes, but I do recall another post where this idea of easy tanking was squashed. I'd hate for this beloved hobby to turn into the previously mentioned platforms. Thanks

With all due respect, you kind of open the door for discussion on any forum, as that's what its sole function is. We can have a discussion as long as there is no nastiness. There is more to this opposition than those that feel "threatened." I'm sure no one is actually feeling threatened by this wish. Some of us would just like to keep DCS as what it is advertised as "to offer the most authentic and realistic simulation of military aircraft, tanks, ground vehicles and ships possible". Anything else and DCS is on the skirt of becoming War Thunder or Ace Combat. Just look at the F-15E. Already there are Mods for it. IMHO, that's akin to going to a high-class restaurant and putting ketchup on Filet Mignon or the Chef's specialty. The Dev's of course being the Chef, we are saying "Your product is not good enough!" The chef would understandingly be offended! My point being, DCS is fine where it is. Dedicating easy modes is an enabler. Maybe yours and other intentions are for "fun" and innocent, but it will set a precedent that DCS may not come back from. Unfortunately, the crowds from those previously mentioned communities are flooding this one and demanding things from there. Most do not care and know nothing about the planes that they claim to love. Basic airmanship sucks from that. Some users can program and drop JDAMS and other sophisticated munitions all day long but cannot land correctly or fly a decent landing pattern. They take off with heavy loads and wonder why the rotation is off or why they cannot achieve a certain altitude or mach. And forget formation flying (which AAR is mostly comprised of)! I would have no problem if Auto-start were to vanish...I came here for the most simulated realism that I can possibly get, this side of eternity! I truly get what you and others are saying, but this is a "tread lightly" moment. We should all be careful that this hobby or platform is not encroached upon, or we risk losing it to mediocrity. Just my 2 cents, thanks!

Piece of cake. Boom still takes some getting used to but, I can hack it!

Oh god no!

It's almost as if people do not research or know much about the planes that they claim to love in here. Add to it the unnecessary comparisons of other aircraft. This is an EA module and yet people are putting her in the hangar complaining already. Before that it was all "Release the Kraken." My oh my! This is an awesome module. Thank you RAZBAM.