KosPilot

Thank you for your compliments :) In all modesty I must emphasize that the track is to demonstrate that, with a bit of practice, BS is controllable w/o AP channels, hence no alias during playback. Realistically and according to the majority of this forum, it may not be the desired way to fly, but it's still possible in DCS:BS and it has its applications. Happy flying :smilewink:

Agreed :) I support your conclusion 100%. I have no experience flying bigger and more advanced choppers, including what operational procedures are dictated by their respective flight manuals. Based on that, and with comparison to BlackShark, I found your experience most interesting. Hopefully I will get to do the same at some point :) S300CBi, that's the kite! The instructors say the Robinson 22 is even more twitchy! The BS being coaxial, its still close enough to prepare anyone for their first TIF like no other sim (IMHO), FSX included. DoDoSim has a pretty good FSX module for Bell 206, but for whatever reason it didn't do much for me. In the smaller choppers you will also have to learn to use the throttle to manually maintain rotor RPM (S**t, yet another control..!) CPL, I'm going commercial. Flying helis are waaay to expensive for me just to have as a hobby, so I will need someone to pay for it! :D Good luck to you too! Coming prepared to the TIF was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Let me know how you go when you get there :)

ED should arrange for a "Ask the Ka-50 pilot" thread. That would be so nice! :D In that way we may have responses as: -"Sorry, that is classified information" or "No, your idea would not work because..." or "The reason we made this decision is..." and so on. Resistance of the cyclic in the Ka-50 is something I am unaware of. To my knowledge the Ka-50 have servo boosters doing the heavy work for you, PA channels (or stability augmentation) active or not. Pardon me for being curious; Would you please elaborate with regards to what your real flight experience with helicopters is? Thanks for that, I appreciate your information :) Congrats with your flight experience :) Thank you! I thought it was strange that nobody bothered to ask :D THIN AIR, you nailed it! :megalol: That's where we like to go flying, right? My flight experience started with a scenic flight over Melbourne in a Schweitzer 300CBi. Already familiar with DCS:BS in Stability Augmented mode, I asked to try and hold the heli in a hover. Applying the same technique as what I was used to from BS in Stability Augmented mode simply didn't work; I over-compensated and the 'copter was all over the joint. It was a scenic flight, so I didn't ask any technical questions. Rather disappointed I went back home and had a sleep on it :cry: Then I started reflecting on how I observed the pilot manage the controls during flight and hover; it was not a firm press-and-hold-ease back, but a tiny nudge and then instantly back to current neutral. Frequent micro adjustments! -Tried that with Stability Augmentation ON. It worked to some degree, but the BlackShark did not respond as quickly or much as the S300CBi so the stick input had to be much larger when using the "CBi" technique. -Tried again with Stability Augmentation OFF... Still a bit dorsal, but WOW did I recognize the instabilities from the day before! Only now I was nudging the cyclic instead of pushing. It made a huge difference and suddenly I found myself in somewhat steady hover. Nine months went by. My wife bought me a TIF (Trial Introductory Flight) for my birthday. Up with the S300CBi again. -Went through the individual controls including the throttle (which proved to be extremely touchy), then I was handed full control. -Level turns -Speed change -Climb/descent -A bit of fun flight following the shore-line The instructor asked me what I have been flying before. I truthfully replied "Nothing". He took us in for landing, lined us up for hover and we went through effect of controls IGE hover. -Controls over to me again, all of them. Lo-and-behold!! Perfect hover at first try. The instructor was all fired up and waving with both hands to the people on the ground :D "Since you are doing such a good job, why don't you make a spot turn to the left..." -So I did. Not perfect; we had a bit of headwind so I drifted off 5-6 meters, but the instructor did not need to touch the controls. We were both excited :D Later he told me that during his five years as an instructor, this was only the sixth time he ever have had a student that was able to hold a stabile hover and do a spot-turn during TIF. Besides, normally he would not entrust the student with collective control until another couple of hours or so. On my fifth lesson I did circuits, but that is because they forgot to run me through elementary handling since I was doing so well :smartass: I am now half way to Solo flight. DCS:BlackShark, without Augmented Stability, thought me how to fly. -My personal experience! The turbine conversion and type training on a Bell 206 JetRanger is about 1500USD per hour. Good luck having all your required flight training on that one unless filthy rich, if they let you at all. I'd imagine a Sikorsky 76B would be even more expensive. Chances are you'd have to start in a smaller machine that is all manual. Have you checked?

Yeah, I have seen that video. It's awesome :) I'll give it a closer look.

-And please feel free to take the poll as seriously as you like :smilewink: -Being in control and having full control are two different things, but also a matter of definitions. -Where quick manoeuvring is of the essence, I find my survival rate increased with AP channels OFF. Works for me, but I am with you a 100% on individual flying style. -No, one will benefit from acquiring better overall handling-skills flying (or training) with AP channels disengaged, that being the sole choice of the individual. I say all this to help pilots realize their own potential. With practice, it is possible and perfectly safe to control the helicopter w/o AP channels during normal flight. -Ok..? I mostly use the trim for balancing the aircraft before entering Auto-hover, and compensate for CG. For flying w/o AP channels, it's reverted to neutral as I need to compensate for crosswind and secondary effects without offsetting my reference or having the cyclic in an uncomfortable position. -Good on you, you have done things that others only dream of doing! :) -Not sure what you mean with your second last sentence. No appology needed, I am just after simple facts :)

Interesting. You are quoting my post, so I must assume your answer is specifically towards the operational use of AP channels. Since you seem to be a reliable source of information, where can I find this documented? Mind you, I don't speak or read Russian :) What did the pilots think of the decision?

Not suprisingly, I cannot agree to your analogy. To me it is the difference of driving a school-bus and a sportscar :noexpression:

Definitely, and you highlight another great feature of this sim. I also like to blow up stuff and provide adequate combat effectiveness, so when using the weapons platform as intended, I am likely to apply all aids available. I disengage AP channels when: 1. (Often in the bright light of hindsight) I make a wrong tactical decision, thus need to make instant evasive manoeuvres. 2. Closing on a target within its gun/missile-range. 3. Repositioning on the battlefield. 3. High speed low level flight in urban environments or close terrain. 4. Aerobatics. 5. For fun.

Good point! I was practicing limited power takeoff and landings just here the other day; no stores but cannon ammo @ 100%, 80% fuel, one engine running. BTW, that is also good for pre-autorotation training.

WOW, now I am amused! :D My point is that whatever your preference, this sim has plenty to offer for anyone interested in trying unaided flight, and if ambitious, can be used as a prime learning tool for real flight. Yes, because it is that close to the real thing. If you ever wanted to start flying helicopters for real, flying without stability augmentation is what you will have to do. In this situation, having the tool without using it IS clearly missing out. I am also part of the DCS:BS community, so when you write "... we're clearly not.", who are you speaking on behalf of and who gave you that privilege? The poll relates to normal flight, maybe it should have stated basic handling. Hovering over a rooftop in turbulent cross-wind, scanning for targets on the Shkval while being shot at is nor normal flight or basic handling.

I don't mean to be difficult, alright? ;) Please provide the original source of information about operational use of AP. However, I do understand why there may be such regulations. The pilots would still have to practice flying w/o AP in order to develop and maintain their flying skills. With the sim focusing on realism, I see all kinds of reasons why learning how to fully operate the aircraft w/o AP. :pilotfly: I'll rewrite as well: What would YOU do in the event that AP channels are no longer available? -The "Emergency AP Disengage" switch on your cyclic will disengage all your AP channels.

No, but you may have a new experience flying w/o AP :joystick: I am also sure that there are a lot of BS pilots out there being able to complete their missions w/o AP, if necessary, and I want to know who! With what seem to me to be dwindling interest in BS, I would like to know who is in for the long run. Normally that would be pilots who are still willing to explore the boundaries of this excellent sim. One of the boundaries is the ability to nurse you and your stricken bird home to safety even if your hydraulics are shot up. If we wanna be real about it, ejecting over enemy territory could after all be a bit of a gamble. The .trk file is to prove to sceptics that flight w/o AP can be perfectly safe and even enjoyable. A BS pilot is a BS pilot is a BS pilot... About camping; some set up the tent in their back yard while others go to the South Pole :D Hehe, you're very critical, and I like it :D That's why you have the collective brake, your knees to arrest the cyclic and your pilots training. To be honest, I don't know IF a real world Ka-50 pilot would fly w/o AP. Some say not. We should ask one! And yes, you'll have to activate the AP channels to use automatic flight mode. I do accept everybodys preference and I don't think there is any right or wrong. What matters to me is that when I fly with AP channels active, I am deprived from unlocking and enjoying the true nature of flying a rotor-craft. I agree that being alone in the cockpit necessitates the use of aid to keep the bird stabile during target acquisition and interrogation. The poll is about "normal flight" but without a proper definition that could mean anything, but let's just say basic maneouvering :smilewink: . I like learning about peoples preferences and maybe pick up something new along the way :) Readily positioned on your cyclic, there is the "Emergency AP disengage". What do you think a "real Ka-50" pilot would do in the event that AP channels are no longer available?

BS is such a fantastic sim, but most people do not seem to appreciate the ultra realistic flight model. When listening to real pilots, they always seem to appreciate the most the one aircraft that they are able to really "connect" or "become one" with. Let me tell you; You can connect with DCS:BS, but you will have to switch off the AP channels to truly enjoy your ride! I do agree, AP do have its use, but not all the time! For the ones of you that like a challenge and would like to give unrestricted (yes, that is without AP) flight a go, have a good look at this .trk file. I am not a pro, so if I can..., then there is a very good chance that YOU CAN TOO! (Sometimes a .trk file goes bad and the flight is catastrophicly misrepresented. Let me know if that happens.) AND... If you think the M1A2 Abrams is impervious to cannon fire, there's also the evidence that they're NOT. Enjoy your "new" sim :D No AP Demo.trk

Turn to target: (I assume you fly with AP channels always on.) (1. Reduce horizontal and vertical speed as you normally would when entering stable hover, but make sure your trim is in neutral.) (2. When stabile hover is acheived, hit the trimbutton and your copter should now be reasonably stationary by itself.) (3. Engage Autohover.) -I got the understanding that this is already what you're doing. 4. Engage "Turn to Target" on your target mode panel. 5. Designate any target using your Helmet Mounted Sight or uncaging your Shkval. 6. You can now turn your copter just by scanning the Shkval. Collective brake: Collective brake is a nescessity in real life, but has no practical use in the sim. However, it is also used to designate new height/altitude when AP Alt Hold is engaged. Spot turn: If the copter starts yawing uncontrollably, the likely reason is that you are going adrift backwards or sideways, or you're hovering in wind. Pay attention to wind speed and direction before taking off. While hovering (w/o Hover Hold) keep your eyes at the HORIZON and you will find it easier to hold a stable hover. Also do this during spot turns, keep the horizon level and at a constant attitude (unless adjustment for wind is needed). Personally I fly most of the time without AP, even during hover and while scanning for targets unless there are difficult wind conditions or I am setting myself up for attacking multiple targets in quick sucsession. The flying style with and without AP is quite different. When flying without AP, you use the copters inherent instabilities to your advantage and just "nudge" it in the direction that you want it to go. -Didn't move just like you wanted? Then nudge again! I find the copter being more predictible this way. Most important: Fly the way you like and have fun! :D

Hi Dragon, I was hoping to get an answer from you :) I already tried to do what you described, but I'll try again. Maybe I did something funky :music_whistling:

IT'S HERE, IT's HERE!!! :) :) :) http://www.lockonfiles.com/index.php/files/file/1811-ricardo-hd-dcs-black-shark-cockpit-part-1/ http://www.lockonfiles.com/index.php/files/file/1812-ricardo-hd-dcs-black-shark-cockpit-part-2/ I have not tried it yet, but guess what I'm gonnna do tonight... :D (...and the missus will just have to wait!)

There are a couple of things I would like to know about mission preparation: How do I make coalition information stick on ABRIS (lines, borders, boxes, etc) and PVI-800? (Second airfield and Nav Target coordinates (Not way-points))

I need a helipad! A helipad that can be put on top of buildings, in the terrain or where ever. Just the simple green octagon with the big "H" in the middle and sitting on a steel framework.

Put any general transport vehicle within ca 200 meters of your launcher, and it will reload according to its system dependent "reload rate".

Always good to have you rotorheads on board :thumbup: DCS:BS is truly a remarkable product: Starting from clueless, after flying Black Shark without AP channels for about half a year, I had a Trial Introduction Flight in a Schweizer 300 CBi. The instructor assessed my flying skills and then handed me full control to do basic manoeuvres, hold stabile hover and I even did a half decent spot-turn! We were both impressed and needless to say, super excited :D

OK that explains it then. They broke multi monitor NVG it with 1.02. As I like to fly online, 1.01 is no good to me.

Hmmm, that's interesting!! Are you running BS Patch 1.02?

Nice posting Mastiff. That video should make it clear to everybody what is the problem. I've looked in all the .lua files to see if there is anything relating to NVG camera resolution, but cannot find anything. One thing that I have noted is that with the NVG camera view stretched, the active zones for buttons and switches in the virtual cockpit remains in the same places as before switching to NVG (if that makes any sense to you.) I am not a programmer, but that leads me to believe that the problem may be in some shallow code in the simulators graphic interface only. The problem also seem to be general, regardless of brand and type of graphics adapter.

Thanks guys, that's just what I wanted to know :) The reason for asking is that I don't like to use the mini joystick on my CH Pro Throttle (Collective) as I find it too small for accurate control. Instead I am using a four-way switch on my cyclic, but keeping it pressed for too long causes the SHKVAL to speed up so much I cannot see what is passing by on the screen. -So I have to start-stop-start-stop.... all the time. That's why I thought it would be much better if I could make it scan automatically at a fixed rate :lookaround:

It seems to me like there are provisions for setting up the SHKVAL to scan automatically, just like a security camera. Am I correct, and is that option available in DCS BS? How to set up?