Celo63

I've had this problem a few times in version 1.0. Usually happens after going back to base to rearm once or twice. Seems to be a bit random though. I try to look after the laser and switch it off whenever I can, but in a busy zone it is on for a while at a time. JG14_Smil - how long can you use laser before it is in danger of burning out? I cannot find any time limit info written anywhere. Also, how long should you leave it off before using it again? What is the recomended cool off period? It would certainly help to know. In the BS pilot's manual, page 304, section 8-8, HUD cue descriptions, it describes one symbol which is supposed to be [PAUSE cue - cooling cycle of the laser range-finder in the Target Marker targeting mode] I thought this means that the laser has its own built-in protection and will automatically cool off when it needs to? Being a combat helicopter, its not a very robust system if you need to time the laser every time you use it and risk frying it if you leave it on too long. Surely they have built-in protection?

I've been using manual aiming sometimes to get a shot in from 8 km out. However, I usually find that after using manual aiming, auto aiming goes way out of whack and I can't hit anything any more. Is there a step I'm missing to realign the system after making a distance shot in manual? I've tried resetting the weapons system but it still doesn't work.

I have the same issue with the mouse look - after going to any external views then back to internal, it doesn't work any more. I have to press ESC twice to get mouse look back. LAlt+C doesn't bring it back for me.

Thought I'd post this in case others have a similar problem. My friend flies BS with an X52 with latest drivers installed on Vista 64 Ultimate. In windows control panel everything checks out, all centres good and everything functioning normally. In BS control options page, all axis looking good, centres bang on. When trying to trim the KA-50 it pitched up every time he released the trim button and centred the controls. It was as though the autopilot system was seeing a different centre point than the stick was reporting in control panel and in BS options. We re-downloaded and re-installed the drivers and tried again. Same thing. Tried a reboot and then it worked ok. We could trim no problem. Next day he switched on his PC and went for a fly. Trim system pitching up again. He had to re-install the drivers again and reboot his PC to get it working again. What made this confusing was that control panel and BS options both showed nothing wrong and the aircraft flew normally without trimming. It just wouldn't trim. So, if you have this problem, try re-installing the drivers and possibly reboot after as well. Hopefully they will fix this in a newer saitek driver release.

1) It only works well when already trimmed for hover - which is how its supposed to be used of course. All I was saying is that it doesn't cope well with the aircraft being a bit out of hover trim. It will tend to drift easily unless you trim very well before engaging hover mode. Or so I have found. 2) Maybe compared to modern technologies they don't seem advanced but back in the days when Kamov was pioneering them, they were considered cutting edge. They were more advanced than most western systems of the time. 3) They would avoid single pilot operation if possible I'm sure. Its wise to have a 2 man crew. However, I'm sure they have been used single pilot on at least a few occasions and have performed very well. It was designed specifically for that and they would have tested and proven the system. Does what it says on the tin. 4) As others have said, systems are advanced enough today that pilots are no longer 100% neccessary, but rather are desirable to have onboard for various reasons. I do agree that the KA-50 system works well as long as you trim properly beforehand - which is how its supposed to be done. I just thought that it could cope with "out of trim" situations a bit better. Unless properly trimmed beforehand, the KA-50 will most likely start to drift in hover mode.

I am quite surprised that you need to trim the aircraft perfectly before the autohover can safely keep you in one spot. After all, the trim system is directly linked to the autopilot. Why can't it trim itself out if you aren't quite spot on when you engage hover mode? It should be able to handle that easily despite using only 20% controls. Surely it can trim itself out and maintain the hover in most conditions??? Russian helicopters have long been famous for their advanced autopilot systems and Kamov was one of the foremost pioneers. Look at this article on the Kamov KA-32. Look to the right under "Facts and Figures, 3rd one down... http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/ka-32.php Quote "When flown by a single crewmember the Ka-32 can be left on autopilot while the pilot operates a winch from the cabin." You'd need alot of confidence in your autopilot to leave the seat and go play winchman in the rear. I bet their hover mode doesn't start going wild on them while they're winching in a survivor - and in pretty severe weather too. In the sim, the KA-50 seems to need constant babysitting, even in very light wind conditions. Surely the real KA-50 has a more robust and confidence inspiring autopilot and autohover system?

Max detail, smooth as glass... sounds good to me :thumbup: Decision made. Thanks Cezar.

Thanks guys. :) It certainly does feel nice to fly with and it probably gives the best results from the least amount of effort. If you want to extend the cyclic any more you'll have to start changing ratios to compensate and keep range of movement within usable limits. I found that 4 to 5 inches is the optimum length for this mod. Any more or less just doesn't work so well. I tried both ways. I'm looking long and hard at modding my throttle into a collective and it would be easy enough to do like you said CyBerkut. Thing is, it feels ok using the throttle as a collective - pulling back for power - but would feel weird using a collective lever as a throttle in jets. I'd want to make it easily swappable from throttle to collective and back again. I should be able to do that - just need to rummage through my selection of bits and pieces to find the right parts. I'll post results when I get it done.

Hi folks. I've been experimenting with an extension to my X45 cyclic handle this last week and what I ended up with feels so nice, I thought I'd post it here. I'll be modding my friend's X52 the same at the weekend as well. I used a PVC 90 degree bend with a radius of about 2.5 inches (readily available, also in metals) to extend my cyclic by 4.5 inches in the vertical. It also puts the cyclic handle over the rear edge of the base. This allows me to mount my cyclic base on the front edge of my chair below leg level, whilst having the cyclic handle at the perfect height. The backward bend also keeps it within reach as a straight up extension would be too far away. Standard X45 and X52 joysticks are too sensitive (IMHO) and I tend to overcontrol alot with them. They are also hard to mount in a realistic position without the base getting in the way. With just this 4.5 inch extension I found that it feels much better than standard. Really nice fine control and a much nicer range of movement. Plus the base is out of the way. I used PVC and duct tape as I had them to hand and I was prototyping, but for a serious mod job most pit builders would probably choose more sturdy constuction methods. Although PVC and duct tape are sturdy enough if thats all you got.. lol I kept the centering spring but put only just enough tension on it to keep the stick centred. That way it gives just enough resistance to movement but not too much. With low spring tension and the extended shaft, it also helps to reduce the chronic "sticky/notchy" problem with most X45 and X52 sticks. This mod is simple enough to do but will give you such a better feel plus better mounting options, its well worth doing. It would work with any stick, even FFB sticks as all you have in the cyclic shaft is a bundle of wires going to switches and pots. Any joystick should be able to cope with a 5 or 6 inch wire extension through the cyclic shaft. I used telephone extension wire myself. One last thing... Because of the bend in the extension, the stick will rise up as you push it forward if the base is mounted flat. Just mount the base with a slight angle forward and this will compensate that nicely. I hope you like the idea. Its working great for me and I'm sooo glad I did it. :thumbup: Pics attached.

Careful, Santa might decide to upgrade his sleigh pit with them and fly on by :D Put out milk and cookies to lure him in. Traditional Santa bait. lol Looking at those Thrustmaster MFD's... they are just a frame that you have to stick over a monitor. Pity they didn't put an LCD screen in them. That would have been awesome, but price would be waaaaay more :( They look nice but kinda leave you thinking "what if" and "I wonder". Not really something I'd go for myself, but thats just me.

Does BlackShark currently take advantage of SLI/Crossfire and if not, will it be supported in future versions of the sim engine? I have seen a few posts about SLI/Crossfire but none seem to answer the question 100% for sure. Anyone from the ED team care to comment on current and future SLI/Crossfire implementation in the sim engine? Please? I'm saving to buy a new PC before christmas (hopefully) and will probably go the SLI route with a pair of GTX 275 cards. With an i7-920 clocked to 4 GHz, they should make a good system for me to run most things at full tilt and it works out cheaper than buying a single GTX 295. Yet when you look at Tom's Hardware "Sum of FPS Benchmarks Totals" a pair of 275's beats a single 295. Looking good so far. http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-cards-charts-2009-high-quality/Sum-of-FPS-Benchmarks-Totals,1469.html A single GTX 275 is a bit down the list however so I'd be a bit bummed out if BlackShark only use one card and I couldn't drive a TripleHead2Go with decent frame rates. Dilemma. Advice, suggestions or accounts of experiences with similar systems would be appreciated. Cheers.

Link = Widescreen gaming forum page - list of monitors working at 5040x1050 res. Handy info for anyone thinking of going the TH2Go route. http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14461&sid=d46ff1497d210c873cabea513b5f1937

I was admiring his punky pink mohawk hairpiece. Nice barnett :P

Patch 1.0.1a readme http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=43547 Quote: * Vista users using multi-core systems will now have affinity automatically set to use all cores. I presume XP users still need the DCS Max utility?

This post is perpetual motion in itself.. lol for / against / for / against / for / against.. on and on and on with no net gain anywhere but much lost time GGTharos, I think this troll snagged you hook line and sinker. Don't let him haul you in any deeper ;) My 2 cents are in the collection box. :P Got better things to do. Out.

A.S - Have you paid your $47 and ordered your Magnets 4 Energy "How To" manual? Have you built one of these things and got it working? Its not expensive, so why haven't you proven it yourself? The burden of proof is at your doorstep, not ours. You're the one going on and on. ----------------------------------------------- Apart from the fact that this idea defies the laws of physics, I've looked at their website and it stinks of scamming. Special offer, only $47 (was $97.99) Only available for the first 50 people who order (afraid CIA will kill him) "You'll also get these 5 Incredible Bonuses, Absolutely FREE!" (really?) 60 Day risk free guarantee! No questions! No hassles! No problems! (yeah right) No name, company, address, phone number. (anonymous, no traces) Look at their affiliates program and they are gearing up to sell way more than 50 copies. ($$$$ kerchiiiing $$$$) I left their page for 5 mins and went back - 5 new testimonials had magically appeared on the page. (wheeeee) On my second visit, a message box popped up saying "A Virtual Agent wishes to speak with you." (suuuure, where do I sign?) I can understand how oil moguls would want to suppress any technology that would eat into their HUGE revenues. Countries have gone to war over oil many times and I'm sure people have been silenced over certain competing technologies, but this one? Pure hoax. The way you've gone on and on about this A.S - I'm beginning to suspect you have connections with these people and their "Free Energy" scam. Tell us this isn't true? :D

Really? Maybe you should eat more fibre dude. Thats a long stay in a cubicle! Bet your legs were numb after. :megalol: Or was it a real short book? Reminds me of Robert Mason in Chickenhawk, commenting on the toilet facilities in one of the camps in Vietnam. "Real men can s**t in the open, in the middle of a busy camp. Sure, who's gonna watch you wipe your *ss." (Or words to that effect - haven't got the book in hand to quote exactly.) My book suggestions:- Chickenhawk - by Robert Mason Been suggested already but its such a good read so I mentioned it again. Goshawk Squadron - by Derek Robinson Novel/Fiction but very well written. Both hilarious and tragic. About WW1 aviators over the western front in 1918. Ghost Force, The secret history of the SAS - by Ken Connor Factual and well written. Covers most theatres of operation since SAS was formed.

Glad I came across this post. I really enjoyed Chickenhawk by Robert Mason and read it about 3 times I think. Been looking around for some more good heli books and will try to get hold of all that were mentioned here. Ed, nice to see a man of your calibre participating on the ED forums and that everyone is making you feel at home. Great bunch of people here :) I look forward to reading your books and the other titles listed here. I have a deep respect and admiration for all who put their lives on the line for "king and country" but feel a special connection to the helo pilots since I'm a bit of a rotorhead myself. I feel privileged to share in your experiences through reading. Respect.

I'd gratefully accept and fly any helicopter that ED manages to produce for us in such fantastic detail and quality. I'm a rotorhead :D However, some time down the line if all goes well and ED feel they can... I'd like to see the Lynx and BO105 added to the collection simply due to their awesome manoeuvrability. It would be great fun to simply go hot-dogging in those two birds. Mission is optional.. lol.

Cheers Nemesis :thumbup: Must have got buried way down the forum since that post is pretty old now. Good stuff though. Seems theres something for everyone in that selection. Whatever else they decide to add later on will be icing on the cake.

Where is this "list"? Any chance us mere minions can have a look at it? I'd love to find out what they have pencilled in for consideration so far. It would certainly make sense for ED to make an A2A fighter sometime soon in order to keep all their sim fans happy. Considering theres probably a fair number more jet pilots than helo pilots in the simming community anyway, it would be a good move on their part. Cover all angles early on then mix and match as they want into the future. Good plan.

I agree. If you're using rudder pedals you shouldn't have the X52 twist axis assigned to rudder as well. Bound to cause problems.

Cross that bridge when we come to it. I thought that might be the answer but asked the question anyway :D Thanks for the reply. Cheers :thumbup:

Since each new module will have a "new engine", what will happen to the original BS engine? Will it be updated alongside the new modules or will there come a day when BS is no longer "multiplayer campatible" with the latest modules due to big engine differences? How is this going to be handled so that BS stays parallel with new modules?

The tactics employed on any particular mission will always depend on the individual circumstances of that mission. Depends on the terrain/weather/visiblity and how good your equipment/intelligence is and also the enemy's. Gulf war for example, the coalition forces had total air superiority plus UAVs and sattelite imagery. They pretty much knew where every Iraqi was yet the Iraqis were practically blind. So, they could move to a nice spot and pick off targets from stand off distance. Despite the relatively open and coverless terrain. Attack at night, even better. Fish in a barrel. If your intelligence is not "all seeing" then you need to use cover where you can and speed where you can't. Adaptability is the name of the game. Its frustrating that trees are "see through" for the AI I must admit but not alot can be done about it yet so we'll just have to adapt our tactics. Try to engage at standoff range wherever possible. If in doubt as to the enemy contents of a wooded area, maybe take some extra time to skirt around it and try to pick up targets from another angle rather than flying over the woods and getting a nasty surprise. Send wingmen to scout from other angles as well. Use your resources to best advantage under the conditions present. Some cool vids on helos, ops and tactics:- BO105 ops Lynx ops BO105 aerobatics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YkURsYqdcY apache rooivalk mangusta tiger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R0dYo9SKHk&feature=related hind cobra apache