Bob1943

OK, I put the throttles at Idle before loading the game. Then loaded the Cold Start training mission. Once the mission started, I put both throttles back to Off. Then proceeded to the Start procedure. With APU going. I hit the right engine crank switch. RPM smoothly advances up through 25%, at which point, I advance the right throttle from Off to Idle. Unfortunately, the RPM just stabilizes at about 30% - no ignition.

First time through a cold start procedure using the Warthog throttle quadrant with the F/A-18. Once the APU is cranked up, I lift the right throttle out of the Off position and advance it to Idle. No ignition occurs, the RPM just stays right around 30%. The throttles work fine when flying the plane, so I do not know why they will not work during a cold start. Isn't the DCS Control menu pre-programmed to recognize the Warthog throttle during a cold start? Any help appreciated.

Can those throttle LEDs be programmed to turn on/off for certain actions by using the DCS "Controls" menu?

I used the same seat set-up that I had assembled on a wooden base back in 1990 for use with some old Thrustmastser HOTAS equipment, later replaced by CH controllers. It uses a bucket seat from a van. After 30 years, I thought it was time for an upgrade. I designed 2 new side console panels and built them out of 1" plywood. Left panel for the throttle and right panel for a mouse/keyboard combo. I made a paper template for the small airplane silhouettes (F-100) and traced them onto 1/4" plywood and then hand-cut them and painted them red. Went to Michaels and bought some 3/4" wooden letters and painted them blue. Purchased a new Warthog HOTAS system and two TM MFD control panels. I had FoxxMount laser cut a new custom-designed 1/4" steel base plate for the new Warthog stick. Then mounted that to a 1" plywood platform, which also holds a punched square steel tube to which the MFDs are mounted. Everything is adjustable both vertically & horizontally to get comfortable ergonomics. Got a new Corsair RGB keyboard so I could light up the keyboard in green to match all the new TM controller green LEDs. What an improvement from the old set-up, really feels like you are climbing into a cockpit now, especially with all the new buttons & switches to play with. Really happy with the way it turned out.

https://www.bugeyetech.com/f-18-throttle-and-grip

Thank you. Those were fun years and a great airplane to have the privilege to fly. Some of my Vietnam combat film and radio calls that I included/integrated into a movie I made with an old sim called "Strike Fighters 2 Vietnam": And a movie my Dad took of me doing a start, taxi, and takeoff:

Sim Mode. I unplugged them from the USB hub and then plugged them back in and they work fine now. They must "go to sleep" if they are not in continuous use, and will not wake back up unless the power is recycled to them via unplug/replug. Is this a known issue with CH pedals?

My CH Pro rudder pedals are connected and recognized in the DCS "Controls" window. For each of my planes they are set as Joy_z for "Rudder" under the "Axis Commands" menu. There are no conflicts with other controllers, i.e., only the CH Pro Pedals column has a command assigned for rudders. However, when I go to takeoff, I have no rudder control in any of my planes. Any ideas as to why they are not working as programmed?

I flew the F-100D from 1969 to 1971, including a combat tour in Vietnam. Our role in Vietnam was air to ground, I never engaged a Mig while I was there. However, I did fly air-to-air gunnery training missions while going through the F-100 training program at Luke AFB. When firing on the airborne drogue targets, you had to have the pipper on the target to get a hit. So, yes, the sight pipper is predicting bullet impact, based on range, ammo ballistics, and G-load. I have attached 2 pages from my F-100 Flight Manual, which specifically discuss the operation of the A-4 sight.

Wing vapor works fine in Stable 2.5.6.

Great, thanks for the tip. I'm about ready to dive into the F-16 manual and start learning all the systems. Night & day difference between this and the old F-100 I flew 50 years ago.

I am just starting to play around with the F-16 in Instant Action Free Flight. I have noticed that the pitch ladder and flight path marker drift around on the HUD. Sometimes they are skewed off to the left of center and then they drift over to the right of center. This is during Instant Action flights, no ground start-up process involved with INS alignment. Is there a way to get the pitch ladder and FPM to stabilize in the center of the HUD?

I see several new screenshots on the Product page for the Persian Gulf map. I only use the DCS Stable version and do not see these new effects on my PG map. So, are these new PG visual effects only available with the Open Beta version?

Wow, that Beta lighting is great. I had previously posted a thread about the dim F-16 lighting in the Stable version. Looks like the Beta changes will fix that.

Well, I answered my own question. Yes, cranking up the wind setting makes a big difference. Here is the same location with 25 knots of wind blowing into the beach. That kicked up the surf. However, there is still no 'Foaming water" right at the water-beach interface to break up that "sharp" line where water meets land. I also noticed that you can see the "mesh" lines in the white surf in the lower right quadrant of the picture.

I only use the stable version. Here is a water sunset shot, plus 2 more along the coast of Dubai. That is pretty tame looking water. I would like to see some breaking surf along the beaches. Maybe the wind setting would impact the water to cause a little more "white water effects" to be visible?

Are you talking about "water effects" in the new Open Beta version or the old Stable version?

Always admired the F-5s that were at Williams AFB when I was going through pilot training there in 1967-68. Here are a couple pictures that I took in May 1968, showing the F-5A/B models (with tip tanks) that were there with the 4441st CCTS. Just downloaded the free trial version to try in DCS. Takes me back to my T-38 days.

Thanks. I will be experimenting with all the F key camera options.

Sure, but it may be awhile before I get to the point of making a worthwhile video. Still fabricating some new add-ons to my home-built cockpit to accommodate a new Warthog stick & throttle and 2 Thrustmaster MFDs.

Yes, that is a useful video.

Great, I will play around with the "F" keys some more and see if I can get everything sorted out. Thanks for all the comments & help.

As I posted on another thread, I also feel the F-18 "Instrument Panel Lights" are way too dim. They are much brighter in my F-16. I am not using VR, just a 34" 1440P curved screen. I have DCS Gamma set at 2.2. So, any chance we get some brighter "instrument panel lights" in the F-18?

OK, I flew a test flight, saved and then replayed the track file. How do you choose your camera angle? I hit F2 during the reply and got the normal external view - is this what you are referring to? When I hit F11 to get a free camera view, it took me to a completely different geographical location than where I was flying. So, are you referring to the "F" keys for camera angles during the track playback?

Compared to the F-16, the Instrument Panel Lights seem much dimmer in the F-18. I have the IPL brightness knob cranked fully clockwise and the lights are still really dim. Is this a known issue, or, is that as good as it gets?