Gun questions

My apologies if answered before, only purchased the sim since its full release...man is it awesome :joystick:

So the gun, I've looked up corresponding documentation but couldn't work out if the PACS stability system should work OK with air brakes deployed or not, only aircraft behaves like its turned off when the airbrakes are out resulting in very inaccurate strafes?

I also get a HUD symbology showing the initial bullet splash (like a small round circle when the rounds first impact, not for each round otherwise it would be full of them but roughly 1 in 10 impacts show up as hit symbology on the HUD) which I thought abit weird. If this isn't a bug then how the hell does this work?

I know there's no tracers to observe but given the correct conditions shouldn't we see the rounds?

Welcome Dr Zaius, I am always pleased to help a future overlord with weapons training.

Yes this has been discussed recently but I couldn't find the post. Most discussions I found with "search" - like this one (http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=64476&highlight=PAC+flaps) appear to be beta bug talks.

What I have read somewhere:

Both PAC 1 and PAC 2 will engage regardless of airbrake position (look at lower left of HUD), but with airbrakes extended the SAS authority may not be enough to hold the aircraft steady while firing.

What I can confirm from experience:

I find that with airbrakes extended PAC 1 (first stage trigger) works fine, but the plane pitches up when firing.

Despite the tutorials telling you to use airbrakes, I find it better to leave them retracted (no argument will be entered into;)).

I also get a HUD symbology showing the initial bullet splash (like a small round circle when the rounds first impact, not for each round otherwise it would be full of them but roughly 1 in 10 impacts show up as hit symbology on the HUD) which I thought abit weird. If this isn't a bug then how the hell does this work?

As for the bullet splash symbology check manual page 369:

3. Bullets at Target Altitude (BATA) Circle. This small circle on the HUD is calculated using CCIP gun ballistics and represents the estimated impact of gun rounds based on time of flight.

The BATA circles only started appearing for me with the final release. They are calculated the same way that all CCIP calculations are made:

Exact aircraft position and velocity + database of terrain altitudes + (F=ma) + magic + goat entrails = CCIP

I know there's no tracers to observe but given the correct conditions shouldn't we see the rounds?

No. In all the videos I've seen all that you see is smoke from the aircraft and a lot of dust on the ground. Maybe in very humid conditions a trail could be left but I doubt it. Anyone...anyone...Bueller....Bueller?

Cheers,

BiPod

Hmm, answered better by BiPod. Sniped!

I asked one of our pilots and they NEVER use airbrakes when making a gun run (or any weapons) because off the amount of inertia you loose and how long it takes an A-10 to pick up speed again.

Hmm, answered better by BiPod. Sniped!

'bout time I got you for a change ;)

@Paulrkiii

Agreed. The more speed to break off the better!

...but as I said "no argument will be entered into."...unless of course you agree with me:)

BiPod.

No. In all the videos I've seen all that you see is smoke from the aircraft and a lot of dust on the ground. Maybe in very humid conditions a trail could be left but I doubt it.

Bullets - no. But I know from a very reliable source (keywords: horse, mouth) that you do see the shock waves from the bullets under the right conditions. Dunno if that still applies in the A-10, or if there are just too many bullets for individual shock waves to be distinguishable. :)

Thanks for the replies guys, such a great forum :thumbup:

I asked one of our pilots and they NEVER use airbrakes when making a gun run (or any weapons) because off the amount of inertia you loose and how long it takes an A-10 to pick up speed again.

Post of the day so far - thanks Paul, great info :thumbup: