Training Campaign?

Playing "The Enemy Within" campaign has made me realize just how much more awesome the A-10C is, how capable it is in a number of situations and environments. Also made me appreciate just how detailed and love was put into this simulation.

But at the same time, it has made me realize just how untrained and "green" I am with this plane. When I was able to start up the plane all by myself, without help, I was pretty impressed with myself. But when it comes to doing some of the actually useful things, like punching in a new L/L waypoint or a bullseye coordinates, or using the steerpoint markers to designate targets for guided bomb strikes from above cloud cover, that took me a while and is making me wonder what else I don't know.

And yes, I could just read through the manual, but to be frank, there are only two campaigns made for the A-10C the original campaign and the Enemy Within. And only the Enemy Within actually demands the use of some of the more complex functions the A-10 can do.

So TL:DR, I was wondering if the User Made Training Campaigns

A-10C Basic Flight Training Qualification Practice Missions etc, are worth the price.

My only hesitation stems from the fact that DCS World is quickly changing and updating rather often, leading me to think that maybe one would break the campaign, and because the campaign is not an official part of DCS World, no updates would be made to it to keep it working on future DCS updates.

Also, why hasn't Eagle Dynamics made their own Training Campaign? I would definitely pay $20+ for a campaign that effectively taught me to be competent in the A-10. Or any other plane for that matter.

I think we're getting there soon with the ED stamped user campaigns for sale. I think the likely answer is there aren't any at that level yet, and ED likely didn't want to underwhelm with the initial retail campaign.

That said, I too would love any campaign that simulates the pilot candidacy phase and works us on a checklist of things more than navigating and simple weapons employment. Perhaps even practices ingress, egress, and low level radar evasion strategies.

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I think we're getting there soon with the ED stamped user campaigns for sale. I think the likely answer is there aren't any at that level yet, and ED likely didn't want to underwhelm with the initial retail campaign.

 

That said, I too would love any campaign that simulates the pilot candidacy phase and works us on a checklist of things more than navigating and simple weapons employment. Perhaps even practices ingress, egress, and low level radar evasion strategies.

 

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Agreed here. The Georgian Hammer campaign is quite underwhelming. I would love a candidacy training campaign.

I haven't tried operation red flag yet since somehow it didn't get added to my campaign folder despite pre-ordering in time. Hopefully the quality is there.

Sabre TLA's Maple Flag missions are well worth the money. For $5 each you get three campaigns that take you from the basics up to advanced levels.

There's a separate thread here

The maple flag guys have been around for a few years now I think. I think they where almost from the very start of world. They seem reliable, kept everything working through all the updates, even the turbulent 1.5 times. They're also not completely random people. As far as I understand they have a license to produce derivative work. So ED trusts them to some point. You can't just create missions and ask money for it. The software is ED's IP after all. I heard they where planning to have their stuff in the official store. I'm not sure if the basic will teach you everything you need to know. I know they have an advanced and tactical training campaign as well.

I personaly haven't used their stuff though. Part of the fun for me in a study-sim like this is figuring out how the stuff works.

They're also not completely random people. As far as I understand they have a license to produce derivative work. So ED trusts them to some point. ... I heard they where planning to have their stuff in the official store.

I think then it will simply be an issue of getting them on the official campaign list and getting a community feeling (more than I've seen expressed so far, which is overwhelmingly positive really) that they are as official and as necessary as Nevada is.

I've not yet indulged as my only PFM aircraft is the A-10C and I don't feel systems competent enough to be tested, but I will say I'm eager to get there and try.

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.... the A-10C and I don't feel systems competent enough to be tested, but I will say I'm eager to get there and try.

The maple flags qualifaction campaigns also come with practice missions. So you get a chance to practice the tasks you need to do to become qualified.

They are really excellent quality campaigns and use the A-10C and F-15C campaigns, BUT they are check rides rather than training. So it its more a practice what you have learned type thing rather than teaching you how to operate the aircraft and how to follow procedures.

They are really excellent quality campaigns and use the A-10C and F-15C campaigns, BUT they are check rides rather than training. So it its more a practice what you have learned type thing rather than teaching you how to operate the aircraft and how to follow procedures.

You are right on that but you also get the campaign as single missions with additional explanations to prepare for the check rides. Additionally you can take a look at the excellent Videos of Recon Stewart for guidance and will get all information about subsystem management to complete the campaigns.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=reconstewart

Of course yes I know. But the OP was looking for (it seems to me) a campaign like the interactive training missions such as the original ones for the A-10C. If the maple flag missions were like this then they'd be into a winner for sure. Not sure why it's not been done by anyone for the other aircraft - maybe as there are as you say lots of YouTube vids on each area of study (still not the same as interactive training though)

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Of course yes I know. But the OP was looking for (it seems to me) a campaign like the interactive training missions such as the original ones for the A-10C. If the maple flag missions were like this then they'd be into a winner for sure. Not sure why it's not been done by anyone for the other aircraft - maybe as there are as you say lots of YouTube vids on each area of study (still not the same as interactive training though)

 

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You are correct. It would be great if Eagle Dynamics released a campaign that essentially was a simulated representation of what any air force pilot would go through to become qualified to flying the A-10C into combat.

Frankly, it would be awesome if they released a training campaign for most of the released planes and helicopters. Including the P-51 and Dora... etc. etc. etc...

I think I see what you mean. I'm afraid that there is little chance to see something you requested. Imagine a campaign mission where your instructor guides you through CDU usage. At least one hour complete with voiceovers... If ED would produce such a campaign one day we would have to dive deep into our wallets :music_whistling:

Hey guys,

Glad you liked The Enemy Within, WelshZeCorgi.

And I do agree that a training campaign would be a nice addition for A-10C.

Actually, this is almost what I am doing now for Mirage 2000C, the official campaign will be the training campaign which, as it progresses, will force player to fly more and more combat sorties (due to the storyline) but first 6 missions have a lot of training components / instructions etc.

I know M-2000C is a different plane, but if this idea proves to be good and people like that kind of campaign I wouldn't exclude working on a training DLC campaign for A-10C set in Nevada (where more than 90% of campaign would be devoted solely to training) or in Caucasus (where there could be more different paths to explore).

Actually, with training mode for A-10C weapon systems modelled, as well as training ordnance, it is an awesome idea guys. I'd be happy to oblige!

You're the man. Will I'd happily pay top dollar (somehow top pound doesn't sound right!) for this for the Mirage and F-15C. If the Enemy within is anything to go by then these will be the bees knees.

EDIT just watched the trailer for the Mirage campaign - looks and sounbs brilliant

Hey guys,

 

Glad you liked The Enemy Within, WelshZeCorgi.

And I do agree that a training campaign would be a nice addition for A-10C.

 

Actually, this is almost what I am doing now for Mirage 2000C, the official campaign will be the training campaign which, as it progresses, will force player to fly more and more combat sorties (due to the storyline) but first 6 missions have a lot of training components / instructions etc.

 

I know M-2000C is a different plane, but if this idea proves to be good and people like that kind of campaign I wouldn't exclude working on a training DLC campaign for A-10C set in Nevada (where more than 90% of campaign would be devoted solely to training) or in Caucasus (where there could be more different paths to explore).

 

Actually, with training mode for A-10C weapon systems modelled, as well as training ordnance, it is an awesome idea guys. I'd be happy to oblige!

Well worth the money, just finished the CSAR mission and man was that a nail-biter... my god, I was practically screaming at the screen when the enemy AAA almost took down the rescue chopper seconds before I took the AAA out...

But an A10C training mission set in the Nevada map?

(this gif should be a accurate simulation to how I feel about that.)

What would be some examples of things you guys would want to learn in a CP such as this?

What would be some examples of things you guys would want to learn in a CP such as this?

More or less every function system and tactic.

Like, that mission where you were dropping bombs GBU-38s on bunkers from above cloud lvl on an overcast day, essentially giving you immunity from ground fire and SAM, while landing hits with uncanny precision, without ever seeing the target in your TGP during the attack run.