ABRIS topographical map

Lets model a hypothetical situation. Pilot wants to change his flight plan drastically and wants to accomplish his flight optimally. He creates waypoints inside ABRIS, but notices that high mountain is on his route. He assumes that usage of VNAV mode will be great help, because it can calculate required climb rate and initial climb point, however for it to work pilot needs to know what altitude he wants to climb to. The required altitude is mountain height + 100m. How can the pilot get the height of that mountain from ABRIS?

ABRIS uses topography data together with aircraft's altitude reading to mask/unmask parts of threat zones, so ABRIS certainly has required data for determining surface elevation above sea level, however it seems that ABRIS UI has no means to display such data, or simply I have missed them. Has anyone found a way to solve such problem directly or indirectly?

P.S.: I am interested only in determining elevation in advance while flying.

+1 for an awesome question!

I tend to try to do a fairly good study of the terrain before a mission (I play the "campaigns" through the mission editor so I can check elevations there), but I might get well boned if I have to change my plans mid-mission. Knowing a way to extract elevations from the ABRIS would solve that.

I'm guessing a real KA-50 pilot has other charts at his disposal for such things.

Well, the ABRIS can calculate routes for optimal climbing above mountains, so he could use the ABRIS for planning his route.

Beyond that, there is a measurement-tool. I must say I used it primarily for map-scrolling so far, but I bet there is a way to get the topographical data from the ABRIS as well.

Well, the ABRIS can calculate routes for optimal climbing above mountains, so he could use the ABRIS for planning his route.

Of course he can, VNAV mode is for that, however it requires input of desired altitude. If pilot does not know the height of mountain, he will not know what desired altitude he should enter in to VNAV.

Beyond that, there is a measurement-tool. I must say I used it primarily for map-scrolling so far, but I bet there is a way to get the topographical data from the ABRIS as well.

Measurement tool gives coordinates, distance and bearing; info tool gives coordinates only (in case of mountain).

The F10 map displays elevation data. I use it for finding the lowest pass over mountain ranges.

The F10 map displays elevation data. I use it for finding the lowest pass over mountain ranges.

Yep, back to good ol' basics - look at map, look out window and identify ground reference object.

We call it IFR - I Follow Roads, Railwaylines, Rivers . . . :D

The F10 map displays elevation data. I use it for finding the lowest pass over mountain ranges.

F10 works only if one of 3 options is enabled: Show my aircraft, show enemies or show allies. If none of them is enabled, F10 won't work.

I personally don't want to have nor backup GPS, nor pseudo "AWACS" view, so F10 is not solution for me.

F10 really is the solution that best recreates a paper chart in the cockpit. Simply select show allies or show my aircraft and use it before you take off.

Don't feel like you're cheating by using the F10 menu since it's woefully inadequate compared to the detail a real pilot would have available in a real briefing.

Well, the low tech solution is to use a real physical map. I don't know if anyone has created a Map you can print out of the area in the sim but it seems to be that might be one solution. On top that, it's a realistic option that might help with the immersion of the game.

Is there a way of extracting the terrain data used by the game to create a topographical map that would include cities, towns, villages, rivers, roads, etc?

Don't feel like you're cheating by using the F10 menu since it's woefully inadequate compared to the detail a real pilot would have available in a real briefing.

Well, pilots are not briefed during a flight, but before it. Of course, you can always launch clean mission editor before flight to get all information about terrain and simulate some part of briefing, but F10 is bad (especially if multiplayer server has disabled it).

In anyway it looks strange for me that ABRIS has required data, but has no ability to present it to pilot. Logically, info tool should (could) display terrain elevation together with coordinates. Maybe it is just design flaw...

Right, you should be briefed before the flight. I've always complained that the pre-flight environment in DCS:BS is extremely lacking. This is why I don't feel bad about checking the F10 map for whatever reason as the engines warm up.

F10 is not bad. F10 is everything the player-pilot deserves. Yes, it is unfortunate if the multiplayer server disables it.

You would think that the ABRIS Marker/ERBL tool would show terrain elevation under the cursor. It's strange that it does not.

I asked a same question and…

В текущей реализации никак.

i.e. 'In the current realization it is impassible.'

I asked a same question and…

 

i.e. 'In the current realization it is impassible.'

So, does this mean that real ABRIS has means to show elevation, but current DCS implementation not? Any plans to change this?

Well, pilots are not briefed during a flight, but before it. Of course, you can always launch clean mission editor before flight to get all information about terrain and simulate some part of briefing, but F10 is bad (especially if multiplayer server has disabled it).

 

In anyway it looks strange for me that ABRIS has required data, but has no ability to present it to pilot. Logically, info tool should (could) display terrain elevation together with coordinates. Maybe it is just design flaw...

A mission planner like that included in Falcon would be really cool for other reasons, too. I honestly doubt the Pilot will load the flightplan into the ABRIS and then start modifying it, sitting on the tarmac or even enroute to his target.

This would also enable us, to edit weapons BEFORE we start the mission. ;)

But this is already in the wishlist, so let's be patient and hope for the patch/next module.

So, does this mean that real ABRIS has means to show elevation, but current DCS implementation not? Any plans to change this?

I have asked in Russian forum and the answer was:

Постараемся поправить в патче.

"We will try to fix it in patch".

АБРИС дорабатывать мы не планируем. Возможно сделаем определение высоты рельефа через функцию ИНФО.

It is possible the ED will implement the elevation of points on the ground determination capability through INFO sub-mode of the ABRIS system.

hey guys...the rings(line) on the map that go around the hills and mnts.... are to show the change in elev....its been a long time since i did any real map reading... i would say find the key elev. for the map... ie the rings elev. just look it up on a real map an there you go...i think its called the elevation scale..not sure..hope tht helps..

adapt and overcome. Read the map before you fly. I myself dont bother about putting the ALT in the computer type thingy.

hey guys...the rings(line) on the map that go around the hills and mnts.... are to show the change in elev....its been a long time since i did any real map reading... i would say find the key elev. for the map... ie the rings elev. just look it up on a real map an there you go...i think its called the elevation scale..not sure..hope tht helps..

But the AMMS ABRIS don't show any index contour line and its contour interval is unknown.

i think you need to ck cus last i looked it does show the elev rings in the ABRIS ..use the map and then zoom.....it shows the rings..hope tht helps

.

I can't say that I know of any current satellite navigation system ... air, sea, land ... that shows elevation on the maps/charts. There may be some key things like towers or predominate land marks given but other then that I'll assume that, like most pilots, the Black Shark pilot does a thorough look-see at the charts on the ground before take off.

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.I can't say that I know of any current satellite navigation system ... air, sea, land ... that shows elevation on the maps/charts.

If real ABRIS did not have that function, we would not be getting answer "Will be added with patch" from ED. :smilewink: