Should have started with FC3

[possumkiller]

Hi guys, I just got the MiG-21 and found that there is waaaaaaaaaaay too much involved in getting started with it. Apparently there isn't a "game" mode for it like Black Shark. I get like 45 minutes to maybe an hour about four days a week that I can fly and I would really like to jump in and go instead of spending half of that time flipping switches. I have the Su-27 and the free Su-25T and those are great for me with the simpler system controls. So my question is, does anyone want to swap their FC3 for my MiG-21? Is that even possible?

 

 

 

EDIT: I wound up getting FC3 anyway and I LOVE it. Anybody got a BS2 they want to trade?

Edited April 13, 2016 by possumkiller

[Stuge]

Well, there's always the autostart (leftwin-home) to get the thing started from ramp.

 

And there are some nice training missions to get you going with the weapons systems! In the end the systems are not overly complex, even if it seems intimidating at first.

 

I admit the Mig-21 is one of the harder machines to be effective with. This is because a) the radar has poor coverage and low-altitude problems so it fares poorly in BVR combat and b) it's not much of a dogfighter either.

 

It works best as an interceptor against targets with known location (with help from AWACS, ground control etc.)

[Elwood]

Stuge is right.

It's been developed as fast intervention missile launching platform against aggressors and bombers.

 

If you don't like to turn off the radar and hunt bandits from the lowest point of the valley with IR missile, restarting the engine if get distracted in a dogfight.

 

If you don't like doing your best with rocket, bombs, land, survive, rearm refuel and back again in CAS.

 

You can still enjoy and complete the nice single player campaign.

 

Having said that is the most difficult plane for the simmers people, so we do understand if you prefer dropping 120C from an Eagle with the radar in TWR mode.

 

Enjoy DCS anyway!

[possumkiller]

Yeah this is going to take a lot of time studying before I can really get into blowing things up with it. I'll probably just get FC3 as well so I can have my quick action fun until I get all of these MiG-21 procedures memorised. Does DCS intend to make any more FC3 types of aircraft? I would love to get the MiG-31 and Su-30 flyable with their own cockpits. I have tons of fun in the Su-25T and Su-27.

[Stuge]

No new FC3 level aircraft are coming, but the existing ones are being improved! Mig29 and Su33 are going to be blessed with new flight models, happy times! FC3 still retains its status as the king of modern fighter combat because the new high fidelity modules have not and will not replace it for quite some time..

[snowsniper]

feel free to PM me if you want a quick lesson on mig 21bis to get confortable. it would be a pleasure to give you some basic tips.

 

European time GMT+1 21h00 - 23h30

[wilbur81]

FC3 is Wonderful!

 

I much prefer FC3 style aircraft to any of the current Study-Modules for this simple reason - Unless I have a real cockpit in front of me with real switches, knobs, buttons, etc., I don't find it practical. Using a mouse to do all that switchology just doesn't do it for me. With the FC3 F-15C and my 2 Cougar MFD's, X-55, and Combat Pedals, I can operate everything with real, tangible controls.... and I get an ultra-realistic flight model in the process. I'm definitely looking forward to the Hornet, though. :-)

[possumkiller]

It would be cool if all of the modules had that option though. That would probably cost more time and money to develop two modes for the same planes though. As it stands now it will probably take some weeks for me to get familiar enough to get the Mig-21 off the ground. I just don't have the free time to be able to devote to doing it in a day or two. I read in the manual about options for simplified systems and misunderstood it to mean less keys and sequences to memorise.

[Stuge]

As it stands now it will probably take some weeks for me to get familiar enough to get the Mig-21 off the ground.

 

Not really..

 

1) Use autostart sequence(the one I mentioned already): ~1 minute

2) Taxi to a runway. During taxiing use the wheel brake while making turns, otherwise the thing won't turn: 10 minutes max

3) Line up with a runway ~1 minute

4) Full throttle and pull nose up to lift off before end of runway --> airborne! ~1 minute

 

Total time to get airborne: ~15 minutes :)

 

The training missions for different systems and weapons take a similar amount of time of your life.

[doodenkoff]

It would be cool if all of the modules had that option though. That would probably cost more time and money to develop two modes for the same planes though. As it stands now it will probably take some weeks for me to get familiar enough to get the Mig-21 off the ground. I just don't have the free time to be able to devote to doing it in a day or two. I read in the manual about options for simplified systems and misunderstood it to mean less keys and sequences to memorise.

 

Create a mission with an air start and have some fun.

[probad]

as you fly it more you'll notice the procedures aren't actually very complicated

 

out of curiosity, what made you purchase the mig-21?

Edited April 7, 2016 by probad

[possumkiller]

The flying pen is one of my favourite Soviet aircraft. I want to collect all of the DCS modules eventually. I got BS1 back in 2010 and still love it. I haven't had a rig good enough to run DCSW until recently and have only gotten back into playing recently as well. I was under the impression that all of the modules had a hardcore mode and a simpler mode similar to Black Shark.

[possumkiller]

I had bought the Su-27 module and I just got the FC3 module. Now the Su-27 tab has disappeared from the main screen and I can no longer set it as my wallpaper. What's up with that? I liked the background picture and music better on the Su-27 theme.

[possumkiller]

Never mind I fixed it with a simple swapping of music and picture files. I have to say I'm loving FC3. I can't wait for the upgrades. The new 3d models and cockpits look beautiful. I can't wait for the new MiG 3d model and new FMs for Su-33 and MiG-29.

 

Does anyone know what variants of MiG-29 will be final? When looking for skins in the user files download section there are A and C to choose from but in game is A, G and S variants.

[possumkiller]

So when I update the game it swapped the music and background art back to the original. Sucks I can't set the standalone Su-27 module wallpaper anymore...

 

I've also been messing about with the MiG-21 a bit more. I can get it flying but that's about it. Still way too much switch flipping for me. Is there a way to bind a sequence to a single key similar to the startup shortcut? Say binding the switches to set themselves for A2A or A2G and such?

 

Also this is the only non-ED module I have. Do the other modules have different keys mapped for different things? I noticed controls for Ka-50, Su-25T, and FC3 are all mapped out similarly on the keyboard but MiG-21 has a lot of differences.

[Aluminum Donkey]

Hi guys, I just got the MiG-21 and found that there is waaaaaaaaaaay too much involved in getting started with it. Apparently there isn't a "game" mode for it like Black Shark. I get like 45 minutes to maybe an hour about four days a week that I can fly and I would really like to jump in and go instead of spending half of that time flipping switches. I have the Su-27 and the free Su-25T and those are great for me with the simpler system controls. So my question is, does anyone want to swap their FC3 for my MiG-21? Is that even possible?

 

Wazzup Possum

 

I don't have an FC3 key for you, but if you keep the MiG-21 and just get the FC3 module you'll be much happier, 'cause with only 45 mins. or an hour a day you haven't the time to really get into the 21, although it honestly isn't that hard. It's from the 50s, so it's actually pretty straightforward compared to today's aircraft. The A-10C will burn months before you're half decent with it!!

 

Now, pretty much all of the FC3 planes are like the Su-25T, they're pretty quick to jump into and get flying, plus the Flanker and F-15 have excellent flight models and are a hoot to start flying around in even if you don't fly any combat missions yet.

 

Thing is, after a while, you'll want to step up your game and try the 21--and since you already have it, you're good to go :)

 

If you can afford the kind of machinery you need to run DCSW decently on, the cost of FC3 is nuttin', may as well just get it. I always advise that people get FC3 and never bother with individual modules. FC3 is just too good of a 'grab' to deal with the individual modules.

 

But when the time comes for that 21... she'll be right there :)

 

Peace and happy warfare

[possumkiller]

I got FC3 a couple of days after the MiG-21. I started in the free Su-25T and loved it so I thought I would try the Su-27 and loved it. So then I thought the MiG-21 would be awesome and hit a wall of switches and levers and buttons lol. I was pretty disappointed when I couldn't use the same keys to do anything like the 25T or 27. So I got FC3 a couple of days later anyway. The Su-33 and MiG-29 don't feel as great as the Su-27 and 25 but they are being upgraded to the same level soon. FC3 is where it's at for me. I can jump in and get airborne destroying enemies in no time. It's a great stress reliever where the MiG-21 just takes up too much time to even learn it. I start a training mission and before I finish I have to drop off/pick up wife/kids and I've forgotten all the switches from the beginning. Not to mention it's like learning another sim since none of the same key commands apply. Apart from ejection that's definitely the same lol.

 

 

 

Anyone care to swap for Black Shark 2?

Edited April 13, 2016 by possumkiller

[lmp]

If you like Soviet planes, consider the MiG-15bis. It's a much simpler aircraft than the MiG-21bis and at the same time a "proper" DCS module (not taking anyway away from the FC3 planes). Like you I just don't have the time to properly learn the more complex machines. The MiG-15bis took me about an evening or two to learn (and there wasn't even an English manual when I got it) and there isn't that much to forget, so getting back to it after some time isn't hard.

[possumkiller]

Sweet thanks for the info. I was going to ask about the other third party modules as well. Do they all have different keyboard command layout? And do any of them have any simplified mode similar to FC3 or Black Shark?

[lmp]

Keyboard layouts aren't very consistent between modules. To a certain degree it's unavoidable, because the systems in different modules are very different, but for example the gear up and gear down key combinations are not the same in the MiG-15bis and MiG-21bis (the MiG-15bis at least lets you toggle the gear lever up/down with G). It could have been done better IMHO.

 

I'm not sure about simplified versions, I try to not use them. WW2 planes have rudder and take-off assists. The MiG-15bis has this "AI helper" feature, which shows you the next step you need to perform to get the aircraft started:

 

 

Again, I'm not sure how well it works cause I never tested it extensively.

[kaboki]

Please dont give up on the mig21, once you get down the basics it's the most fun plane to fly in DCS(personal opinion). As others said, tired of switching all the buttons? just use autostart, and then there aint to many buttons left to switch. The weapon/radar functions can be mapped on your hotas so you wont have to fiddle with flipping switches in the air. Oh my god I love this plane, yesterday I got my first online PVP kill(M2000) and it was the most rewarding feeling I ever had in DCS. It almost got me "hard":p

 

Now that we have so many "complex" planes I wish they would "phase" out the "easy mode" planes aka FC, and put them on their own servers. I kinda feel cheated when an F15C blows me out of the sky knowing that he has alot less workload in the cockpit than e.g a Mirage2000 pilot.

Edited April 15, 2016 by kaboki

[possumkiller]

Yes I think I will just have to spend a lot of time to learn this thing. Time to get out the sticky notepad and write all of the sequences and keys on them to stick to the monitor. Are there any good tutorials for keyboard users? I don't like to click around the cockpit. I know a lot of people love it but I would rather push keys with my fingers and use mouse for looking around. I don't have any head tracker or hotas just keyboard mouse and Logitech extreme 3d pro stick.

[kaboki]

I don't like to click around the cockpit. I know a lot of people love it but I would rather push keys with my fingers and use mouse for looking around. I don't have any head tracker or hotas just keyboard mouse and Logitech extreme 3d pro stick.

 

Im sorry too hear that you lack proper flightsim equipment:p. I remember when I first bought A10C before DCS world was made(my first flightsim ever). I only had keyboard and mouse, I soon realised that I needed a flightstick, and since I really wanted to fly the A10C without to much hazzle I bought the warthog stick to make it easier to use all the functions. The snowball started rolling, now I needed rudder, because I downloaded ROF and really had to have it to be competative in mp, but it wasnt enough, my situasional awareness was really bad, so I decided I needed head track.

 

Never regret buying these things, had them for years and it made flightsimming much less painful, and I can never imagine flying without.

 

So my advice too you would be, either stick with FC planes:p or invest in some equipment to make your day easier. :joystick::pilotfly:

 

With all these devices I have it took me about an hour to get down the basics of this plane and now I need to flip maybe 5-6 switches before Im able to takeoff(using the windows+home keys to startup the plane). In combat I never flip any swithces, have it all conviniently mapped on my hotas:) Except from the radar filters, but they are easy to locate with mouse while flying so it isnt too hard.

Edited April 15, 2016 by kaboki

[Elwood]

I had same issue :D work,family,social life keep me away from DCS.

So in my spare time I found this app very useful giving me time something different than the official manual and Chuck guide (if it possible!)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.threeappsstudios.mig21

 

If you read about aviation in your spare time you can study a module in depth, this cannot be done with any FC3.

 

It's a continue learning, forgetting,relearning process that I'm doing around Mig21,Ka50,Huey, my fav modules.

[QuiGon]

Yes I think I will just have to spend a lot of time to learn this thing. Time to get out the sticky notepad and write all of the sequences and keys on them to stick to the monitor. Are there any good tutorials for keyboard users? I don't like to click around the cockpit. I know a lot of people love it but I would rather push keys with my fingers and use mouse for looking around. I don't have any head tracker or hotas just keyboard mouse and Logitech extreme 3d pro stick.

 

But that is what makes the difference between the FC3 aircraft and the others. While in FC3 everything is simplified and abstracted you have to actually use the aircrafts systems in the full fidelity modules. That's what makes them so great. You don't just press some made up key on your keyboard that does something for you, but instead you click the buttons and switches in the cockpit like the real pilot would do with his fingers. :)