Noob/Lurker greetings.

[riproren]

Since I haven't noticed a "New guy" section, and I've been lurking here in the F-15 section for a few weeks, I figured this place was as good as any to introduce myself.

 

I started out on Falcon when it first came out, along with FS then FSX. Once Falcon became unusable after a Windows update it was just FSX. Last year while watching a FSX video, I noticed a video DCS video, which led to watching more than a few.

 

After some research, it became apparent that my PC wouldn't run DCS so I called the IT guy for the company I own for some recommendations. That led to buy a beast of a PC from Dell/Alienware. The first thing I did after powering up, was download DCS 1.5 and 2.0. Then I bought the F-15.

 

I've been flying this thing for about 3 weeks, but only have around 7 hours in 2.0 and a little less in 1.5. This is the most fun I've ever had with a sim. The graphics are pretty much flawless and watching the tracks of my flights is almost as cool as the flying itself. I imagine that will fade in time, but it's just really cool right now.

 

I printed out the F-15 manual, and I'm working my way through the radar systems. As for flying, I'm getting much better at making high g turns, yet keeping my energy up and not blacking out. As for landing, well I've got that down to a controlled condition now that's getting better every time. I think it took my about 20 attempts to get to a "controlled crash" from a fiery death/snapped of gear, wings, nose, etc.

 

I'm hoping to be confident enough in 6 to 8 months to go online with some of you folks and battle it out with or against you.

 

Anyway, thanks for reading if you made it this far. Seems like a pretty cool community with more than a few helpful members.

 

See ya up there!

[Snacko]

Welcome riproren!

 

Don't wait 6-8 months to go online! That's crazy. Get on there now. Get yourself shot down. Read the forums. Watch the videos. And learn.

[Sweep]

Don't wait, dude, get out there and kill stuff online.

 

There are many people who'll help you with the air to air element of the game.

 

Highly recommend getting teamspeak 3 if/when you hop online, its very very difficult to play online or learn without TS...I tried that for a year or so and it really didn't work.

Edited April 6, 2016 by Sweep

[DarkFire]

I'd also heavily recommend getting Tacview:

 

http://tacview.strasoftware.com/product/about/en/

 

It's probably THE most useful tool for evaluating your own performance, see what went well and what didn't in any given situation and how to improve next time.

[riproren]

Thanks guys. I've researched both teamspeak and tacview. I'll be getting both.

 

I've got a lot to learn and don't want to be in the way and fumbling around online. I'm watching videos and reading the manual and this forum and "eating the elephant one bite at a time". I'm thinking you guys are more aggressive than the AI, so I'm okay with getting proficient at taking them on before I tangle with the online guys. I'm looking forward to it.

 

A question while I'm here. Is it okay to use "labels" when flying online? I 've been watching some videos and it's pretty impressive that enemies are spotted without labels.

[Sweep]

Most of the time labels are disabled in the server host/mission editor options so you can use 'em anyway.

 

I'd recommend leaving them on, you can easily disable them (Left shift F10).

[DarkFire]

"eating the elephant one bite at a time".

 

Definitely the way to approach DCS. It's a sim that rewards patience, time and effort. If you consider how long it takes a real air force pilot to learn a new aircraft (a conversion course might be anything from 20 to 100 hours) then it's a safe assumption that most of the aircraft in DCS will take a similar amount of time in which to become proficient, and then the usual 1000 hours to really understand.

 

Never be afraid to ask questions though - many of the members of the forum have more time in their favourite DCS aircraft than AF pilots have in the real thing. This is also probably the most friendly and helpful game forum I've ever been a member of.

[riproren]

Thanks Darkfire. This is my first gamer forum. I've learned a lot already.

On a side note, my 26 year old son is a hardcore gamer, but more along the fantasy type gamer. He came over last week and saw my new rig. Jealous doesn't come close.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[doodenkoff]

I have no problem landing A-10, L-39, Mig 29, but struggle with the F-15. I think a useful piece of advice I'm learning is to not so much land the plane, as fly it onto the runway.

 

Slow to between 250 - 300 kn as you start your approach, stick your velocity vector on the end of the runway, maintain an AoA of 20 - 22 units, and plan to touch down at about 160 kn. I'm destroying fewer and fewer sets of landing gear.

 

 

Maybe we'll run across each other on a server somewhere and have a noobfight.

[MegOhm_SD]

Welcome! Agree don't hesitate to go multiplayer. The are some practice servers available with targets.

 

There is a mod to turn labels into a dot which eliminates the messy labels. Just search it. Or you could just use the model enlargement option.

 

You might want to pick up JSGME for ease of Mod use. Another easy search.

 

Enjoy! :pilotfly:

 

<S>

Edited April 6, 2016 by MegOhm_SD

[riproren]

I have no problem landing A-10, L-39, Mig 29, but struggle with the F-15. I think a useful piece of advice I'm learning is to not so much land the plane, as fly it onto the runway.

 

Slow to between 250 - 300 kn as you start your approach, stick your velocity vector on the end of the runway, maintain an AoA of 20 - 22 units, and plan to touch down at about 160 kn. I'm destroying fewer and fewer sets of landing gear.

 

 

Maybe we'll run across each other on a server somewhere and have a noobfight.

 

 

Pretty much what I eventually discovered. The main thing that helped my landings become smoother was realizing that I had a lot more room for run out after touch down. Once I knew I didn't need to touch down right after threshold, I quit slamming the jet onto the runway from about 30-40 feet high.

[pr1malr8ge]

Welcome to the DCS Community. It's highly adviceable to get some sort of head tracking ability. Track IR is what the mass majority of us use.

 

as Sweep said don't hesitate on going Multiplayer.

 

Best advice I can give you with that is don't go in thinking you're going to get kills and get on TEAM SPEAK. Your first priority is to survive! The killing part will come as you gain insight on how things are going. If you choose to try and get kills right away it will only lead to you dying a lot with minimal kills. also watch these videos

 

 

 

Edited April 6, 2016 by pr1malr8ge

[Stuge]

I don't think low experience is a good reason to stay offline... just get out and fly! If the kill ratio leads to frustration... don't be quiet about it, ask for guidance! F-15 is, in a way, a simple aircraft to get kills with because the missile does most of the work. With a little guidance you will learn simple attack techniques that are guaranteed to get you the occasional kill and keep you alive in the process.

[winchesterdelta1]

You will have the same struggles online in 6 to 8 months as if you would jump on now. Only difference is, in 6 to 8 months you think you have figured it out. The master of AI killing.. Only to get disappointed, because they will still kill you as easy as if you jumped online right now.

 

(That last sentence is badly constructed. Don't know how to construct it in proper English)

[riproren]

A question about online flying. What is the general format? Is it generally a free for all when you join a server, as in you against everyone else, or is there a team against another team?

[Ironhand]

A question about online flying. What is the general format? Is it generally a free for all when you join a server, as in you against everyone else, or is there a team against another team?

There are sides but not necessarily teams. You fly for the Red or Blue side. Depending on who is available on your side and their willingness to fly as part of a flight group within the side (instead of flying as a lone wolf), you will or won't have support. A number of servers have Teamspeak or some such set up so that members can have voice comms.

[probad]

just get on a server and have a look

 

what do you even have to lose idgi

[feefifofum]

I'll just leave this here...

http://355thvfs.enjin.com

 

We pride ourselves in turning raw rooks into savage killing machines. :lol:

Good luck!

[Ironhand]

Unless you're an adrenalin junkie, the secret to a good time online is to keep it "real". Take off, fly out to the area of operation scanning as you go. If you see an opportunity to do some damage, take it. If not, fly back home, land, repeat. And don't feel like you have to add a notch to you gun every time you take flight. If you're not sure what the situation is around and ahead of you, retreat and come in again.

 

I've had great fun the last few mornings doing just that. Four flights. Two kills. Successful RTBs. A fun time.

[TAW_Blaze]

Welcome!

 

I recommend flying MP as soon as you can, fighting AI will only develop bad habits.

 

There are a bunch of threads on the forum that will help you better understand the basics of fighting, tactics, and some details of avionic usage. I'll link a few that are definitely worth the read:

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=124439

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=120790

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=132872

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=100117

 

If you want more you can always go to search > advanced search > search by title and then try BVR or some other terms that you're curious about. Oh and by the way don't be shy on TS, if you want to know something ask away!

[riproren]

Thanks guys. I've ordered Track ir, a new headset, and I'm researching a new stick/throttle set up with pedals. Once all that's sorted out, I'll be up there getting my ass waxed by you guys. Looking forward to it.