Training mission 1 - feedback

[Maulkin]

So I have run through the first training missing a few times and made a list of things I feel might be useful. I may be a bit nit-picky but I thought I would aim for a comprehensive look. Also not that I may have some duplication from other people but I was not looking at other reports because I didnt want to have a bias. Here you go:

 

 

1) When requesting to call Crew Chief to turn on ground power I would suggest adding the key that is needed in the text. For example: "Next, call the Crew Chief (press the \ key) and ask him to turn on the Ground Power....". This is useful for those who are new to DCS which should always be the baseline for training.

 

2) I think the lat/long data you give in the example is using minutes/seconds when it should be using decimal?

 

3) You should specifically say to set the Radar Alt. Switch to M (marche). The reason for this is that it is a three position switch.

 

4) VOR/INS should be VOR/ILS

 

5) you say they should turn on the ECM but dont point out the switches. Either dont mention this (because you are going into that later) or highlight the switches so they know what ones to use.

 

6) IFF using the fragged instructions? What is that? Again it probably best to just not bring it up if you are not going to show how to do it.

 

7) To lower the canopy first right-click on the lever.

 

8) You mention the green and red knobs but they are far away from where the player is currently working and gets very confusing (esecially since the knobs you are referring to are not very green or red and easy to miss). You should either highlight them or not mention it here and go over it in the campain.

 

9) you mention that the INS Mode Selector needs to be set to 'NAV' but shouldnt the INS Operational Mode selector also be moved back to 'N'? Should the INS Parameter switch be set back to 'L/G' or something else?

 

10) highlight the starter button cover when asking it to be closed after engine startup.

 

11) when checking that the blue DIRAV light is off it might be a good time to explain that the FREIN light is on due to the parking brake. Alternatively, you could get the player to check that the light comes on when the parking brake is applied before engine start.

 

12) autopilot test: looking for the *green* light

 

13) Fly-by-wire test has three positions. You need to go into more detail here. Should they use 'C' (which is a right-click) or or 'L' (which is a left-click)? What is the difference?

 

14) when checking the slat by setting it to "Sortis" you could mention that the pilot needs to look at the leading edge of the wings to verify functionality.

 

15) when checking the anti-skid you mention the SPAD light coming on but not the FREIN light going off.

 

16) sealing the canopy requires a left click on the handle.

 

 

Other recommended additions

 

1) cage HSI (as others have mentioned)

 

2) turn on the audio warning switch (on right side) between turning on Emerg. Hyd. Pump and the Pitot heat cover.

 

3) Lights Test Switch next to warning panel would be a nice addition and since we are waiting for the INS to align, why not :)

Edited December 7, 2016 by Maulkin

[Elnocho3]

Just tried the first training mission and unfortunately it leaves a lot to be desired. I found it impossible to complete without cross-checking the manual (several times!). I don't actually particularly mind this, but I think that it could be a significant barrier for other people trying to get into this aircraft.

[baltic_dragon]

@ Maulkin: thanks Maulkin, I will see what can be done from the list which you posted. I feel that some of the points are a bit too detailed to be implemented (I don't think that all the explanations are necessary), but many makes perfect sense and I will include them when updating the training (and porting to Nevada).

 

And I do think that player should look check the manual before trying the training missions, I don't believe that everything should be explained in the mission, as many things are very well described in the manual.

 

@ Elnocho3: see above, I don't believe it is possible to do a training mission that would not require you to look at the manual at all. Manuals are very important part of the DCS and not training mission will replace them, as explaining all aspects of many systems would take too long and be boring to many.

 

Having said that, can you tell me what exactly was it that you found that needs upgrading?

And thanks for feedback!

[Elnocho3]

Makes complete sense - I realise that learning the aircraft requires reading the manual. In fact, the required depth of knowledge is one of the main things I like about DCS.

 

One of the main issues for me was hunting for switches that are mentioned fairly briefly. I remember in the A-10 training missions, the switches were highlighted - this would really help the user to match the (unavoidably) acronym laden switch names to their cockpit location. Or perhaps a better description of their location in the cockpit (even just in the text). At the very least, would it be possible that the subtitled text is displayed until you press spacebar, rather than automatically fading out. This time pressure has an exponential effect on the training frustration/complexity.

 

Love the aircraft, and I think the fact that it's a multirole aircraft will really attract people. So these comments are only meant to aid improvement. As, on the whole, the missions are very useful. With the increasing popularity of VR in simming (side note, I was mostly completing these missions non-VR) I think it would be important to design the missions so that people don't need to alt-tab/remove headset for the most part

[PE_Tigar]

Also - test switches for autopilot and FBW test are buggy.

- both can be engaged and operated with covers on.

- in addition to that, if the switch is in the "test" position, and test is finished, if you left click it again (which should have no effect), the test is annulled/restarted. It is obvious that the switch registers only the action (to start the test), not the condition of the switch.