[GUIDE] Traffic patterns, radio navigation and approach

[MikeMikeJuliet]

Hello fellow simmers!

 

During my time simming I've come across people from different backgrounds. Some know close to none of aviation but wish to learn. Some hail from a military background flying combat aircraft for real. And of course everything in between.

 

Whatever the background, there are those who just want to take their aircraft and go blow things up. On the other hand there are people like me, who wholeheartedly enjoy the whole flight from startup to shutdown.

 

I've written a guide for those enthusiasts who wish to know and learn how aerial navigation works and how to get an aircraft down safely following a procedure. I'm not suggesting this as any sort of "must read", for this is a hobby for all of us, and you should enjoy your hobby as you see fit. Still, I feel flying "seriously" from the beginning is a definite immersion factor and something at least I personally get a kick out of.

 

You know... that hair-raising IFR approach in minimum weather after a close-call combat scenario. Something that truly is an experience and something you want to tell your co-simmers about.

 

 

I've tried to write the document to be as easy to follow as possible. This way even those unfamiliar with the whole concept should be able to follow and understand.

 

Long story short, the link is here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ojtrhuRSTYv5x0gXlxBAqcz-c00RR0D2tUvLLtIkJpo/edit?usp=sharing

 

Those who may be interested, the guide is made completely by me from personal experience, pictures and all. If you have any question regarding the document, please feel free to comment down below.

 

 

 

I sincerely hope this document helps those interested, and does NOT annoy those, who just want to go and blow thing up! Let's enjoy the hobby! :joystick::pilotfly:

 

 

Regards,

MikeMikeJuliet

 

 

EDIT:

30JAN17 - added clarification for the abbreviation GS, that could also mean Ground Speed

- added other abbreviations of localizer in addition to LLZ (now: LOC, LLZ and LL)

17DEC20 - published v2 of the document. The whole document has been rebuilt from scratch. Enjoy!

Edited December 17, 2020 by MikeMikeJuliet
Changelog, new link

[Weasel]

This is awesome, mate! Thanks a lot for this fantastic guide and for me as one who is very interested in learning these things just perfect!!!

 

Cheers Weasel

[Kenta]

Thank you for this guide. Much appreciated!

[grunf]

Thanks! :thumbup:

[pierreaf]

Thanks a lot. Much appreciate.

[feefifofum]

Nicely done, thanks for your effort!

[Scooternutz]

Outstanding! Added to my library of must reads.

[David OC]

Good one MikeMikeJuliet :thumbup:

 

I spend time in the other sims from time to time and do a little IFR / VFR, Shhh don’t tell anyone.

 

It’s nice to mix it up in DCS, Sometimes I go from start to finish, organizing all the appropriate departure, arrival charts and checklists, sometimes even all the way down to fuel and weight.

 

Other times it’s nice to just fire up a quick mission in DCS and blow stuff up and dodge triple-A and forget about proper procedures.

 

Also HERE is a good compass image if anyone needs one with a Reciprocal Heading that can come in handy at times.

 

Just to add to your thread if you don’t mind MikeMikeJuliet, for those that are interested.

 

Another great simple KISS tutorial can be found HERE on this forum about TACAN Navigation, a must if you fly the F-5E. Need-To-Know also made the info he posted it into a PDF and can be found in his post HERE

[ChillyWillies]

Hey there!

 

Really appreciate your guide. These are things I've wanted to learn but I do better when I have an organized reading rather than videos. Thank you so much! :)

[LawnDart]

Good write-up, definitely worth reading! :thumbup:

[BritTorrent]

Thanks for this, always nice to see members of the community contributing towards our hobby!

[uboats]

nice job, thanks

is it finalized or still WIP?

[MickeEinSweden]

Many thanks for sharing your work, downloading now :)

[Coxy_99]

Thanks will give it a read.

[Crew Dog]

Excellent read! Now if we only had a more logical ATC...or a way for a client to perform that task

[feefifofum]

@CrewDog check out PilotEdge and/or LotATC if you're looking for more realistic, human-controlled ATC. :thumbup:

[cichlidfan]

Thank you. :thumbup:

[MikeMikeJuliet]

nice job, thanks

is it finalized or still WIP?

 

Thanks! I consider the document a "1.0" version. There are definitely things that I might revisit later down the line, and mistakes that I need to correct.

 

I just did a small correction and added a changelog to the first post. Anyone interested can go and see the latest updates there.

 

 

And thank you for everyone else for the positive response. If you find anomalies in the document, please let me know!

 

Regards,

MikeMikeJuliet

[Hansolo]

Very nice thank you Sir. 'Must spread some rep. around' :-(

 

Cheers

Hans

[rajdary]

Thanks, great work:thumbup:

[theGozr]

:) Thanks

[rreznik]

Nice one indeed sir!

[GoonerTC]

Thank you MMJ

[33rd_Elvis]

thank you for your work:thumbup:

[Backy 51]

Nicely done MMJ!

 

For everyone else: Now that you know how to use your TACAN, go get my COMM/NAV Card and fly a touch-n-go to every NTTR airfield. Practice makes perfect! Be a man, set your weather deck at 300 to 700 AGL and perfect the art of "scud running" ... :D

 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/2183887/