F/A-18C system vs A-10C Systems.

[BLMOA]

I am new to DCS and purchased the A-10C and F-15C. I have spent all my time in the A-10C and man the learning curve is steep. I have the Wart Hog HOTAS as well. I am wondering is the F/A-18C going to be as hard to learn? What I mean is all the different avionic systems and modes and buttons on the HOTAS. I have pre-purchased the Hornet. I was flying the superbug in FSX and liked it a lot except there are no missions or campaigns as FSX is really supported anymore.

[Kayos]

It will probably be a similar learning curve to the A-10 but will be easier because you have more experience with similar systems now.

[ICS_Vortex]

IMO, F/A-18C is more easier after A-10C CDU, etc.

[Bloodhound57]

F/A-18 will be a study level sim. I think it will be extremely rewarding to learn it.

[Kev2go]

F/A18C will have more automated systems so Memorising and stuff pertaining to Startup is easier, but F/A18 will have more MFD pages and more Avionics like Radar to learn, among maybe other weapons given its Multi mission nature.

 

although TBH for myself or others after learning A10C, FA18C wont feel daunting to study

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

We'll also have quite some time to learn, given the limited capabilities on Early Access launch, and new features slowly getting released over the following months.

I doubt it will feel intimidating :-)

[Buzzles]

It's a bit like bangers and mash vs toad in the hole: they both contain sausages.

 

Sausages in this case being core systems like navigation, tgp useage etc...

[delevero]

I imagine the Radar in the f18c is much like in the F16

 

The f16 also have many radar modes and many mfd pages.

I would imagine if you look some videos of the old falcon 4.0 or

Falcon BMS that this is what you can expect from the f18 radar.

 

There are several sub modes such as GM- GMT - SEA- EXT 1, EXT 2 and other modes.

Tip..: here is BMS 4.33 video.. there are more radar in this one, and by the way a cool video that show how far the old falcon 4.0 have advanced into what look like a more modern sim.. by the way it is fans of falcon 4 who keep developing on the sim since it was discontinued more than 10 years ago.. really amazing what they are doing

 

I like to say this is a guess, i dont know the f18c that well, but they are from more or less the same era, and have the same look alike cockpit with some differences.. Example the f15-f16-f18 and other planes all have the same MDF computer screen with buttons arround the display. And they have many other things in common.

 

PS... If some of you do not know Falcon 4.0 that can be bought on steam. Then i can highly recommend it, especially if you get the mod BMS then the old game get some newer graphics and many new more "real life" features that add more to this old game...However there are less buttons to press than in dcs, but never the less the falcon 4.0 game have the best dynamic war campaign avaliable. game cost 10usd on steam.

Edited April 29, 2018 by delevero

[RglsPhoto]

I imagine the Radar in the f18c is much like in the F16

 

The f16 also have many radar modes and many mfd pages.

I would imagine if you look some videos of the old falcon 4.0 or

Falcon BMS that this is what you can expect from the f18 radar.

 

There are several sub modes such as GM- GMT - SEA- EXT 1, EXT 2 and other modes.

Tip..: here is BMS 4.33 video.. there are more radar in this one, and by the way a cool video that show how far the old falcon 4.0 have advanced into what look like a more modern sim.. by the way it is fans of falcon 4 who keep developing on the sim since it was discontinued more than 10 years ago.. really amazing what they are doing

 

I like to say this is a guess, i dont know the f18c that well, but they are from more or less the same era, and have the same look alike cockpit with some differences.. Example the f15-f16-f18 and other planes all have the same MDF computer screen with buttons arround the display. And they have many other things in common.

 

PS... If some of you do not know Falcon 4.0 that can be bought on steam. Then i can highly recommend it, especially if you get the mod BMS then the old game get some newer graphics and many new more "real life" features that add more to this old game...However there are less buttons to press than in dcs, but never the less the falcon 4.0 game have the best dynamic war campaign avaliable. game cost 10usd on steam.

 

there is difference HOTAS logic between hornet and falcon, such as in hornet there is neither DMS nor TMS. so you'd better forget falcon when learning hornet or you will be confused.

[jojo]

Based on another serious "early Super Hornet" sim, I think the Hornet weapons system will be easier than A-10C, especially the HOTAS which is more simple.

[AvgWhiteGuy]

I'm similarly interested in the F/A-18C after driving the A-10C for several years; I've really enjoyed & appreciated the 'learning curve' of it's systems. My 2 main concerns with the F/A-18C are:

 

Integration with my existing hardware; I have the TM Warthog HOTAS, MFCDs, Orbweaver keyboard, and TrackIR5 now and don't really want/need to be spending on replacement equipment. Will my current setup handle the tasks to be really engaged without relying on keyboard entry and mouse clicks more than I do with the Warthog?

 

Secondly, due to eye issues (age & detached retina) I couldn't find the Hindenburg in the sky if my life (or squad) depended on it. Because of that I'm absolute sh#t in A2A combat and won't drive/buy a fighter generally. But if there are enough opportunities in the DCS world of things to be a 'ground pounder' then I'd be interested in signing that enlistment for the 'A' in F/A-18C.

 

Comments welcome, please....

[unknown]

....

Secondly, due to eye issues (age & detached retina) I couldn't find the Hindenburg in the sky if my life (or squad) depended on it. Because of that I'm absolute sh#t in A2A combat and won't drive/buy a fighter generally. But if there are enough opportunities in the DCS world of things to be a 'ground pounder' then I'd be interested in signing that enlistment for the 'A' in F/A-18C.

 

Comments welcome, please....

Wags posted what weapons/sensors will be included with the EA and what will be added later on here: https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3285514&postcount=13

 

AG is my favourite job in DCS too, looks like the FA-18 will be a good plane for this job.

[beppe_goodoldrebel]

A10 lacks in SEAD/DEAD tools like HARMs and JSOWs.

 

Weapon management is more simple compared to A10s but you have to manage more different weapons.

[Banzaiib]

Based on another serious "early Super Hornet" sim, I think the Hornet weapons system will be easier than A-10C, especially the HOTAS which is more simple.

 

Starting the A-10 is so easy: Battery, Inverter, APU, Fuel pump, generator, engines... basically. It took me about an hour to get all that down pat. Seems like the F-18 is similar.

 

The HOTAS for the A-10, holy crap, it's been a month and I still don't have it... learning what 20 buttons do is hard, but when all the buttons are different depending on your SOI / mode? Oh man... I'm hoping you're right about the F-18!

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

One foot in front of the other foot ...

 

It just takes time and patience.

[Horns]

I'm similarly interested in the F/A-18C after driving the A-10C for several years; I've really enjoyed & appreciated the 'learning curve' of it's systems. My 2 main concerns with the F/A-18C are:

 

Integration with my existing hardware; I have the TM Warthog HOTAS, MFCDs, Orbweaver keyboard, and TrackIR5 now and don't really want/need to be spending on replacement equipment. Will my current setup handle the tasks to be really engaged without relying on keyboard entry and mouse clicks more than I do with the Warthog?

 

Secondly, due to eye issues (age & detached retina) I couldn't find the Hindenburg in the sky if my life (or squad) depended on it. Because of that I'm absolute sh#t in A2A combat and won't drive/buy a fighter generally. But if there are enough opportunities in the DCS world of things to be a 'ground pounder' then I'd be interested in signing that enlistment for the 'A' in F/A-18C.

 

Comments welcome, please....

 

I just happen to have the exact same controller setup (although my pedals are MFG Crosswinds). I don't have your eye issues but I almost gave up DCS because I couldn't locate ground targets when I was using the Su-25T in 1.5, and what saved me was switching to the Viggen so I could fly closer to the ground.

 

If you are waiting to purchase until those questions are answered, feel free to PM me after EA has started and I will be able to answer your controller questions, and I should be able to provide an opinion on ease of target location, albeit from a different viewpoint (no pun).

[falcon_120]

I'm similarly interested in the F/A-18C after driving the A-10C for several years; I've really enjoyed & appreciated the 'learning curve' of it's systems. My 2 main concerns with the F/A-18C are:

 

Integration with my existing hardware; I have the TM Warthog HOTAS, MFCDs, Orbweaver keyboard, and TrackIR5 now and don't really want/need to be spending on replacement equipment. Will my current setup handle the tasks to be really engaged without relying on keyboard entry and mouse clicks more than I do with the Warthog?

 

 

Comments welcome, please....

 

The Hornet does not use "more buttons". In fact the Hornet hotas comes with less hats and buttons. So yes, you should be able to bind every hotas functions in the Warthog Hotas to control all combat operations in the hornet. You will have some free buttons to bind other functionalities. It will be again a question of remembering what the hotas specific buttons do as a function of the radar or combat mode you are in. So I guess it will bereally similar to the A10C with all the SOIs