drawm twords the AV- 8B

[chaser]

Im think of purchasing the AV-8b, but have limited experience on fc3 aircraft

Am i going to struggle with the AV8b as my first clickable cockpit

Has anyone been in the same position ?

Thanks

[Jester986]

The module is a lot of fun but still fairly incomplete/buggy. My first non FC3 module was the A-10C. Holy crap that was a learning curve. The Harrier should be a little easier than it but the F-5 and L-39 are the two easiest FC3 to full fidelity transition modules. The Mirage isn't too bad either and the Harrier should be manageable. Youtube is you're friend.

[Lixma 06]

The Harrier is great fun but like the A-10C and the Hornet unless you have a HOTAS then some of the operations will seem obscure.

 

For instance in an FC3 aircraft you might have the command 'Lock' - but in one of the higher fidelity aircraft the 'Lock' command will be replaced with something like 'TMS-Forward Long' or whatever. There's a syntax and rhythm to operating the Harrier's sensors and armament that will likely be initially daunting if you're used to FC3-level aircraft and it will require practice.

 

But even if there's a lot to learn you can still take it in small chunks - you can just create a quick mission carrying dumb bombs and 20 minutes later you'll have most of it memorized. Then you move on to the next weapon....etc

 

Just be aware the Harrier and Hornet are work-in-progress - there will be bugs and some of the things that appear clickable don't currently have any function. If that bothers you then I'd push you towards the A-10C which is a mature product.

[chaser]

The Harrier is great fun but like the A-10C and the Hornet unless you have a HOTAS then some of the operations will seem obscure.

 

For instance in an FC3 aircraft you might have the command 'Lock' - but in one of the higher fidelity aircraft the 'Lock' command will be replaced with something like 'TMS-Forward Long' or whatever. There's a syntax and rhythm to operating the Harrier's sensors and armament that will likely be initially daunting if you're used to FC3-level aircraft and it will require practice.

 

But even if there's a lot to learn you can still take it in small chunks - you can just create a quick mission carrying dumb bombs and 20 minutes later you'll have most of it memorized. Then you move on to the next weapon....etc

 

Just be aware the Harrier and Hornet are work-in-progress - there will be bugs and some of the things that appear clickable don't currently have any function. If that bothers you then I'd push you towards the A-10C which is a mature product.

 

Thanks Im getting sick of the FC3 craft not working - for instance the a10a and the F15c not being able to steer on the ground, makes them pretty useless, plus the fact that there is very little training for both of theses in FC3

[Lixma 06]

Thanks Im getting sick of the FC3 craft not working - for instance the a10a and the F15c not being able to steer on the ground, makes them pretty useless, plus the fact that there is very little training for both of theses in FC3

 

I just tested and both the F-15 and A-10A steer fine?

[Harlikwin]

Id do a simpler/complete clicky plane first. F5 maybe. I learned clikys on the mig21, and i still hit a major learning curve with the harrier.

[some1]

The Harrier won't be easier to learn than A-10C, or Hornet, in fact it will be most difficult to learn from the three, for the simple reason there is very little training material included with it. Only three training missions (out of order) and basic pilot's guide instead of proper manual. And that is before you add all bugs and missing features, which make relaying on the real manuals or even online tutorials an exercise of "spot the difference".

 

Personally I also find the Harrier HOTAS system the least intuitive of all the aircraft in DCS, but that is not Razbam's fault.

 

Harrier can be fun for DCS veterans, but for a person familiar only with FC3 aircraft, I would suggest either Hornet or A-10C. Hornet should be easier to learn, there are already plenty of training missions included, it has simpler HOTAS system (less buttons) and less complex navigation and weapons management system than A-10C.

 

Also, there really is no need to buy simpler aircraft (like F-5, L-39) just for training purpose. I mean buy them if you want, these are cool airplanes, but if you just want to learn a complex airplane, buy the complex airplane and start with simple missions.

Edited December 7, 2018 by some1

[chaser]

I just tested and both the F-15 and A-10A steer fine?

 

Thanks for checking but they are defo not working this end Ive checked all of the binding - there are no conflicts - all of the FC3 craft use the z and x keys

some work like the Su25/t and others dont for me

[SGT Coyle]

You definitely don't want to get an Early Access Mod. If you are just starting out it won't pay to try to fly a plane that's not done. The Harrier is fun to fly, but to many systems have bugs. I've stopped fling it for a while.

 

 

The A10C is very technical, but it's easy to fly and has the most complete documentation and years of development behind it. And plenty of forum posts that should be able to solve any issue you have.

Edited December 7, 2018 by SGT Coyle

[ZeroReady]

If you don't have a joystick with a twist rudder axis or pedals you're going to have a difficult time with the harrier. You need to be a lot more active with the yaw in the Harrier than other jets when doing VSTOL. If you're controlling the rudder with the keyboard it will be frustrating.

[jojo]

The Harrier won't be easier to learn than A-10C, or Hornet, in fact it will be most difficult to learn from the three, for the simple reason there is very little training material included with it. Only three training missions (out of order) and basic pilot's guide instead of proper manual. And that is before you add all bugs and missing features, which make relaying on the real manuals or even online tutorials an exercise of "spot the difference".

 

Personally I also find the Harrier HOTAS system the least intuitive of all the aircraft in DCS, but that is not Razbam's fault.

 

Harrier can be fun for DCS veterans, but for a person familiar only with FC3 aircraft, I would suggest either Hornet or A-10C. Hornet should be easier to learn, there are already plenty of training missions included, it has simpler HOTAS system (less buttons) and less complex navigation and weapons management system than A-10C.

 

Also, there really is no need to buy simpler aircraft (like F-5, L-39) just for training purpose. I mean buy them if you want, these are cool airplanes, but if you just want to learn a complex airplane, buy the complex airplane and start with simple missions.

 

It's true the Harrier HOTAS isn't very intuitive, but the A-10C is hands full and is a nightmare to configure if you don't have the Thrustmaster Warthog.

 

It's true DCS A-10C weapon system works very well, but to me it's more complicated than the Harrier.

[some1]

Yes, Harrier, when done, should have similar complexity to the Hornet, which is less complex than A-10C in many aspects. This is no surprise as these aircraft in real life have similar avionics.

 

Keyword: "when done".

[SGT Coyle]

I wish I would have said something earlier. I find it a bit troubling to be talking about other mods in the Razbam area. Not that anyone is trashing the Harrier Mod, but questions like this are best put in DCS World area.

 

 

Hope all this helps OP.

[SWE-Timberwolf]

Thanks for checking but they are defo not working this end Ive checked all of the binding - there are no conflicts - all of the FC3 craft use the z and x keys

some work like the Su25/t and others dont for me

 

Now I don’t usually fly the A-10A or F-15C, but have you made sure that nosewheel steering is on. I don’t remember if you have to do this on these two aircraft, but you have to in the Su-27.

[CoBlue]

Im think of purchasing the AV-8b, but have limited experience on fc3 aircraft

Am i going to struggle with the AV8b as my first clickable cockpit

Has anyone been in the same position ?

Thanks

My advice to you is don't buy the AV8B. It will save you allot of headaches, regarding to bugs, slow development & dev. communication difficulties.

Go for the F-18, F-5, F-86, Mig-15, L-39, all without any major "headaches" ;).

[Varis]

Just one module is not a believable DCS scenario in any kind of a long term view :smilewink:

 

Besides any outstanding bugs (guess you'd only bump into them once you get going, hasn't bothered me yet) and the VTOL challenge, the Harrier has fairly modern systems with MFDs just like the Hornet.

 

Makes much more sense to go with a more simple and/or vintage aircraft at first, your progress will be more smooth.

 

Gazelle, Mig-15 or Sabre, F5, L39 (there is a quite nice but challenging Cadet campaign). Plus you'll be able to play the interesting missions out there that aren't all about top-of-the-line kit.

[kotor633]

I bought the Harriers in pre-purchase and just wanted to deal with this module. In the meantime, I am at the point that I have banned both of the modules from Razbam. And wait and see how it develops. Instead, I play more with the A-10C or the Mi-8 again where I know that there is a decent documentary, the modules are mature as far as possible.

[Cunctator]

While it is certainly easier to learn how to operate a simple aircraft like the F-5 (which offer great fun!), it's much easier in the Harrier to hit anything with your bombs and fight effectively.

 

Just stick to dumb bombs, IR Mavericks, Sidearm and rocket pods at first. The DMT is straight forward to use and a great help to identify your targets, aim precisely and re attack.

[Johnny Dioxin]

I agree - I would recommend starting with the F-5. It's multi-role, the systems are fairly simple, whilst the actual combat is a skill all of its own (getting the warheads on target). It also flies well - but is very sensitive, so a little reduction in axis response may be necessary.

 

If you really want MFDs, I would say A-10C. Use the video series made by Wags in addition to the tutorial missions and manual and you shouldn't have any issues. It isn't complicated at all - just a question of remembering the steps through the MFDs etc.

 

Edited December 9, 2018 by Brixmis
A-10C info