Getting very frustrated

[Kjunbob]

I have been flying Flight Sims for over 30 years, I was looking for a good combat sim that I could enjoy similar to the Falcon 4 that I enjoyed many years ago and as a diversion to regular Flight Simulation.  I downloaded DCS and am trying to get through the basic training missions but I am having a very hard time just starting the engines.  I was prepared to purchase several aircraft, but I am ready to just give up.  It seems to me that there should just be a simple startup mode that let's one quickly learn.  I haven't been even able to start the engine on the Prop. plane that comes as a default.  For example, having to push three keys to get the Cockpit View to zoom seems ridiculous.  I am not ready to completely give  up yet, but are the instructions any better on the  purchased aircrafts?

Thanks

[=Mac=]

There is Autostart on most aircraft. If I remember correctly, it's right Windows key plus Home on your keyboard. Check your key-bind settings to see for sure.

 

DCS is a study sim so most aircraft have start up procedures that mimic real life aircraft quite accurately. But DCS can do an autostart for you.

[randomTOTEN]

25 minutes ago, Kjunbob said:

For example, having to push three keys to get the Cockpit View to zoom seems ridiculous.

What? I zoom with a single key press....

 

Fly the training missions. They're found on the main menu under the title "Training"

[Baco]

Take a deep breath.. Its not that hard. just look for some Youtube videos, fly the training missions , usually it shows you step by step how to do things...

get a joystick with a POV HAT, bind the views to it and two keys for zoom in and out.. I promise it is not that complicated.

[Wolf359]

If you want even further immersion, look into a head tracker like TrackIR 5. Then no need to bind anything to look around.

[Lange_666]

Depending on the aircraft (clickable or not), training missions contain indicators to show which knobs, switches end other stuff needs to be flipped or turned.

This gets you familiar with the aircraft. Also, each aircraft has a manual, to be found in your DCS installation in the Mods\aircraft\Doc folder (example D:\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\TF-51D\Doc). For the TF-51D there is also a QuickStart guide in there.

[draconus]

If you don't want to fiddle with many switches and levers just choose another quick start mission that puts you on runway ready for take off or better yet - already in the air.

[Mike*Pirates Cove*]

Or .. have you tried joining a Group to help you through the process, it's always good to bounce things off of someone skilled in the ways to help you along

 

[Glide]

2 hours ago, Kjunbob said:

I have been flying Flight Sims for over 30 years, I was looking for a good combat sim that I could enjoy similar to the Falcon 4 that I enjoyed many years ago and as a diversion to regular Flight Simulation.  I downloaded DCS and am trying to get through the basic training missions but I am having a very hard time just starting the engines.  I was prepared to purchase several aircraft, but I am ready to just give up.  It seems to me that there should just be a simple startup mode that let's one quickly learn.  I haven't been even able to start the engine on the Prop. plane that comes as a default.  For example, having to push three keys to get the Cockpit View to zoom seems ridiculous.  I am not ready to completely give  up yet, but are the instructions any better on the  purchased aircrafts?

Thanks

WIN+HOME and WIN+END auto start and auto stop the aircraft by default.

 

The Hot Start from Batumi Instant Action Mission is a nice mission to practice with the trainer.  Set prop RPM to max, set 5 degrees right rudder, pull the stick back to engage steering, taxi out and gentle throttle until you feel the tail rise letting the stick come back to center as you gain speed, then gentle throttle until you are airborne without much stick input.  Gear up and reset trim once you are in controlled flight.  Set your prop and engine needles in the middle of the green, and have fun!

 

I also recommend TrackIR PRO for looking around.  Lots of youtube videos on getting that sorted out.

 

Thrustmaster T.16000M combo is a popular HOTAS setup that you can find in stores.  I use this myself.  Setup is much easier in DCS for HOTAS. 

 

The F-16 is well documented as are quite a few of the full fidelity modules.  The Viper is early access, but you will not regret sticking with it. 

Edited December 9, 2020 by glide
clarity

[Burt]

Just like anything else, you have to put in the time. Watch videos first then brush through the manuals. I still use the auto start and auto shut down. It wasn’t really that important to me when I started DCS learning the start up. I have a check sheet I go by if I ever need to be that realistic. But mainly I’m a BFM guy right now.