Brand New, Need Help Setting Up TF-51

[KWard]

I've been lurking on these boards for awhile, but I only recently finished building a new PC that could actually handle DCS. I haven't actually played a flight sim since MicroProse's Strike Eagle on the Apple IIc. I could use a little help.

 

My ultimate goal is the F-14, but I'd like to start with the TF-51 and master basic flight before I spend any MORE money. So far I've done the first training mission where you just sit in the cockpit while a voiceover explains all the instruments. I have the Chuck's guide for the P-51 and I've watched Wags' control setup video, but I still can't figure some things out.

 

Like how to map some of the controls. I have Saitek's Pro Flight throttle, which has three configurable levers. I've got the left one successfully mapped to the throttle, and I wanted to map the Mixture Control and Propeller Control to the other two levers, since they're next to the throttle in the actual aircraft. But I can't figure out which item in the huge list of keybinds is the right one. There isn't one "mixture control lever" keybind, there's:

Mixture control (rotary)

Misture EMERGENCY FULL RICH

Mixture IDLE CUT OFF

Mixture RUN

 

And I can't find anything that matches the propeller control lever either. I'm also not sure how to bind the trim controls. I would have thought they'd be bi-directional. and I was planning to use the hat switch on my joystick, but each one has only a single keybind.

I'm also not sure how to bind the brakes or what to bind them to. My VKB rudder pedals are otherwise pretty great, but they do not have toe brakes. Do I need to map the left and right brakes separately, or is it okay to map both of them to one control (say, the pinky lever on the joystick)? I mean, as long as I'm not planning to take off like Tim Matheson in 1941...

 

Adding to the confusion, my Valve Index VR headset arrived today. After going through the Steam VR tutorial, I loaded DCS, clicked the "use VR headset" checkbox in Settings, didn't change anything else, and then launched the same first instrument lesson again. When it loaded, instead of being in the pilot's seat, I was about 12" or so behind it, raised up the same amount with my head clipped through the canopy, and twisted about 15-20º to the left. I have no idea how to fix that. Also, my controls no longer worked.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 16, 2020 by KWard

[KWard]

Tinkered with it a bit more. I ran Steam VR's play area setup again, and this time instead of up too high and back and twisted, I ended up mostly positioned right, except vertically--I was sitting halfway through the floor. Also, flight controls work in VR now. I just need to move UP maybe a foot or so.

 

Also, after seeing it in VR, I get now that the Mixture Control Lever is actually a 3-position switch; it doesn't slide. Well, maybe it does in the real aircraft, but when I clicked it with the mouse it just flicked between those three settings. So those keybindings now make sense. Still have no idea how to bind the Propeller Control Lever, trim knobs or brakes.

 

On a side note, this is my very first time experiencing virtual reality, and I am just blown away by the experience. It's incredible. I kept reaching out and trying to touch things. It feels wrong that there's nothing there.

Edited December 16, 2020 by KWard
typ[os

[Lange_666]

2 hours ago, KWard said:

And I can't find anything that matches the propeller control lever either. I'm also not sure how to bind the trim controls. I would have thought they'd be bi-directional. and I was planning to use the hat switch on my joystick, but each one has only a single keybind.

I'm also not sure how to bind the brakes or what to bind them to. My VKB rudder pedals are otherwise pretty great, but they do not have toe brakes. Do I need to map the left and right brakes separately, or is it okay to map both of them to one control (say, the pinky lever on the joystick)? I mean, as long as I'm not planning to take off like Tim Matheson in 1941...

 

Adding to the confusion, my Valve Index VR headset arrived today. After going through the Steam VR tutorial, I loaded DCS, clicked the "use VR headset" checkbox in Settings, didn't change anything else, and then launched the same first instrument lesson again. When it loaded, instead of being in the pilot's seat, I was about 12" or so behind it, raised up the same amount with my head clipped through the canopy, and twisted about 15-20º to the left. I have no idea how to fix that. Also, my controls no longer worked.

 

Propeller control lever:

Keyboard: Engine RPM Increase and decrease

Axis: Engine RPM setting (to be found under the axis section of the controls). So you can bind a lever here.

 

Trim:

Binding them to the hat switch is OK. If you set a bit of left aileron trim, you need to correct it with going the opposite way so giving a bit of right trim until you are trimmed again.

If you feel you've lost it, there's a trim reset to be bound also.

 

Brakes: You can bind wheelbrakes in general so both left and right are activated the same time. But for WW2 planes, using left and right brakes makes a lot of comfort when taxiing so it's a bit of a must have (imho). Also, if possible set it to an axis so you can have gradual braking instead of on/off.

 

VR point of view:

In the control setup you have a drop down menu to select the controls for each individual aircraft. All the way down you have also one that is called UI Layer.

In there you find a Recenter VR Headset control. Bind a button to use it in VR. Tip: If you have TrackIR (or something familiar), bind the same keycombo to that control as you use to center your TrackIR.

If the Recenter VR Headset still does not put you correctly in the cockpit, make sure you center your headset first outside of DCS.

If the centerpoint is OK, you can then move the cockpit camera up/down/left/right/backwards/forwards to position yourself 100% to your liking. 

Edited December 16, 2020 by Lange_666
added: Wheelbrakes

[KWard]

Thanks for the help!

 

I figured out where I was goofing up on the trim controls. I was in Axis Commands. That's why I only saw one keybind for each option. Once I switched to All, I was able to map left/right, up/down etc.

 

I found out from this guide that I could go into the UI Layer and set up a joystick button as a modifier. Now I've got it set up so the three levers on the Saitek throttle are flaps, propeller control and throttle, and then the modifier+left and middle levers are the wheel brakes. I also mapped the combined brake keybind to the joystick's brake lever. Hopefully that will work.

 

It took me a while to figure out which keybinds were the right ones to move the VR camera view around, but I finally got it. I can see over the instrument panel at least. I think I'm ready to move on to lesson #2.

 

I'm really excited. I've been working on this since November of 2019--and dreaming of it since 1983 at least. This is like Christmas morning when I was little.

[Glide]

Getting started with the TF-51D, you only need a couple of things set up.  I use a slider for the Prop RPM, and of course the throttle for engine.  Set up Trimmer Reset on the HOTAS.  Best practice mission is Hot Start from Batumi.  Set 5 degrees right rudder.  Set prop RPM to max.  Pull back on the stick to engage steering.  Taxi out.  Easy on the throttle, and as you gain speed, let the stick come back to center.  At just past the middle of the green on Engine RPM you should feel the tail come up and lift off without much stick input.  Gear up and reset trim once you are in controlled flight.  Set Engine and Prop RPM's until the needles are right in the middle of the green.  The Mustang will be in perfect trim at this point.  You should not need to touch the throttle until final approach.  Have fun!  Check out the river at Poti!

[LPsniper]

Hi KWard, be aware that the saitek throttle, most of the time, doesn't meet the 100% on/off mark.

In this case, in the SA-342 Gazelle helicopter that is, there is an issue with the autopilot.

I donn't know if there are more plane's/helicopters that have this problem.

But i saw the picture of you're saitek throttle and thought i warn you in advance.

Leo