Warthog HOTAS Functions Matrix

[StrongHarm]

I put together a matrix of HOTAS functions for the TM Warthog and thought I'd share.  In the attached .zip file you'll find a kneeboard worthy JPG as well as the original Excel spreadsheet.  Take note that there are two tabs in the spreadsheet; one for print and one for kneeboard pics.  The JPG provided in the .zip is optimized to look good in VR as well as on a monitor.

NOTE: To use on kneeboard, place the JPG in X:\users\USERNAME\saved games\DCS\kneeboard\A-10C_2.  You may have to create the A-10C_2 folder.  Be sure the syntax is exact.   

 

Pic of print version from spreadsheet:

Kneeboard Version:

 

HOTASFunctions_2021.zip

Edited August 31, 2021 by StrongHarm

[Sedlo]

Very nice job, @StrongHarm!

[StrongHarm]

Thanks Sedlo.  I did the original matrix that ended up in the manual on the A-10 test team.  It seems to have been edited by multiple people over the years.  It's now very colorful!  I hope they replace it with this one. 

 

To view just how much progress they've made with the A-10 module in 10yrs, below is a comparison between the 2011 and 2021 versions.  I'm always amazed by what ED has been able to achieve.  10yrs may seem like a long time, but in "impossibly complex sim code" years it's like months.  

 

[Sarge55]

I still have my 2011 version in my folder. 
Thanks for the update StrongHarm. 

[Smashy]

Nice work!  I'm just starting to learn the A-10C after getting familiar with the Hornet and from what I've seen so far, the Hog's HOTAS system is far superior to the Hornet's.  The context-sensitive nature of various switches and short/long presses allow a ton of functionality to be mapped to the stick and throttle.

With the Hornet, there is a lot of button pushing to do in the cockpit.  I've mapped critical ones to my stick in a hack-ish way to keep my hands on the controls during critical parts of a flight (e.g., the laser target designator toggle switch on the right console is mapped to a joystick button) but there is still a fair amount of hands-off going on, which can get tricky.  I put a lot of thought and effort into getting my Hornet HOTAS configuration dialed.  I'm working on my A-10C HOTAS config now and it looks like the default settings are a great start, unlike the Hornet.

Is that an accurate impression?  Does the A-10C HOTAS scheme allow mostly hands-on during the most critical parts of a mission?

[icemaker]

True, the A-10C has what i call a real HOTAS, 90% of the flight you spend it with your Hands On Throttle And Stick.

[Yurgon]

5 hours ago, Smashy said:

Is that an accurate impression?  Does the A-10C HOTAS scheme allow mostly hands-on during the most critical parts of a mission?

I'd say so, yes.

The Hog can be configured and set up on the ground via DSMS and CDU. Once all profiles and flight plans have been entered, in-flight it's mostly calling up MFCD pages, cycling steerpoints and selecting weapon profiles, which can all be done via HOTAS.

And unlike the Hornet, the default settings already allow you to do stuff. LGBs and the TGP are preset to a common lasercode, and the same one on top of that.

Weapons have valid fuzing right off the bat and won't drop as duds.

The default weapon profiles work fairly well for most weapons and circumstances.

Edited October 14, 2021 by Yurgon

[jaylw314]

7 hours ago, Smashy said:

Nice work!  I'm just starting to learn the A-10C after getting familiar with the Hornet and from what I've seen so far, the Hog's HOTAS system is far superior to the Hornet's.  The context-sensitive nature of various switches and short/long presses allow a ton of functionality to be mapped to the stick and throttle.

With the Hornet, there is a lot of button pushing to do in the cockpit.  I've mapped critical ones to my stick in a hack-ish way to keep my hands on the controls during critical parts of a flight (e.g., the laser target designator toggle switch on the right console is mapped to a joystick button) but there is still a fair amount of hands-off going on, which can get tricky.  I put a lot of thought and effort into getting my Hornet HOTAS configuration dialed.  I'm working on my A-10C HOTAS config now and it looks like the default settings are a great start, unlike the Hornet.

Is that an accurate impression?  Does the A-10C HOTAS scheme allow mostly hands-on during the most critical parts of a mission?

IIRC, the A-10C interface was designed much later than the Hornet's interface.  Ergonomics has become much more of a thing since the Hornet came out!

Also, consider playing around with Joystick Gremlin.  You can employ similar button functionality (modes and long-presses) as well as other functionality (button double-taps) to make your controls more capable flying other modules like the Hornet!

[Swift.]

2 hours ago, jaylw314 said:

IIRC, the A-10C interface was designed much later than the Hornet's interface.  Ergonomics has become much more of a thing since the Hornet came out!

Also, consider playing around with Joystick Gremlin.  You can employ similar button functionality (modes and long-presses) as well as other functionality (button double-taps) to make your controls more capable flying other modules like the Hornet!

Hornet is still missing a few HOTAS things, but the main point is that it was designed before TPOD was on the cards. For AA hornets HOTAS is a masterpiece.

[kotor633]

Thank you.

[Razor18]

Hi Gents,

Using the DMS on the TAD, I can not find out how to use / activate

DMS FWD LONG - Map toggle

DMS AFT LONG - TAD Center options

DMS LEFT SHORT - CEN/DEP Mode CENTER Own

DMS RIGHT SHORT - Cycle TAD Center options

Any explanation would be highly appreciated !

Edited October 15, 2021 by Razor18

[WobblyFlops]

1 hour ago, Razor18 said:

Hi Gents,

Using the DMS on the TAD, I can not find out how to use / activate

 

I don't believe those are implemented yet. Maybe with the upcoming additional TAD functions.