Official Kneeboards for all modules

[Larzei]

I think a kneeboard spesific for each module in DCS is essential for the sim. The community A-4E kneeboard should be the standard for how kneeboards are made, and these should be included with each module.  Checklist are so essential to the sim and searching in PDF documents and on youtube to get these before you jump into the sim is a bit of a hassle. I recently went from training in the A-4E to the F-5E and now I dont have the flight profile for weapons, start up checklist, radar info and so on, and therefore it feels like something with the module is missing.  

 

Please look into how kneeboards can be a mandatory part of a module. That would really be great. 

[SharpeXB]

In nearly every case I see the kneeboard info is related to the mission, not the aircraft. So I don’t see how this can be standardized. Everyone owns a smart phone or tablet and those are easily used for checklists or notes etc. 

[Maverick87Shaka]

28 minutes ago, SharpeXB said:

In nearly every case I see the kneeboard info is related to the mission, not the aircraft. So I don’t see how this can be standardized. Everyone owns a smart phone or tablet and those are easily used for checklists or notes etc. 

Each aircraft can have their own kneeboard that will be placed in game regardless of what mission file has included. Technically is doable.
Definitely have a "minimum standard" kneeboard, like the start-up checklist or similar, can be a great addition.

Edited May 2, 2023 by Maverick87Shaka

[Rudel_chw]

43 minutes ago, Larzei said:

I think a kneeboard spesific for each module in DCS is essential for the sim.

 

I agree completely, and I'm grateful for ED providing the ability to have a customizable kneeboard on the first place.

 

43 minutes ago, Larzei said:

The community A-4E kneeboard should be the standard for how kneeboards are made, and these should be included with each module. 

 

You do realize that the A-4E provides that kneeboard in lieu of a proper User Manual? ... honestly, I'd rather have the Manual.

 

43 minutes ago, Larzei said:

Checklist are so essential to the sim and searching in PDF documents and on youtube to get these before you jump into the sim is a bit of a hassle.

 

Yes, but it only needs to be done just once per aircraft ... preparing my own kneeboards has become a part of the learning process for each Module.

 

43 minutes ago, Larzei said:

I recently went from training in the A-4E to the F-5E and now I dont have the flight profile for weapons, start up checklist, radar info and so on, and therefore it feels like something with the module is missing.  

 

You can download kneeboards that have been created by fellow users, for example:

 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3320266/

 

Eduardo

[Larzei]

It would be easy for the developers to make this as they have already made the manual. A standard checklist could include basic normal procedures (start up, taxi, take off etc), a couple of emergency procedures, armament deployment and trim settings for different weight for a start. It would make switching from aircraft to aircraft much easier and more joyable. I dont want to sit down and make all the checklist on my own for each airplane, neither should it be nessecary for me to do this. Some userfiles checklist are good for some modules, some are bad for other modules. I have a tablet and a smartphone but I'm still missing the checklists. Scrolling though a 200 page PDF to find lets say your landing configuration is not what this is about. It should be as simple as bringing up the kneeboard, go to page X and there you go.    

I would consider this as just as an important part of an module as a accurate flight model or whatever.  

 

[Minhal]

If it was an optional download, i would not mind. But please not even more forced kneeboard clutter. The pre-generated waypoint maps are already annoying enough.

[SharpeXB]

27 minutes ago, Larzei said:

Scrolling though a 200 page PDF to find lets say your landing configuration is not what this is about.

Bookmarks. plus once you become practiced enough you don’t need constant checklists. 

[Rudel_chw]

1 hour ago, Larzei said:

It would be easy for the developers to make this as they have already made the manual. A standard checklist could include basic normal procedures

 

I agree that having checklists on the Kneeboard is nice to have, some aircrafts have one, for example the Mirage F1:

 

 

1 hour ago, Larzei said:

 I dont want to sit down and make all the checklist on my own for each airplane, neither should it be nessecary for me to do this.

 

Not every user feels the same way, to me, summarizing the manual to have my own version of the Checklist is an enjoyable part of the learning process ... I like to study each aircraft that I purchase, and writing a summary is an easy way to learn those procedures on the first place.

That's why, even if the Mirage F1 cames with such a kneeboard by default, I still opted to write my own, like this:

 

 

1 hour ago, Larzei said:

Some userfiles checklist are good for some modules, some are bad for other modules.

 

Not sure if I understand what you mean .. most kneeboards writen by fellow users are meant for a single aircraft only.  Ask around and I'm sure that you can find a Kneeboard for the F-5, tough it probably wouldn't be as satisfying as writing your own. This one is very good (for my taste):

 

 

For some reason the link to the file seems to be dead, try this one from my stash:

 

https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ai6cuX3YQI26gsYg0lO5JxM6v_Ffjw?e=NSKrDq

 

1 hour ago, Larzei said:

I would consider this as just as an important part of an module as a accurate flight model or whatever.  

 

Sorry, but I disagree on this ... the kneeboard is a nice to have feature, but nowhere as critical as a convincing FM or a good and comprehensive User manual.

 

[SharpeXB]

5 hours ago, Larzei said:

A standard checklist could include basic normal procedures (start up, taxi, take off etc), a couple of emergency procedures, armament deployment and trim settings for different weight for a start.

If I understand correctly, a real kneeboard doesn’t have the checklists on it. I don’t think players could agree on what a “standard” kneeboard should have anyways. It’s perfectly easy to have the manual at hand when playing (unless you’re in VR) so I’m not sure what all the fuss is about. I learned the fly the A-10C reading the manual on my iPhone. 

5 hours ago, Larzei said:

I dont want to sit down and make all the checklist on my own for each airplane

Well if you want it “perfect” then that’s the best way. Everything ED does takes years and years so it’s little use asking for things that you can just do yourself. 

Edited May 3, 2023 by SharpeXB

[Exorcet]

Yes please, having start up and other procedures in the kneeboard by default would be great.

[Minhal]

7 hours ago, Rudel_chw said:

 

I agree that having checklists on the Kneeboard is nice to have, some aircrafts have one, for example the Mirage F1:

 

 

 

Not every user feels the same way, to me, summarizing the manual to have my own version of the Checklist is an enjoyable part of the learning process ... I like to study each aircraft that I purchase, and writing a summary is an easy way to learn those procedures on the first place.

That's why, even if the Mirage F1 cames with such a kneeboard by default, I still opted to write my own, like this:

 

 

 

Not sure if I understand what you mean .. most kneeboards writen by fellow users are meant for a single aircraft only.  Ask around and I'm sure that you can find a Kneeboard for the F-5, tough it probably wouldn't be as satisfying as writing your own. This one is very good (for my taste):

 

 

For some reason the link to the file seems to be dead, try this one from my stash:

 

https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ai6cuX3YQI26gsYg0lO5JxM6v_Ffjw?e=NSKrDq

 

 

Sorry, but I disagree on this ... the kneeboard is a nice to have feature, but nowhere as critical as a convincing FM or a good and comprehensive User manual.

 

Sidenote: the 476th recently reorganized the files apparently. Pubs are on their own section now : https://www.476vfightergroup.com/content.php?381-shared-publications

[HILOK]

reading over some of the comments, i am not sure, if this is about how to customize kneeboards in DCS, rather than the wish of some players for a quick and easy start into a new module...as accessibility to the game seems to be a concern to ED, that thread could be of interest to them

anyway, since nobody mentioned this before: kneeboard builders such as https://forum.dcs.world/topic/108023-kneeboard-builder-windows-app/  or  https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3315463/   allow you to edit each A/C's basic kneeboard. there are plenty great checklists to be downloaded in the user files

btw "real" kneeboards have been replaced by tablets or EFBs as far as i am aware of. either strapped on your thigh or mounted below the side window in airliners. as their volume is virtually infinite, they include all OMs, checklists, and charts. etc. personally, i like to use a tablet fixed to my thigh in DCS, but if you're in VR that's another story.

 

[SharpeXB]

5 hours ago, HILOK said:

btw "real" kneeboards have been replaced by tablets or EFBs as far as i am aware of.

Sure but all the aircraft in DCS date from the pre iPad era, so…

[HILOK]

3 hours ago, SharpeXB said:

Sure but all the aircraft in DCS date from the pre iPad era, so…

ha! never thought about that... 
to each his own

[SharpeXB]

22 minutes ago, HILOK said:

ha! never thought about that... 
to each his own

But you can still bring your own

[Larzei]

Thank you for the link to the 476th fighter group Rudel, now I have some good quality flight crew checklist for the F-5, F-18 and F-16. I'll check out the Mirage aswell as my next module. These checklists are basically what I am asking for to be released as part of an module, but I see we all have different opinions on this. I'm working with military aviation in real life so having these and using them in operations are second nature for me.

The kneeboard generator also looks like a nice tool, I will definitely try that one out.  

 

 

Edited May 4, 2023 by Larzei