How to practice things I've learned?

[fakeflyer737]

So I'm new to DCS (20yrs using Civ Sims + PPL IRL), I only have the F18 and I'm doing all of the training that's included with the the F18. Once I've learned something (say CCIP etc) how can I go out into a map and practice that skill? 

I feel like Im drinking out of a fire hose and I'm trying to move onto our weapons etc but I need more practice with the skills I've just learned before moving on. 

Thank you kindly. 
Fakeflyer 

[Nephris]

I am in a similar  situation, so I just did the same I did with my F-16.

I launched a DCS Liberation campaign and played a few missions through the campaign, and could choose myself a designated target and weapon config within a real campaign.

 

[fakeflyer737]

5 minutes ago, Nephris said:

I am in a similar  situation, so I just did the same I did with my F-16.

I launched a DCS Liberation campaign and played a few missions through the campaign, and could choose myself a designated target and weapon config within a real campaign.

 

You choose what you’re going to do in a campaign in DCS? Do I need to purchase a campaign? Which campaign would be good for a newb using the hornet?

[Steel Jaw]

Drinking from the firehose is the name of the game.  I have 5 years and 240 hours in the Hornet and still can't do nor remember everything...it's a very complex platform 

Enjoy the journey. 

 

Also look for Chucks Hornet guide.

Find me on discord I often fly online in the Aerobatics Online server on Saturday nights EST.

Edited June 7, 2023 by Steel Jaw

[rob10]

3 minutes ago, fakeflyer737 said:

You choose what you’re going to do in a campaign in DCS? Do I need to purchase a campaign? Which campaign would be good for a newb using the hornet?

Check out the User Files section of the DCS website.  Lots of good FREE campaigns on there.  I like the paid campaigns, but you'll likely be frustrated with them if you're still learning.  There was a thread somewhere with recommended free ones for newbies.  Just be aware that some of them are probably older and may not work with updates that have happened since they were made.

The other option is to use the mission editor (yes, it's not newbie friendly, but it works) to set up some targets for yourself and an air start aircraft so you can go at it over and over.

Liberation as Nephris mentioned is also an option.  It's a dynamic campaign creator (it will create one for you, different every time) and is perhaps more "open" to you choosing what you want to do than a paid or user file campaign.  It does have it's own learning curve to setting it up though.

[Beirut]

19 minutes ago, fakeflyer737 said:

So I'm new to DCS (20yrs using Civ Sims + PPL IRL), I only have the F18 and I'm doing all of the training that's included with the the F18. Once I've learned something (say CCIP etc) how can I go out into a map and practice that skill? 

I feel like Im drinking out of a fire hose and I'm trying to move onto our weapons etc but I need more practice with the skills I've just learned before moving on. 

Thank you kindly. 
Fakeflyer 

 

Mission Editor! Mission Editor! Mission Editor! 

 

Takes only a few minutes to figure out how to make a super simple mission. Put your plane in the air, put one object on the ground, load up, kill object. Then try it a different weapons, then change the time and weather, than add more objects. Etc. etc. You get better and faster at building your own missions. And it's good fun.

 

I fly 100% of my flights out of the mission editor. Every flight is my flight and that's the way I like it.

[WildBillKelsoe]

just relax and enjoy the game. its a game after all.

[Tom Kazansky]

2 hours ago, Beirut said:

Mission Editor! Mission Editor! Mission Editor! 

 

+1

With the mission editor you can add an important way of training with low frustration potential by using the invulnerability option. After the flight or even during the flight you can evaluate hits by enemy weapons with the event/score page of DCS.

For immersion I use Nevada map. Flying out of Nellis to a target range feels very much like training the "real thing" imho.

[Beirut]

5 hours ago, Tom Kazansky said:

+1

With the mission editor you can add an important way of training with low frustration potential by using the invulnerability option. After the flight or even during the flight you can evaluate hits by enemy weapons with the event/score page of DCS.

For immersion I use Nevada map. Flying out of Nellis to a target range feels very much like training the "real thing" imho.

 

Same here. When I get a new plane or am learning a new weapon, I always go to Groom Lake. That's my testing zone.

[bfr]

As others have said, spend time learning the mission editor if you want to create some bespoke challenges.  As with others, its stuff i've knocked up myself where the majority of my flying time has been spent.

As campaigns go, the first bought one I tried was Operation Cerberus North that i'm part way through. It took me a bit out of my previous comfort zones and made me learn even more (e.g. forced me to use the proper radio mode and also improve my situational awareness skills as you can't just use the map to see where other things in the missions are) and also ramps up the challenge nicely (early missions are more like training scenarios before you start engaging stuff for real in later missions).  All the missions i've done so far don't require refuelling either if you're still trying to master that skill.  The only downside is the missions are quite long and all require cold starts so you need to put an hour or two aside for a session really.

[BuzzU]

You can make your own missions but the Hornet comes with a lot of missions already. Something the Viper never got.

Look under........Missions

[Beirut]

29 minutes ago, BuzzU said:

You can make your own missions but the Hornet comes with a lot of missions already. Something the Viper never got.

Look under........Missions

 

I've never flown any of the canned missions in the Hornet. I should try one. I think I tried an A-10 mission a few years ago.

 

[Lace]

I'd echo the above comments about the mission editor.  It really isn't difficult to create a simple, single-aircraft, target practice mission, which will allow you to get those reps in.

Which map(s) do you fly?  I can knock a quick mission up for you if you like, with a mix of ground and air targets, and options for ground or air starts?  But really, it doesn't take much effort to create basic missions.

Liberation is great, but not that user friendly for an inexperienced player IMHO.

Edited June 7, 2023 by Lace

[BuzzU]

It might be a good project for someone looking for one. We have lots of tutorials to learn weapons and such. A set of training missions would be a good next step.

[Slippa]

The Mission Editor’s a great thing but should come with a warning. Once you’ve worked out how to plonk a few things on it it can draw you in and chew time easily. I should set a timer as a virtual spank on the wrist. Something needs to tell you to stop plonking and go and have a fly about.

When I got DCS I went a bit bananas buying maps and modules. I went through the training with the Spit (glutton for punishment) until I thought I was up for a campaign mission. Straight away I knew I’d better go back out of the action and learn to fly the aircraft better. More than a year on, I’ve barely been through two missions. I found the Mission Editor and spend most of my time trying things on there. I’ve ‘converted’ to a few types and have pleasure flights, circuits and bumps and try out different mods. Once I can take off and land in one piece I start trying out the weapons. The radio side of things I still need to learn. Half the maps I’ve barely seen. Might go and have a look about at the Nevada bits again, I only really saw the casinos and flying a Spit I felt a bit, nah…

There’s so much you can do with DCS, I can’t really describe it as a game, more a sim, that can chew hours of your day or night away. Stay away from it, it’s a bleedin nightmare. 

[MarkyMark]

Just throwing this out there, but….

 

if you can start up, take off, hit some ground targets….hop in a multiplayer server.  You’ll probably never go back to single player.

[Steel Jaw]

19 minutes ago, MarkyMark said:

Just throwing this out there, but….

 

if you can start up, take off, hit some ground targets….hop in a multiplayer server.  You’ll probably never go back to single player.

Which ones do you suggest? 

[Cepheus76]

One of the "Through the Inferno" missions by Deadlyfishes might be for you. It is available for a variety of maps and creates various tasks with different difficulties every time you start the mission proper.

Also, if you want to improve you skills flying around the carrier, you might want to check out Bankler's Case 1 Recovery Trainer.

[Fresh]

Hi gents,

 

you can try my bombing missions with helper gates..

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3316462/

Links to other variants are in the description. PM me if you want more info.

 

Fresh

[Kurnass1977]

Mate,I'm also a rookie Hornet "pilot" with around 110 flying hours ( precisely 108,42) but I found very useful these User Files missions:

 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/it/files/3317763/

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/it/files/3308650/

 

Also there're a couple of training files of the same User ( one for the Caucasus and another for the PG maps) of which I don't remember the name and the link, that for me was very useful to learning how to use the TGPs, dumb and smart weapons, start the plane, take off and land both on boat and land, AAR, ecc...

Also in the User Files section ther're plenty of specific Case 1/2/3 approach and landings if you want practice it over and over

I'm still such in some fly aspect but the aforomentioned files improved me a lot.

Just my two cent...

 

Edited June 24, 2023 by Kurnass1977

[fagulha]

As others advised, start to learn the ME (Mission Editor). I started as you do, and went from zero to hero. Now i have my template missions for training in NTTR map with random air traffic, IADS, Jamming script, and practice target area with mod objects.

 

Take your time seeing ME tutorials. Start creating simple missions so you can get the grip of ME.

As alternative you can search DCS user files site for training missions created by talented users.

Enjoy.

[SharpeXB]

There are a lot of practice type missions available in the game under “missions” plus you can edit your loadout in the mission planner to suit whatever you want to work on. I’m not sure the mission editor is necessary for simple practice sessions. For a new player that’s just adding another layer of complexity. 

[Slippa]

6 minutes ago, SharpeXB said:

I’m not sure the mission editor is necessary for simple practice sessions. For a new player that’s just adding another layer of complexity. 

Fair point. Looking around there are a good few training missions too.

[MarkyMark]

19 hours ago, Steel Jaw said:

Which ones do you suggest? 

I usually fly on Through the Inferno, but the “4YA” servers are great too, not tried many others.  Depends on level of difficulty desired 

[NIGHTHAWK1]

I got frustrated with a lot of the preplanned missions and quick star missions.   Got shot down right away, start in fog, targets overly defended etc.   I just went to the mission editor and simplified some of the missions and renamed them.  That made the learning process so much easier.   I questioned why they had training missions made so difficult that you couldn't survive unless you were already an expert!!!!!