Do training missions just not work properly sometimes?

[The_Chugster]

So Im trying the last few F/A-18 training missions and despite doing everything im told stuff doesnt happen the way it should.

Before i get frustrated I need to know if this is my skill issue or do missions just not work sometimes?

[SharpeXB]

By “not work” do you mean the mission fails to advance to the next stage? Sometimes that happens, I think if you click on something too soon before the narration finishes maybe. Not sure exactly. 

[The_Chugster]

15 minutes ago, Johnny Dioxin said:

Definitely had this, too. I asked about the Hornet navigation tute missions a while back but no responses. I tried the start-up one again recently following a break, and though I got through it all, there were frequent cases where I had to click buttons or switches twice before the action was recognised - even though the first time had the desired effect.

 

 

There were also a couple of minor issues with the audio sequencing.

 

PS - I've turned to using Wags' video series for learning the systems and making copious notes, which I turn into kneeboard pages for practice in the aircraft.

 

Ok so its probably a bit of both, I to will use videos as well, seems the training missions leave out a lot, even on a module hats been out as long as the Hornet, such as Laser GBUs

[Art-J]

1 hour ago, The_Chugster said:

...or do missions just not work sometimes?

I'd say it's rather uncommon to have DCS training missions work correctly all the time. They unfortunately tend to be not updated for a while (or at all) after the aircraft itself gets affected by patches or has new features added.

Things that help in making the missions proceed correctly: use mouse to activate higlighted items rather than your HOTAS binds, use long mouse button presses rather than short ones.

Other than that, yeah, adding other resources (YT videos, Chuck's guides etc.) is probably better approach in the long term.

[The_Chugster]

Well I am still trying to decide whether to stick with the modern planes I own (Hornet, Strike Eagle, Warthog, FC3), for my first experience with DCS or go for an older, 'simpler' plane like the Tomcat, Fishbed or Sabre.

I want to get a good bedrock of skills that I can bring to any aircraft but im not sure the best way to do it....stick with one plane for hundreds or hours or move about?

[SharpeXB]

It’s better to stick with one for a while. 

[LucShep]

11 hours ago, The_Chugster said:

Well I am still trying to decide whether to stick with the modern planes I own (Hornet, Strike Eagle, Warthog, FC3), for my first experience with DCS or go for an older, 'simpler' plane like the Tomcat, Fishbed or Sabre.

I want to get a good bedrock of skills that I can bring to any aircraft but im not sure the best way to do it....stick with one plane for hundreds or hours or move about?

I don't know what's your past with flight-sims. But I think you're at a similar crossroad that many of us got at some point.

You'll often hear/read to imediately invest yourself in the aicraft listed in DCS that you find most interesting (in real life). But then that one may turn out as too complicated.
I think what you need to decide first is what's the most appealing "stuff to do" with an aircraft in the game, for yourself. Then see which aircraft fits that criteria the best.
There are youtube videos (gameplay, reviews, tutorials) for you to check, and find what to expect from each DCS aircraft module.

If what you're really interested is modern aircraft and complex systems (post 1990s, like the ones you own) then, from those, I'd suggest to stick with the one that you feel you enjoy the most, and persist with that one.

If you're more interested in "driving" a combat aircraft, while also handling some systems but in the least complicated way, then I certainly think the cold-war era (early and middle, 50s and 60s respectively) aircraft are the most interesting, as they have far less systems to get lost into, though they certainly have their quirks (which actually give them some "charm"). If so, I'd say to check some youtube videos on the F-86F and F-5E (if preference is blue) or MiG-15bis and MiG-21bis (if preference is red).

Remember, you can always trial a DCS module (up to for 14 days each) before buying.   

Edited August 19, 2023 by LucShep

[The_Chugster]

My favourite plane is the F-4 so maybe I should wait for that and let my love for the plane overcome any issues I may have.

As for my history on sims I am definitely an enthusiastic amateur, been flying since Strike Eagle 2,  Dogfight and Gunship 2000 on the Amiga, bought Fleet Defender, Falcon 4.0 (but couldn't run it on my PC) and loved Janes Navy Fighters, USAF, DIs Apache/Hind/F16, I've also owned alot of WW2 sims and MS Flight Sims but never really went study level with any of them.

Its annoying as I'm at that age when modern multiplayer games are full of annoying children and modern single player games are often bug filled or MT filled and are too short.

DCS seems to be a platform where the devs know what they are doing (mostly) and have very talented third parties working for them but even after 30 years of various flight sims games its still very intimidating to get started on...its almost like taking a course at a college or university...which is also a scary thought for someone a few years from 50

Edited August 19, 2023 by The_Chugster

[silverdevil]

1 hour ago, The_Chugster said:

My favourite plane is the F-4 so maybe I should wait for that and let my love for the plane overcome any issues I may have.

As for my history on sims I am definitely an enthusiastic amateur, been flying since Strike Eagle 2,  Dogfight and Gunship 2000 on the Amiga, bought Fleet Defender, Falcon 4.0 (but couldn't run it on my PC) and loved Janes Navy Fighters, USAF, DIs Apache/Hind/F16, I've also owned alot of WW2 sims and MS Flight Sims but never really went study level with any of them.

Its annoying as I'm at that age when modern multiplayer games are full of annoying children and modern single player games are often bug filled or MT filled and are too short.

DCS seems to be a platform where the devs know what they are doing (mostly) and have very talented third parties working for them but even after 30 years of various flight sims games its still very intimidating to get started on...its almost like taking a course at a college or university...which is also a scary thought for someone a few years from 50

 

hi. i understand your wariness for MP and glitchiness. DCS mostly works. sure there are bits that do not act right. and there are lots of groups that are all adults. though sometimes they act as stupid as the youth. my squad is all adults and all are adult-like. see the link in my sig. ask to join. you will be welcomed. 

[SharpeXB]

3 hours ago, The_Chugster said:

its almost like taking a course at a college or university...which is also a scary thought for someone a few years from 50

Yeah when I had to take what I hope was my last professional exam in my 40s I realized I had forgotten how to study. Studying shouldn’t be just passive reading or watching videos. You need active involvement. Something like going through a section of the manual with the game open and the cockpit there in front of you. Then do the actions, don’t just passively read. Or make your own startup checklist, part of making it is that it’s an active task. That helps to memorize it. When doing tutorial missions, read that section of the manual first so you’ll know what you’re doing. But yeah at a certain age you have to remind yourself how to study. 

[LucShep]

10 hours ago, The_Chugster said:

My favourite plane is the F-4 so maybe I should wait for that and let my love for the plane overcome any issues I may have.

As for my history on sims I am definitely an enthusiastic amateur, been flying since Strike Eagle 2,  Dogfight and Gunship 2000 on the Amiga, bought Fleet Defender, Falcon 4.0 (but couldn't run it on my PC) and loved Janes Navy Fighters, USAF, DIs Apache/Hind/F16, I've also owned alot of WW2 sims and MS Flight Sims but never really went study level with any of them.

Its annoying as I'm at that age when modern multiplayer games are full of annoying children and modern single player games are often bug filled or MT filled and are too short.

DCS seems to be a platform where the devs know what they are doing (mostly) and have very talented third parties working for them but even after 30 years of various flight sims games its still very intimidating to get started on...its almost like taking a course at a college or university...which is also a scary thought for someone a few years from 50

 

That's close to my description as well - and of so many in here, I could bet.
I'm also few years from 50 and, yes, between lots of work and necessary mundane stuff, the short free time and getting old surely doesn't help the hobby. 
I also went through the "golden age" of flight sims and had a sabbatical of (way) over 10 years. It was DCS that got me into it again, and quite the shock on first impact. 

Anyway, my recommendation might go against the grain but...  I'd say to start with a Flamming Cliffs 3 aircraft, as they're simplified (far less complex) than all other DCS modules, closer to those sims we used to enjoy in the 80s/90s, and serve as a "softer" introduction to DCS. 
They'll keep you entertained until you feel that you want something more advanced and complex (and when getting into those, Chuck's Guides are a must). 

Either the A-10A Warthog (slow, air-to-ground combat) or the F-15C Eagle (fast, air-to-air combat) are excelent choices as a starting point.
On these two, you'll notice that neither has interactive training missions by default, but fellow community members done them, see here: 


 CFrag's  A-10A Flight School (Training Missions): 

 N22YF's  F-15C Training Missions:

 

You'll also notice that the Flamming Cliffs 3 aircraft don't have "clickable cockpits" (no interactive cockpit) but a community member made that also work for them.
If it interests you, have a look:
 

 

Edited August 19, 2023 by LucShep

[The_Chugster]

Ok I am still having issues with the training not proceeding, Im on the JDAM mission, i input the GPS co-ords, dropped 2 bombs when 'in zone' as told, both hit 2 buildings and destroyed 2 trucks but the training did not move on to the next part.

Tried it twice and nothing, what do i need to do to move the training on?

[The_Chugster]

Oh and exactly the same thing happened with the JSOW training mission, dropped the first 2 and nothing

EDIT: And I just tried the Apache take off training and as soon as I tried to take off the cyclic went crazy...it works fine in free flight

Edited August 22, 2023 by The_Chugster

[Fossil Hunter]

Another way to do it, make simple missions in the mission editor and learn each thing (use Youtube videos for modeling your mission). Works for me both in Warbirds and now jets (where before I just gave up on jets.)