The_Chugster Posted August 22, 2023 Posted August 22, 2023 So ive just started trying to learn to fly the Apache but I am having an issue that im not sure if its me, my throttle or the nature of the bird. Anyway I have the collective assigned to one of my throttle axis, which are locked, but ingame the collective number % on the hud never seems to match the physical position, the numbers jump up and down by 10 or 20 as I move it and sometimes it just doesnt seem to register the movement, i.e. pushed all the way but still showing 60%. I have noticed in jets the % does move a bit by 1 or 2 but nothing like the Apache, so is this a hardware setting issue, a me skill issue or just how the real Apache collective works?
MAXsenna Posted August 22, 2023 Posted August 22, 2023 It's the engine, not the collective you're seeing. The computer handles the engine for you, so just don't worry about it. There's another dial that shows the blade pitch.
The_Chugster Posted August 22, 2023 Author Posted August 22, 2023 37 minutes ago, MAXsenna said: It's the engine, not the collective you're seeing. The computer handles the engine for you, so just don't worry about it. There's another dial that shows the blade pitch. But the training mission clearly states collective percentages for taxiing and take off...am I missing something?
MAXsenna Posted August 22, 2023 Posted August 22, 2023 But the training mission clearly states collective percentages for taxiing and take off...am I missing something?Have you set the power levers to "fly"?You should easily get a 100% if you pull the collective.Have you set your throttle as a slider?Do you fall out of the sky if you try a free fly mission?What happens if you try an auto start or a hot start?The cold start training mission does work?Haven't tried the Apache for more than a year. Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk
The_Chugster Posted August 22, 2023 Author Posted August 22, 2023 3 minutes ago, MAXsenna said: Have you set the power levers to "fly"? You should easily get a 100% if you pull the collective. Have you set your throttle as a slider? Do you fall out of the sky if you try a free fly mission? What happens if you try an auto start or a hot start? The cold start training mission does work? Haven't tried the Apache for more than a year. Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk Yes Yes, but like I said it does seem smooth or in sync with throttle movement Yes No Not tried yet Yup
Floyd1212 Posted August 22, 2023 Posted August 22, 2023 If you pull up the Controls Indicator (RCtrl + Enter) you can see what DCS is reading from your controls. The Collective input on the left side should match your HOTAS position 1:1. The slider outlined in green is your collective and should move with your HOTAS input. The double slider outlined in yellow is your throttle input, and should not be moving while you are taxiing or flying around. The torque percentage you see at the top-left of the IHADSS represents the torque on the rotor system, and will fluctuate and stabilize a bit after making input changes on the collective or cyclic. That being said, this number should not be stuck at 60% if you are pulling maximum collective. 1
ED Team Raptor9 Posted August 22, 2023 ED Team Posted August 22, 2023 @The_Chugster, the percentage number you are seeing in the symbology is not collective or throttle position, it is the torque output from the engines. If you are sitting on the ground with the collective lever bottomed out at "0%" collective axis, the torque number will indicate between 18-20%, depending on how much pedal input you have applied. This is because the engines are still providing torque to keep the rotors turning. If you were to apply left and right pedal inputs without moving the collective axis from 0%, you would see the torque % vary since the tail rotor is also powered by the engines, so changing the pitch angle of the tail rotor blades to alter the amount or direction of thrust will require different levels of engine torque to keep the main and tail rotors at a constant RPM. This is the nature of helicopters. 1 Afterburners are for wussies...hang around the battlefield and dodge tracers like a man. DCS Rotor-Head
The_Chugster Posted August 22, 2023 Author Posted August 22, 2023 Aah I see, that wasnt the collective...so one more dumb question, where do i note how much collective I have input? Is there a display in the cockpit or hud somewhere?
MAXsenna Posted August 22, 2023 Posted August 22, 2023 Aah I see, that wasnt the collective...so one more dumb question, where do i note how much collective I have input? Is there a display in the cockpit or hud somewhere?Don't worry about it. Just pull a little. Anyway, use the controls indicator like suggested. Or I'm sure there's some blade pitch dial somewhere.This your first helicopter braveone? Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk
The_Chugster Posted August 22, 2023 Author Posted August 22, 2023 (edited) 6 minutes ago, MAXsenna said: This your first helicopter braveone? First full fidelity one at least, been flying various chopper sim/games since Gunship 2000 Edited August 22, 2023 by The_Chugster 1
ED Team Raptor9 Posted August 22, 2023 ED Team Posted August 22, 2023 6 minutes ago, The_Chugster said: where do i note how much collective I have input? Is there a display in the cockpit or hud somewhere? Nope. The AH-64 is all about Torque output (%) and rotor RPM (NR). The performance of the helicopter under various conditions is measured in torque, so that you can monitor how much torque you are pulling with the collective. But the amount of torque that is required for any maneuver will vary depending on air density and gross weight, so the axis position of the collective lever or the angle of the blades is never consistent, therefore these values are not relevant from the perspective of the pilot and are not displayed within the cockpit. For example, at low air densities which result from high altitudes and/or high temperatures, you will need to pull more collective to gain the same amount of lift compared to low altitudes at cold temperatures, so the collective position is not relevant. But the torque and rotor RPM are. If you pull up on the collective too much where the engines cannot produce enough torque to keep the rotor spinning at a constant RPM, and the rotor RPMs begin to slow, you will actually lose lift and will need to lower the collective to regain rotor speed and lift. 1 Afterburners are for wussies...hang around the battlefield and dodge tracers like a man. DCS Rotor-Head
MAXsenna Posted August 22, 2023 Posted August 22, 2023 @Raptor9Read his second post. That's why he's asking. I haven't done that particular training mission since release, so I can't quite remember it.Cheers! Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk
ED Team Raptor9 Posted August 22, 2023 ED Team Posted August 22, 2023 57 minutes ago, MAXsenna said: Read his second post. That's why he's asking. I haven't done that particular training mission since release, so I can't quite remember it. I did. But the percentage that is displayed in the symbology does not correspond with the position of the collective within the total axis, it corresponds with the current torque output of the engines for the given collective position under the current conditions. The standard torque setting for ground taxi is 27-30%. To ground taxi, you smoothly increase the collective until the torque is between 27-30%, and then apply forward cyclic. This is why I was saying that there is no indicator in the cockpit of the collective position, because the position of the collective is not what the pilot is concerned with, it is the torque. The collective is what the pilot is physically moving, but the torque is what the pilot is observing and adhering to. 1 Afterburners are for wussies...hang around the battlefield and dodge tracers like a man. DCS Rotor-Head
MAXsenna Posted August 22, 2023 Posted August 22, 2023 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Raptor9 said: I did. But the percentage that is displayed in the symbology does not correspond with the position of the collective within the total axis, it corresponds with the current torque output of the engines for the given collective position under the current conditions. I know. I told him so! 3 minutes ago, Raptor9 said: The standard torque setting for ground taxi is 27-30%. To ground taxi, you smoothly increase the collective until the torque is between 27-30%, My point was just that I think he sort of got hung up on the numbers if the training mission said something about them. Cheers! Edited August 22, 2023 by MAXsenna
ED Team Raptor9 Posted August 22, 2023 ED Team Posted August 22, 2023 Then I don't understand the confusion or discussion regarding anything I've said in my replies. The matter appears resolved then. Afterburners are for wussies...hang around the battlefield and dodge tracers like a man. DCS Rotor-Head
MAXsenna Posted August 22, 2023 Posted August 22, 2023 Then I don't understand the confusion or discussion regarding anything I've said in my replies. The matter appears resolved then.Yup! I'd say it is! Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk
The_Chugster Posted August 23, 2023 Author Posted August 23, 2023 Yeah, I understand better now, I just need to put in some hours to get used to flying a helicopter 1
MAXsenna Posted August 23, 2023 Posted August 23, 2023 2 minutes ago, The_Chugster said: Yeah, I understand better now, I just need to put in some hours to get used to flying a helicopter It's very fun when "you get it". I'd actually recommend the Mi-8/Huey for starters though, and the Gazelle is really fun with the new update. Cheers!
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