DCS - F-16 vs A-10 - FLCS Controls using Keyboard and Mouse

[AngryViper.101]

Hello,

I've been quite content using the DCS F-16 with my gaming laptop, especially when I only have access to a keyboard and mouse. I can perform a wide range of actions, including takeoff and successful landings.

This setup is ideal for my commutes or when I'm working in remote locations. However, I'm curious about how the DCS A-10, F-15, and similar aircraft compare in terms of Flight Control System (FLCS) controls. I'm considering purchasing one of those airframes and would like to know if successfully landing these aircraft with just a keyboard is feasible or if using a joystick becomes more essential for these particular models.

I also used to fly the Mosquito and managed, but made use of TRIM extensively (keyboard) for small moves, other than that the Joystick is required for smooth control due to no advanced fly-by-wire systems ... 

[razo+r]

You can fly pretty much any aircraft with keyboard and mouse only. It's just a question of how skilled are you and how much practise you have. 

But to be sure you can utilise the trial program and see if it suits you. Since the A-10 and F-15 are neither full FBW nor full manual with a prop, their behaviour is something inbetween. Not 100% stable but not wobbling all around either. 

[Falconeer]

No offense, but i really don't understand why people fly flightsims without a joystick. Even a cheap basic usb joystick of a few bucks make a lot of different in controlling the plane. It makes life so much easier

 

[Lace]

An XBox controller is small enough to tuck away in your luggage without any fuss, and offers a number of axes and buttons which can be configured for DCS.  You can pick up a cheap clone for next to nothing too.  Give it a try, a lot better than keyboard IMHO.

Edit - This is my Viper XBox map, I use VR and this covers 99% of functions required to operate the jet.  The only time I touch the keyboard is for a view change which is rare.

Edited October 12, 2023 by Lace
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[AngryViper.101]

18 hours ago, Lace said:

An XBox controller is small enough to tuck away in your luggage without any fuss, and offers a number of axes and buttons which can be configured for DCS.  You can pick up a cheap clone for next to nothing too.  Give it a try, a lot better than keyboard IMHO.

Edit - This is my Viper XBox map, I use VR and this covers 99% of functions required to operate the jet.  The only time I touch the keyboard is for a view change which is rare.

 

Thanks, I used to make use of an XBOX one controller, which definitely helps with the RUDDER axis, versus tapping 'z' and 'x'.

I will likely migrate back to use / taking that controller with me again.

[SharpeXB]

I can’t fathom a reason for using a keyboard. It seems more like torture than fun. And the problem with a gamepad is that their y-axis is reversed for flying if you’re used to them for any other type of gaming. This involuntary reflex is impossible to unlearn and again is more like torture. A keyboard really suffers from the same y-axis inversion and is only usable if you’ve got no idea that in an airplane that pulling the stick back is “up” and forward is “down”. This is counter to all human reflexes when using a computer keyboard where forward is up and back is down. we all perhaps don’t use arrow keys so much but it’s a no-go for mouse or gamepad control. If I ever have to fly a plane in an FPS game using a mouse or keyboard, it’s totally impossible because I know how airplanes fly and the keyboard is simply backwards. 
It would be easy enough to pack a cheap flight stick stick when traveling or just skip playing DCS altogether. 

Edited October 13, 2023 by SharpeXB

[MAXsenna]

14 hours ago, SharpeXB said:

I can’t fathom a reason for using a keyboard. It seems more like torture than fun. And the problem with a gamepad is that their y-axis is reversed for flying if you’re used to them for any other type of gaming. This involuntary reflex is impossible to unlearn and again is more like torture. A keyboard really suffers from the same y-axis inversion and is only usable if you’ve got no idea that in an airplane that pulling the stick back is “up” and forward is “down”. This is counter to all human reflexes when using a computer keyboard where forward is up and back is down. we all perhaps don’t use arrow keys so much but it’s a no-go for mouse or gamepad control. If I ever have to fly a plane in an FPS game using a mouse or keyboard, it’s totally impossible because I know how airplanes fly and the keyboard is simply backwards. 
It would be easy enough to pack a cheap flight stick stick when traveling or just skip playing DCS altogether. 

 

No no no!

Every single sim in the past had the arrow keys and the mouse act like a real stick. Most FPS also had the head movement in the same way. It was only when the millennials got their consoles that the Y-axis started being reversed the "wrong way" by default.

Your opinions ain't gospel Sharpy!

Cheers! 

On 10/13/2023 at 7:45 AM, AngryViper.101 said:

Thanks, I used to make use of an XBOX one controller, which definitely helps with the RUDDER axis, versus tapping 'z' and 'x'.

I will likely migrate back to use / taking that controller with me again.

This should be small enough to bring with it.

https://m.yeggi.com/q/xbox+controller+hotas/

[SharpeXB]

6 hours ago, MAXsenna said:

Every single sim in the past had the arrow keys and the mouse act like a real stick. Most FPS also had the head movement in the same way. It was only when the millennials got their consoles that the Y-axis started being reversed the "wrong way" by default.

Well the point is if you’re acclimated to this inversion it’s an impossible reflex to unlearn. And with the thumb stick forward = up is far more natural since it replicates a mouse. Forward and up is also akin to a piece of paper and a pencil. This could only be inverted for extra terrestrials from another dimension for whom up and down have no meaning.

[Dragon1-1]

Or, you know, you can invert the axis on the bindings screen.  

[SharpeXB]

2 hours ago, Dragon1-1 said:

Or, you know, you can invert the axis on the bindings screen.  

Doesn’t matter, it’s still backwards, FPS aiming or cursor control and flying are innately inverse from one another. Then there’s the problem that games universally use the right stick for “look” and the left for “move” but for flying this needs to be reversed so you can use the buttons with your right thumb.