A simple assist for disabled DCS pilots like me

[sbenus]

So I’m an incomplete quadriplegic and, yes, I can actually fly jets and helicopters in DCS. It’s not the easiest though. Even with my custom accessible controller, obviously everything takes me a little bit longer since I don’t have individual finger dexterity to multitask as quickly as everyone else does with all of the buttons on the stick and throttle. Dog fighting in the merge is probably never gonna be the easiest thing for me but that’s OK. I can already do much more than I ever thought would even be possible. I love DCS. And I know the idea is for it to be a simulation without too many assists but I think perhaps a small exception which I will suggest here can be incorporated to make it easier for disabled people like me as opposed to just making it easier and more game like for the general public. 
 

in my case, since I can’t use rudder pedals, I use my split throttle quadrant as the tail rotor control when flying a helicopter. But since I use the other split quadrant for the collective, I can’t realistically do both exactly at the same time so I have to jump back-and-forth which clearly is not ideal. If DCS incorporated a tail rotor assist (flight simulator 2020 has it and it really helps) it would greatly help us be more effective helicopter pilots. 
 

for Jets, air to air refueling is just not feasible for me due to the need for fine motor control both on the throttle and stick. I have put countless hours into trying and it’s just not really possible for me. Perhaps some sort of assist for this or even fully automated tanking (I would personally prefer an assisted version so I feel that I’m still flying the jet) would be incredible for disabled pilots like myself.

These are really the two biggest issues for me right now. Happy to discuss them in more detail with anybody at ED or otherwise.

 

cheers!

[Tank50us]

Believe me, many have been calling for assists to help with AAR, but there's usually someone that comes in here and basically goes "GitGud", even when the suggestion/request is just a visual aid to help a person get in the right position.

[Dangerzone]

A rudder assist feature would assist more than just you. There are plenty of people without rudder pedals, or similar that this would give more access to for flight. Whether this will be considered or not is yet to be seen. The KA50 may be a better choice for you as far as helicopters are concerned, as it's less demanding on rudder input. I have no idea what the flight characteristics of the upcoming CH-47 are like, but that may be easier on the rudders as well for you. Someone else may be able to chime in as to whether rudder assist is either available, or might be an option in an upcoming release. 

In regards to the AAR assist function, there are many requests that have been asked for this. As Tank50us says, it doesn't take long for someone to jump on and say "I can do it so naturally everyone else should be able to do it/forced to practice until they can do it like I had to". Regardless of the back and forths / pro's and con's, in the end ED have responded previous stating that this is one thing that they are not interested in considering and won't be happening. At the risk of being the bearer of bad news, it's better to know the truth even if it's not what you want to hear, than give false expectations. 

Edited December 13, 2023 by Dangerzone

[Hawkeye60]

I would suggest a new auto pilot option.

For anything which a disabled pilot has trouble with.

Re-fuel, landing assist, etc.

I think think may be easier  to implement with a autopilot already in sim.

Would open the sim to more players.

Generate more income.

Win, Win.

As someone with a daughter with advanced MS, I fully support this idea!

 

[Slippa]

In lieu of an autopilot (from ED) there’s a mod that’s just been made by jmossr - https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3330835/

I’ve read people have used it and are pleased with it, though it may need a bit of tinkering with. Not sure if you fly what it’ll work with or if it’ll behave as you’d like it to.

Another idea, though I haven’t used it myself is voice attack. As far as I understand it you can use it to all but order a Chinese take away. Maybe it’s possible to have “left rudder” and “right rudder” commands or something similar to help?

Failing that, would a multiplayer scenario be any good? Multi-crew co-pilot using something like SRS so you can swap to and fro with what’s most workable?

Just ideas, though I’ll chuck my oar in for autopilot options too.

[Hawkeye60]

Why did I not think of Voice attack!

I use it myself.

It is a joy to say, "Fox ONE"

And off goes the missile!

Take the time to train Windows in speech recognition.

I did the training five times before it worked as I wanted.

Any key command can be assigned to the app.

Highly recommended!

 

 

[sbenus]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I should have mentioned that I do use voice attack and it does help manage the workload but I do still also try to do as much manually as I can. I have flown both the Apache and the strike eagle multiplayer and it’s fun. While I can CPG in the Apache, there are just too many key binds for my controller in order to be a WSO in the Eagle effectively. I kind of had a hunch about peoples insistence on keeping it as much Sim as possible and wanting others to put in the practice however I thought perhaps an exception could be made for the sake of accessibility to those with disabilities. Did not know about the statement from ED previously. Maybe if they read about this particular scenario, they might be more open to considering it in the future. Anyway to tag someone from ED here?

[sirrah]

16 minutes ago, sbenus said:

...Did not know about the statement from ED previously. Maybe if they read about this particular scenario, they might be more open to considering it in the future. Anyway to tag someone from ED here?

As in real life, people in this (any) community in their replies/reactions often don't realize that some people have certain physical challenges. Opinions that in our flightsim community often are based on (understandable) fear of their beloved game/sim will get less realistic.

Anyways, I'm not sure if tagging helps as they are probably overloaded with tags, but if you want to, you can send the CM's (Bignewy and/or Nineline) a private message, or you can add them to your post by putting an @ in front of their names.

[BIGNEWY]

15 hours ago, sbenus said:

So I’m an incomplete quadriplegic and, yes, I can actually fly jets and helicopters in DCS. It’s not the easiest though. Even with my custom accessible controller, obviously everything takes me a little bit longer since I don’t have individual finger dexterity to multitask as quickly as everyone else does with all of the buttons on the stick and throttle. Dog fighting in the merge is probably never gonna be the easiest thing for me but that’s OK. I can already do much more than I ever thought would even be possible. I love DCS. And I know the idea is for it to be a simulation without too many assists but I think perhaps a small exception which I will suggest here can be incorporated to make it easier for disabled people like me as opposed to just making it easier and more game like for the general public. 
 

in my case, since I can’t use rudder pedals, I use my split throttle quadrant as the tail rotor control when flying a helicopter. But since I use the other split quadrant for the collective, I can’t realistically do both exactly at the same time so I have to jump back-and-forth which clearly is not ideal. If DCS incorporated a tail rotor assist (flight simulator 2020 has it and it really helps) it would greatly help us be more effective helicopter pilots. 
 

for Jets, air to air refueling is just not feasible for me due to the need for fine motor control both on the throttle and stick. I have put countless hours into trying and it’s just not really possible for me. Perhaps some sort of assist for this or even fully automated tanking (I would personally prefer an assisted version so I feel that I’m still flying the jet) would be incredible for disabled pilots like myself.

These are really the two biggest issues for me right now. Happy to discuss them in more detail with anybody at ED or otherwise.

 

cheers!

Hi Sbenus, 

some of our aircraft have a special options tab which can include options like rudder assist, this is usually on WWII aircraft which can help make things easier. For the more modern aircraft often the flight control systems are much easier to use so it negates the need for this option. 
I can certainly pass on your feedback to the teams about having a rudder assist I just cannot promise anything however for the AH-64D Automatic Anti-Torque Pedals is already in discussion internally.

Wags our senior producer is a wheelchair user and has to use alternatives from rudder pedals, there a some options out there as you have already described and good to see you are using them to enjoy DCS. As with most things in DCS practice makes perfect and I am sure you have noticed that already with your experience with DCS.

best regards

bignewy
Associate producer  

 

[sbenus]

4 hours ago, BIGNEWY said:

Hi Sbenus, 

some of our aircraft have a special options tab which can include options like rudder assist, this is usually on WWII aircraft which can help make things easier. For the more modern aircraft often the flight control systems are much easier to use so it negates the need for this option. 
I can certainly pass on your feedback to the teams about having a rudder assist I just cannot promise anything however for the AH-64D Automatic Anti-Torque Pedals is already in discussion internally.

Wags our senior producer is a wheelchair user and has to use alternatives from rudder pedals, there a some options out there as you have already described and good to see you are using them to enjoy DCS. As with most things in DCS practice makes perfect and I am sure you have noticed that already with your experience with DCS.

best regards

bignewy
Associate producer  

 

Thanks for the feedback. And thanks for the info regarding the warbirds. I agree it’s really not that big a deal for the modern jets. In my case I was mainly referring to helicopters but what you mention about future implementation for the Apache sounds great! Thanks for that update.

Rudder issue aside, I’m afraid no amount of practice is going to have me tanking. I can explain why in more detail but it’s really just not feasible considering I can’t move my fingers, wrist, hand, etc. additionally, I don’t have sensation in my hand so I generally have to look down to see where the throttle is and since I control my stick with my lips using an accessible joystick, I’m sure you can understand how even after countless hours and days of practicing, it’s just not feasible. Would probably the biggest and most game changing assist if it could somehow be implemented into DCS. I would even forgo any further rudder help if I could only choose assisted feature. And perhaps this is something that could be done from the system side as opposed to the module developer end but I’m not a programmer so I honestly don’t know. 

Anyways, like I said I really do appreciate The response and feedback and I’m happy to assist or answer any questions the ed team might have now or in the future as it pertains to increasing accessibility more people.

[Hawkeye60]

If all you can use to activate any RW controls you own,  Is your mouth,

There may be another possible solution or idea to explore.

Makey makey.

https://makeymakey.com/

Or the like.

This could e set up as a control "pad" you use a stick straw, nose what have you to press the areas.

Fully programmable.

I made a single finger one to add another fire button close to the main stick.

Works though body capacitance.

Ground is you, Positive is the button.

No voltage.

On off

There are many other similar type devices out there.

I salute your stick to it ness!

All the best wishes I can muster, sent your way!

 

 

 

[NeedzWD40]

Agree with various assistance options to accommodate as many groups as possible. I'm always in favor of accessibility wherever feasible and I think there's room for everyone in the game.

Have you considered stepping away from traditional throttles and instead options like VKB's EVO Omni throttle and Virpil's Flightstick Z? While these don't offer a split throttle option, the ability to have rudder/yaw control via left/right motion might be an ideal advantage. These also retain twist axis in their grips, allowing a lot of flexibility. You could do something similar with other left handed sticks as well.