Looking for tutorials on the basics

[Drevin]

Hello. In the few weeks since I've started flying the F/A-18C, I've found tutorials on cold starts, takeoffs, landings, waypoint navigation, autopilot, and also on various ways one can engage in military operations (although I didn't look at any of the military stuff yet). But what I seem to be lacking is something in the middle, namely the proper way of flying this bird. I have yet to fully figure out basic stuff such as how to properly bank, how to properly roll, which altitude to climb to for various missions, how to best get out of a roll to hit a particular heading, better ways to setup the cockpit view, to help later in combat missions, etc. Maybe I'm supposed to learn all these by myself through trial and error, but maybe there are tutorials out there which you remember helped you. Something with tips and tricks which seem obvious after you learn them, but might not be so obvious when you're only learning. Preferably in video guide format, as it would be easier to see the things shown. Maybe some of these answers could be found in the ingame training missions, but I honestly can't stand them, and I continue to learn stuff from outside sources. Maybe some answers could be found in some dogfighting videos, but since I don't intend to dog fight in the near future, I haven't looked at any combat videos, so I don't know if any of them start with introductory stuff. So, from memory, maybe you know some videos which would cover some basics.

Thank you.

[rob10]

It won't directly convert over in all cases, but I'd suggest looking at some tutorials for general aviation (i..e MS Flight Simulator etc).  The principles are the same, even if there are differences in handling.  You likely won't find a lot of "flight" tutorials for DCS.  I know I came to DCS with a good understanding of flight from MSFS which made life a lot easier.

[Drevin]

I didn't think to mention, but I actually came to DCS after spending some time with FSX and MSFS. The thing is, I never got good at flying the Cessna 172, and the Airbus A320 was on autopilot 99% of the time. This is my first experience with fighter jets. And it seems some stuff might be common to other aircraft, but some not so much. For example, it took me a few days to realize that if I want to turn, I don't have to hold the stick left all the way through the turn, but choose a bank angle and then center the stick, then move the stick right when rolling out. It's simple/basic stuff like this that I'm looking for. If there's no such thing, I'll go through trial and error.

[razo+r]

If I understand you correctly, you are looking for basic flight procedures, and that is something that DCS makes no attempt to teach you. So in this case you can look for tutorials from other sims or even PPL or IR tutorials on youtube. Like rob10 said, there will be differences in handling, but the general principle stays the same. 

1 minute ago, Drevin said:

I didn't think to mention, but I actually came to DCS after spending some time with FSX and MSFS. The thing is, I never got good at flying the Cessna 172, and the Airbus A320 was on autopilot 99% of the time.

Learning how to fly a Cessna is a good way to get the principles down, like you said, rolling, roll out on a heading, climbing to an altitude and leveling off. 

An airliner is a different beast though. Normally, you do indeed fly it 99% with autopilot on, especially in commercial ops. However, you can still fly it manually to learn the basic of jet aircraft. Just be aware that it has a different FBW logic than most military jet aircraft, so the handling will differ a bit. 

1 minute ago, Drevin said:

This is my first experience with fighter jets. And it seems some stuff might be common to other aircraft, but some not so much. For example, it took me a few days to realize that if I want to turn, I don't have to hold the stick left all the way through the turn, but choose a bank angle and then center the stick, then move the stick right when rolling out. It's simple/basic stuff like this that I'm looking for. If there's no such thing, I'll go through trial and error.

That is one of the first things being thaught how an aircraft flies. You roll it to the bank angle you want and put the controls to neutral and pull slightly. There might be a minimal need of still giving some aileron input to counter the stability of the aircraft. That is pretty much the same, regardless if it's a C172, an A320 or F-18.

So if you are looking for guides on that, I suggest you start with the basics of the basics. Perhaps even consider using PPL Principles of Flight as a guide. 

[AdrianL]

This YouTube playlist might help. Uses IL-2 and DCS to illustrate principles. Lots of other interesting playlists as well on their YouTube channel.

 

Edited May 12, 2024 by AdrianL

[HWasp]

 

I think, you could go through some videos like this to understand the principles a bit, then it will get easier to learn things on your own.

 

[Johnny Dioxin]

I strongly recommend buying the C-101 module. It's a trainer and everything for it is moulded around that principle. The training is like no other in DCS World and explains everything you will need to know. You can spend many hours flying it - as I have in the past - without any weapons to fire and without anyone trying to shoot at you.

It also has an excellent manual that explains literally how everything works and why certain things happen.

When you feel you have enough of an understanding of things you can just jump into the CC model and learn the basics of "blowing stuff up".

From there you'll have an excellent grounding to learn the Hornet or any other combat aircraft.

 

*edit: You might like to pop over to the Mudspike website and read the thread by BeachAV8R, who went through all the training with the C-101EB and then -CC and wrote up AARs for the journey, to see what it offers.

Edited May 11, 2024 by Johnny Dioxin

[SharpeXB]

3 hours ago, Drevin said:

For example, it took me a few days to realize that if I want to turn, I don't have to hold the stick left all the way through the turn, but choose a bank angle and then center the stick, then move the stick right when rolling out.

Funny, I had the same realization going from arcade console flying games to sims. The arcade game plane rights itself if you let go of the thumbstick which is rather silly. It’s an odd reflex to unlearn. 
Some of the best flight training videos I’ve seen are these Robert Taylor USN films. They do this fantastic job of explaining this to people who likely have never seen an airplane before. Sure this is all tail dragger stick and rudder stuff but the basics are always a useful place to start  

 

[GrEaSeLiTeNiN]

The closest thing I can think of on YouTube is Bankler's Case 1 Recovery Trainer mission. It doesn't go into what you asked for exactly but there is some 'flying' requirements there.

[MAXsenna]

We gonna write what @Johnny Dioxin wrote about the C-101, and the A-10C has some paid DLC campaigns that somewhat venture into "the art" of flying, that's pretty good.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[tityus]

On 5/11/2024 at 3:55 PM, Drevin said:

(...) MSFS. The thing is, I never got good at flying the Cessna 172, (...) This is my first experience with fighter jets. (...)(...) it took me a few days to realize that if I want to turn, I don't have to hold the stick left all the way through the turn (...) I'll go through trial and error.

Hello, @Drevin, from what I read in your post, I'd suggest you work a little bit on your fundamentals. The issue with getting a bunch of videos on the thing you want to know is that, different from a program/course where you build your knowledge, you learn what you want, when you realize you need it. IMO, it takes more time and, if you don't know you need something, you don't get it. Trial and error may put you on the right path, but it's not the most efficient way of doing things and sometimes you pickup some bad practices because one has to reinvent the wheel.

you have mentioned MSFS, so I'd suggest you to fire it up, finish  the following training missions in order [NO aids]:     (if you'll aim for grade A, depends on how strict you are)

• Cessna 152: Basic Handling — 8 lessons
• Take-off and Landing — 7 lessons
• VFR Navigation — 5 lessons
• Bush Pilot — 7 lessons (ICON A5)  

To get the basis, it's good to start slow. In a jet, things happen much faster faster and you have to process a lot. Even with the Hornet (easy to operate)

The next step would be to launch DCS and fly a little bit the free SU25 and it will give some feeling about the importance of trim and time that a reaction engine takes to respond to throttle adjustments.

Dioxin suggestion is good, but it would cost you some money.

After a few hours in the SU25, get your hornet and learn how to handle it - combat is last thing one should try.

By this stage, you would have enough practice to watch the videos on specific weapons and techniques.

GrEaSeLiTeNiN suggested Bankler's Case 1 Recovery Trainer mission, one of the best training missions around, but, from what I read in your post, it`s not for now. bookmark the mission for the future, because it's really a good resource.

To illustrate, I'd put things in this order:

1. Kiddie car track rides and bumper cars  =>  MSFS (and other FS)  with flying aids and airplane arcade games
2. Go Carts   =>  MSFS no aids, Warthunder, DCS easy mode and other airplane games 
3. Stock cars   =>  combat simulators full difficulty set (DCS, IL2 BoS)
4. Formula One   =>  proper Carrier Ops in combat simulators full difficulty set

I'd say Bankler's mission would be equivalent to the training laps for time trial of a F1 race, when every minute detail affects the final time and the pilot must fine tunes his performance. I wrote proper in bold because you see people operating from carrier, in MP servers, but not many follow SOP.  The Case 1 Recovery Trainer mission will grade you over the most important points of Case 1 recovery ( per CNATRA literature).

Good luck and welcome to DCS

 

[Vee.A]

I know this post is a little old, but I highly recommend checking out these sources. As I've said before, doing much in this sim without knowing the basics of flying is like trying to learn calculus without knowing arithmetic. Some of what I linked is for real world learning in light GA aircraft, but most of it will apply to you. The FAA handbook is more of a introductory overview, so it isn't too long or dry of a read. You can of course skip parts that aren't too necessary (regulatory stuff, risk management, etc). A bit every day when you have time will be quite helpful

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak
https://www.boldmethod.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@flightinsight9111
https://www.youtube.com/@TheOpsCenterByMikeSolyom

And this guide covers some of the basics of DCS and links to some other good resources.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3326416/

Edited June 24, 2024 by Vee.A