Some thoughts on the jet trainers in DCS (L-39, C-101, MB-339)

[Zius]

Disclaimer up front: I am a long time fan of the L-39 Albatros.

Unfortunately I can't spend as much time on DCS as I would like and I keep forgetting the correct procedures in the more complicated aircraft. Which makes the trainers ideal for me: you can do all kinds of missions with them (although less nicely as with more capable planes) without making things overly complicated.

The Albatros has somewhat complicated weapons handling (especially the ZA, I need to figure it out and/or read the manual every time again...) but the rest is quite easy. And most importantly I think the Albatros is simply a joy to fly. Not as lifeless and digital as the F-16 and the other FBW planes but it makes you work for it. Not too much work, but (for me) the right amount. It punishes stupid flying, but not too much that it's unrecoverable.

Then the C101 came. I bought it, and although it's a nice module, it does not feel as nimble as "my" Albatros. Especially once you put some weapons on her. On the other hand, the ergonomics, especially with regards to the weapons, are (in my opinon) better than in the Albatros. Overall it didn't grab me in the same way as the Albatros did.

Now I have (finally) bought the MB-339. And to my surprise, it feels almost too good. It's extremely easy to fly, less quirky than either the Albatros or the C101. It's also a bit faster and climbs a bit better. Also the ergonomics are excellent. I was able to fly under the highway overpasses in Dubai on my second attempt. I was able to use all the weapons without reading one line of the manual. Perhaps it's too easy, but on the other hand, uncomplicated flying *was* the goal.

Overall I am not sure the MB-339 will replace the Albatros as my favourite. But it might.

I wonder what your thoughts on are on this topic.

Edited January 5 by Zius

[LucShep]

I only trialed those modules, and it was quite sometime ago.

I understand the appeal and place of Jet Trainers, and I'd bet that they are grossly overlooked by most users (but shouldn't).
The thing is, after trialing them, I really think it's one of those "each to its own", a bit of a personal/subjective preference, or taste that some will enjoy and others not really.

I tend to prefer simpler and older aircraft systems (as in, less modern computorized) and don't enjoy FBW stuff as much, but the problem I got with those Jet Trainers when trialing them was that, although they feel great (IMO), once you try to do something more "serious" (combat wise), or reach for more "ooomph", they (obviously) fall short.
So, I just tend to go to Cold War jets (50s, 60s and 70s), perhaps because I also enjoy their own quirks too. Something about a MiG-21Bis or an F-5E, even an F-86F and MiG-15Bis, that just feels more interesting and makes you want to come back to them.

That said, I totally get why such Jet Trainers were picked in the first place and am glad that they exhist as modules for DCS.
Actually, I often wonder why weren't a couple of those modules made as the "free" aircrafts included in DCS World already, instead of the Su-25T or TF-51D.....

 

Edited January 6 by LucShep

[Mr_sukebe]

I tend not to fly them that much.  After all, if I want to remind myself how to use the F18, I'll go fly it.

Having said that, I do have a real soft spot for the cc101, which I think is very cool.

For that matter, I think that the Mirage F1 BE could be used as a 2 seat trainer and is an excellent model.

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

I used to spend a lot of time in trainers, just for the fun of flying (I share your sentiment about the L-39).
These days I rarely take them out for a spin. A short free flight perhaps but that's pretty much it.

[unlikely_spider]

8 minutes ago, Raven (Elysian Angel) said:

I used to spend a lot of time in trainers, just for the fun of flying (I share your sentiment about the L-39).
These days I rarely take them out for a spin. A short free flight perhaps but that's pretty much it.

I do wish there was more single-player content for each of them, like the Kursant campaign. That was excellent.

As someone who primarily plays campaigns in DCS, I tend to spend most time in the Hornet it seems not because that's the plane I like the most, but because it's the one with the most single-player content. I do often crave something that requires more stick and rudder skills.

[TheFreshPrince]

I trialed the L-39 two times and loved it very much. Flying by instruments "under the hood" is a crazy experience. It also provides a much better experience in what flying an aircraft actually means. But as you say, its capabilities are limited. And since DCS is a combat simulator, I prefer other planes. Maybe prop planes would be interesting as they are both combat ready and provide a "pure" flying experience.

[Zius]

5 hours ago, TheFreshPrince said:

But as you say, its capabilities are limited. And since DCS is a combat simulator, I prefer other planes.

Actually I did read somewhere that in the Syrian civil war, the Albatros was a much favoured plane for COIN missions.

And that is also what I use it for in DCS, besides free flight and aerobatics.

Sometimes in the real world, high capabilities are not required or even desirable (see the USAF quest to replace the A-10 as an example).

I do think that some gifted scenario builder (not me) could make an interesting campaign about COIN work in Syria.

 

9 hours ago, LucShep said:

I tend to prefer simpler and older aircraft systems (as in, less modern computorized) and don't enjoy FBW stuff as much, but the problem I got with those Jet Trainers when trialing them was that, although they feel great (IMO), once you try to do something more "serious" (combat wise), or reach for more "ooomph", they (obviously) fall short.

The ooomph is indeed obviously a problem. Although the MB-339 does deliver that in a way.

And you are right, cold war fighters are of course great as well. But complexity quickly goes up. Maybe not so much for the MiG-21 but certainly for e.g. the Viggen or the Mirage F1.

[Beirut]

Always enjoy the trainers on the free trials. Have the MB-339 going right now and I like it. But being a notorious cheapskate, I want to see it 50% on sale.

 

As for plane complexity, I have two-words: Voice Attack

 

I have basic commands for every plane and some funky ones for a few different modules. Saves me buttons on my HOTAS and brain cells in my head. I'd be lost without it.