Case II \ III - which weather conditions in DCS trigger each one?

[BarTzi]

I understand there are real life documents that cover this, but it's not my question. I'm asking about the DCS implementation.

I often find myself wondering if the ATC is wrong when it initiates a case II recovery when the conditions near the carrier clearly don't favour the last part of the landing (which is pretty much a case I), especially if the carrier is hard to spot due to rain, light fog or clouds. So my question is - does the ATC take weather into account accurately, other than the clear case of heavy rain (which is clearly case III)? 

It's worth noting that I have those issues only during the day. It seems like TOD is taken into account correctly, and case III is initiated properly during night time operations.

 

 

[Nealius]

In my experience CASE switching in DCS is somewhat broken. Furthermore, in an episode (the one with CATCC Sue if I recall correctly) of the Fighter Pilot Podcast, CASE II is rarely ever done in real life. Typical operations are either CASE I or CASE III.

Edited April 29 by Nealius

[scommander2]

I guess CASE II may work for the night with the clear weather.

[Nealius]

Night is always CASE III regardless of weather, with "night" being specifically defined by the Navy as 30 minutes prior to sunset until 30 minutes after sunrise.

[BarTzi]

12 hours ago, Nealius said:

Night is always CASE III regardless of weather, with "night" being specifically defined by the Navy as 30 minutes prior to sunset until 30 minutes after sunrise.

Thanks Nealius. I think the only time it doesn't mess up the switch from I to III is when the sun sets. I wonder what ED has to say about this. @BIGNEWY Can you shed some light on this, please?

Edited April 29 by BarTzi

[BIGNEWY]

I will try to find out more from the team. 

 

[BIGNEWY]

I have spoken with the team. 

it is not preset based, it is condition based. 

CASE III when 
it is dark, 
or cloud density > 8(of 10 max) and (cloud ceiling less then 1000 feet or there is precipitation)
or fog transparency is less then 5% on 5NM distance

else 
CASE I when 
cloud density  < 6(of 10 max) or cloud ceiling more then 1000 feet and fog transparency is better then 5% on 5NM distance 

if none of conditions is met - it will call a CASE II

Hope that helps. 

[BarTzi]

7 minutes ago, BIGNEWY said:

I have spoken with the team. 

it is not preset based, it is condition based. 

CASE III when 
it is dark, 
or cloud density > 8(of 10 max) and (cloud ceiling less then 1000 feet or there is precipitation)
or fog transparency is less then 5% on 5NM distance

else 
CASE I when 
cloud density  < 6(of 10 max) or cloud ceiling more then 1000 feet and fog transparency is better then 5% on 5NM distance 

if none of conditions is met - it will call a CASE II

Hope that helps. 

According to this there's not a chance for CASE II with precipitation, but this is what happens to me when I use any of the light rain weather presets.

Are you sure it is taken into account? Weather was changed with time to be more dynamic and rain can come and go. How often does the ATC check for conditions around the carrier?

[BIGNEWY]

Best thing to do is post a track replay example where the CASE seems to be wrong and I can have the team check it. 

thank you 

[BIGNEWY]

10 minutes ago, BarTzi said:

How often does the ATC check for conditions around the carrier?

 

The CASE type is selected at the time of the radio call for inbound, so whatever the weather or time is when the call is made the ATC will decide what CASE is being used. 

But please if you see an issue that needs checking attach a track replay. 

thanks

 

[JupiterJoe]

Case II's are fun.  For some reason the clouds/weather seem to move/change rather slowly, despite the carrier steaming along at 20+ knots.  I don't think I've ever seen conditions change 'cases' during daylight hours.  I guess the weather model is just not dynamic enough yet.  Never seen a thunderstorm form for example.

Edited April 29 by JupiterJoe

[Nealius]

59 minutes ago, BIGNEWY said:

The CASE type is selected at the time of the radio call for inbound

That's a bit of a problem with a lot of the rain presets, as there are pockets of good visibility and very low visibility (calling for CASE III) as the carrier moves through the water.

[BarTzi]

3 hours ago, BIGNEWY said:

 

The CASE type is selected at the time of the radio call for inbound, so whatever the weather or time is when the call is made the ATC will decide what CASE is being used. 

But please if you see an issue that needs checking attach a track replay. 

thanks

 

But is it the weather in the map, the weather around the carrier at the time of the call or expected weather around the carrier when the pilot lands? These are all different things.

[BarTzi]

Ok so this is during the day, using the overcast and rain 3 preset. As you can see from the track and attached pictures, the ATC thinks it's CASE II. However, looking at the carrier it seems like there's quite a bit of rain and that the visibility is poor. (my game is not modded, but I am using a cockpit livery, which should not matter here).

 

@BIGNEWY clearly rain isn't taken into account here.

CASE_II_Instead_of_III.trk

Edited April 29 by BarTzi

[Nealius]

Most likely related to this issue:

 

[Furia]

En 29/4/2025 a las 16:09, BIGNEWY dijo:

Best thing to do is post a track replay example where the CASE seems to be wrong and I can have the team check it. 

thank you 

I am unable to get a CASE II. I am attaching a track where the carrier provides a CASE I acknowledging a "Solid layer at 2000 feet and visibility 6 miles"

I have tried countless combinations and it simply goes from CASE I to CASE III but I have not been able to get a CASE II

If any one has a mission preferably in the Marianas with a CASE II scenario and could share it here I would highly appreciate that.

No CASE II.trk