Just bought the 'complete' naval aviation F/A-18C experience --- wtf do I do now?

[Sunbather]

I just bit the bullet earlier today and bought the Supercarrier module (which made me realize that I wasted money on the Su-33 some months ago but that's another matter of contention for this overpriced package). 

I did buy the Supercarrier mostly because I want to access all those beautiful F/A-18C campaigns. But before I tackle a campaign, I should learn the jet and the carrier module properly, right? To my surprise, however, the tutorials for vanilla carrier ops are a bare minimum while the tutorials for the Supercarrier module are non-existent. I figured out by myself how to taxi on the Supercarrier, also managed to do a Case 1 recovery (the tutorial wasn't much help) but what about Case 2 and 3? What about radio procedures? It kinda boggles my mind that the most famous and most bought module has such an incomplete and, frankly, lazy tutorial set.

So I already hunted down some user-made content (e.g. Gunthrek's 4-part training set, a Red Flag campaign by beppe_goodoldrebel, and Bankler's Case 1 trainer) but none of that is what I need right now.

Take for example how I learned the A-10 in the past few weeks: I did the excellent tutorial missions, I fumbled around with some stand-alone missions, then started Baltic Dragon's excellent Iron Flag and then began the Persian Freedom campaign --- a nice, steady learning curve, all the while actually playing already, and not having to look up every little thing on Youtube or in a PDF file.

So what would you recommend me to do, as frustrated as I am already with the overpriced Supercarrier module? Are there any campaigns that ease you into it? And teach you radio comms and Case 2 and 3 recovery procedures by implementing it into the story? I've heard the Rising Squall campaign has tutorials but it's a no go: I can't stand the voice acting and it's almost 20€! But what about some of the others? What could be considered a beginner campaign?

[Ornithopter]

The Supercarrier comes with a very thorough Operations Guide that covers all revovery and departure cases, all radio comms, LSO stuff, and terms.  I would start by reviewing it, and then watching videos.  But, actually, first I'd learn the jet thoroughly before I even touched the Carrier operatons.

 

Edited May 4 by Ornithopter

[Raisuli]

 

[inZane]

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/documentation/dcs-supercarrier_operations_guide_en/ is a very good place to start. Also, there are tons of good YT videos out there about how to be a Navy Bug pilot. 

[Dangerzone]

You have raised some good points - that it would be good for them to include full tutorials for the carrier. But the supercarrier module is still in Early Access, and things are still being added to it. Given that the procedures have changed (the most recent being with the plane directors, and at a guess - quite possibly ATC procedures being next) - I can understand the decision to wait after all the development changes have been done to avoid the risk of having to  re-create tutorials and doubling workload.

Starting from scratch with the Early Access AH-64 module - Wag's video's was a staple diet as things progressed. The supercarrier has been out a lot longer now, so there's a lot more options to choose from when it comes to learning, but as you've found - tutorials aren't going to be one at this point in time.  

As for campaigns, I loved Raven One. I read the book in sync while doing the campaign and found it a fantastic experience - as it made the campaign far more immersive. The campaign does start out with more basic knowledge - but does progress and advance to where you need to know the advanced systems of the FA18 before completion - so it may not be the best one to begin with, but definitely worth keeping an eye out for and something to look forward to.

I hope you are able to get past your initial frustrations and find enjoyment in it. I know for me - the SC and navy ops are one of my all time favorite parts of the simulator and gives me great satisfaction! 

[PawlaczGMD]

There just aren't good in-game training missions in DCS in general, it is what it is. But the training missions are good enough to teach you to start, take off and land.

The manual that comes with the module will teach you everything you need though.

Then there are Chuck's Guide streamlined manuals that are more approachable.

And last, there are plenty of videos on youtube showing almost everything you can do. But if you have the basics covered, you can just learn by playing a campaign.

I don't remember which campaign is the easiest for F-18, but there is a free user-made campaign Bold Cheetah that you can find on the forum/user files, doesn't cost you anything to try it.