Carrier Operations

[Jackjack171]

Has anyone found a workaround to ignore the directors or to not get sent to the fantail every single time you land? I had been away from Naval ops for some time (AH-64 and F-4E are way too fun) and recently tried the Tomcat again with the Supercarrier. I thought that I would start with CQ...wrong! Forget about going to the CAT after a trap, nope. You go all the way to the fantail (not in a very realistic way either) and must park. I was a yellow shirt once upon a time and the directing was triggering me something serious (not really but). Add to that, I had a brown shirt directing me (blasphemy to a yellow shirt)).  I eventually ended up going back to using the Forrestal for CQ. It was more manageable albeit, quiet as a church mouse (no deck crew at all)! I sure hope that ED is actively working this. It would be nice if the menu included:

1. Relaunch
2. Bingo state, refuel
3. Park/turnaround/shutdown

This way, the directors know what you want/need. Also, the director (gear puller) getting me out of the LA (landing area) should get me clear of the foul line at least. Btw, he's standing in the wrong place. He should be slightly forward of JBD #2, but clear of the foul line. He clears the deck after passing you off to another director, then clears the deck for the next aircraft. I'm also surprised that the ball call and LSO are still rigged for a Hornet. I'm still getting called "slow" even when I'm fast! A Tomcat kneel would be nice to have from the directors as well. 

I'd like to add that aircraft do not go aft immediately after they land. They go to the fighter line along the foul line, or they go to the bow (1 row/ 4 row). Sometimes, the last 1 or 2nd aircraft down will go to the fantail but that's after the "recovery complete" call. Depending on space available, the 2nd to last aircraft will spin around in the de-arm area and wait for the last aircraft to land. The last aircraft lands and then spins in the LA, (under yellow shirt direction of course) and is sent back aft. 

BTW, I should not have to call the marshal controller just to get the LSO to acknowledge me when I go into the CQ pattern off of the CAT. When I perform a touch and go, that should be noted that that's what it is instead of a bolter!

I know that this is all very complex as carrier operations are IRL, but I just hope that ED takes some of this onboard and improves upon what they have now. It was not my intention to rant; I just got carried away. I try and throw a bit of humor in their as well. Love what you guys are doing and have done.

JJ

[draconus]

12 hours ago, Jackjack171 said:

I just hope that ED takes some of this onboard and improves upon what they have now.

Yeah, thanks for that and I also hope for additional features and improvements

Currently CQ, cyclic ops, bolters and touch&goes are not implemented. You can turn off taxi directors (in DCS Special > Supercarrier options) but keep the cat/launch crew so you can freely taxi however you think is best. If you want to keep all the crew you'll have to block all the parking spots from fantail up to the elevator 2 with static Hornets. That way you'll be directed to park (and spin) around elevator 1 after trap so it'll be short way to the cats 1/2.

[Dangerzone]

On 5/8/2025 at 5:47 AM, Jackjack171 said:

Has anyone found a workaround to ignore the directors or to not get sent to the fantail every single time you land? I had been away from Naval ops for some time (AH-64 and F-4E are way too fun) and recently tried the Tomcat again with the Supercarrier. I thought that I would start with CQ...wrong! 

I hope that ED take your suggestion onboard for an option for Carrier Quals. Especially this - allowing people to go straight from trapping to launching on another CAT, as it's definitely needed. For now, I would just disable the plane directors for the carrier while you do that. It will take you back to the old way of doing things without having to revert to the Forrestal.

On 5/8/2025 at 5:47 AM, Jackjack171 said:

BTW, I should not have to call the marshal controller just to get the LSO to acknowledge me when I go into the CQ pattern off of the CAT. When I perform a touch and go, that should be noted that that's what it is instead of a bolter!

Have you just tried calling 'Hornet Ball' without worrying about inbound calls. The LSO I think should acknowledge you after that.

(I'm not 100% sure if what works for me will work for you (as I use VAICOM and I'm not sure how much is VAICOM, and how much is DCS) - but using VAICOM I've been able to bypass a number of steps or get the AI to trigger into a different state without needing all the conditions to be met). For instance, I'm able to call COMMENCING and PLATFORM with VIACOM in CASE 1 conditions (when the menu isn't available to DCS) - and it will trigger the ATC to go through the CASE 3 landings such as the 8 mile radar contact, approaching glideslope, etc. Things that otherwise have not been possible to do with the standard DCS interface. 

If I recall correctly - I can call Hornet Ball as well in VAICOM after taking off for CQ, and I'll get the LSO calls. It may be worth trying binding the 'Hornet Ball' option and using that when rounding out. Hopefully this will get the LSO's attention - but if not and it's only working for me because of VAICOM - you may want to consider checking out VAICOM. It certainly adds to the immersion. 

[Jackjack171]

1 hour ago, Dangerzone said:

I hope that ED take your suggestion onboard for an option for Carrier Quals. Especially this - allowing people to go straight from trapping to launching on another CAT, as it's definitely needed. For now, I would just disable the plane directors for the carrier while you do that. It will take you back to the old way of doing things without having to revert to the Forrestal.

Have you just tried calling 'Hornet Ball' without worrying about inbound calls. The LSO I think should acknowledge you after that.

(I'm not 100% sure if what works for me will work for you (as I use VAICOM and I'm not sure how much is VAICOM, and how much is DCS) - but using VAICOM I've been able to bypass a number of steps or get the AI to trigger into a different state without needing all the conditions to be met). For instance, I'm able to call COMMENCING and PLATFORM with VIACOM in CASE 1 conditions (when the menu isn't available to DCS) - and it will trigger the ATC to go through the CASE 3 landings such as the 8 mile radar contact, approaching glideslope, etc. Things that otherwise have not been possible to do with the standard DCS interface. 

If I recall correctly - I can call Hornet Ball as well in VAICOM after taking off for CQ, and I'll get the LSO calls. It may be worth trying binding the 'Hornet Ball' option and using that when rounding out. Hopefully this will get the LSO's attention - but if not and it's only working for me because of VAICOM - you may want to consider checking out VAICOM. It certainly adds to the immersion. 

Thank you. I never have used VIACOM. How does it work and where can I get it?

16 hours ago, draconus said:

Yeah, thanks for that and I also hope for additional features and improvements

Currently CQ, cyclic ops, bolters and touch&goes are not implemented. You can turn off taxi directors (in DCS Special > Supercarrier options) but keep the cat/launch crew so you can freely taxi however you think is best. If you want to keep all the crew you'll have to block all the parking spots from fantail up to the elevator 2 with static Hornets. That way you'll be directed to park (and spin) around elevator 1 after trap so it'll be short way to the cats 1/2.

Thanks, draconus. I will deactivate the deck crew until it is improved upon. Didn't know that I could as it had been sometime. Now to re-qual! Lol