Black shark or Warthog

[Ghillied raptor]

I'm relatively new to simulations and was wondering which module would be better for me(I'm aware that the A-10 module will take some time to be released but I am willing to wait.)I have a couple of questions concerning the two games.

Is the A-10 module going to be improved in any way?

Are the two modules compatible?

What the the average time needed to fly(combat not included) either aircraft properly?

 

Any light on this would be sincerely appreciated.

[EtherealN]

Sadly, part of your questions I'll have to answer with the not really informative "wait until next year when news on it will be released".

 

That aside though, the modules are intended to be multiplayer compatible. Again though, anything solid on that won't happen until next year.

 

Training to fly with a modicum of competence would be a weekend or two. This depends a lot on talent - some people get it pretty well within a day, some require at least a week. However, it's not a daunting task, it just requires repetition and some discipline where you make sure to practice on thing at a time.

[Feuerfalke]

Welcome.

 

These questions are not easy to answer in just once sentence.

Is the A-10 module going to be improved in any way? Are the two modules compatible?

DCS is planned to be expanded with each new module, adding not only a plane, but also adding new features to the engine itself, e.g. introducing new graphics, soundsystems, and who knows what else.

 

As it is also planned to make the modules compatible, to add more and more high-fidelity planes to the battlefield. Of course nobody knows what will happen in a few years, so I got to stress "it is planned to work this way".

 

What the the average time needed to fly(combat not included) either aircraft properly?

That is difficult to answer, as we don't know how complex the A-10C will be. If you want my personal opinion:

The Ka-50 will be more difficult to fly, but easier to operate.

The A-10C will be easier to fly, but probably a lot more complicate to use to it's full potenial.

 

I showed the Ka-50 to several friends and most of them were able to fly successfully within a matter of 20-30 minutes. That is using airstart and flying around a bit. Not really maneuvering, of course, not starting, landing or bringing the Ka-50 through offensive and defensive maneuvers without smashing the rotors. ;)

 

In either case, as it will still be a while until A-10C will be released, I recommend to go for Ka-50 now. I bet you won't regret it, if you are interested in military aviation.

Edited November 19, 2009 by Feuerfalke

[sobek]

I'm relatively new to simulations and was wondering which module would be better for me(I'm aware that the A-10 module will take some time to be released but I am willing to wait.)I have a couple of questions concerning the two games.

Is the A-10 module going to be improved in any way?

Are the two modules compatible?

What the the average time needed to fly(combat not included) either aircraft properly?

 

From what i know so far, e.g. the lighting will be improved with the A-10 module, hopefully the ground AI as well.

 

Online compatibility is planned, whether the engine of BS will be updated to A-10 standard is not certain.

 

Average time: Depends on your previous knowledge. Judging from your statements, i would guess that it might take you a little longer. Getting the running AC into the air is not that hard, but operating all it's systems is a handful in the BS and the A-10C systems will most likely be much more complex (albeit maybe easier to operate).

 

In general it is way harder to fly rotary winged AC compared to fixed wing. With some dedication and no previous knowledge i'd say you can learn basic handling of the BS in about a week.

Edited November 19, 2009 by sobek

[Doggy]

First Welcome!

Which module? well I think it's clear enough. If you do prefer choppers there's no better choice than DCS:BS If you don't prefer choppers but quite like them still recomend you to get DCS:BS. If you hate choppers there's no other option but wait for the A-10 (or try other sim to learn basics, principles and so)

Average time needed to fly? Well, it's individual from person to person. Simply said as soon as you gain proper feel for the stick and throtle (cyclic and collective), get familiar with the basic aircraft physics. Just to fly, you can manage it in couple of hours (one day).

Note: My girlfriend's first flight was using red/blue glasses for 3D effect. She successfully landed only with broken front landing gear. Off course with my verbal assistance ;)

[EtherealN]

Actually, my 12 years old sister landed the Black Shark on her first try when she was visiting with no damage - still with a thorough briefing though and a few times where I told her to abort the landing attempt and start over.

 

My old man... it blew up after performing a non-damaging bounce. Sometimes having twitchy reflexes is baaad.

 

My RL fixed wing instructor crashed it on the first landing, but without an explosion, just broken landing gear. I absolve him though since he was forced to fly without TrackIR (which is what he's used to on the computer, since that's what we used on simulator training) and he also flew with twist-stick for the first time ever since I couldn't be arsed to bring my pedals to the field.

 

Now, what you can see there is that sometimes a total beginner will get off to a good start with even better results than a flight instructor with thousands of hours. It's all very individual. The advantage of this is that no matter what kind of embarrasing accident you subject your shark to there's always some better qualified person out there that has done worse. :D

[Ghillied raptor]

I'd like to thank all of you for giving such informative and helpful replies.I have decided to purchase the DCS:Black Shark for now and get the A-10 module at a later date.Thanks for the help and the warm welcome.

[Doggy]

You did a best possible decision ;) Enjoy!

[EtherealN]

Welcome, you'll not regret your decision.

 

Run into any troubles or need help with anything, don't hesitate to ask. :)

[sobek]

But use the search function first :D:lol:

[lawndartleo]

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

 

I don't doubt that the A-10 will come out, someday. It's just that someday has never been a reliable date. LOMAC was a few years late. Black shark released later than expected as well. This stuff takes time to develop and my sense is that entertainment may be secondary to a company that has government funded interests.

 

I think we benifit greatly from ED having an inside track on military hardware and for that I am quite happy to wait and wait and wait. Until then, we've got a pretty darn good sim to keep our attention.

[jctrnacty]

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

 

I don't doubt that the A-10 will come out, someday. It's just that someday has never been a reliable date. LOMAC was a few years late. Black shark released later than expected as well.

 

well, i hope you are wrong.

[Pilotasso]

the difference between BS+FC and DCS: hog is that the 2 first had their development plans radicaly change from addon to standalone while the HOG will be developed as planned from beggining.

 

Of course "the plan" is always subject to delays, but not by years...we hope :D