My startup checklist

[Bucic]

Basically I'm planning to create a startup checklist that wouldn't make you think for more than a second where a particular switch is. First I tried to cope with the official checklist which is useless when someone has not learned the location of most of the switches. It's not the checklist's fault obviously. The big image below just shows part of my scratchpad, nothing more.

 

 

Then I'll try to put it all up without any bitmaps. With printer friendly figures like these instead

 

Edited October 13, 2010 by Bucic

[happyslayeruk]

Great idea, I bet many new flyers like me would appreciate it.

I'm still learning to fly so I usually make a mission with engines started. But soon I'm going to have to learn the cold start routine, last time I tried it took about 5 minutes to find all the switches.

[Slayer]

Looks good. Keep up the good work.

[Bucic]

The idea was self... can't find the right word. It was obvious to me once I got convinced by someone to give manual startup a go. I took a look at the checklists chapter in the extended manual and it was a chore to figure out what to click. Even worse when you don't use the flash Cockpit trainer as an aid.

 

Then I admit I'm not a pioneer. DaWu has already prepared something like my scratchpad Startup Procedures - Hope it helps you like it helps me so if I drop my project you won't be left empty handed.

 

BTW, I don't like it that the official checklist is not as streamlined as it should be. For example there's no excuse for jumping all over the cockpit when turning on lights...

Edited October 13, 2010 by Bucic

[Bucic]

This is a damn chore! :mad: No wonder that many people don't do manual startups. The checklist entry should be linked to the specific sections depicting panels layout i.e. clicking on the checklist entry about enabling batteries should transfer you to a chapter section on forward section of the wall panel. And the naming inconsistencies is a PITA!!! I usually praise ED's work but in this case all I would have for ED would be Not to mention sshots from russian cockpit in English manual. I could be making the checklist printable by now but instead I'm at 10% of even going through the procedure once :disgust:

 

Anyway, I could use a hand here. :helpsmilie: It took me hours to get to the ADF check part of the checklist! For someone who has ever done a manual startup it would be a half an hour. I'll post a link to sshots from the chcecklists and I kindly ask anyone to supplement it with cockpit pictures like I did. It doesn't have to be pretty at all!. Just either go from somewhere at the bottom or tell me what you're about to cover so we don't do the same part.

 

Edit:

I'm also willing to deal with this via teamspeak, ventrillo or skype. It shouldn't take long. I'm available (estimated) 8 PM to 11:30 PM CET or 6 to 8 AM CET. Contact me via the forum PM first.

 

Here's a big bitmap (PNG) + my work so far in svg.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/4kyhxd3o75743lh/checklist_sketch02.svg

http://www.mediafire.com/i/?v00b2berd1fwibv

Edited October 14, 2010 by Bucic

[Dejjvid]

The ADF part is not a necessity. You can skip it.

 

The startup is pretty straight forward. I can't stand the boring checklists. They are only useful when you know the procedure, and want to be extra geeky. For a beginner, they are only making it worse imo.

 

I learned it from youtube vids. So watch them, learn, and practice, practice and practice more. And after a while, you can do it in the dark while a beaver is chewing on your leg! :)

 

If we meet again in the near future, i can guide you on TS. :)

 

Good luck!

[Boberro]

It'd be nice checklist. Default one (in the manual) is not very helpful for nubs. I have used DaWu's picture checklist and learned know how.

 

If I had good graphics and more free I would help you, cause I think it is good idea. There is only one image checklist out there so far.

[Bucic]

Dejjvid, I know but I'd like to do it in a proper way. I may skip some parts but in most cases I'll stick to the official procedure. Also, to do a shortened version you have to learn starting up first and I haven't yet and I don't trust others' checklists in general because they are either a scramble startup checklists or, if closer to the original one, their authors fail to provide any info on what they have actually changed.

 

And how much of the original checklist points you can cut out anyway? 10 %? :) Not worth the mess it has already caused.

 

 

Boberro,

What good graphics?

 

It'd be nice checklist. Default one (in the manual) is not very helpful for nubs.

I dare to say that it's not helpful to anyone who doesn't know the switches positions by heart.

 

 

 

 

After we get the whole procedure in pictures we may start discussing target format which will be necessary to determine the figures sizes and the whole layout. My initial thought was Landscape A4 tiled vertically. After putting it together it will be huge so I'll take Portrait A4 tiled vertically too. It will look like a toilet paper printout :)

Edited October 13, 2010 by Bucic

[Boberro]

Boberro,

What good graphics?

 

Cockpit graphics, textures resolution.

 

I've just reminded myself that for good cockpit resolution can be used Ka-50's flash trainer... Later when I get more time I'll check it.

 

After we get the whole procedure in pictures we may start discussing target format which will be necessary to determine the figures sizes and the whole layout. My initial thought was Landscape A4 tiled vertically. After putting it together it will be huge so I'll take Portrait A4 tiled vertically too. It will look like a toilet paper printout :)

 

Yeah it needs to be thought over.:)

[Bucic]

Cockpit graphics, textures resolution.

 

I've just reminded myself that for good cockpit resolution can be used Ka-50's flash trainer... Later when I get more time I'll check it.

 

 

 

Yeah it needs to be thought over.:)

 

You haven't read what I wrote before. I need the pictures for reference only. It can all be ugly as Rolling Stones group photo! Done in paint! I don't care. I requested some help in finishing my scratchpad, mockup, or however you'll call it. It's only an intermediate step. Final is replacing bitmaps with vector figures. You should also know that I don't like to repeat something twice :sly:

[Bucic]

The crowds of volunteers are intimidating :D

[Boberro]

You haven't read what I wrote before. I need the pictures for reference only. It can all be ugly as Rolling Stones group photo! Done in paint! I don't care. I requested some help in finishing my scratchpad, mockup, or however you'll call it. It's only an intermediate step. Final is replacing bitmaps with vector figures. You should also know that I don't like to repeat something twice :sly:

 

Recently, I am not used to read post really carefully :P

 

I could try to make reference pics, but I need to understand it correctly. Example Startup Preparation - you wanna reference picture of buttons which are to be used in start up, like in your example - right?

 

Then you convert it to simple picture like that animation you've showed.:) I am still under high doze of coffeine, so take it easy :D

[Bucic]

Recently, I am not used to read post really carefully :P

 

I could try to make reference pics, but I need to understand it correctly. Example Startup Preparation - you wanna reference picture of buttons which are to be used in start up, like in your example - right?

 

Then you convert it to simple picture like that animation you've showed.:) I am still under high doze of coffeine, so take it easy :D

 

I see that you could be useful but you're not yet focused enough so I'll say again :D I need buttons locations that are used in the official checklist (extended manual) - one by one. You don't have to understand anything. Buttons locations marked on lousy screenshots in a lousy manner. The below example is fine :P

 

 

And so on :)

 

Also it would be great if you could mark any checklist entry with button name inconsistent with button tooltip in-game

Edited October 14, 2010 by Bucic

[Bucic]

I'm about to finish fire extinguishing system check part of the checklist and I'm done for today. Pissing me off. Different naming in the checklists, different in the manual, different in the tooltips, different in the Flash Cockpit Trainer...

Edited October 14, 2010 by Bucic

[Boberro]

I made something like that:

 

 

I wasn't sure about few things like Tachometers. Unsure things I colored red. I think LSHIFT-P shortcut for rear fuel tank pumps is wrong or startup says wrong.

 

I can't run BS on my PC now so don't know more.

[Bucic]

Excellent! :) But I need more. There are few more parts. Post-startup checks etc.

[Boberro]

Yeah I know, if I get more time tomorrow I'll do more :)

[Bucic]

Thanks in advance. This weekend is my girlfriend's weekend, so if you want it sooner you have to contribute ;)

 

Edit:

Boberro,

 

The last image was created in Photoshop. I'm sure Adobe will use it as one of the showcases on the official site :D

Edited October 17, 2010 by Bucic

[Boberro]

I am back.

Couldn't do more at weekends, it was beer time :D

Little steps and it'll be done ^^

[galagamo]

I need this fellas, I've had BS for over a year now and have yet to start it with out cheating:P

I'm ready to learn:smartass:

[Bucic]

OK, I'm on it now. I had to submit an Inkscape bug report first.

 

I need this fellas, I've had BS for over a year now and have yet to start it with out cheating:P

I'm ready to learn:smartass:

In the mean time use the DaWu's checklist with pictures. It will take probably more than week to finish this checklist. I may also drop the project without warning.

 

Edit:

So, thanks to Boberro I have all the switches locations from the very beginning of the checklists chapter to the end of engines startup section. We still don't have the part after and including the PRE-FLIGHT TEST. Only buttons locations are needed marked on some images, just like Boberro did it.

Edited October 17, 2010 by Bucic

[Bucic]

I reviewed the Fire Extinguishers check again and I can say it's a good example of how some parts of the docu are a mess. I take notes if anything...

[Boberro]

What's wrong with that? I've just fast glanced and reviewed that chapter and you can find buttons rather easy way :P

[Bucic]

Oh really? :) Well, how about that flow:

- check list says POZAR GIDRO - HYDRAULICS FIRE

- I manually (no hot linking in the check list) check the respective manual chapter and the only thing that could match that was POZAR VENTIL - OIL COOLERS

- I head to the Flash Cockpit Trainer and it says NO FUCNCTION for the 4th control light

- then I finally launch the game to learn that that light is actually called GRBX (GeaRboX)

 

Now, when I see this and the A-10 HDR/Bloom effects only soap operas come into my mind:music_whistling: May I remind you and whoever will read this that for a virtual pilot the in-cockpit names (i.e. tool tips and warning lights letterings) are what count. All the rest is academics. Those two combined - mess. IRL someone would have his ass busted for this by aviation authorities.

 

Edit:

:helpsmilie: The check list streamlining ideas are welcome too! A checklist should not make the pilot jump back and forth. The ideal candidates are lights that are located on the same panel. A perfect example is Fire Extinguishers Panel light check from the checklist. The check list should name them in the order they are placed on the panel. Either direction.

Edited October 17, 2010 by Bucic

[Boberro]

Hmm hydraulics fire maybe hydraulics bay fire, that says manual :D

I see a little mess now...

 

Heh it can be forgiven as BS was their first product, but if in A-10C checklist is messed I wouldn't forgive :)