The beginners learning thread

[W1ndy]

Thanks Tyger ! Your vids are good. Very clear and helpful.

 

Also thanks dnme. There's plenty of us noobs out there wanting to get into this level of simming.

[kylania]

I'm done.

 

Oops! And here I was calling you dnme all this time! :megalol:

[26-J39]

Oh my god what have I started ;)

 

Folks

Please bear with me. I am doing my best, I have reverted back to FC2 in order to lessen the learning curve. I am activity based. I do approach the manual with a task i mind.

 

In my most recent example, I could not figure out how to engage ILS and I could not figure out how to get the radio going (remember now....FC2, NOT a10c). I spent days, asking on forums, re-installing, creating mission after mission and importantly re-re-re-re reading the manual.

 

It turns out that

 

1. ILS is transmitted from one end of a runway only

2. Radio menu key is actually # NOT \ (on UK keyboards)

 

The manual never mentioned either. This is just one example. I have others. That's why I find the manual poor.

 

I will admit to becoming frustrated in the past day or so and I apologise for that. Everyone here has a point and is being more than fair and considerate especially to me. Thank you for that.

 

I will end with this.

IMO ED manuals are weak for all the reasons that I have pointed out on these forums over the past few days. However they create the most spectacular flight sims ever. Stunning. I love the software and am in awe of the programmers.

 

I'm done.

 

Respect :thumbup:

[Headspace]

I would suggest adding the FAA's aircraft flight manual as good reading as well.

Or you could go one better and ask for a demo flight from just about any flight school...these are generally sold as a discount one-off type of thing and can be less than $50 (US) depending on who you go to. That way you can get hooked on an even more expensive hobby as well.

[Bucic]

Strongharm and Frederf already covered the differences between technical manual and a training syllabus. ED manuals try to be both and in neither of cases they need 'flow'. The only 'flow' you need is the Table of Contents.

 

Second:

IMO ED should not attempt to replace PPL(A) theoretical lectures at all. IMO only references should be placed there (on the same page) e.g.

 

(...) TAS (1 (...)

 

and in the footer of the same page:

 

(1 FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, ch. X, p. Y

 

 

Abbreviation explained in the abbreviations Appendix. This way ED points at what basic knowledge is necessary to understand the topic without mambling about it.

There will never be (at least I hope so) Newton's laws of motion in ED manuals placed there in the name of 'usability'. My best advice would be to accept it ASAP.

 

 

What the author of the topic needed he can find in the manuals. What's not there it's right here - on the forums or in some training videos.

 

Speaking of the forums importance. IMO moderators should hunt incorrect or even confusing 'advices' as eagerly as they hunt personal attacks and other not per the forum rules behavior.

 

I'm eager to help out rookies but if someone starts a new topic :disgust: asking a question answered in one of the FAQs or before using the forum search AND pdf manual search functions AND reviewing the forums sections layout he may be quite sure I'll be on my way with hot and fresh negative reputation points. This much I can do, although that would be a nice option too ;)

Edited December 1, 2010 by Bucic

[Boberro]

I'm eager to help out rookies but if someone starts a new topic :disgust: asking a question answered in one of the FAQs or before using the forum search AND pdf manual search functions AND reviewing the forums sections layout he may be quite sure I'll be on my way with a hot and fresh negative reputation points.

 

So minimum half or 2\3 of forum members would have been on red, if we accepted your way :D

[ErichVon]

Hi,

 

I am new to this game.

 

I am not new to military themed flight sims.

 

This whole LockOn/DCS series is very similar, though a bit more detailed, to the Commodore-64 Microprose sims of the late 1980's, especially Gunship and F-117A, though that was also done quite well in DOS on the IBM 386.

 

I plan on taking this game in all the training tutorials in GAME mode 1st. I am still so naive, maybe that is the only way the training tutes are presented. For me I will learn in game mode 1st, then transition into full sim mode later.

 

I am almost age 60. I am sure the added medications I now take tend to stupid-fy me, but it was a lot easier in hindsight learning this stuff when I was in my 30's and 40's. Nice thing about a real challenge is it keeps my mind occupied and a bit like Zen, keeps my mind not thinking about the more negative, painful stuff one encounters as we age.

 

One guy I have met, so far, has been very helpful to me, Kon, but he and his mates are a few steps above the upper echelon of the learning curve than where I am currently. I fully intend to approach his squad at a later time when I am much more prepared to do this game at his expertise.

 

I surely do love YouTube, be it metal machine shop tutorials, woodworking, playing the guitar or learning sims.

 

I originally came on to the Internet back in 1999 only to chat with my machinist chums all over the world, which of course I still do. Gotta love the translator programs.

 

Erich

 

I am a beginner as I may have stated before. I find the whole approach of the manual to be from an experts perspective and I immediately get lost with acronyms, information overload and jargon. After reading parts of manuals and browsing the forum, here's my learning wish list.

 

1. Installation, Setup controllers, calibrate controllers, get a good starter profile for controller.

 

2. Learn the sim interface

 

3. Basic cockpit overview (basic)

 

4. Beginners flight manual

4a. Basic instrument systems, explanation for each instrument, how to use them

 

5. Starting the a10 (good video already exists)

 

6. Create a basic mission

6a. Take off from runway

6b. Take off from hangar, including startup, taxiing etc

6c. Repeat the above at night

 

7. Create a basic mission (take off, land at neighbor airport)

 

8. Create a mission involving 3+ way points

 

9. Create a refueling mission

 

10. Create an array of emergency recovery missions

 

11. A guide to each system in the plane. e.g. Learn radios, learn radar, learn ILS etc. I would like to learn each system one by one and learn them well before I get exposed to acronyms, or multitasking etc.

 

12. Bring on the weapons / weapons systems

This is a whole manual all in itself. Again from the above approach starting off with the basics, say just shooting the canon, and developing from there.

 

 

How does this sound? Have I left anything out?

Any advice as to how I would go about following this curriculum?

Might this thread be of use to others? (hopefully)

 

I would really welcome feedback, correction, advice or discussion here. I adore the sim, it looks awesome. It is a landmark achievement by DCS; But as a beginner to flight sims, (never mind weapons), I am just lost and feel almost intimidated by the manual - it makes me feel rather stupid.

[ErichVon]

Hi,

 

I usually just read the forums.

 

For sure, usually, given enough guys doing the game, somebody out there has already encountered any given problem at least once.

 

Though, me too, I sometimes get stuck in the mud.

 

Interesting also there are always the negative minded folks. My opinion so far of the DCS and LockOn forums, you guys as a whole are much more gracious and polite compared to some of the other forums out there.

 

If I need a serious question answered, I create a job ticket and approach the pros that programmed this monster.

 

Me, too, I do love carrier ops in FC2 just flying the pattern.

 

Microsoft's Flight Sim, actually any of them will get your head on straight understanding ILS.

 

A buddy of mine is a civilian pilot. Last year, here in NY State, my area, $2500 will get you your 1st solo certificate for powered flight. I did a brain hemorrhage at age 50. I doubt FAA would ever allow me to solo. But flying with a trainer be it powered or sailplane is do-able.

 

It is surprising to me how many civilian pilots play these games, many of whom are instructors.

 

Erich

 

Oh my god what have I started ;)

 

Folks

Please bear with me. I am doing my best, I have reverted back to FC2 in order to lessen the learning curve. I am activity based. I do approach the manual with a task i mind.

 

In my most recent example, I could not figure out how to engage ILS and I could not figure out how to get the radio going (remember now....FC2, NOT a10c). I spent days, asking on forums, re-installing, creating mission after mission and importantly re-re-re-re reading the manual.

 

It turns out that

 

1. ILS is transmitted from one end of a runway only

2. Radio menu key is actually # NOT \ (on UK keyboards)

 

The manual never mentioned either. This is just one example. I have others. That's why I find the manual poor.

 

I will admit to becoming frustrated in the past day or so and I apologise for that. Everyone here has a point and is being more than fair and considerate especially to me. Thank you for that.

 

I will end with this.

IMO ED manuals are weak for all the reasons that I have pointed out on these forums over the past few days. However they create the most spectacular flight sims ever. Stunning. I love the software and am in awe of the programmers.

 

I'm done.

[mooshim]

Oops! And here I was calling you dnme all this time! :megalol:

 

I missed this... LOL~!:lol:

[airea]

I have A-10C since the beta phase but I did not have enough time to fly much so I have some very basic issues that I cannot solve:

 

1- What is the difference between 9-3 and 5 mil flavors in dropping unguided bombs?

2- What is the difference between Consent to Release mode and the normal CCIP?

3- When the ATC tells about QFEi how should I tune my altimeter? When he says QFE 28, what does that mean, 2800 on the altimeter?

4- How the hell on earth will I be able to hear the ILS tone? I turn the ILS knob on and try different vloume levels but I cannot get any tone?

 

Sorry for my dummy questions and again sorry if they were replied somewhere on the forum...