Flight Qualifications Campaign

[Sabre-TLA]

Sounds like the only step you missed was pressing the LSK button beside the DTOT entry to lock in the new WP time.

 

Check out page 470 in the DCS A-10C Flight Manual. It explains the procedure fully and also shows the required airspeed to fly to reach the wp on time (when the wp is the steerpoint).

[Zeke]

Thanks for the page info, I was reading up on it in the CDU section which was around page 233 in the manual I printed out a year ago.

 

I did find out what I did wrong. I was cycling through the WPs using my HOTAS and looking at the number listed on the very top of the CDU, but that isn't the WP info on that page. In order to enter/view the WP info you want you have to enter the WP number in the scratch pad and then click on the top Left LSK where you see a number preceded by a +_. Then whatever number you entered will be the info for that WP. At least that is how I got it to work for me now.

 

On to AFT 2!

[Zeke]

Just finished my first attempt at AFT 02. Tanked well and then headed home. Problem landing at Kobuleti. ILS landing only at runway 07 but ATC sends you to land at runway 25. Even trying to set up for an ILS landing on 07 I couldn't get the bars to work. Everything was tuned in to where it should be too. So after an hour, yes and hour, I went to Batumi instead. No problem landing there but I failed for leaving the training zone.

 

My question, is there an ILS route at Kobuleti? Can't figure out what I did wrong, if anything.

[Sabre-TLA]

If you land at Kobuleti the mission will complete.

 

It must be a bug in the game as I can't control the ATC through the mission editor.

 

I have noticed that ATC will pick the runway based on the current weather and wind conditions. On some missions they use 07 on others 25.

 

Maybe someone more knowledgeable about the game ATC operation could respond.

[Kearf]

Plane rolls after engine start in AFT03

 

Hello.

 

My aircraft starts rolling after i start my right engine. (I start the left first)

 

Why is that so and how can i prevent it ?

 

In my custom made mission's this doesn't happen.

 

Also i would really like to know, how i am supposed to learn the tasks, which are required to accomplish your exams. For example in the thread avoidance exam.

 

Thank you very much !

 

Edit :

 

Here is a link to the Track File.

 

http://www.game-artist.at/Kearf-rolling%20problem.trk

Edited January 10, 2013 by Kearf

[Sabre-TLA]

Hello.

 

My aircraft starts rolling after i start my right engine. (I start the left first)

 

Why is that so and how can i prevent it ?

 

In my custom made mission's this doesn't happen.

 

Also i would really like to know, how i am supposed to learn the tasks, which are required to accomplish your exams. For example in the thread avoidance exam.

 

Thank you very much !

 

Edit :

 

Here is a link to the Track File.

 

www.game-artist.at/Kearf-rolling%20problem.trk

 

Check your throttle settings and make sure they aren't giving thrust when idle or use the brakes to stop movement until ready. It's not something we can program with the mission editor to my knowledge.

 

I recommend practicing with other missions and learn how to dodge AAA and SAMs. The mission is passable but you need to keep your head on a swivel and maneuver aggressively to defeat the threats (just like in real life).

 

We do plan on releasing a package of practice missions to help with preparation before you try the qualification missions. They are still undergoing testing as they are being reworked with in-air or runway starts.

 

Hopefully they will be released soon and your existing campaign mission key will unlock them.

[Kearf]

Thank you Sabre-TLA for your answer.

 

I found it strange that i roll, cause normally i don't and i tryed it several times with always the same result.

 

A good training mission is worth much more for me because thats where i improve my skills.

 

If i have somethin new to tell i will do.

 

Thanks and good bye.

[SUBS17]

You have to be very good to avoid those AAA, the SAMs are easy but the AAA is very hard to avoid since you fly quite close to them.

[Zeke]

Ok, I'm not trying ATF 02 again unless I can get the darn ILS to work. 3 times now and all three times the ATC sends me to runway 25 and not 07. ILS won't turn on for 07 so it's nearly impossible to land in the conditions. Tried landing at 25 with just TACAN and I cannot pick up a visual on the runway in time to land safely. In real life the pilots would divert to a different base, I tried that but was given a fail. Heck I thought it was the right thing to do and was a test in our judgement.

 

Oh well, I'd really like to finish this....

[Leysard]

Hello,

 

I'm still waiting for the videos of BTF07, 08...

 

I managed BTF06 since you posted the video and also understood the difference between your documentation and what was awaited in the training mission.

 

Would like to be sure of what we are supposed to provide to get BTF07 and next ones before trying.

 

Thanks

[SUBS17]

Yes the dreaded clover leaf lol. I'll need a video to pass that one.

 

Ok, I'm not trying ATF 02 again unless I can get the darn ILS to work. 3 times now and all three times the ATC sends me to runway 25 and not 07. ILS won't turn on for 07 so it's nearly impossible to land in the conditions. Tried landing at 25 with just TACAN and I cannot pick up a visual on the runway in time to land safely. In real life the pilots would divert to a different base, I tried that but was given a fail. Heck I thought it was the right thing to do and was a test in our judgement.

 

Oh well, I'd really like to finish this....

 

 

It might sound like cheating but you can actually set a steerpoint for the runway and fly that as an approach as crazy as it sounds.

 

STR PT (Steer Point). The STR PT function makes the CDI on the HSI operate in relation to the steerpoint. When you then set a course to the steerpoint, the CDI will center. This can be a useful function when landing at night in combat at an airfield without an ILS glide slope. In such a situation, you can make the end of the runway the steerpoint and then set the EGI up for "3-D NAV" so you can also use both the CDI and the steering bars to give heading and a "GPS" type glide path to touchdown.

 

Pg 453 of the manual.

Edited January 13, 2013 by SUBS17

[Zeke]

Well, finished ATF 02 with a "Q" rating. Tried it a couple of times and once had a CTD right while I was taxing to the revetment. The refueling part was ok, did that every time.

 

Oh one question though, is there a light to turn on to see the boom or tanker better? I turned on the nose light but that didn't do anything, both the boom and tanker were just black outlines.

 

Anyway, the landing part was the hardest as the ILS for runway 07 won't come on. I think it may have something to do with the wind direction, maybe the ATC will land you into the wind no matter what?

 

Here is what I did:

 

On my way back I created 6 offset WPs to land at runway 25. One starting at 12 miles out 3300 ft, and the next at 10 miles out 3000 ft. First I went into the offset page, and created the WPs using the heading offset from the runway direction. So to land at runway 25 I used 064012 for the first WP at 12 miles out. 064 heading because the runway isn't exactly going down the 250 and 070 headings. I found that out the hard way while practicing. Make sure your airport diagrams are up to date, mine where not, but I found some new ones.

 

After creating the 6 offset WPs, I created a new Flight plan with those 6. After creating the flight plan I went into the WP page and added the elevations that I wanted. Maybe you can do this when creating the offset, but I couldn't see where, maybe I missed it.

 

Anyway it was real easy to fly down the path, just had to follow the HUD and make sure my speed and decent rate where right. Didn't see the runway till right before touchdown but I landed good.

 

Whew! on to the next one....

[Zeke]

Been trying to get past AFT 03, almost made it twice. Landed and had the tires blow out due to battle damage. I've noticed from watching the ACMI tapes that the SA18's are nailing me way outside their red bubble. Is this right?

[Sabre-TLA]

I'm working on a set of practice missions with extra commentary and in-air or runway starts to make it easier to prepare for the qualification missions.

 

I'll post those for download in another few weeks (lots of testing unfortunately).

 

Videos will follow as time permits.

[Sabre-TLA]

Been trying to get past AFT 03, almost made it twice. Landed and had the tires blow out due to battle damage. I've noticed from watching the ACMI tapes that the SA18's are nailing me way outside their red bubble. Is this right?

 

I didn't notice that in testing but I find you have to do alot of violent ACM to avoid the threats. After a few times you find a rhythm that works.

 

In a future update I'll see if I can randomize the threats so you won't know what to expect. That will make the mission extremely challenging :smilewink:

 

Keep your altitude low until you near the range exit. That worked for me.

[Sabre-TLA]

Well, finished ATF 02 with a "Q" rating. Tried it a couple of times and once had a CTD right while I was taxing to the revetment. The refueling part was ok, did that every time.

 

Oh one question though, is there a light to turn on to see the boom or tanker better? I turned on the nose light but that didn't do anything, both the boom and tanker were just black outlines.

 

Anyway, the landing part was the hardest as the ILS for runway 07 won't come on. I think it may have something to do with the wind direction, maybe the ATC will land you into the wind no matter what?

 

Here is what I did:

 

On my way back I created 6 offset WPs to land at runway 25. One starting at 12 miles out 3300 ft, and the next at 10 miles out 3000 ft. First I went into the offset page, and created the WPs using the heading offset from the runway direction. So to land at runway 25 I used 064012 for the first WP at 12 miles out. 064 heading because the runway isn't exactly going down the 250 and 070 headings. I found that out the hard way while practicing. Make sure your airport diagrams are up to date, mine where not, but I found some new ones.

 

After creating the 6 offset WPs, I created a new Flight plan with those 6. After creating the flight plan I went into the WP page and added the elevations that I wanted. Maybe you can do this when creating the offset, but I couldn't see where, maybe I missed it.

 

Anyway it was real easy to fly down the path, just had to follow the HUD and make sure my speed and decent rate where right. Didn't see the runway till right before touchdown but I landed good.

 

Whew! on to the next one....

 

Not sure of any way to light the boom but you could fly with NVGs on (but that is kinda cheating IMHO).

[Zeke]

Yea, I've set up a few practice missions for myself, can dodge them all day one on one. Love the missiles stuff, my favorite part of the old Flanker days, SEAD missions in the 27 and 33.

 

I don't think flying to low is the answer, it's hard to dodge those missiles when you can only go up or to the sides. I like being around 1200 and diving for the ground. Gotta be quick though and must keep jinking around those 23's. At least that's were I'm at now after trying several other things.

 

Fun stuff!

[Zeke]

Well after flying ATF over 20 times now, including 5 today, it's really starting to get aggravating. Dodge all the 23's and 3 or 4 missiles only to get knocked out by the 5th or 6th missile. Dodging one missile no problem, but when they start coming at you one after the other and sometimes two at a time, it's ridiculous.

 

You don't get a lot of warning to set up any evasion if you have any energy left at all from dodging the last one.

[Zeke]

Finally, Success! On to ATF 04. Mixed up things that worked, a bit of diving and very low flying afterward. Not a scratch. I either figured it out or just got lucky.

[Sabre-TLA]

Good job!

[Zeke]

Got a problem with AAT08 mission. It starts in the air at 07:45 over the airport. I think it's supposed to be a ramp start right?

[Sabre-TLA]

Got a problem with AAT08 mission. It starts in the air at 07:45 over the airport. I think it's supposed to be a ramp start right?

 

Yep they should all be ramp starts. I suspect a test version got added to the package by accident. I'll submit an update asap.

[Zeke]

Just downloaded the package, part B, again. I noticed it wasn't up earlier today, I gather you uploaded a new one? Should I just reinstall it? I won't loose my place in the campaign right?

[Sabre-TLA]

Just downloaded the package, part B, again. I noticed it wasn't up earlier today, I gather you uploaded a new one? Should I just reinstall it? I won't loose my place in the campaign right?

 

Yep that's right. Just uninstall and reinstall the updated Part B. I believe the campaign progress is now kept in the logbook located in the saved games folder.

 

The updated Part B is now available here: http://files.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/250299/

[Ganesh]

I´ve completed the whole BFT Campaign and now AFT01 with a "Q" rating

Thanks again for these great missons :thumbup:

 

Sabre! Are there any efforts to fix the AFT02 landing problem

(RWY 25 without ILS in these conditions )

maybe simple change the wind direction???

 

 

Here is what I did:

 

On my way back I created 6 offset WPs to land at runway 25. One starting at 12 miles out 3300 ft, and the next at 10 miles out 3000 ft. First I went into the offset page, and created the WPs using the heading offset from the runway direction. So to land at runway 25 I used 064012 for the first WP at 12 miles out. 064 heading because the runway isn't exactly going down the 250 and 070 headings. I found that out the hard way while practicing. Make sure your airport diagrams are up to date, mine where not, but I found some new ones.

 

After creating the 6 offset WPs, I created a new Flight plan with those 6. After creating the flight plan I went into the WP page and added the elevations that I wanted. Maybe you can do this when creating the offset, but I couldn't see where, maybe I missed it.

 

Anyway it was real easy to fly down the path, just had to follow the HUD and make sure my speed and decent rate where right. Didn't see the runway till right before touchdown but I landed good.

WOW Zeke:clap_2:

but is this the way what pilots do in reallife?

does anyone know the procedure in such a case???

Edited February 23, 2013 by Ganesh