Flight Qualifications Campaign

[Archer7]

The checklist we used is based on the actual A-10A flight manual checklist so we wanted to be complete and ensure users have completed all testable steps. After BFT01 the missions assume the user knows the routine by then so we only check specific checklist items (like the takeoff checklist in BFT02 and shutdown checklist).

 

If you missed the instruction then likely you missed the zone that triggers the instructors actions. There is a fairly large zone between WP 2 and 3 so if you head towards WP 3 after the turn at WP 2 you should hit it.

 

There are checks in the mission for unit damaged or unit dead so maybe there is a bug in ED's engine that allowed you to crash land without triggering those items.

 

The takeoff checklist was only checking those items specific to takeoff. As per the mission briefing: To pass the takeoff procedure test your checklist must include the following items: Pitot Heat On, Anti-Skid On, SAS Switches On, Canopy Closed. APU status would have been part of the start-up checklist covered in BFT01.

 

 

 

We have noticed sometimes depending on speed and altitude that some triggers overlap causing voice messages to overlap. Will see if we can fix those in the next update.

 

 

 

We debated about a proper shutdown time (ie actually wait for the engines to completely shut off) but feedback from users at the time we were developing this indicated they didn't want to have to wait to get their rating. You can actually start some of the shutdown checklist items while still rolling towards the parking spot so it is achievable (check the "After Clearing the Runway" section of the Amplified Checklist).

 

Thanks again for the feedback and we will continue to update and improve the missions where possible.

 

Thanks too.

My issue with using the actual manual checklist is if you don't have the manual and indeed even if you do some of the steps are ambiguous or not simulated.

 

When it comes to waypoints not working because you are out of the zone the worst thing is that you can’t turn back without being failed for having deviated off your heading.

How about simply adding a big circular/shaped zone around Batumi airbase that is connected to a failure script if you go outside of it? Now players would be failed when deviating critically outside the mission area instead of drifting eternally waiting for more instructions.

I haven’t tried the DCS editor but setting something such up is quick in most editors.

 

Overall the scripting is well done though and the amount of situation-specific voice acting really excels.

 

i find it interesting you feel its necessary to post a criticism publicly

 

Sending a private message didn’t really come to mind since there was no need for privacy.

Discussing things publicly mean anyone can democratically chime in and it’s how internet discussion usually works.

[Sabre-TLA]

We actually provide an Amplified Checklist as part of the campaign. It's in the following directory:

 

C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\A-10C\Doc

 

Also available from the Start Menu: All Programs, MapleFlagMissions, DCS World, DCS A-10C, Campaigns, Basic Flight Training Qualification

 

In the Advanced campaign we define a Military Operations Area (MOA) and have the trigger to fail if the user flys outside the MOA. In the Tactical training campaign you fail if you go off the training range unauthorized (without checking out).

 

If you continue to have problems check out the videos

.

 

Recon Stewart has done a good job at explaining how he flew the missions.

[Archer7]

We actually provide an Amplified Checklist as part of the campaign. It's in the following directory:

 

C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\A-10C\Doc

 

Also available from the Start Menu: All Programs, MapleFlagMissions, DCS World, DCS A-10C, Campaigns, Basic Flight Training Qualification

 

In the Advanced campaign we define a Military Operations Area (MOA) and have the trigger to fail if the user flys outside the MOA. In the Tactical training campaign you fail if you go off the training range unauthorized (without checking out).

 

If you continue to have problems check out the videos

.

 

Recon Stewart has done a good job at explaining how he flew the missions.

 

Good thinking with the MOA! It might even be a good idea in the basic missions not to be difficult but to stop the drifting situation I've already described, at least in BFT03 if nowhere else since you can't course correct without being failed.

[Archer7]

BFT04 both the campaign and exercise mission seems to have a strange bug that puts the pilot in the wrong position in the aircraft.

When the mission starts and any time I centre the camera the pilot sits too high in the cockpit which makes it impossible to see straight ahead and the VVI during take-off etcetera.

I have no issues in other missions.

[Sabre-TLA]

We didn't see that in testing but I'll retest against the latest DCS World version.

 

Anyone else seeing what Archer is reporting?

[Sabre-TLA]

I checked the mission file and it appears the editor put in some extra folders that are not there in the other missions. I'm going to manually remove those and re-test the missions tonight.

 

Hopefully that will correct the view issue and if so I'll update both the campaign and practice mission packages.

 

I believe those files are added when a prepare mission is done but I honestly don't recall doing that for this mission. :huh:

[Archer7]

Having played both the campaign and exercise BTF05 mission I can say that both times the wingman came dangerously come to me while descending. It seems he’s trying to touch down too. He comes close enough to touch until you are nearly touching the runway and then flies away, so I’m not sure if it’s intended. Otherwise fun mission that works well technically speaking.

[Sabre-TLA]

The wingman AI is a known problem in the game engine (not something we can script in the mission believe me).

 

Even putting him in Trail formation doesn't seem to help as he still wants to try and land beside you for some reason. Ideally he should go into the standard landing pattern like any of the other AI aircraft.

 

I recommend you order him to RTB or hold at a WP to give you some separation for your own landing.

 

Hopefully ED will fix this someday.

[hreich]

I need help in advanced training mission, air to air. Is it possible to confirm tally on bandit so he stops dropping flares?

[Sabre-TLA]

I need help in advanced training mission, air to air. Is it possible to confirm tally on bandit so he stops dropping flares?

 

We could put in a F10 Radio Command that you could use to call Tally and turn the flares off when that is called.

 

I'll research for the next update.

[Sabre-TLA]

BFT04 both the campaign and exercise mission seems to have a strange bug that puts the pilot in the wrong position in the aircraft.

When the mission starts and any time I centre the camera the pilot sits too high in the cockpit which makes it impossible to see straight ahead and the VVI during take-off etcetera.

I have no issues in other missions.

 

I've removed the extra folders and the BFT practice mission package has been uploaded and available for download now. Please re-test and report if you still see the issue.

 

The BFT Campaign has also been updated but need ED moderators to approve the package. It should be available for download soon.

[Archer7]

I've removed the extra folders and the BFT practice mission package has been uploaded and available for download now. Please re-test and report if you still see the issue.

 

The BFT Campaign has also been updated but need ED moderators to approve the package. It should be available for download soon.

 

I tested BFT04 now and the pilot's in the right place.

[Archer7]

Did BFT01 exercise mission three times to try to qualify it for fun and that was an hour wasted unfortunately...

 

1: U, oxygen off (and maybe TACAN off too... I believe the instruction text says T/R but you never say it) because I didn't want to be wasteful.

2: U, "forgot" to test the flaps says the guy even though I did.

3: U, "forgot" to test the flaps again even though I clearly cycled them all the way down, waited a moment then cycled them all the way up.

 

I'm certain scripting is somehow off on the flaps check.

 

I plan on playing through all the available missions over the coming month so if there are any bugs I'm quite sure I'll spot them.

Good luck with Tactical 8-25 progress meanwhile.

Edited October 5, 2014 by Archer7

[Sabre-TLA]

Here is a simple mission to test your flaps trigger.

 

It's the same logic as used in the BFT01 mission.

 

Not sure why your system didn't record the flag setting properly.

 

Any other problems please email us at mapleflagmissions@gmail.com.

Flaps Test.miz

[Buznee]

Did BFT01 exercise mission three times to try to qualify it for fun and that was an hour wasted unfortunately...

 

1: U, oxygen off (and maybe TACAN off too... I believe the instruction text says T/R but you never say it) because I didn't want to be wasteful.

2: U, "forgot" to test the flaps says the guy even though I did.

3: U, "forgot" to test the flaps again even though I clearly cycled them all the way down, waited a moment then cycled them all the way up.

 

I'm certain scripting is somehow off on the flaps check.

 

I plan on playing through all the available missions over the coming month so if there are any bugs I'm quite sure I'll spot them.

Good luck with Tactical 8-25 progress meanwhile.

 

I concur.... I just purchased this BFT and it fails me on flaps check even though I did it. Please fix this!!!! I just tried your flaps trigger test mission and when I lower the flaps it lowers the flaps and tells me the flaps are down although it seems a little buggy. Not sure what is going on. I was able to lower them in BFT01 but the it told me I failed to cycle the flaps.

Edited October 5, 2014 by Buznee

[Sabre-TLA]

The way the mission is scripted, when you lower the flaps to the maneuver (middle) position a flag (22) is set. This is then tested to see if you lowered the flaps.

 

After start-up the FE is checking to see that you lowered your flaps as part of the start up checklist. If you did not lower your flaps then you will hear: "You missed a checklist item Cadet! You failed to test the flaps."

 

The 2nd flap check is at the end of the mission when you are shutting down the bird. The FE is checking to make sure your flaps are raised. If not you should hear: "You missed a checklist item Cadet! You failed to raise the flaps up."

 

I've increased the trigger detection range in this sample mission. Please report if you still have buggy flap indication. In ME terms we are testing cockpit parameter 773 between 0.5 and 0.7.

I've increased the flap down detection to between 0.5 and 1.0.

Flaps Test2.miz

[Buznee]

Not sure if it has to detect the maneuvering flap setting. I have the thrustmaster warthog and just lowered the flap switch all the way, and back again. After doing it 3 times it looked like it worked out okay. The shutdown in 2 minutes seems a little sporty though no? Wasn't too happy when I ran out of time and the bird wasn't shut down after that ordeal. Do you think 2 minutes is reasonable for a shutdown when the start up was 15 minutes? I could do the start up in 10 minutes. How about setting the shutdown to 5 minutes?

[Sabre-TLA]

If you check the shutdown checklist you can start shutting things down while taxing to the parking spot.

 

The 2 minute shut down only starts once you've stopped at the parking spot.

 

See the section called "AFTER CLEARING THE RUNWAY" in the A-10C Amplified Checklist pdf.

 

Once you get used to doing it this way 2 minutes is no problem to complete the Engine Shutdown procedure IMO.

 

IRL you are supposed to let the engines IDLE for 5 minutes before turning them off but that seemed like an unnecessary delay in providing a result for these missions.

 

For the start-up if you follow all the items in the A-10C Amplified Checklist pdf 15 minutes will be about right. If you skip a bunch of steps you can get to taxi status in about 5 mins.

Edited October 6, 2014 by Sabre-TLA

[Sabre-TLA]

I think this was mentioned earlier in the thread but when pushing buttons or making other switch position changes, hold it for a 1-count.

 

I've seen some users systems where they can actually push and click fast enough that the GE won't pick up the change and set the flag properly.

 

I believe the GE checks each trigger every second. If you make your actions deliberate and hold for the 1-count that will ensure the trigger is set.

 

Also you can test this with our Interactive Start-up and Interactive Shutdown Trainer Tester missions.

Edited October 6, 2014 by Sabre-TLA

[Iku_CC]

AFT01 training feelings...

 

Damn that AR is so difficult that I 'm starting to hate that damn man behind boom. I have just manage only once to get fuel and that was only 6 seconds. In my feelings that man behind boom is not doing his job well..:D

 

I have programmed curve change for my Warthog stick but that is not helping me...just can't get in the refuel situtation..:joystick:..been looking those youtube videos where it's look easy as putting your fingers cross..but for me no joy

Edited October 7, 2014 by Iku64

[Sabre-TLA]

I hope you are using the practice mission package and not ramp starting each time. :thumbup:

 

I found the trick is to have the bird trimmed to fly level before connecting then use very easy stick and throttle movements to maintain position. Even walking the throttles to close the distance slowly.

 

If you can get past the frustration it does become easier with practice.

[DirtyFret]

Just bought the mission set. Thoroughly enjoyable albeit sometimes frustrating. Hopefully TTQ part B is coming along cause I want that red CMR badge eventually:thumbup:

[FSKRipper]

Hi Sabre. Tried to Play the BFT campaign again after more than a year. In BFT06 during the forced landing I experienced something strange. When rolling out (without emergency brakes) I exloded shortly after overshooting the runway. In the training mission (no track) and the supplied short mission I exited the runway every time with the same speed around 188 km/h and had no more damage than a broken nosewheel.

 

Are there any special parameters for the campaign or is this some random experience?

Tacview.zip

Edited October 10, 2014 by FSKRipper

[Sabre-TLA]

There is nothing special added to the campaign mission to cause an explosion.

 

Maybe something has been updated in the Game Engine to trigger the explosion when off the runway (maybe the speed was too high or terrain or some other object collision).

 

The forced landing can certainly be challenging but if you can stop without exploding you can still pass the mission. Good luck!

[Archer7]

Any video on how to execute BFT06 and BFT07 correctly?

In BFT06 I had troubles with some manoeuvres and in BFT07 I don't think I nailed any.

Would be helpful to know what altitudes and speeds you need not to stall completely when doing Immelmanns and all of that.

I qualified for BFT06 apparently but not BFT07. I think I’m going to wait with them for a while and continue with the next emergency mission, sounds easier.