Flight Qualifications Campaign

[Sabre-TLA]

Note that the 1.2.2 DCS World update changed the heading trigger logic.

 

Since the qualification missions test your ability to stay on heading most of the missions will now terminate saying you are off course when really you are still accurately on course.

 

I'm updating all the missions and should have a new package ready for download by Monday.

 

This does not effect the 1.2.1 DCS World version nor the DCS A-10C 1.1.1.1 version.

[Sabre-TLA]

V1.3 of the campaign is uploaded and available from the User Files section.

 

Missions were tested against DCS World V1.2.2 and the heading checks passed.

Edited November 12, 2012 by Sabre-TLA

[baconstripdivots]

Proper Shutdown

 

Sabre (or anyone using the Basic Flight Training Qualification Campaign),

 

As a fan of realism and proper procedures, can you refer me to a link with the proper shutdown procedure required to pass the first section of the training campaign (BFT01 - Ground Handling)? I've progressed numerous times through the startup and taxiing portions of the mission, but after wheels stop and having two minutes to shut the bird down, I'm trying to follow shutdown procedures from the flight manual and continue to complete all steps therefore receiving a U grade with no choice but to start all over again. The flight manual shutdown checklist calls for the engines to idle for 5 minutes before shutting down. Obviously not possible with only two minutes to complete the procedure.

 

Any help much appreciated.

 

Dave

[Sabre-TLA]

The campaign package includes the amplified checklist which is based on the A-10A flight manual.

 

If you check the Start Menu, Programs, MapleFlagMissions, DCS World, DCS A-10C, Campaigns, Basic Flight Training Qualification folder there is a link to the A-10C Amplified Checklist pdf in A5 format. That is the shutdown routine we coded for the mission.

 

Most users forget to shutdown the oxygen supply lever, however the mission should tell you which switch was missed.

 

What version are you using? The current version for DCS World is V1.3.

 

I'll check the shutdown routine again to see if anything was missed but I didn't catch it in testing. If there is a bug I'll update the mission.

[baconstripdivots]

No reason to check the routine on your side, Sabre. I was following the DCS checklists and not the MFM amplified checklist. Once I was able to follow your included file all was well.

 

Thanks.

[Sabre-TLA]

Glad you got it worked out. Unfortunately there are many different checklists out there.

 

I've tried to base ours on the A-10A flight manual to make it as realistic as possible. The A-10C flight manual is still classified to my knowledge.

[Zeke]

Just getting back into A10 after being away from it for a while, finally upgraded my set up with a new CPU (i5 3570k) and new vid card (HD 7970). Didn't play any of these training missions before but last night I took the plunge and bought both.

 

Played the first one today, took a few times to get through (mainly because I couldn't tell which way the switch for ILS was on/off) and I forgot the Pitot test twice, mainly because that was never on my check list before during start up, I usually turned that on right before take off.

 

I know I'm a Johny come lately to these missions but I'm glad I finally decided to download them. GREAT FREAKING JOB!!

 

Thanks! I'm looking forward to flying the others. Getting ready for the next mission.

 

Lou 'Zeke'

[SUBS17]

Sabre we need tracks and video of how to complete the BFT campaign.

[Sabre-TLA]

Will do. This has been requested a few times. I'll post videos to our youtube channel when they are ready.

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/mapleflagmissions

[Sabre-TLA]

Some sample videos posted for the Ka-50 Blackshark Basic Flight Training Qualification Campaign.

 

Let me know if you like the format. I'll be doing the A-10C missions next.

[coke23]

Some sample videos posted for the Ka-50 Blackshark Basic Flight Training Qualification Campaign.

 

Let me know if you like the format. I'll be doing the A-10C missions next.

 

I just watched your BTF02 video and let me ask you for a couple things:

 

-Video quality is poor. It's really hard to read anything inside the cockpit, and this I think, will be very important in several videos. I'm sure you have already noticed that.

 

-It would be great if you could focus these videos as an instructor, because, at least in my case, what I need is to learn first, and once I have trained enough, try to qualify. Some nice instructions on how to do it correctly or where/when you have to be careful with something. I now most things we should have learned them reading the manual, but others, you know, it's a mater of practice. There is where I need advice. This you could do it with some labels but of course it would be awesome with voice instructions inserted in the video.

 

Thank you :thumbup:

[Lino_Germany]

-It would be great if you could focus these videos as an instructor

 

If he would do so, he will not sell any of his training missions...

[coke23]

If he would do so, he will not sell any of his training missions...

 

I'm sorry but I don't understand why you say so. I will certainly keep buying all his missions at least if I keep enjoying flying them as much as I do now. How do you think I would feel after crashing one time after another because I'm simply not doing right something that is not written anywhere and, therefore I will never be able to learn? The answer is easy: bored. It's evident he can do something to help us not getting stuck and bored and keep buying.

 

Sabre we need tracks and video of how to complete the BFT campaign.

 

I agree with you...

 

Tracks could be an easy way of learning a bit more by watching how he does the job, but with videos he can emphasize what he considers what we have to master to be able to qualify, and also explain what he's doing.

[SUBS17]

There needs to be good testing to ensure that the missions/campaigns are not impossible to complete. As for video you learn alot but you will not be earning the Qualification by watching a video so he will still sell his missions if they are on video in youtube. The object is pilot trainning and qualification IMO, lol maybe they should award pilots a certificate like in FSX if you pass.

[Sabre-TLA]

The intent with the Qualification Campaigns is that they are tests. If I give away too much on a video or release trk files then that is no better than cheating on the test IMHO.

 

I agree with Subs17 that the missions have to be passable and the videos will prove that while highlighting some of the nuances in the missions. I agree a voice over at certain points may be useful but only to add further guidance, you still have to complete the mission to pass the test. We don't release the missions until they are passable however sometimes changes to the game engine can cause a mission to fail (re-designed heading trigger in V1.2.2 for example).

 

I want each mission to be challenging enough that it will take a high degree of skill and experience to be successful but not so high a level that they are impossible for users with reasonable experience. Finding the right balance is key.

 

There are lots of good training missions and videos already online. The A-10C Training Missions provided by ED have just been updated: http://files.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/250461/

and BigfootMSR has done some excellent Ka-50 Training missions http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=84612.

[SUBS17]

When Fighterops was just starting to get developed some ideas were kicked around on their forums about pilot trainning. The initial modules for FO were T6 and T38C with some very realistic trainning campaigns to train pilots up. FO would have a pilot career and pilots would first be trainned up and gain a qualification before going on to other aircraft like the A-10A, F-16, F-15C/D/E etc. The result of passing the trainning missions would place a permanent qualification in your log book and would be like passing the real UPT course. I see the BFT campaign as something similar maybe ED could allow you to place a pilot qualification wings in the logbook upon completion of guys passing the campaigns that you have made for each aircraft type. It is rewarding to pass the missions but some of them such as the lazy 8 are impossible to pass unless the player knows exactly what they are supposed to be doing. (and all my attempts at that have failed even after watching a demo of one in xplane) So videos are necessary for missions like that ideally you want a track as well as video to show how its done as essentially this is not really a game mission as such it is pilot trainning so you are bringing the players skill level up by them passing the missions/campaigns. Also we need ED to make some changes so that when a player passes BFT/AFT it is in their logbook and they no longer have to repeat the mission/campaign after updates patches but can access the missions in single/multiplayer player mode for revision. With pilots trainned up its a thing that is respected for example in Falcon 4 AF we can in MP access other players logbooks and see how many hours/crashes/kills etc the other guy has done so in future if ED allows this ability seeing that someone has passed pilot training programs such as BFT and AFT then they will know at what level they are at. Done the right way things like BFT/AFT may eventually be a neccessary qualitfication for some Squadrons/servers etc.:thumbup:

[Leysard]

For me easy : No video, no more buy.

 

I brought the basic training campaign and lost a lot of time simply searching arround on internet to know what I was supposed to do for some figures. I have even stopped at BTF06, frustrated by the fact that I do something wrong but don't know what and can't compare to improve.

 

I'm not going to buy any other campaign if there are no video to first explain what I'm supposed to do and to help me progress.

[Sabre-TLA]

Sorry to hear that. Are a lot of other users having a similar problem with this mission?

 

I assume the Stall and Spin maneuvers are playing ok. Is it the Lazy 8 maneuver or the Spiral Dive or both?

 

Here is how the triggers are setup. I could investigate updating the triggers to make them more forgiving or provide better feedback if you miss.

 

I thought the included diagrams explained the maneuvers but maybe not.

 

 

 

Spiral Dive - There are 3 checks:

Check 1:

Bank -64 -6 - Left Turn Bank greater than 10 degrees up to 60 degrees

Heading 0 30 - Relative heading between 0 and 30

 

Check 2:

Bank -64 -6 - Left Turn Bank greater than 10 degrees up to 60 degrees

Heading 90 180 - Relative heading between 90 and 180

 

Check 3:

Altitude Lower Than 2377 - Below 7700'

 

The first check determines that you are banking and the heading gives me a reference to count the spirals. The 2nd check shows that you are still in the bank, and have made another full spiral. The third check just confirms you dropped altitude below 7700'

 

Lazy Eight - There are 4 checks:

Check 1:

Bank -64 -6 - Left Turn Bank greater than 10 degrees up to 60 degrees

Heading 0 180 - Relative heading between 0 and 180

Check 2:

Altitude Higher Than 2407 - Above 7800'

Bank -10 10 - Wings Level

Check 3:

Bank 6, 64 - Right Turn Bank greater than 10 degrees up to 60 degrees

Heading 230, 360 - Relative heading between 230 and 360

Check 4:

Heading 200 220 - Relative heading between 200 - 220

Altitude Higher Than 2407 - Above 7800'

Pitch -5 10 - Level pitch

Bank -10 10 - Level bank

 

The first check determines that you are banking left and your heading is changing. The second check determines that you are wings level at 8000' altitude. The third check confirms you are banking right and your heading is changing. The fourth check confirms you are back on heading 210, at 8000' altitude and flying wings level and pitch level.

 

 

 

[SUBS17]

I'm stuck on that mission BFT06, you need to show a video of the lazy 8(in DCS World) and the spiral dive. I have managed to pass the Spiral dive once but not the lazy 8.:doh:

[Zeke]

Even in BTF 7, in three trys the clover leaf, still have no idea what I'm supposed to do, and the loop are both fails for me. But when I view them in the ACMI they look good to me. In BTF 6 the lazy eight was a fail. I was able to pass both missions though and move on.

 

Right now I'm in BTF 8 and I'm trying to find out which emergencies to study for so I'm ready.

 

I'm enjoying all the missions so far, this has been a great way to get back into A10C for me. I feel the money has been WELL spent, keep up the good work. My only advise may be more documentation or info or directions pointing what pages to read in the manual. Other then that, very nice.

 

I would think instead of videos, ACMI docs would be better.

 

Thanks!

[Sabre-TLA]

For those that need help with the Lazy 8 maneuver here is a youtube video from UND Aerocast that I used as inspiration for the trigger checks

 

 

Here is some info about the Cloverleaf (you only have to do one leaf in the mission): http://navyflightmanuals.tpub.com/P-367/P-3670025.htm

 

And another youtube video showing it in real life:

 

I'll post something to our youtube channel once I have something ready.

[SUBS17]

You have to show it within DCS as the video wasn't enough for me to pass it.

[Zeke]

In BTF 8 when restarting the engine. I am following everything to the 'T' and the engine starts right up, still get a 'fail' from the instructor. I have a Cougar joystick and throttle so I can't control the engines separately (or can you?)

[Leysard]

Really, I maintain my wish to have videos or tracks from the flights and not youtube kind of vids.

 

I also agree with Zeke. The best thing would be ACMI.

 

All that together would be excellent. Cut the screen in four in the vid and :

 

Top left : Cockpit view

Top right : view form outside behind (kind of F4 view)

Bottom left : Acmi

Bottom right : Text & comments

 

For example, I appreciated the 74th assesment video that more a less represents what I mean without the Acmi. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=y3uAE0Ze22Q

[Zeke]

Just tried BTF 9 twice and both times I had no instruction after takeoff. I flew to WP 4 and still nothing. The second time I just called up the ATC and landed. First ILS landing!!! Good practice anyway until we figure out why the instructor is AWOL. :)