Just purchased, more questions.

[Itkovian]

Salutations,

 

I finally took the plunge this evening, and downloaded/installed A-10C, and I must say I am quite impressed. It definitely builds upon Black Shark and takes things to a higher level.

 

That said, for now all I've done is the startup training and do some random landscaping in instant action mission (those Warthog-shaped furrows are quite feng-shui, if you ask me), and for now I am working having the manual printed and obtaining the HOTAS Warthog (neither of which was wise to do before ensuring the sim actually worked on my PC *grin*).

 

As such, I do have a couple of questions:

 

- How does the HOTAS Warthog integration go? Do I simply unplug my old stick, plug in the HOTAS, and when I load the game the controls will be set?

 

- This is probably just a trimming issue, but is it normal that the 'hog wants to roll to the right all the time? I am guessing it is due to take-off trim or some such, and I do not (yet) know how to set trim, but I just want to make sure it is not due to some strange control issue.

 

And that is all for now. I am thoroughly impressed, and I certainly appreciate the more interactive training missions. :)

 

Thank you.

 

Itkovian

[SmokeyTheLung]

- How does the HOTAS Warthog integration go? Do I simply unplug my old stick, plug in the HOTAS, and when I load the game the controls will be set?

Yep, It'll work right out of the box. You may want to remap the trim controls to the trim hat (by default that is set as a POV hat)

- This is probably just a trimming issue, but is it normal that the 'hog wants to roll to the right all the time? I am guessing it is due to take-off trim or some such, and I do not (yet) know how to set trim, but I just want to make sure it is not due to some strange control issue.

This might be a trim issue, but you should also check your calibration on your joystick.

I was shocked how out of wack my TM warthog was out of the box. I'll do some research on where to find the calibration software and you can check it out (it's buried in the forums somewhere...)

[Itkovian]

Yep, It'll work right out of the box. You may want to remap the trim controls to the trim hat (by default that is set as a POV hat)

 

This might be a trim issue, but you should also check your calibration on your joystick.

I was shocked how out of wack my TM warthog was out of the box. I'll do some research on where to find the calibration software and you can check it out (it's buried in the forums somewhere...)

 

Well I don't have the TM Warthog yet, using a MSFFB for now. I wasn't going to order the HOTAS without making sure the sim was working first. :)

 

As for the trimming issue, well CTRL-ENTER is showing the stick at the center position, and yet the A/C rolls to the right. I'm guessing it has to be that the A/C needs some trimming.

 

Thank you.

 

Itkovian

[MrYenko]

Keep in mind that just about every load you'll fly with is asymetric. The targeting pod, jammer, and the two AIM-9s are pretty much the base load, so you're starting all out of whack, and adding weight from there. :joystick:

[WarriorX]

Well I don't have the TM Warthog yet, using a MSFFB for now. I wasn't going to order the HOTAS without making sure the sim was working first. :)

 

As for the trimming issue, well CTRL-ENTER is showing the stick at the center position, and yet the A/C rolls to the right. I'm guessing it has to be that the A/C needs some trimming.

 

Thank you.

 

Itkovian

 

You are most probably experiencing right hand roll due to asymmetrical loadout causing one wing to be loaded heavier that the other.

 

This happens often, and you are expected to compensate with trimming.

 

You will find yourself trimming during almost all aspects of flight. For example the following things off the top of my head will cause you to trim/re-trim: Speed changes, after weapon release on one station, after engaging the GUN/PAC System, after structural flight surface damage, etc.

[WarriorX]

And MrYenko wins by 2 lengths!

[Itkovian]

Right, that makes sense.

 

What threw me off is that the force feedback stick gets force-centered a little to the right. That's probably the sim modeling the uneven load using force feedback. When on the ground it centers properly. Quite a subtle effect, I must admit.

 

In any case, I just ordered my HOTAS Warthog, so that should not be an issue.

 

Now I have another Nugget Question: Just how do you turn on maneuvering/position lights?

 

I fiddled with the switches on the right console (that also include instrument lights, which worked fine), but I could never get the external lights to work (except the tail light, which was on by default). Is there some special setting I need ot be able to turn those on, as well as the green strip lights?

 

This was in the take-off training mission, incidentally.

 

Thank you.

 

Itkovian

[Temphage]

External lights are on a HOTAS toggle as well (pinky switch I think?). You can set up your position and formation lights, but they won't come on until you hit the switch. Anti-Ks are only on via a solenoid that's only energized when your external lights are actually on, so you have to hit the switch and then flip the anti-Ks on manually. When you disengage the exterior lighting, the anti-K switch flips off.

 

Also regarding roll, I don't know which way it *should* be, but the rotation of the turbine engines will / should induce roll as well.

Edited March 22, 2011 by Temphage

[Itkovian]

External lights are on a HOTAS toggle as well (pinky switch I think?). You can set up your position and formation lights, but they won't come on until you hit the switch. Anti-Ks are only on via a solenoid that's only energized when your external lights are actually on, so you have to hit the switch and then flip the anti-Ks on manually. When you disengage the exterior lighting, the anti-K switch flips off.

 

Also regarding roll, I don't know which way it *should* be, but the rotation of the turbine engines will / should induce roll as well.

 

Aaah, that would be why the anti-collision switch kept flipping itself to off, then. Good to know.

 

Strange that they would think external lights were important enough to take up real estate on the HOTAS, isn't it?

 

Thank you.

 

Itkovian

[MTFDarkEagle]

You wouldn't want to ingress the target area lit up like a christmastree would you? :P So yeah, the switch is important.

[wtfisgoingon]

Lctrl + P works also then outside lights will work.

 

I'd suggest turning off ForceFeedback in the sim (under misc) as well as in your drivers.

 

This thread explains where to start with tuning the axis. I found it extremely helpful. http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=69965

[MTFDarkEagle]

Lctrl + P works also then outside lights will work.

Isn't that the keybind for the throttle pinky-lights switch?

 

I'd suggest turning off ForceFeedback in the sim (under misc) as well as in your drivers.

Only if you have a non-forcefeedback joystick obviously :P

 

This thread explains where to start with tuning the axis. I found it extremely helpful. http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=69965

Truth!

[Itkovian]

You wouldn't want to ingress the target area lit up like a christmastree would you? :P So yeah, the switch is important.

 

True, but one would assume you'd want the controls that are urgently needed mapped to the stick. When do you need to rapidly turn those lights on and off, that reaching over to flip a switch would be so egrerious?

 

Not that I pretend to fully understand their logic, mind you. I'm sure some ergonomics experts were involved or some such.

 

In any case, at least that answers that question. Can't wait to get my HOTAS (should be a couple of weeks now).

 

Itkovian

[Temphage]

True, but one would assume you'd want the controls that are urgently needed mapped to the stick. When do you need to rapidly turn those lights on and off, that reaching over to flip a switch would be so egrerious?

 

Not that I pretend to fully understand their logic, mind you. I'm sure some ergonomics experts were involved or some such.

 

In any case, at least that answers that question. Can't wait to get my HOTAS (should be a couple of weeks now).

 

Itkovian

 

I wondered that myself. I can't think of any situation whatsoever that would warrant flipping the lights on and off. Typically in wartime you only use the bright exterior lights on or near the airfield, then they basically go off for the entire mission.

 

 

I did mentally picture an A-10 using the landing light as a lamp to see targets though :)

[MrYenko]

Only if you have a non-forcefeedback joystick obviously :P

 

I run the G940, with FF off in sim. It causes issues with the trim controls. :(

[MTFDarkEagle]

The light switch is actually very well placed, and you would find you will be used to it very quickly. It's not in the way at any point, and yet it's very quick and easy to operate.

[Itkovian]

The light switch is actually very well placed, and you would find you will be used to it very quickly. It's not in the way at any point, and yet it's very quick and easy to operate.

 

Oh, I don't doubt that. My question was more why it is even needed on the stick in the first place.

 

It's not like you'd need to switch lights on and off quickly in any situation that requires you to keep both hands on the HOTAS. :)

 

I'm just wondering at the ergonomics of the design, basically. Not that I'm actually complaining or anything, it was only a stray thought that I decided to share. :)

 

Itkovian

[Itkovian]

So, my Warthog should be getting in this Friday. Any hints on what preparations/setting up I should make?

 

I assume I've got to remove my old stick, install the software, then plug in the new one... and then if I fire up A-10C everything should be hopefully configured fine, right?

 

Mind you, I'll make sure the axes are fine.

 

My plan for config so far are to:

 

1- Soften up the X and Y axes on the stick.

 

2- Map the unused friction wheel on the stick to zoom.

 

Is there anything else resident experts would recommend?

 

Itkovian

[jiblet]

Rset the trim coolie hat to trim rather than views if you have a trackIR, which I assume you do given you just bought a ridiculous joystick ;)

[159th_Viper]

....and then if I fire up A-10C everything should be hopefully configured fine, right?

 

Correct: HOTAS Warthog is plug-and-play insofar as DCS:Warthog is concerned.

 

 

My plan for config so far are to:

 

1- Soften up the X and Y axes on the stick.

 

 

Personally - not a good idea. I'd leave it as is. It does however depend on your flying style. If you have a light touch you'll appreciate the Linear axis settings :)

 

 

 

2- Map the unused friction wheel on the stick to zoom.

 

 

 

Good idea.

 

 

Is there anything else resident experts would recommend?

 

 

You might want to configure the slew axis of the microstick. At default it's a wee bit lethargic. I'll see if I can find the settings I posted previously and you can use that as a guide.

[Temphage]

Is there a CDU For Dummies guide out there? The Flight Manual is clear as mud and is literally about 100 pages of nonsense (honestly if half the screens have no function in-game do we really need two whole pages dedicated to each one? I appreciate the nod to reality there but separating useful for not useful information becomes fairly difficult...). Steerpoints, markpoints, waypoints oh my!

 

I always find it funny in flight sims that starting, taking off, landing, using weapons, and the like is always fairly straightforward, but every time navigation computers enter the mix, yeah good luck.

[Itkovian]

Correct: HOTAS Warthog is plug-and-play insofar as DCS:Warthog is concerned.

 

Personally - not a good idea. I'd leave it as is. It does however depend on your flying style. If you have a light touch you'll appreciate the Linear axis settings :)

 

You might want to configure the slew axis of the microstick. At default it's a wee bit lethargic. I'll see if I can find the settings I posted previously and you can use that as a guide.

 

Very well, thank you. Just what does the microstick do anyway? Slewing TGP and such?

 

Itkovian

[Sarge55]

Yes, it slews the TGP and such... The friction wheel is on the throttle and I did the same thing for a while but found I had to take my hand off the throttle most of the time. So...

 

I switched to using the Paddle switch on the joystick by assigning it as a modifier. *It's not asigned to anything so I beleive that is the intent as it isn't on a real A-10 HOTAS.* And used it with the mic switch fwd to zoom and Mic switch back to return to default view.

 

There are also three other button functions which are not assignd, all on the throttle;

Mic switch up - I use this for PTT in Teamspeak

Mic switch push - I use this to center TIR

Micro-switch push - Haven't assigned anything just yet, landing gear maybe.

 

You'll love the stick.

Edited March 23, 2011 by Sarge55
Spelling error

[WynnTTr]

Is there a CDU For Dummies guide out there? The Flight Manual is clear as mud and is literally about 100 pages of nonsense (honestly if half the screens have no function in-game do we really need two whole pages dedicated to each one? I appreciate the nod to reality there but separating useful for not useful information becomes fairly difficult...). Steerpoints, markpoints, waypoints oh my!

 

I always find it funny in flight sims that starting, taking off, landing, using weapons, and the like is always fairly straightforward, but every time navigation computers enter the mix, yeah good luck.

ED have given us the short manual - that has everything you need to fire weapons.

 

The flight manual is for people who want the extra information. If you're playing this game properly you want all that info. Remember this is a military aircraft - all the fat that can be cut out has already been done so. Everything that remains is essential for the pilot.

If you just want a quick flight and know how to drop a bomb the quick manual is more than sufficient.