My training day yesterday

[Mt5_Roie]

So thank to everyone for answering the post I posted yesterday with information. Here's how my evening training went:

 

1) Did the narrative start up training again. Got a bit frustrated that can't see the consoles as well so looked into the keyboard keys a bit better and found ways to get close view of areas I need. Still wasn't comftable with location of all swiches yet.

2) Created training mission in mission editor, put enemies along the flight path for later.

3) Got my IPad and used the checklist from the flight manual to try and start up the aircraft - didn't work well. Tried to use the checklist app they have for the IPad - didn't work well. So I found a website with instructions as the narrative. Here's what I discovered: both the checklist from the manual and ipad app are missing the instruction to turn on fuel flow to the wings (there are four switches). Seems kind of a biggie. I searched the forum here and found a good checklist PDF file. Will test it out tonight.

4) Got plane started using checklist from web. Discovered that A-10C wheels are not locked by default and almost hit a building while performing start up. Made mental note to apple breaks during engine start up.

5) Got aircraft all started up. Took off and flew a pattern. Landed visually. Parked the aircraft and did the shutdown checklist.

6) Having gotten more familar with the aircraft I did the navigation training. But got stuck when it had me SLEW using the . key on the hud and bring it all the way down. I was able to do that part, but then it said to hit LC-Up arrow...but when I did nothing happen. So I abandoned the navigation training and will try to resolve issue later.

7) Did the landing training. The time acceleration trick got me too close to the base and I was still a bit high. So during my first approach I was way too fast. Since I wasn't on schedule with the narrative he didn't tell me how to apply speed brakes (couldn't find the handle for them). So overfllew runway and flew a pattern. Second attempt I got slower, but still too fast to land. As I started flying the pattern the narrative kicked back on and I found out how to do the speed brakes. But when I went to land I think I hit the brakes too early cause I blew out all my tires on landing. Made it a little hard to get back to the ramp. But I did and went through shutdown procedures.

8) Having gotten used to some of the controls and systems. I decided that since it was almost midnight to try a quick mission. All I really did was arm the gun, switch to the gunpac thing and shoot out two vehicles. I then called it a night.

 

So here's my questions from last night. Keep in mind that I'm used to flying X-plane which is highly realistic as well with civilian aircraft:

 

1) Autopilot. Does it work to fly all the waypoints for you? It seem like during the navigation training I switched between waypoint 2 and 3 by the plane didn't turn until I turned it. Is there a way to tell it that I've switched waypoint and I want you to fly to it now?

2) ILS. Is there ILS setting for the hud? Would be nicer to be able to cross the lines up looking at the hud instead of lower. Also, is there an automated landing method like civilian aircraft have?

 

I'm sure I'll have more questions after tonight. But I figured I made good progress last night.

[nomdeplume]

1) Autopilot. Does it work to fly all the waypoints for you? It seem like during the navigation training I switched between waypoint 2 and 3 by the plane didn't turn until I turned it. Is there a way to tell it that I've switched waypoint and I want you to fly to it now?

No, the A-10's autopilot is not route-following. It has 3 modes which hold either your current path (can be useful for long clims to altitude), your altitude and current heading (when you want to keep going straight while you concentrate on other things in the pit), or just your altitude (useful for orbits).

 

2) ILS. Is there ILS setting for the hud? Would be nicer to be able to cross the lines up looking at the hud instead of lower. Also, is there an automated landing method like civilian aircraft have?

No, there's no HUD indication for ILS and there's no automatic landing system. It's a warplane, not an airliner. :D

 

P.S. The speed brakes are controlled via a switch on the throttle, look in the HOTAS section of the controls configuration.

[Mt5_Roie]

Thanks for the info. I would have figured that it might have some of the same features civilian aircraft have, but I guess they really skimped out on the features in military aircraft.

[kylania]

Gotta remember the A-10 is basically an armored bathtub strapped onto a flying gun more than it's an airplane. :)

[MagnumHB]

Thanks for the info. I would have figured that it might have some of the same features civilian aircraft have, but I guess they really skimped out on the features in military aircraft.

The A-10 was originally designed to be relatively simple and cheap. Just be thankful that we have the upgraded avionics of the C model instead of the A. Who really wants to autoland anyway?

[Mt5_Roie]

Don't really care for auto land...but if a Cessna has that feature you'd figure a military aircraft would. I'm just suprised they didn't do more to the C from the A version.

 

Back in 2005 I went to an airshow in Willow Grove and there was an A-10 there and on the cockpit front I could see a map book layed open. I asked the pilot about it and he said that sometimes, they just use the road maps to navigate.

 

I personally love the A-10 and it's military history. It's been one of my favorite aircraft for the longest time and I've seen many of them in my life. Just glad there is a great simulator now so I can live out my dreams of flying one.

[MTFDarkEagle]

Don't really care for auto land...but if a Cessna has that feature you'd figure a military aircraft would.

 

:huh:

 

A cessna is... somewhat different from a combat aircraft ;)

 

I'm just suprised they didn't do more to the C from the A version.

Que?

[Harzach]

Don't really care for auto land...but if a Cessna has that feature...

 

Approach hold, yes. Autoland, no. Very different systems.

[Garfieldo]

(...)I'm just suprised they didn't do more to the C from the A version. (...)

 

Dude, you have no idea :smartass:

 

A lot of us did the transition from the A-model from Lockon/Flaming Cliffs to the C-model and have been shuffling about on our knees in praise of ED ever since. Can I get an "Amen", people?

 

Anyway, it's nice that you are making progress and enjoying it. Fun makes learning a lot easier.

[Sarge55]

Amen!

[Wichid]

Along a similar line I've been training for the past few days with aerial refueling and you really notice how manual the aircraft is compared to say a F-16. I love it, it's great but a tiny adjustment to throttle means adjustments to cyclic or trim etc.

 

Stick with it. The sim is well worth your time. I enjoyed and found value in the training missions very much.

[cichlidfan]

it's great but a tiny adjustment to throttle means adjustments to cyclic or trim etc.

 

If your A-10C has a cyclic, please RTB and contact your crew chief.:D

[Wichid]

If your A-10C has a cyclic, please RTB and contact your crew chief.:D

 

Oh yeah!