GRoss Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 Hey everyone! Had my first proper flight in a proper mission - Defect Camp Yankee (I know... took me a while) a few days back and it was pretty awesome overall, except for the horrible confusion lol There are 2 things that I'm confused about the most: 1) Finding targets visually: What is the best way of doing it? I'm trying to randomly look around on the surface using my targeting pod, but that seems nearly a waste of time, because unless I approximately know where the targets are, finding them would a like finding a needle in a haystack. Also - is there a way of seeing (on the map) where the lighting pod is looking at in relation of the aircraft - so you can visually line up the TGP view with the map (looking at hte map view) and then just look around that area with the actual TGP cam? And last question here (I tried searching for an answer, but couldn't find anything useful) - is there a way of switching the TGP/MAV cams to infrared? There must be right? (if I remember correctly) That's what I used to do all the time in Black Shark, since I couldn't find anything otherwise... 2) Finding targets based on coordinates provided by wingmen/allies: Every now and then I would get messages of threats spotted - and after looking around, I found this link with a guide on creating custom waypoints and flightplans (http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=68704&highlight=minutes&page=4), but is that what I should be doing if I simply want to add new markers to the map, just to help myself orient better on the map? Thanks! :):)
nomdeplume Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 1) Finding targets visually: What is the best way of doing it? I'm trying to randomly look around on the surface using my targeting pod, but that seems nearly a waste of time, because unless I approximately know where the targets are, finding them would a like finding a needle in a haystack. That's actually what pilots did in Desert Storm using the Maverick seeker - like searching the desert looking through a straw. But they didn't have anything else, so... Basically, finding targets is hard. That's why so much emphasis is placed on JTAC, JSTARS (not in the sim) and the like. Flying around hoping you see something is very much hit and miss, but mostly miss. In the real world enemies are typically well camouflaged and hidden as best they can be, making them very difficult to spot from the air even if you know where you're meant to be looking. In the sim they don't really hide, but you're dealing with a computer monitor's limited resolution and a limited draw distance for performance reasons. So, it's still tough. If you are going visual, using the Mk 1 eyeball with zoom (pretend they're binoculars) is typically your best bet. Also - is there a way of seeing (on the map) where the lighting pod is looking at in relation of the aircraft - so you can visually line up the TGP view with the map (looking at hte map view) and then just look around that area with the actual TGP cam?The TGP location is marked by a diamond symbol on the TAD. If the TGP is set your as your SPI, it'll also have the SPI indicator (wedding cake symbol) at its position. And last question here (I tried searching for an answer, but couldn't find anything useful) - is there a way of switching the TGP/MAV cams to infrared? There must be right? (if I remember correctly) That's what I used to do all the time in Black Shark, since I couldn't find anything otherwise...The HOTAS 'Boat Switch' is used to switch the TGP between CCD, WHOT and BHOT IR. The Maverick seeker is either IR or CCD, depending on the type of Maverick, so you can't change their mode. The AGM-65D is IR. There's also another one with the larger warhead, but since I never use those I can't remember which one is the IR and which is CCD. Every now and then I would get messages of threats spotted - and after looking around, I found this link with a guide on creating custom waypoints and flightplans (http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=68704&highlight=minutes&page=4), but is that what I should be doing if I simply want to add new markers to the map, just to help myself orient better on the map?I think for the most part you 'should' be just trying to remember it or write it down - real pilots would have a map on their kneeboard and if another flight calls out a threat they could mark the approximate location on their map. I think you'd only bother actually trying to spot it if it was directly related to your mission, or maybe if you've completed your tasking and are looking for something to dump the rest of your ordnance on. Anyway, for bullseye calls the CDU has an 'offset' function and if you search the forums you should find a few detailed tutorials on how to use it. Keep in mind though that bullseye locations are pretty coarse, so expect to spend some time searching even with the magic targeting pod. So again, unless it's relevant to your mission and you actually need to get eyes-on, it's probably not worth the time. One thing that can be useful when trying to get used to bullseye calls is to work out, prior to the mission, where you'll be operating with respect to bullseye. That way you can quickly filter out irrelevant calls for targets that are nowhere near your area.
Evil.Bonsai Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 That's actually what pilots did in Desert Storm using the Maverick seeker - like searching the desert looking through a straw. But they didn't have anything else, so... a. I set up SMERCH HUNT like this. Took the TGP pod off, then would just use CDU/HUD/TDC, slave Mav, then go heads down staring at Mav on MFCD looking for a target. Hint: make sure setting/rising sun is behind you and not in front.
Fish Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 One thing that can be useful when trying to get used to bullseye calls is to work out, prior to the mission, where you'll be operating with respect to bullseye. That way you can quickly filter out irrelevant calls for targets that are nowhere near your area. If you change your HOOK FROM, to the BULLSEYE, and change your TAD to EXP view, and zoom into the general target location. Then when you move the cursor to any object on the map, the bottom RHS of the TAD displays the Bullseye bearing and distance, and you can get a good 'feel' for roughly where things are and what the calls may be related to. Helps greatly with situational awareness. Fish's Flight Sim Videos [sIGPIC]I13700k, RTX4090, 64gb ram @ 3600, superUltraWide 5120x1440, 2560x1440, 1920x1080, Warthog, Tusba TQS, Reverb VR1000, Pico 4, Wifi6 router, 360/36 internet[/sIGPIC]
Rusty_M Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 Semi OT I know, but how did you switch to IR in Black Shark? I didn't think it had any IR capability. The world is going mad. Me? I'm doing fine! http://www.twitch.tv/rusty_the_robot https://www.youtube.com/user/RustyRobotGaming
Avilator Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 Semi OT I know, but how did you switch to IR in Black Shark? I didn't think it had any IR capability. It doesn't. I only respond to that little mechanical voice that says "Terrain! Terrain! Pull Up! Pull Up!" Who can say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow. -Robert Goddard "A hybrid. A car for enthusiasts of armpit hair and brown rice." -Jeremy Clarkson "I swear by my pretty floral bonet, I will end you." -Mal from Firefly
StrongHarm Posted October 26, 2011 Posted October 26, 2011 In addition, see this post: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1106259#post1106259 It's a good thing that this is Early Access and we've all volunteered to help test and enhance this work in progress... despite the frustrations inherent in the task with even the simplest of software... otherwise people might not understand that this incredibly complex unfinished module is unfinished. /light-hearted sarcasm
GRoss Posted October 26, 2011 Author Posted October 26, 2011 Thanks so much for your explanation!! Tried the mission again and went much better! Could actually find some targets with TGP in IR mode and could actually figure out where it was looking at in relation to the map! :D Was awesome! All the way up to when I got shot down :( One question though - what is this "Mk 1 eyeball" you are referring to? Do you just mean eyes? If so - do you recon that zooming in would be sort-of cheating? Regardless though, thanks so much!!! :D
nomdeplume Posted October 26, 2011 Posted October 26, 2011 Yes, 'Mk 1 eyeball' is a common expression referring to using your eyes - the original and (often) best sensor. Zooming is generally not considered cheating because a) your monitor has a limited resolution and size which can't simulate the capabilities of actual human vision and b) many pilots actually use binoculars to get a closer look at stuff. Also, it's not a magic elixer of detection - the more you zoom the narrower your field of view, so you sacrifice general situational awareness in order to get a better look at a specific area.
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