DCS versus real life

[baltic_dragon]

Hi Guys,

 

First of all I would like to say hello to everyone, I am quite new to the A-10 (in fact I have not played the game yet, although I have already purchased it, waiting to get home on Sunday to launch it), but for a few days I have been studying the manual, watching tutorials and forums.

 

It seems to be one of the most complex simulations on the market (if not the most realistic one) - and hence my question: how close to the real life A-10 flying is it in terms of flight model etc. Are there any real life pilots playing it? My question might be a bit stupid, for I've heard that it has been modeled on the US Army sim. Is that true?

 

Thanks, once again big "hello" and you'll probably hear more from me once I actually start flying.. or at least try to :)

[159th_Viper]

Welcome to the Forums :)

 

My question might be a bit stupid, for I've heard that it has been modeled on the US Army sim. Is that true?

 

It's a pimped-up version of the A-10 DTS, also attended to by ED/TFC. Fore more info, see here:

 

http://www.thebattlesim.com/

 

RL A-10 pilots are/were also relied on as SME's (subject-matter experts) in the development of DCS:A-10C.

[baltic_dragon]

Thanks for the info. I guess there is a lot of learning ahead of me.. :)

[159th_Viper]

Thanks for the info. I guess there is a lot of learning ahead of me.. :)

 

Yeah - that really depends on what you want out of it. With a basic understanding of certain principles (SOI and SPI are important, so I'd definitely recommend a thorough understanding of that particular chapter in the manual) you can be dropping 2000-pounders on peep's craniums in a matter of hours, if not days :)

 

Just keep in mind that it's relatively easy to get over-saturated with information in the quickest possible time once in-flight and starting out. Best advice I can give is to take things one step at a time, ask us all a lot of questions when and if necessary and most important, Enjoy: Fly her like you stole Her I always say :D

[Lane]

For Baltic, i can say without worry this is THE most realistic simulator never made.

 

the choice of use this plane, the A10 is an excellent choice, this plane is a legend, but specially it fit perfectly between fun and complexity to fly with it.

 

have all the avionic working for you is a real challenge, but it is really rewarding at same time....

Edited January 6, 2012 by Lane

[MemphisBelle]

Also welcome to the Community.

You´re right it is one of the most complex and most detailed Simulations, as I am speaking of DCS at all, because DCS Black Shark has the same deep of complexity as DCS A-10C Warthog has.

 

But for you as beginner I recommend to get some other Stuff next to the manual.

 

The community is pretty busy in creating Tutorials, though I leave a link to the Tutorial Collection on the ED Wiki. The Wiki itself is a quite important ressource as well, as it contains important information compressed on the most important facts.

 

A-10C Warthog Portal

Tutorial Collection

ED Wiki

 

Troubleshooting

 

I also recommend you to take a look into the one or other online Squadron, as you can and will learn quite a lot more and more fast as you´d do alone. It is also more fun though.

 

Have fun with the game and have an always good flight.

 

Memphis

[sobek]

Real life loses, that's just how awesome it is. :D

[Harzach]

Welcome to DCS!

 

Just to reinforce/expand upon what has already been said, take the time to really learn this sim. Do the tutorials as many times as it takes to gain true understanding. Also, many members of the community have posted a number of fantastic Youtube tutorials for all of the various systems (radios/weapons/nav/etc) found in the cockpit.

 

Enjoy! And never be afraid to ask questions here - you will always (eventually:music_whistling:) receive an intelligent and thorough answer.

[andyfoot]

As for how realistic is it? There is an interview with Wags (ED Producer) where they ask him the same question, he told them he had an opportunity to use the US Air Force Full Cockpit Simulator. Without any instruction, he got into a fully shut down cockpit, flashed it all up, got permission, taxi'd to runway, took off, navigated to target, destroyed target, flew back, landed and shut down. It's an awesome read, not sure where the link is, but I always use that as an example when people ask me how realistic it is.

[Supersheep]

@Andyfoot:

Here you go.

 

Super-

[baltic_dragon]

Hey guys, thanks!

 

That is what I intend to do, learn it by heart and step by step (one thing at a time). Slowly but steadily :)

 

I've already seen almost all tutorials in the WIKI site, read the manual and checked lots of forum topics, the only thing I need to do now is to actually launch the game (can't wait till Sunday).

 

Also, thanks for the warm welcome here, I will definitely post many questions once I start playing. And one more regarding the squadrons - I understand that I can learn by flying with them in the multiplayer, it that right? But to start I need to get hold of the basics...

[Xxx]

As for how realistic is it? There is an interview with Wags (ED Producer) where they ask him the same question, he told them he had an opportunity to use the US Air Force Full Cockpit Simulator. Without any instruction, he got into a fully shut down cockpit, flashed it all up, got permission, taxi'd to runway, took off, navigated to target, destroyed target, flew back, landed and shut down. It's an awesome read, not sure where the link is, but I always use that as an example when people ask me how realistic it is.

 

 

I saw this interview, also can't find a link?

 

You have the most accurate flight and battlefield simulator ever compiled in A10c. Here is a link to Wags' You Tube;-

 

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

 

 

With the demise of MS with their "Flight" offering. We have these clever guys at ED to carry our "Simulation" world into the next generation.

 

Make no mistake, the A10c and Black Shark are accurate simulations, down to almost every system on the respective aircraft. Then there are the weapons systems..................:D:D

 

Satisfying to learn, rewarding to fly.

 

Cheers.

[RodBorza]

As for how realistic is it? There is an interview with Wags (ED Producer) where they ask him the same question, he told them he had an opportunity to use the US Air Force Full Cockpit Simulator. Without any instruction, he got into a fully shut down cockpit, flashed it all up, got permission, taxi'd to runway, took off, navigated to target, destroyed target, flew back, landed and shut down. It's an awesome read, not sure where the link is, but I always use that as an example when people ask me how realistic it is.

 

That's the history I would like to have told, but Andy here was faster than me.

Anyway, it is an awesome read and it shows how much the sim is reallistic.

First of all, as everybody said, take your time.

Read the manual. Bookmark every important forum or video you see. Learn, re-learn. Test it.

I lost count on how many times I played that Easy - East Georgia Spring -Instant Mission to learn how to use weapons. Then, played again and again for tactics.

If you get past the CDU chapter on the manual uncasthed, then you'll be hooked. Welcome to a marriage. Or at least, a very long friendship. People out there are still playing Falcon or Jane's F-15 and F-18 games, which are easily 15-20 years old games. I believe the same will happen to the DCS: A-10. Of course, you will play the occasional Arkham City or Skyrim, but you will always get back to the A-10.

Buy a Track IR and then you will be good to go.

 

And, don't forget: the ultimate goal is to have fun. If you don't know what switch does what, ask. It is a very good community and most importantly, ED is a very good publisher that really listen to their customers.

[Parias]

Of course, you will play the occasional Arkham City or Skyrim, but you will always get back to the A-10.

Buy a Track IR and then you will be good to go.

 

That about says it - I'm a pretty passionate action gamer who's dipped his hands into every genre.. I play (and love) all the new cliche Call of Duty, Halo, and Battlefield releases as they come out, RPGs like Skyrim (and other assorted JRPGs), RTS games like the Command & Conquer franchise and World in Conflict, space sims (Freespace 2!) - pretty much everything, but every few months I can't help but break out my HOTAS setup and dive back into the A10 for a few rounds to see what else I can learn.

[andyfoot]

Supersheep, thanks for posting the link. I did look but couldn't find it myself. Great read.

[baltic_dragon]

Thanks for the responses. Finally I was able to start playing... err, I mean learning. And I really love it, even though I cannot do virtually nothing yet. But even learning how to switch the SOI is quite rewarding :)

 

Snake, I played the first Ka50 long time ago and I know a little Russian - after getting hang of A10 I am planning to move to Blackshark as well! ;)

 

Thanks once again for warm welcome!

[Depth]

That about says it - I'm a pretty passionate action gamer who's dipped his hands into every genre.. I play (and love) all the new cliche Call of Duty, Halo, and Battlefield releases as they come out, RPGs like Skyrim (and other assorted JRPGs), RTS games like the Command & Conquer franchise and World in Conflict, space sims (Freespace 2!) - pretty much everything, but every few months I can't help but break out my HOTAS setup and dive back into the A10 for a few rounds to see what else I can learn.

 

Freespace, oh god yes. A game you should try is Battlezone 2, a science fiction mix of real-time strategy base building and fps/tank warfare. Bit old and there is no Source Code Project like there is for Freespace but extremely unique. I have never found anything resembling it.

[hog_driver111th]

Baltic, in the words I've said to my squadron pilots (being their Wing Commander, I can say whatever I want, hehe), if you don't practice it, you won't learn it. We're teaching an old (in age) pilot to do AAR. Although me and another pilot can get right in, hook up, fill up, and go off onto the wing he just can't get in there. With practice it will come. Pick up Paulrkiii's checklists and documents, study the manual, go out there and fly online with some squads, ask plenty of questions... and you'll be as good as everyone here. We all had to start learning to fly this from the beginning too.

[baltic_dragon]

I guess I will start flying online when I get a handle of the basics. But you are all right in saying that this game hooks you for good. So next time I will probably come back with some specific questions.

[WildBillKelsoe]

Hi Guys,

 

First of all I would like to say hello to everyone, I am quite new to the A-10 (in fact I have not played the game yet, although I have already purchased it, waiting to get home on Sunday to launch it), but for a few days I have been studying the manual, watching tutorials and forums.

 

It seems to be one of the most complex simulations on the market (if not the most realistic one) - and hence my question: how close to the real life A-10 flying is it in terms of flight model etc. Are there any real life pilots playing it? My question might be a bit stupid, for I've heard that it has been modeled on the US Army sim. Is that true?

 

Thanks, once again big "hello" and you'll probably hear more from me once I actually start flying.. or at least try to :)

 

Welcome aboard! And good choice picking DCS series for the renowned realism they offer. To answer your question, the A-10c simulator of DCS is 95% authentic. the remaining 5 % could be anything from USAF A-10c presidential post-apocalyptic anti-skynet nuclear launch codes, to the simplest of stuff like comms, inactive buttons and switches... I mean if you play it to hardcore, you certainly could jump into a real life A-10c and perform the basics... But of course, to be 100% proficient, you can enroll to the USAF A-10C training program, although you'll need pristine physical, mental.... And of course the existing pilots will pester you (fresh meat :D)

[baltic_dragon]

Welcome aboard! And good choice picking DCS series for the renowned realism they offer. To answer your question, the A-10c simulator of DCS is 95% authentic. the remaining 5 % could be anything from USAF A-10c presidential post-apocalyptic anti-skynet nuclear launch codes, to the simplest of stuff like comms, inactive buttons and switches... I mean if you play it to hardcore, you certainly could jump into a real life A-10c and perform the basics... But of course, to be 100% proficient, you can enroll to the USAF A-10C training program, although you'll need pristine physical, mental.... And of course the existing pilots will pester you (fresh meat :D)

 

LOL :)

 

But that is exactly why I want to play it on the hardcore - in case at some point of my life I have a fueled and armed A-10C which I should be able to fly. Those things happen all the time ;)

 

But seriously, I have always tried to play with the maximum realism. I remember while playing Silent Hunter IV, I used to do some quite complicated diagrams to compute the trajectory before firing the torpedoes - although now I don't remember anything..

 

As for enrolling with the USAF, I think I'll pass, instead I might think about enrolling with one of the great squadrons of the DSC community. Once I learn how to fly

[Schnarre Aggro]

join a squadron BEFORE u learn to fly .

The reason is that you learn faster with more fun to fly ;-)

[STP Dragon]

;1375593']join a squadron BEFORE u learn to fly .

The reason is that you learn faster with more fun to fly ;-)

 

 

+1 :thumbup:

 

I never read the manual or finised a tutorial-mission. Just find some experianced guys and get some lessions. ;)

 

 

 

Apropos realisitc: I think the only thing DCS don't simulate is the little thing below the cockpit.

As I know it is for displaying laser spots in the HUD... (?)

[Snoopy]

+1 :thumbup:

 

I never read the manual or finised a tutorial-mission. Just find some experianced guys and get some lessions. ;)

 

 

 

Apropos realisitc: I think the only thing DCS don't simulate is the little thing below the cockpit.

As I know it is for displaying laser spots in the HUD... (?)

 

That's the Pave Penny/TISL pod...and yes it's not modeled, we don't use them real world anymore, most squadrons have removed the pod and others are removing the pylon (looks strange without it).

 

The only other items that aren't modeled (if memory serves me correctly) are IFF and secure radios. Also the RWR isn't modeled to mirror real world operations. All are because of security reasons as the systems are classified/sensitive.

[WildBillKelsoe]

LOL :)

 

But that is exactly why I want to play it on the hardcore - in case at some point of my life I have a fueled and armed A-10C which I should be able to fly. Those things happen all the time ;)

 

But seriously, I have always tried to play with the maximum realism. I remember while playing Silent Hunter IV, I used to do some quite complicated diagrams to compute the trajectory before firing the torpedoes - although now I don't remember anything..

 

As for enrolling with the USAF, I think I'll pass, instead I might think about enrolling with one of the great squadrons of the DSC community. Once I learn how to fly

 

LOL! BTW, I am part of a VFW called DCS Mercenaries. Not advertising or anything, but the guys there are very open minded. Stop by sometime after you have completed the mastery. BTW, if you have any questions, let me know by PM. And I got some good news for you, I am a SH4 fan. My username at subsim is commandosolo2009. But I'm now affiliated with aviation clans.. :pilotfly: