Another Newbie

[LC34]

New to LOMAC, well new as in I bought the sim when it first came out and never got the hang of it. Decided to install it and learn how to fly the F-15C.

 

Im doing decent. I understand the takeoffs, TEWS, and how to lock on some missles like the AIM-9 and AIM-120. Coming from prop planes, this was definatly a jump for me. The things Im having problems with is landing, and understanding the AWACs calls of bandits.

 

Since I only have the original LOMAC, not FC. Is there anything I need to do to get caught up. Besides bying FC. I have it patched to 1.02. Thanks for any and all help, once I get accustomed to LOMAC I plan to buy FC.

[Essah]

Download DCS World (Free)

Purchase and download Flaming Cliffs 3 Module (Three!) and install it into DCS world

 

done

[Wizzard]

New to LOMAC, well new as in I bought the sim when it first came out and never got the hang of it. Decided to install it and learn how to fly the F-15C.

 

Im doing decent. I understand the takeoffs, TEWS, and how to lock on some missles like the AIM-9 and AIM-120. Coming from prop planes, this was definatly a jump for me. The things Im having problems with is landing, and understanding the AWACs calls of bandits.

 

Since I only have the original LOMAC, not FC. Is there anything I need to do to get caught up. Besides bying FC. I have it patched to 1.02. Thanks for any and all help, once I get accustomed to LOMAC I plan to buy FC.

 

I'll try and give you my best advice. I learned to land jets in Falcon 4.0 and it carried over well into DCS and FC3.

 

IDK if this terminology is right but look at symbol "M" in the following picture. the "Total Velocity Vector indicator."

http://wiki.flightgear.org/File:A-10-hud-symbology.jpg

 

I'm going to call that a tadpole, probably incorrectly but whatever.

 

Anyways, when you are on final, the idea is that you place your "tadpole" on the runway where you want to land. Preferably on the black tire marks on the end of the runway.

 

Control your tadpole with your throttle and rudders ONLY! If you try and move it around with your pitch, you are gonna have a bad time.

 

Now, you're on final approach, got your tadpole all lined up. Put your flaps down and gear and guide her in.

 

I try to land at around 160 knots and find that speedbrakes help greately when landing.

 

Don't be afraid to throttle up as you come in for landing to even out your pitch.

 

Practice this a few times and you'll be sticking landings in no time.

[tankerkevo]

I'm a complete newb to this game as well, but one thing I would add is flaps. Not sure if it's right, but I always use them when landing. My landing "checklist" from other games and so far it's worked here (exactly twice):

 

1. Request permission with the base ATC (Air Traffic Control) to land.

2. Turn on ILS (Instrument Landing System).

3. Extend flaps.

4. Throttle down to under 200 kts.

5. Drop gear.

6. Line up markers on the runway.

7. If my speed is still hot I put the air brake out.

8. Put the wheels down.

9. Apply wheel break.

10. If you have a chute on your plane use it, it's why it's there :)

 

Like wizard said, once you're lined up use your rudder in soft movements. If you decide you need to do a drastic movement just do a fly over and retry if you got the fuel for it.

 

11. Practice makes perfect.

 

And finally, from the FC3 manual, this is a tip that's good for any game as well:

 

WHEN LANDING, USE SMOOTH, SMALL CONTROL INPUTS AND REMEMBER THAT CONTROL INPUTS CAN HAVE A

DELAYED IMPACT ON THE FLIGHT OF YOUR AIRCRAFT. THINK AHEAD OF YOUR AIRCRAFT

 

Sorry for the caps, it was a copy paste.

[tankerkevo]

Also from the new manual but may help:

 

Aircraft.......Landing approach speed.........Runway contact speed

Su-25 ........280 km/h..............................235 km/h

Su-27 ........300 km/h..............................250 km/h

MiG-29A......280 km/h..............................235 km/h

F-15............175 knots.............................120 knots

A-10............150 knots.............................110 knots

Edited March 22, 2013 by tankerkevo

[LC34]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Im now getting better at landing, even had three successes in a row. Ho-hum to you all but a new record for me haha. My fault was coming in way too hot and not using my air brake. Forgot it was there :(

 

Now Im getting it. One more question, I have original LOMAC, do I go right to FC3? Or do I need the other FCs first? And do I install it directly to LOMAC file or new file? Thanks again for great advice!

[LC34]

Oops sorry Essah, didnt see your comment earlier. Question withdrawn.

[LC34]

Update: I installed DCS World and boy does it look amazing compared to vanilla LOMAC. Cant wait to get FC3 once I can get the payment to go through. For some reason i cant get it to work.

 

However, once I have FC3, are the controls the same as lomac? My x-45 seems perfect for lomac but flying around in the Frogfoot with DCS none of the buttons seem the same. Or is that because in lomac Im flying the F-15 and now the Frogfoot in DCS?

[VIKBELL]

Welcome to DCS World..

[Pyroflash]

Also from the new manual but may help:

 

Aircraft.......Landing approach speed.........Runway contact speed

Su-25 ........280 km/h..............................235 km/h

Su-27 ........300 km/h..............................250 km/h

MiG-29A......280 km/h..............................235 km/h

F-15............175 knots.............................120 knots

A-10............150 knots.............................110 knots

 

Approach AoA in the F-15C is 5 degrees AoA (left side of your HUD in approach mode). The actual speed varies depending on your load.

 

Touchdown AoA is 11 degrees.

 

Also, try not to use your rudder when correcting errors on landing. It can result in side loads (these are terribad for the aircraft IRL) and induced roll (which you'll have to use ailerons to correct anyways). In the long run, you'll find it easier to use your ailerons to do most of the corrections. The only time you will want to use your rudder on landing is for slips and crosswind landings.

 

Also, welcome to the life stealer, the time eater, the magical, wonderful, painful world of DCS.

Edited March 26, 2013 by Pyroflash

[sslechta]

Welcome LC34. I went through this same thing a couple of months ago. Had original LOMAC, installed DCS, bought/installed FC3.

 

If you go into the Options screen in DCS World you will see that there's different settings you can set up for each of the major aircraft. Just choose the aircraft you want to configure and set up your stick assignments.

[LC34]

Everytime I go to the options menu, click on the F-15C, i cant do anything like calibrate the stick.

 

I can change buttons, and it does show my X-45 in the list, but I dont see anything to calibrate it or anything. In some videos I have seen there is a HOTAS section but I dont see that section in my drop down menu anywhere.

 

Almost there, just need a few more tweeks to figure out how to start learning this game :)

[sslechta]

I'm not at home to check the exact settings but on the F15 you should be able to choose Axis Commands from the drop-down menu and you should be able to set your X-axis and Y-axis commands and set the curves for those controls.

[cichlidfan]

Starting on page 18 the Users Guide explains all of the options in the Controls area.

[LC34]

Thanks for replies, got it all figured out but its not recognizing my throttle on my X-45. It says its there and when I go to game or adjust the Z-throttle it doesnt seem to sense it moving at all.

[sslechta]

Not saying this will work for you but I didn't have any of the drivers on my ThrustMaster T.Flight Hotas X installed. I just let the game and Windows figure it all out and it worked fine. With a previous controller the installed drivers actually caused the problem. If you search for "Configure X52" in the forums, you'll probably stumble across more information on setting it up. A lot of people have them here.

 

I see you're on the same GTX card I'm on too.

[LC34]

Well, got everything up to date on my driver side of the X-45 stick, but cant seem to figure out why it wont sense my throttle moving in game. Searched the forums to no avail. Maybe my antique X45 stick needs to be retired as it may not work well with the game? Hope not as I dont have the cash to get a new stick. Or the understanding wife for that matter :)

[cichlidfan]

Thanks for replies, got it all figured out but its not recognizing my throttle on my X-45. It says its there and when I go to game or adjust the Z-throttle it doesnt seem to sense it moving at all.

 

When you are in Axis Tune for the throttle does it move there?

[LC34]

Negative cichlidfan, everything else does however, just not the throttle. Stick movements are fine.

[sslechta]

LC34, try these few links on the forum. They have various things you can try, one is even for a MAC but the settings in DCS may help you....

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=46109

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=34102

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=31718

[LC34]

sslechta-

Tried the first link, changed it to sliders and still not working. The other links, not seeing anything that fixes it in my situation but it was a heck of an effort and I salute you for trying. Everything works well in LOMAC, and everything works so far in DCS FC3 but that blasted throttle. I may have to just use the "+" "-" keys :(

[LC34]

Sucess! first link did have the info I needed but being computer dumb I missed it.

 

Problem was, even when I changed it to a slider, I never did get it as joyslider_1. Once I saw that, realized it was what the first link told me to do, I got it all figured out. :) Thank you a million times over all of you who helped me get this "bird" off the ground. Now to get some flight time in and learn this sim.

[tankerkevo]

Editted: Errr nevermind.

Edited March 27, 2013 by tankerkevo

[sslechta]

Glad we could help LC..... Figured it would be some easy setting. I'm glad you're flying good now!