*** Official DCS World Thread ***

[SimonRigga]

See above, HOTAS is a must. The planes in real life are ergonomics masterpieces, Hands On Throttle And Stick was invented and refined so that the pilot rarely needs to remove hands from the HOTAS.

I have a HOTAS, but even so the sheer amount of commands required feels impossible to map, especially for a beginner.

I think it comes down to 2 things really,

1. There is a steep learning curve, with no 'easy' mode or planes, so you can build up gently.
   
   
2. Trying to learn along said curve inside a VR headset, is such a stop/start experience that it becomes jarring and thus futile.

Maybe if you learn in 2D and then move to VR it's an easier process, as you've already gone through the command learning stage, and can look at the keyboard/lookup commands easily.

Maybe DCS will eventually cater for me and probably thousands of others, taking more account of VR and making the learning curve less steep, but i highly doubt it.

Anyone who seems to suggest an 'easier' mode seems to be shot down on the DCS forum, with 'DCS is a sim, if you want easy try something else', which is fair enough as it's the devs choice. But I suspect they are missing out on huge numbers of players and thus money from players who would love a 'DCS beginner mode'

R.

 

[Rikk]

Initially all you really need to setup are the axis, pitch/roll/rudder/throttle/flaps(or map flaps to a couple of buttons if no spare axis) and a button for landing gear up/down. With that you can taxi takeoff and land. Go and fly around for a bit and get used to it.
Then watch some vids on navigation, learn how to add waypoints, ils etc and map a few buttons to help with. Now go and fly, mark some waypoints fly around them and land. Once you're used to that, THEN start looking into weapons, one weapon at a time, watch vids, map a button or two, shoot a few things.

Now slowly add more, don't try and do everything in one go.
Oh and I'd leave the VR side for a bit, get used to the game and controls as you'll be switching back and forward watching vids and checking docs while you get used to things. Once you're comfortable then switch to VR

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Simon>
That's not quite right.

There are some ways to make it easy, e.g.
- Within configuration settings, you can make your aircraft invulnerable, give it unlimited ammo etc
- The are "quick start" missions, allowing you to start with your aircraft in the air, or with the engine started if you so wish. They also allow you to define the difficulty of what you'll be facing, to the point where you can completely remove all enemies if you just want to practice flying around
- Some of the aircraft are simpler to fly. The FC3 aircraft are the non-hi-def, cheaper aircraft, which have fewer controls to learn, whilst still having the full on flight models
- Some of the full on hi-def are considerably easier than others to fly. e.g. the P51 is IMO dead easy to fly from a DCS perspective. Not that many additional buttons to use beyond getting the aircraft started and in the air

I've flown DCS in VR since my first time in DCS, which was using an Oculus CV1 some 7 years ago. The only time I've ever not flown in VR was to make recording a video easier.
Yes, it takes a little time to learn where controls are physically, but that's just a question of practice.

Now don't get me wrong, if you really get into DCS, it can be incredibly complex, but that's what comes of trying to accurately simulate what can be very complex machines.
If all you want to do is get out arcade style, it does "kind of" facilitate that, but it's really not the best solution for it.

For just non-stop combat, War Thunder fits the bill, but regardless of some comments, it's really NOT a sim in any way shape or form
Ace Combat, yep, another arcade solution if you want nearly unlimited ammo and fuel, mixed in with a space-sim level of flight dynamics realism
IL2 is where things start getting more serious. Good flight models, some great theatres
Falcon 4 with the BMS free mode is awesome if you want to fly an F16 and are happy with some fairly dated looking graphics. However, it only has an F16 cockpit modelled, and clearly doesn't support say helicopters
DCS is still the top dog combat "sim", at least from my perspective. Even the WW2 stuff, which IL2 does in some ways much better, "feels" more real in DCS to me.

 

[Borsch]

I have a HOTAS, but even so the sheer amount of commands required feels impossible to map, especially for a beginner.

I think it comes down to 2 things really,

1. There is a steep learning curve, with no 'easy' mode or planes, so you can build up gently.

If youalready have a HOTAS, you're half way there My algorithm for getting into DCS was like this:

Pick an FC3 plane, say F-15C.
1) Learn to taxi, take off and land. Set up your buttons for that - gear, flaps, airbrake, wheel brake. Nothing more. Do a couple of practice runs.

2) Short range Air to Air combat. Set up your buttons for this - radar on/off, radar beyond visual range, radar vertical scan (i.e., short range combat), lock/unlock target, next target, cannon fire. Nothing more again. Do a couple of practice runs with airstart against some AI transport planes and then change to fighters. Actually do more then a couple, as this stuff is fun

3) Long range Air to Air. Buttons: radar up/down/left/right, radar increase/decrease range, track while scan/range while scan, change weapon, missile fire button. Few practice runs like the above.

Done. You've learnt not just the F-15, but the FC3 Su-27, FC3 Mig-29A, FC3 Mig-29C - in this sense FC3 is like Ace Combat, all planes are very similar.
Learning a full fat module will also have become easier.

 

[SimonRigga]

You lost me half way through number 2..

Appreciate the help, i have buttons for the basics, gear, flaps, air and wheel brake.. i can taxi and take off easily enough, and i have landed a couple of times, but always seem to be either;

• flying too fast when i get to the ground / miss the runway
  
  
• flying to slow and crash before the runway

I do even appreciate the VRness of just taking off and flying around, it's very immersive, but then i struggle to take the next (the most enjoyable) weapons step.

I won't give up, but i just don't have hours and hours to put into games these days like i used to, hence wanting a slightly easier path i guess!..

R.

 

[Rikk]

You lost me half way through number 2..

Appreciate the help, i have buttons for the basics, gear, flaps, air and wheel brake.. i can taxi and take off easily enough, and i have landed a couple of times, but always seem to be either;

• flying too fast when i get to the ground / miss the runway
  
  
• flying to slow and crash before the runway

I do even appreciate the VRness of just taking off and flying around, it's very immersive, but then i struggle to take the next (the most enjoyable) weapons step.

I won't give up, but i just don't have hours and hours to put into games these days like i used to, hence wanting a slightly easier path i guess!..

R.

Lookup how to use TACAN and ILS on you're aircraft of choice, those and learning how to automatic direction finding(radio beacons) has made my life so much easier and landings "usually" a lot less stressful than they used to be

 

[One 48]

Some good points here for DCS, it all can seem a bit overwhelming, especially as many do and look at the pro DCS vids on Youtube and think to yourself ... I wanna bit of that and then find its jumping in the deep end complexity is impossible.

The best way to approach DCS IMHO from a newcomers POV is in easily digestible chunks, the basic program is free and includes an SU-25 and P-51D to ease you into prop and jet, set up your axis to your controllers for them, have a fly around, take off and land and then add more complexity, slowly and sure as you are able to do ... whatever joystick system you have at current time.

If you find you like DCS Jets ... Flaming Cliffs 3.0 would be the next newcomer move, still not getting overly complex but sort of getting you closer to the available hi fidelity single focus study Aircraft modules.

Dont even think of competitive multiplayer if you are brand new to this stuff or full blown DCS itself, just put in a few hours getting used to the basics and train train train, all that fun will come later Build up your joystick or HOTAS profile for something that is comfortable and quick to learn, go try it out and keep modifying it button press wise to something you will eventually be happy with ... this is something that will be ever evolving.

When you really do feel ready to buy one of the more complex DCS Aircraft modules, think long and hard about what you really want from the sim ... because there is an even steeper learning curve ahead, steeper but more rewarding, like everything else in life, the more effort you put into something that is not easy often gives the most satisfying results in my experience of nearly everything in life.

Dont be tempted to buy dozens of complex modules as I did, that set me back ages ... even though there is a tempting sale on just now, instead, decide what you would like to focus on, buy that, learn it as best you can first before moving on to another ... or if you must take advantage of sales that happen frequently, buy what you want and consider them as a library as I do now, but still focus on one at a time.

Otherwise, just have fun, because that's what its all about.

 

[One 48]

You lost me half way through number 2..

Appreciate the help, i have buttons for the basics, gear, flaps, air and wheel brake.. i can taxi and take off easily enough, and i have landed a couple of times, but always seem to be either;

• flying too fast when i get to the ground / miss the runway
  
  
• flying to slow and crash before the runway

I do even appreciate the VRness of just taking off and flying around, it's very immersive, but then i struggle to take the next (the most enjoyable) weapons step.

I won't give up, but i just don't have hours and hours to put into games these days like i used to, hence wanting a slightly easier path i guess!..

R.

Simon ... I would suggest picking up something like FSX Steam if you are brand new to this, even more so than current MS FS2020, do some basic flying lessons in it, learn some basics in it. FSX Steam missions are actually a good way to start learning the basics that you describe having trouble with ... and before any FS Purists kick in, yep FSX or MSFS2020 do not have the best of accurate flight models, but it can teach you basic procedures and including navigation and that is a good primer for the stage Simon seems to be at just now IMHO.

In the real world, no pilot ever learnt how to fly by jumping straight into a P-51D or an A-10, Apache Attack Helicopter or whatever.
....
And editing after looking back a page or two and of Simons earlier posts, seems he has tried FSX or suchlike but never got on with that? but feels the urge to kill kill kill in sim, dont we all LOL in these crazy times ... I would still suggest going back to basics in a sim like FSX and force yourself to learn basic stuff before jumping into a complex military sim like DCS. it doesn't take long, just learn some basics inc landings, take off, navigation and more ... it will serve you well in any future flight sim and in my case some real life flying.

The other option of course is Arcade O Vision stuff like War Thunder, but nothing to be learned there apart from arcade like cheap thrills.

 

[Borsch]

You lost me half way through number 2..

Half way, meaning radar vertical scan? It 's just jargon for radar close range combat mode. When you see the enemy, you switch on vertical scan to lock onto your target for a guns kill. Merge with the target, press vertical scan, maneuver to get him in your sights, press fire cannon. Nothing more fancy than that Beyond visual radar is step 3, so ignore it (not sure why I've put it into step 2 )).

But take offs, landings and general flying do come first - you could try the default DCS missions below to help with developing a feel for the plane. FC3 planes -despite their simpler avionics- have fantastic physics, and missions like these are good fun as well as good practice. Pay attention to axis control indicator pane in the corner of the video - a useful reference if you get stuck on some particlar bridge or gate

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Again, some great suggestions here.
The key one being about not trying to rush things. Consider that to really get into DCS, you need to learn many of the same skills and knowledge as a real pilot. The implications being that it makes sense to do things in a similar way. So do things bit by bit. e.g. learn how to start your aircraft. Next session, learning to take off. Next session, learn to land etc.
The really good things is that there are tons of walkthroughs and guides on how to do things.

Then when it comes together, it's an awesome feeling of achievement. Tonight I was out flying in my Huey. Night time re-supply mission from a Frigate off the Falklands. Lousy weather and dark. Amazingly atmospheric, and didn't see a single enemy. Then back to the landing pad on the back of the Frigate in heaving seas.

 

[SimonRigga]

All fantastic suggestions.. Thanks all!!

As i said earlier i won't give up, but don't have hours per day to put into DCS or any game really..

I do still feel in awe everytime i sit in any plane in VR, take off fly around.. (crash trying to land mostly! )

Cheers all!.
R.

 

[danlightbulb]

What axis do you set your trim to? On the T16000 there is that small extra throttle lever on the joystick which could be used, but that doesn't exist on the X56. Or do you always use an axis on the throttle component?

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

What axis do you set your trim to? On the T16000 there is that small extra throttle lever on the joystick which could be used, but that doesn't exist on the X56. Or do you always use an axis on the throttle component?

The controls for trim are aircraft dependent. Some are an axis, some not. Personally I use the same non-axis buttons for all aircraft.

 

[ak22]

What axis do you set your trim to? On the T16000 there is that small extra throttle lever on the joystick which could be used, but that doesn't exist on the X56. Or do you always use an axis on the throttle component?

I use hat switch from trim, I have never used it on axis before what plane are you flying? When I had the T16000 I would use button modifier (pinky button on the throttle) in combination with hat switch on the joystick for trim.

 

[danlightbulb]

Ah ok thanks both, I assumed it was a linear control rather than a switch. I have a T16000m coming tomorrow and am going to try and learn the free A4 plane.

What are the basic setup of things like trim, gear, flaps that you use on a hotas?

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Here's an example of what I use for some of my FC3 aircraft. I create all of my kneeboards using powerpoint, then Sniptool the image to a .png file and add into the kneeboard folders:

J11, Mig29, Su27, Su33 controls mapping.png

drive.google.com

The KB folders are located at:
Users/UserName/Saved Games/DCS.openbeta/Kneeboard/Name of aircraft (e.g. Su27)

 

[danlightbulb]

Ok so this might be mega basic but I can't see bindings for flaps, gear, brakes on that example? Do you use the hotas for this stuff or use the mouse to click in the cockpit?

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

That's because my landing gear are on another control panel (WinWing). Sorry, was only meant to be an example.

 

[ak22]

Ah ok thanks both, I assumed it was a linear control rather than a switch. I have a T16000m coming tomorrow and am going to try and learn the free A4 plane.

What are the basic setup of things like trim, gear, flaps that you use on a hotas?

On my HOTAS I map what the real plane has on its hotas & I always have brakes, drag chute, landing gear, flaps, map (F10), cockpit view, Jettison stores, keenboard controls.

 

[danlightbulb]

Hi can anyone help with setting up the brakes on the A4E as Im getting stuck.

The options on the control menu are:
Wheel brake
Wheel brake differential (single axis)
Wheel brake left
Wheel brake right

I can't seem to set up button for any of these, only axis.

Im getting in a mess trying to taxi the plane, because I can't seem to work the brakes. Also when landing, it doesn't seem to be as simple as brakes on or off so I cant brake.

I have the T16000M stick and throttle, no pedals. Ive set the main rudder to the flight stick so I have a left right paddle on the throttle, which seems to do something to the brakes when I assign it but its very confusing.