I have been running DCS for a while now and my impression is that it's hard to learn. One reason might be that things are not like in FSX. Another reason could be that I feel that this sim is more realistic than FSX. I have started with the free Su 25T.

I have still not been able to full fill any missions or instant action scenery. Two things stand out in making things difficult. You can't click in the cockpit to do things (like in FSX) but you must rely  much more on keyboard assignment. Also since this is a combat simulation there are more things to do and keep track of and on top of that things happen faster than flying a GA plane in FSX for example.

What is the best approach to learn this game ? I do want to learn it because of the realism.

I might point out that I have recently purchased the P-51D Mustang and the A-10C warthog. Is it maybe stupid to spend time on the free Su 25T in that case ?

Hi,

you're right - DCS World offers IMO the most complete / accurate flight dynamics experience of any flight simulator, and that's why I myself, who do not really like the military aspects of flight, decided to adhere to it, first by the hand of the mighty p51d, then the ka-50 and the a10c.

I did start the su-25 a couple of times, and intend to give it more use in the future, but my main aim whenever I start DCS World is not to enter any sort of air combat or even learn modern air combat techniques, but rather to simply enjoy the feel of "flying" in a PC the closest I believe there is to handling a powerful prop aircraft, or a co-axial counter-rotating dual turbine helicopter, or the a10c which can pretty much be like a sophisticated business jet in terms of handling.

I will try to dedicate time to the combat side of the sim in the future, but not now really.

Regarding using your Su-25, there's nothing wong about it. It's flight dynamics are top-notch just as any of the aircraft available for this simulation platform, and allways good to use and didactic.

 

DCS Su-25t has a neat flight dynamic, but in fact it's really a flying brick. You do not have to worry about nonclickable cockpit, since there are no system management simulated. You startup engines, and hydraulic, and electric, and everything other is automatically turned on.

if you bought a-10 and p-51, don't bother with su-25t. a-10's flight system easier.

 

Two things stand out in making things difficult. You can't click in the cockpit to do things (like in FSX) but you must rely  much more on keyboard assignment.

 

Not quite sure what you mean here - in the P51 & A10 virtually everything in the cockpit is operated by mouse clicks.   ^_^

 

I use TrackIR as this enables me to look around whilst leaving the mouse free for operations.

 

I haven't tried the Su25 yet - too busy trying to learn how to fly what is widely regarded as the most accurate P51 sim out there!!!   :unsure:

 

Not quite sure what you mean here - in the P51 & A10 virtually everything in the cockpit is operated by mouse clicks. ^_^

 

I was thinking about the SU 25T

I was thinking about the SU 25T

 

Ah, OK.  Don't know about that one ... ... ... :unsure:

Hi,

 

I also just started last week with DCS and also with the SU-25T. But the learning curve is steep! I tried the Instant action, but had no clue what to do.

So I watched the "SU-25T familiarization" video. That helped a bit. After that I watched some more of the training videos and tried some of the missions. Slowly I'm starting to get the hang of how it all works.

 

Good luck!

Do yourself a favour and get the KA-50, i have all the DCS aircraft and the Black Shark is my fav.  I even bought the original Russian version "watch EKRAN"

The best way to familiarize with aircraft is to make new mission in editor: Set one Su-25T at some airport; set it as "player aircraft", set "take off from ramp" (that's cold and dark state), and set no weapons and about 50% of fuel. Save that mission and you are ready to fly. 

 

Use RSHIFT + L to turn on battery. Wait for HSI to stabilize.

 

Use RALT + HOME and RCTRL + HOME to start engines one by one.

 

Close canopy with LCTRL + C

Set QFE or QNH with RSHIFT + "="or "-"

 

 

Taxi very carefully, take off and practice patterns.

 

If you press RCTRL + L you get steady nav lights. Press it one more time and you get flashing nav lights. If you press it 3rd time, you will turn off nav lights.

If you press RALT + L you unstow and torn on taxi lights. Press int one more time for landing lights, press it 3rd time to turn off and stow landing/taxi lights.

Press L to turn on/off cockpit lights.

 

Press W for wheel brakes.

Press G for landing gear up/down

Press B for speedbrake ON/OFF

Press F for take off (middle position) flaps.

Press LSHIFT + F for landing (full) flaps

If flaps are deployed, pres F to retract it (once for take off flaps and twice for landing flaps)

Press P for landing chute (under 250km/h), and press it once more to throw it away once you are slowed down enough.

I think landing chute is P or CT

Once you master this, you can make some route to practice navigation.

 

If you want to practice online, call me, I can help you, we can use AVSIM TS, or I can help you to make mission for practice if you are unfamiliar with editor.

 

For commission in my escadrille you have to pass an exam at Su-25 (no T), route flight, no treats, low vis landing via ILS, so I had to learn it one way or another. that was back at Flaming cliffs 1.112 several years ago, but aircraft is same as this in DCS World.

 

BTW, Su-25T is great attack platform in DCS, it's the only player aircraft that can do SEAD missions, You can carry TV, or laser guided missiles, 16 anti tank laser guided Vikhr rockets, unguided rockets, gunpods, cluster and standard bombs. It's hell of an aircraft.

 

Also, it has best autopilot in DCS World, variety of mods, lateral navigation, auto approach, stabilization, steer to attack point...

If you already have the a10 or p51 then I would pass on the 25.

 

     The A10 is a nice bird and there are lots of systems to play with.   You dont have to do any combat missions of you dont want to.   You can just takeoff, play around, land, use ils, try different landing scenarios with visibility/weather etc.   

 

    Everything in the cockpit it clickable so there are no issues using the mfd's, nav systems, CDU. Then move on to the weapon systems.  Lots to learn there as well.

 

    Only issue is that the documentation is written to all the functions on the hotas using their designations, i.e. 'china hat forward' etc referring to the a10's hotas.    If you have a thrustmaster warthog hotas you are in heaven because its a perfect match.   

 

   Otherwise lots of mapping to do on your controls.

About A-10c: Actually, if you do not own Warthog HOTAS, you will probably end with more keyboard commands than with unclickable Su-25T

Do yourself a favour and get the KA-50, i have all the DCS aircraft and the Black Shark is my fav.  I even bought the original Russian version "watch EKRAN"

 

Unfortunately the sales are over so now you will have to pay full price for it

 

 

 

The A10 is a nice bird and there are lots of systems to play with. You dont have to do any combat missions of you dont want to.

 

But I want to do combat missions. After all that is what the DCS and the planes are for.

 

 

 

f you have a thrustmaster warthog hotas you are in heaven because its a perfect match.

 

I don't have it. So maybe this plane is not going to be easier to learn than the free SU 25T

 

Hi,

 

I also just started last week with DCS and also with the SU-25T. But the learning curve is steep! I tried the Instant action, but had no clue what to do.

So I watched the "SU-25T familiarization" video. That helped a bit. After that I watched some more of the training videos and tried some of the missions. Slowly I'm starting to get the hang of how it all works.

 

Good luck!

 

I also did like you but in addition to that I also start reading the manual. And I find out that by reading the manual I learn the most. But that's also the most boring and means most work.

And with the planes I have purchased I see manuals consisting of several hundred pages.

I also did like you but in addition to that I also start reading the manual. And I find out that by reading the manual I learn the most. But that's also the most boring and means most work.

And with the planes I have purchased I see manuals consisting of several hundred pages.

 

Yes, well that is the sim that you have bought in to   There is a lot of fidelity so a lot to learn if you want to know it all.

 

    Another way for which there is lots of content is on youtube, .=e.g. here are some clips  http://www.youtube.com/user/gerryabbott/videos  keep on searching and you will find lots covering all areas.

I recently bought the DCS A-10 module and Thrustmaster HOTAS. Have been going through the 600 page (approx) manual, I find that its incredibly well written. The A-10 expansion is superb software, complex and fairly steep to learn but also very rewarding, I think it's a stripped down version (for obvious reasons) of military training software that was granted an entertainment license. I'm only just starting to go through the combat training missions, an awful lot to learn after coming from civilian simulation for many years - not that handling the PMDG 737NG in FSX is any easier of course but the combat element adds an extra challenge with this software.

 

Can I also suggest looking at the HELIOS touch screen interface to go alongside the A-10. DCS (especially the A-10 module) has a very welcoming, knowledgable cockpit builders community. As a cockpit builder myself I was overwhelmed by some of the cockpits on show at the Eagle Dynamics forums.

 

To be honest this 'game' is not for the faint hearted but once you get your head around it, its an incredible high fidelity simulator that has a superb community and DCS is very well supported by the developer.

 

I'm waiting for VEAO's Eurofighter Typhoon module. That is going to be off the scale! I think they are waiting for the all clear from the Eurofighter consortium to produce it under a commercial software license.

 

Rhydian