Newbe: Help with combat training - Continued

[hshmulik]

OK, So I followed all your wonderful advises and I appreciate your feedback.

First, I upgraded the patches, so now I'm running FB+AEP+PF+4.02m, and the differences really show.
Second, I did some reading from all the mentioned links, and they are indeed informative and educational.
Third, I went ahead and created a few single missions that would enable some basic training. The IL-2 seems like trying to fly heavy agriculture machinery http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif , so I tried the Hurricane instead which is really fun.
Fourth, I tried doing the differential breaking while taxiing the Hurricane on ground and indeed it works - I manged to complete a full circle with holding the breaks while pushing the rudder fully to one side and reving up the engine just enough to keep moving (~45%).

But still, after flying the Hurricane for a while, practicing take-offs and landings, doing some basic aerobatics and some combat maneuvers, when I tried to move on to the P-40 I noticed some strange behaviour. While doing the takeoff run, I noticed it tends to over-steer from side to side even with the smallest amounts of rudder input so I keep reaching the grass http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif . This happens while the tail wheel is either on or off the ground. Another thing that happened is that after a little while in the air (when I do manage to eventually fly http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-tongue.gif ) the ailerons become very hard to move, and when enough force is applied they tend to "snap" to the desired direction, only by than I'm way over steering and immetiatly need to correct to the other side or else I flip the plane. No need to mention that correcting is just as hard. I figured I was either going too fast, or maybe forgot to raise the gear/flaps, but no. For refference I should mention that I'm using MS SWFFB1 with Simped vario digital + that little attachemnt for the FFB. I never witnessed this behavior before. Besides, this doesn't happen with other planes.

BTW, the post from S0BRIQUET is indeed hilarious http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/88.gif , but it expresses the sheer frustration that a new comer experiences when confornted with nothing but the default training missions in PF http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-mad.gif . I mean, I really thought trying these out would prepare me. I had no idea that I would need to go through such complex steps as using the FMB just in order to generate my own training http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/53.gif . One expects to find such things built-in into the game, or otherwise, just as I did, take the first thing available, which was either taking off from a carrier in a F4u or jumping into instant combat in the P-40B and crashing every time http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/cry.gif .

One more thing. When I flip a plane on the ground or on a carrier deck (which seems to happen a lot http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif ), I noticed that the ground seems to flip with me http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/blink.gif . I mean I'm upside down with the canopy on the ground, but the ground also appears where the whells are. Looks like a graphical system bug. I'm using an ATI 9800 Pro with Catalyst 5.6.

Is there anywhere to report such bugs other than the designated e-mail address?
Is there a list of open bugs that are being worked on so I don't report a known problem?



Thanks,
Shmulik.

[hshmulik]

OK, So I followed all your wonderful advises and I appreciate your feedback.

First, I upgraded the patches, so now I'm running FB+AEP+PF+4.02m, and the differences really show.
Second, I did some reading from all the mentioned links, and they are indeed informative and educational.
Third, I went ahead and created a few single missions that would enable some basic training. The IL-2 seems like trying to fly heavy agriculture machinery http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif , so I tried the Hurricane instead which is really fun.
Fourth, I tried doing the differential breaking while taxiing the Hurricane on ground and indeed it works - I manged to complete a full circle with holding the breaks while pushing the rudder fully to one side and reving up the engine just enough to keep moving (~45%).

But still, after flying the Hurricane for a while, practicing take-offs and landings, doing some basic aerobatics and some combat maneuvers, when I tried to move on to the P-40 I noticed some strange behaviour. While doing the takeoff run, I noticed it tends to over-steer from side to side even with the smallest amounts of rudder input so I keep reaching the grass http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif . This happens while the tail wheel is either on or off the ground. Another thing that happened is that after a little while in the air (when I do manage to eventually fly http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-tongue.gif ) the ailerons become very hard to move, and when enough force is applied they tend to "snap" to the desired direction, only by than I'm way over steering and immetiatly need to correct to the other side or else I flip the plane. No need to mention that correcting is just as hard. I figured I was either going too fast, or maybe forgot to raise the gear/flaps, but no. For refference I should mention that I'm using MS SWFFB1 with Simped vario digital + that little attachemnt for the FFB. I never witnessed this behavior before. Besides, this doesn't happen with other planes.

BTW, the post from S0BRIQUET is indeed hilarious http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/88.gif , but it expresses the sheer frustration that a new comer experiences when confornted with nothing but the default training missions in PF http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-mad.gif . I mean, I really thought trying these out would prepare me. I had no idea that I would need to go through such complex steps as using the FMB just in order to generate my own training http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/53.gif . One expects to find such things built-in into the game, or otherwise, just as I did, take the first thing available, which was either taking off from a carrier in a F4u or jumping into instant combat in the P-40B and crashing every time http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/cry.gif .

One more thing. When I flip a plane on the ground or on a carrier deck (which seems to happen a lot http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif ), I noticed that the ground seems to flip with me http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/blink.gif . I mean I'm upside down with the canopy on the ground, but the ground also appears where the whells are. Looks like a graphical system bug. I'm using an ATI 9800 Pro with Catalyst 5.6.

Is there anywhere to report such bugs other than the designated e-mail address?
Is there a list of open bugs that are being worked on so I don't report a known problem?



Thanks,
Shmulik.

[-HH-Quazi]

First things first m8. You said you were using 4.02m version. I recomment you get the 4.03m patch and patch to it.

You may or may not understand or already know this, but this sim tries to give as real of a flight model to each plane as it was flown in real life. Therefore when you switch from plane to plane, you will find that each is different, and sometimes drastically different.

In the P-40, try locking your tail wheel before taking off. This seems to help what you described as being what it is to you.

And when you flip, what you described is normal, or it is in my install of this sim. I don't think there is a bug to report.

You mentioned that you are using a 9800Pro. If you haven't already found a post by PF Coastie and click on the links in his sig, you should do so. He has created a wonderful guide in setting up ATI cards, and the 9800Pro in particulary. You may be able to get an increase in frame rates which will give you better gameplay by following his advice.

I am glad things are working out for you as you have went along. One thing I will mention. It is alot easier to use the QMB to set up missions to practice in than it is using the FMB. But, even so, it is good that you have already gotten a grip on using the FMB. The QMB shouyld be a synch now.

[hshmulik]

Forgive me my father for I have sinned, it's been more than 4 days since my last patching http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif. Looks like I'll need to check the updates page more frequently. Already downloading.

I definitely understand the concept of realism in this sim. This is what drew me in in the first place. I just wish I could learn about the differences between aircrafts in advance, through reading, instead of by trial and error.

As mentioned by dbillo in the previous thread, one should approach the flight sim the same way he would approach learning to fly in real life - but in real life, a pilot would go through flight school learning the basics, then start flying a training plane like, lets say a Harward, and advance to more powerful planes while being instructed what are the differences, what to look forward to, and what to do, or more importantly what not to do, for each type of plane.

I guess the last part is what I'm really looking for, but still haven't found in my searches over the net.

As for the alleged bug - what happens is that while flipping over, the surface plane of the ground seems to seperate from the "real" ground and flip with me, so I end up with two "grounds"; one above me as it should, and one (with 0 thickness) at the wheels. If I move the external view I can see this second "ground" from one side, but it becomes transparent from the other. I still believe its a bug. Maybe I'll upgrade the Catalyst drivers just in case.

BTW, Yes I did everything recommended by PF Coastie when I first set up the sim - great improvements. Here is a good example of having the knowledge beforehand - I did all of this research before even I got the game box and it payed off immediately.


Thanks,
Shmulik.

[hshmulik]

Just one more thing (for the time being):

I came to think that maybe the "strange" behavior of the P-40 in the air after a while could have been caused by some damage from one of my "maneuvers" and I might have missed the indication and it scrolled up.

Is there a place to check the current status of my aircraft to see what damage it sustained?

If not, is there a way to make the damage messages appear for a longer period before moving up? Or maybe even increase the amount of messages that can appear together?


Thanks,
Shmulik.

[hshmulik]

OK. One more thing then.

Doing some reading, I came accross a mention of a file named AdvancedPDFmanual.pdf that resides under the Manual directory on the second installation disk of FB+AEP. This file is a great source of info as it details technical data of most aircrafts on both the russian and german sides.

Alas, there's no such file in the PF disks, so there's no data regarding the american aircrafts, and once again, one is left guessing.


Shmulik.

[dieg777]

Hi- glad you are sticking with it.

Im afraid that until others volunteer and add into the airwarfare section then most will have to learn each plane by trial and error. The P-40 is easier to handle if you get the rear up quickly so keep some forward stick on take off

what is your stick setup in hardware section- it might be set very sensitive in rudder - see here for advise on setting up your stick

http://www.airwarfare.com/tech/sticks.htm

mine is close to this

Roll: 27 38 52 63 69 75 83 88 93 100
Pitch: 28 44 55 62 70 79 88 93 96 100
Yaw: 29 40 48 57 66 76 86 93 95 100 with 3 clicks on filter

What will help is a preflight check list e.g.

1) are you straight on runway
2) tailwheel locked
3) flaps to takeoff
4) throttle at zero-proppitch 100 % or auto with boost on
5) all trim neutral - dont trim pitch up as this will help stall.
6) check runway clear
5) gentlly increase rpm
7) keep eye on nose and runway out of side and apply opposite rudder to compensate for torque
8) make all movements gentlly
9) once speed builds up release any back pressure on stick to allow tail to lift-allow aircraft to lift off with increase speed -try and not pull it up with the stick
10) once off the ground stay in gentle climb and clean up - wheels up and flaps up to neutral
11) once past stall speed gentlly increase hight and trim for pitch and yaw on those planes that have manual trim

lastly dont get too hung up - many still get days when they screw up on take off and landing -its taken time and practice for us all.

AFAIK the only way to check for damage is to use externals for visable damange

good luck

[hshmulik]

Hi and thanks for the encouragements. I have no intentions of giving up. I just love the idea of realistic sim flying too much http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Basically, I haven't touched the sensitivity settings, especially since they worked just fine for other aircrafts till now. I will give it a go and see what happens.

As for the take-off, I did exactly as you detailed in the check list. The only problem is in step 8 - where I give gentle input but get excessive reaction.

I figured what's better than simply switching to autopilot and closely monitor everything the AI does. I first noticed that the AI gives full pitch down with the stick (all the way forward) and only then revs up the engine. As soon as the tail comes up, the AI brings the stick back to neutral, keeping the aircraft level while picking up speed, and then pulls back just a tad for rotation and lifts up. Only thing is, the AI is always right on the center line of the runway - a classic take-off (which I can't seem to reproduce http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/cry.gif ).

As for damage monitoring - will the damage messages go to a log file if I choose to use one? I figured I would use the real-life method of debriefing after each mission. Serving 4 years in the air force does give you some good practices (eventhough I wasn't a pilot http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif ).


Thanks,
Shmulik.