Lefty and a normal joystick
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I am a flight sim addict, have been since my Amiga days in the 90’s. Flown pretty much every sim going, and have tried getting into Falcon, but more recently BMS. I can do A2A missions without too much trouble, but as for bombing, mainly LGB’s and the like. I always get confused as to how I go about bombing, setting everything up, targeting etc. I only have a Saitek S290 stick which is configured as left hand, as there are no HOTAS set up’s for us left handed folk, and the fact I wouldn’t be able to afford one anyway. Does anyone have any tips on mapping certain keys/buttons for TMS/DMS and the like?
Also, during close range dogfights, I cannot seem to move the radar cursor, lock on to an enemy plane and fly at the same time. I would dearly love to get more out of this sim, but find it quite a challenge to say the least. Videos don’t seem to help much either.
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during close range dogfights, I recommend the use of ACM radar modes. These allow quick radar locks without much effort from the pilot.
The quickest way of entering an ACM radar mode is to switch the override switch to dogfight mode, then select TMS up. This will set the radar to ACM-BORE mode. In this mode, a cross is displayed in the HUD. When an aircraft is detected under this cross and closer than 10 miles, it will be locked. In a dogfight, this means you just need to move one switch and press one button, and pull the enemy to the nose to lock them up.
If you are not using the dogfight override mode, you can still use ACM radar modes! Simply display the FCR on an MFD, press OSB #1 to select the radar mastermode, then OSB #19 to select the ACM mastermode. This will select ACM 20. You can then press OSB #2 to cycle through the various ACM submodes. You can also use the hands on controls to select the various ACM submodes. The hands on controls for the ACM submodes are TMS up to select BORE, TMS down to switch back to ACM 20, TMS down again to select ACM 60, and TMS right to select ACM 20 again.
Generally speaking, it takes some time and effort to learn to fly the plane and manipulate the avionics at the same time.
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Well if it means anything, all captains using yoke aircraft fly left hand yoke right hand throttle, and even the airbus joysticks are on the left.
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Well if it means anything, all captains using yoke aircraft fly left hand yoke right hand throttle, and even the airbus joysticks are on the left.
It bugs me so much. The Sportstar is a stick control, but the throttle is still in the center, so you still need to fly with your left hand. Even if you get used to switching which hand is on the stick, you still have plenty of stages of flight where you need a hand to stay on the throttle
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I like saying this:
It’s the head that flies, not the hands. I do airliners (left seat), sailplanes, my Pitts S1S, instruction. Some I fly with my left, others with my right. Makes. No. Difference.
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Lucky you. Meanwhile over here, I can finely adjust the G on my HOTAS but need to constantly work the throttle with my left hand. Switch them around and I can play the throttle fine and it becomes the stick that needs constant correction.
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I was born with a condition called Situs inversus totalis, and I am ambidextrous…no problem here!
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Well the 1st reply was very helpful. I have flown a few missions since where dogfights have occurred, and I have to say that boresight mode is my new friend. Got 3 close quarter kills in one mission. I have also made a simple mission in Tactical Engagement which I bomb a target such as a factory using LGB’s and seemed to do ok. Still finding my way round the whole procedure. Just need time I guess.
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I was born with a condition called Situs inversus totalis, and I am ambidextrous…no problem here!
I would be more inclined to think it is the righties like me and the lefties are the ones that have the condition (impaired) and you don’t.:D But that is just me.