Old Simmer Looking For Advice

[actrade]

Let me start with my background. I’m 57, played Falcon on an Amiga originally, bought Falcon 4.0 hard cover original game and played it for a long, long time, took a long break and picked up again when AF was issued and then BMS. Started getting into some MP (even though my internet connection at that time sucked) and had a blast and got away from the game for the past 5 years or so. I have a TM Warthog joystick/throttle and Saitek rudder pedals and two, 32" monitors. I also would like a good TM profile link.

With that all out of the way, here is my quandry. I’m a bit overwhelmed in where/how to start back playing? There are literally thousands of threads here and I guess I’m looking for some advice on how to get started again? I tried to do a ramp start the other day and just got frustrated. Could someone recommend a good, step by step approach to get started again? There are LOTS of youtube tutorials, some old, some new, but do you have a recommendation on which might help me get started? Thanks in advance.

[pauld]

I was much the same as you and decided to dig in to the manuals provided. The TE tutorials and tutorial manual is where I started by reading and repetition of each tutorial several times until it sunk in. Many hours and frustrations but slowly you start to get there. I’m 66 and I adopt a method of small chunks at a time, Hope you get there.

[Fox_15]

Hi,
In Docs folder of BMS installation is a file _README-FIRST_How-to-use-Docs.pdf. In its second chapter, especially in 2.3, it outlines a BMS’s team suggested approach what to read and in which order.

I think that starting with training missions and their excellent description in BMS-Training.pdf is a good way to start flying. If you feel you need a break from flying or want to read again about some aspects of F-16 or its weapons, go to Dash-1 and Dash-34. Ultimately you’ll want to read all the manuals, but you need to be realistic - given the sheer amount of information it’s a marathon rather than a sprint, so you have to give yourself time to digest it. You will probably return to some manual sections multiple times and fly training missions multiple times and you’ll notice things will start to appear in a more manageable pace.

First make yourself comfortable with navigation and landing in various conditions, then move to weapons deployment. Since training starts with A-G weapons, which there is a variety of, and lots of associated avionics, I mixed A-G training missions with Instant Action where I could practice A-A with easy targets (in first waves).

As for youtube content - yes, there’s a lot of good content, but I feel most of it is advanced stuff (except for videos of training missions, I recommend Stevie’s channel) . For starters, I’d focus on manuals though. But if you feel like watching, here’s a recent thread about it: https://forum.falcon-bms.com/topic/23108/video-tutorials.

I also started playing BMS about 1,5 and half years ago, after a very long break from flight sims, and I’m still in the training. As you can tell I’m not rushing things now I remember when I tried to play campaign in original F4.0 my situational awareness was non-existent and I was shot down fast. Now I want to learn F-16 as represented in BMS well, before I jump into combat (which, honestly, I don’t feel the urge to do so).

Another way to learn BMS would be to join an online squadron, maybe there are some sessions for newbies, but I haven’t explored it and don’t know what are prerequisites (I guess you at least need to be able to complete all training missions).

[airtex2019]

@actrade I tell people to start with TR#3 to practice basic flying and landing. Maybe do a hotpit refuel, then takeoff and fly to a different airbase for extended fun.

Ramp start procedure is not easy, forgiving, or fun way to start.

Especially when you’re trying to figure out things like how throttle idle-detent works, in real-time. And headtracking or mouselook setup… and PC graphics settings, etc… it’s all just too much.

Anyway irl your first time with hands on stick would not be in the front seat doing the startup!

[Icer]

@actrade said in Old Simmer Looking For Advice:

Let me start with my background. I’m 57, played Falcon on an Amiga originally, bought Falcon 4.0 hard cover original game and played it for a long, long time, took a long break and picked up again when AF was issued and then BMS. Started getting into some MP (even though my internet connection at that time sucked) and had a blast and got away from the game for the past 5 years or so. I have a TM Warthog joystick/throttle and Saitek rudder pedals and two, 32" monitors. I also would like a good TM profile link.

With that all out of the way, here is my quandry. I’m a bit overwhelmed in where/how to start back playing? There are literally thousands of threads here and I guess I’m looking for some advice on how to get started again? I tried to do a ramp start the other day and just got frustrated. Could someone recommend a good, step by step approach to get started again? There are LOTS of youtube tutorials, some old, some new, but do you have a recommendation on which might help me get started? Thanks in advance.

@actrade - I feel your pain. I’m a bit older, started a bit earlier, but have been on/off/on/off F4 since the beginning. For your TM HOTAS (I have the same but with MFG pedals, added ICP and MFDs). I would suggest using the latest Alternative Launcher to set up the joystick the way it is in the jet (TMS/CMS/DMS, trim, paddle etc.). For the throttle I use TARGET to assign a DX# to every switch position (DX128 profile) but you can do similar with Alt Launcher using it’s Press/Release functions. I don’t use the standard TM throttle plate assignments, but print out a sheet to cover it and label it myself (pic below).

The Ramp Start is a bit tedious, but you can edit it down to what I call a “Scramble” Ramp Start list without all the tests and unnecessary checks. I normally do SP Campaign Taxi starts and avoid it, but for online you will need that on “most” good servers. Your best bet, once set up, is to go through ALL the Training TEs one at a time, but this doesn’t mean you can’t learn how to lock\shoot and pop into Instant action and even do CAP and Escort missions in a Campaign while you learn! T\O, Landing, Navigation are key, then learn weapons and have fun! Just the $.02 from an old F4 guy.

[drtbkj]

@actrade said in Old Simmer Looking For Advice:

Let me start with my background. I’m 57, played Falcon on an Amiga originally, bought Falcon 4.0 hard cover original game and played it for a long, long time, took a long break and picked up again when AF was issued and then BMS. Started getting into some MP (even though my internet connection at that time sucked) and had a blast and got away from the game for the past 5 years or so. I have a TM Warthog joystick/throttle and Saitek rudder pedals and two, 32" monitors. I also would like a good TM profile link.

With that all out of the way, here is my quandry. I’m a bit overwhelmed in where/how to start back playing? There are literally thousands of threads here and I guess I’m looking for some advice on how to get started again? I tried to do a ramp start the other day and just got frustrated. Could someone recommend a good, step by step approach to get started again? There are LOTS of youtube tutorials, some old, some new, but do you have a recommendation on which might help me get started? Thanks in advance.

Hi, actade, and welcome back!
First things first, do you have 4.36.1 installed?
Second, is your pc (graphics) working well?
Third, are you wanting to fly The Viper, or some other jet?

If yes, and you want to fly the Viper, then you’re good to go. Take the time to set up your HOTAS. I have the same hardware as you, and it works well. I agree with Icer, get the Alternative Launcher. Unlike Icer, I avoid TARGET. That program gives me a headache . Seriously , though, one thing about the AL is that Shifted functions are easy to set up. But, you may be a TARGET-wiz, so whatever works for you. If you’re like me, then your HOTAS setup will evolve over time.
Everyone is saying “read the Docs” and I agree, but where do you start? I would recommend refreshing your memory on TMS,/DMS Cursor enable, etc. functionality. When I started out I didn’t try to memorize the manuals then try to relate it into the cockpit. I skimmed the Docs ,then did both at the same time, finding issues then researching solutions. That worked for me as I was, like you, coming back to Falcon. But, that is a matter of what is the best way for you to learn.
Now comes the fun part. Airtex and Icer talk about Checklists. Whether you fly the Viper or some other BMS jet, you can ramp start them with the checklists in the Docs. I would recommend you start with the Viper. The Dash-1 Manual is designed around it.
After that, it’s all about working out the bugs. Walk before you run. Then start thinking about things like voice recognition (like Voice Attack). And, don’t be shy about asking questions here.

[mj3437]

Put the Docs on a tablet so you can read at any time. Having the training mission document open on your tablet while flying the training mission is much easier than switching back and forth.

[Quasi_Stellar]

@actrade Welcome back! I’m another not so old, “older fart”, and have been flying Falcon off and on for 22 years. All the advice above, in my opinion, has been sound and sincere. Do try the new Alternative Launcher for setting up your controls. It’s a one stop shop for that, switching theaters, and launching the sim and other apps. Definitely go with the advice given above about using the Training Manual with the Training TE’s. Use the Dash 1, Dash 34, and Comms Manual as supplements and reference to the learning. Unless of course you have a wanton desire for technical manuals As far as videos to watch for learning, I would recommend @StevieG for his wonderful walkthroughs of the Training TE’s in 4.35. Of course we are at 4.36, but much of the stuff is still relevant. For the most part just make sure you are searching for keywords like Falcon BMS 4.36. A lot of fun stuff out there.
When I got into BMS in 2016, I had never ramp start in Falcon. It was a great feeling of accomplishment as far as hobbies go, and I try to make it a part of all my flights. It adds a sense of ownership to the mission. Having just spent a good half hour of my life bringing this bird to life, I don’t want to flub it up Also, being a somewhat small and protective community, I would recommend that you look into the different BMS Discord communities, as well as digging through these forums. There are many people out there willing to help you learn as well as to just talk shop with. A couple such Discords are in my sig. Clear skies and tail winds!!

[jc1]

@actrade I saw you asked for a link to a Warthog TM profile. Before I give you mine, you should try Alternative Launcher (AL) as others have already said. I wanted to use AL but I just couldn’t get it to work with my Warthog joystick/throttle and CH pedals, even though I had online discussions and advice from others including the author of AL. So I made my TM profile.

My TM profile, jc1-DX128, is at:
https://forum.falcon-bms.com/post/345838

[Icer]

@drtbkj said in Old Simmer Looking For Advice:

Unlike Icer, I avoid TARGET. That program gives me a headache . Seriously , though, one thing about the AL is that Shifted functions are easy to set up. But, you may be a TARGET-wiz, so whatever works for you. If you’re like me, then your HOTAS setup will evolve over time.

Let’s get something straight my friend, I am NOT a TARGET wiz! My “WarthogThrottleALLSwitchPos.tmc” profile was written by someone else and all I did was modify a line or two, is quite simple and (so far) 100% reliable. All it does is assign a DX# to every hat\switch\button on the Throttle (does not effect any other device) to make it easier to assign them in Alt Launcher (or in the Sim setup). As I said earlier, using the Alt Launcher Press\Release function will work also, but to me this is much more straightforward and it works for all the other sims I use…

[drtbkj]

@Icer said in Old Simmer Looking For Advice:

@drtbkj said in Old Simmer Looking For Advice:

is quite simple and (so far) 100% reliable.

I’m glad it works for you , Compadre, but it still gives me a headache