Learning to fly again … proper approach?
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Hello everybody,
I had introduced myself to this community some two years ago when I first installed BMS 4.32 on my system. I did manage to fly a few transition sorties, familiarising myself with the basic handling of the aircraft, but was occupied with too many other things then; moreover, I got confused with the documentation while trying to follow the six-or-so updates. When I found out about 4.33 I decided to start afresh with a clean installation of 4.33 only plus the set of recent documentation for it. The other main change is that I now own a Saitex X55 throttle-and-stick combo for more realism and have already completed the first training mission with a very basic setup for the X55 only. Which approach to “learning to fly” (apologies to Tom Petty
) the Falcon would the seasoned BMS veterans here suggest?
a. eating the elephant by taking one bite after the other, reading manuals chapter by chapter, while learning to start up and get airborne, practising flying, practising navigation, practising to work the COMs, to land by ILS etc, and in the process also finding out which hats/switches/toggles etc on the X55 assign to what function according to personal preferences as they come up, or
b. read the manuals from cover to cover before touching anything again, and start with a complete keyfile for the X55? (I have seen a few mentioned here … and if this is the recommended approach, does anybody have a specific recommendation for any particular one?)
In case previous sim experience is considered a factor, mine is with complex civil aircraft sims, PMDG 737/747 for Microsoft FS, 757 and 777 for X-Plane and Aerowinx PS1. (Plus some 800 hrs real life flying in small GA aircraft which is hardly a factor here…)Thanks in advance
Sigmar -
I can see no benefit to reading the manuals completely before touching the jet. You’ll get confused, forget stuff and generally become unmotivated to continue. Certainly skim through them so you know what’s covered but I would suggest starting by reading the Training Manual and flying each mission a few times after reading about it. As you find other stuff you need to know then look in the manuals for that information as needed.
The first thing to learn is how to start the jet; so I would recommend learning the 3 sweep approach to this with reference to the checklist. Couple this with basic handling practice and visual landings to get a firm base to build on. Then add elements that you want to that; be it learning to do an ILS approach and landing, the Air to Ground systems or Air to Air combat.
Just take it in small steps, understand what you’ve learned before moving on and most of all HAVE FUN.
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The key for a successful transition is to be fimiliar with everything (no need to know everything) and then learn things more in depth step by step.
So run with the basic training missions, and after you have the basics,
read a chapter, say TGP, then choose a mission, and explore all the options and their effect on your effectiveness.
otherwise, you will not be overwhelemd with info.to compare with FSX.
you’ll not dig into the advace working of the FMC before you know you can start it up, taxi to the runway and safely take-off and land.
but you’ll know the minumum needed, which is not how you effectively fly the plane.then you’ll dig into the FMC and learn how to work it’s magic. same here.
only you have FCR,TGP, dumb bomb, laser guided bomb, GPS guided bombs, GPS guided Stand-off bombs and so on.
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It is an incredibly deep sim, so don’t expect to learn everything overnight. Take it a step at a time, and really learn the fundamentals. I read the bms manual first, and then scanned dash 1. Just so i had an overview. Then i spent a few nights learning how to ramp start. Now i do it from memory. Then i focused on radios. Made sure i knew how to setup comms on the data cartridge, and how to load it in the cockpit. The radios were something i just wasn’t really getting, so i dove back into just that, but every time i get in the cockpit it is cold and dark.
I doubt real F-16 training would involve dropping bombs on week one, so i am making sure i know how to start and communicate, then fly and then fight. During my time with radios i got to understand airport frequencies, studied a few airport diagrams, etc.
Each session involves ramp start, comms, taxi, takeoff and nav. Following training TE’s but in no rush. I just learn better when i understand, as opposed to just memorizing.
Good luck!
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Thanks everybody; I know what to expect (and not to expect to become an instant fighter pilot; I did not become an instant expert on the other sims either, nor on the real-life G1000 cockpit…) For other beginners or returners: I found Krause’s tutorials on youtube very helpful, concerning proper first steps (which switches to assign, handling of the the data cartridge etc). I won’t be dropping any ordnance in the near future; flying, navigating, and above all understanding all the acronyms on the two displays will have to come first. It helps to be familiar with COM procedures, airport maps etc (from other sims as well as real life), I now have to figure out how to do it in this sim. It is an incredibly deep sim indeed … which is why I chose it.
Always happy landings
Sigmar -
I can see no benefit to reading the manuals completely before touching the jet. You’ll get confused, forget stuff and generally become unmotivated to continue. Certainly skim through them so you know what’s covered but I would suggest starting by reading the Training Manual and flying each mission a few times after reading about it. As you find other stuff you need to know then look in the manuals for that information as needed.
The first thing to learn is how to start the jet; so I would recommend learning the 3 sweep approach to this with reference to the checklist. Couple this with basic handling practice and visual landings to get a firm base to build on. Then add elements that you want to that; be it learning to do an ILS approach and landing, the Air to Ground systems or Air to Air combat.
Just take it in small steps, understand what you’ve learned before moving on and most of all HAVE FUN.
I’m with Tiffy on this. You want some grounding in the manuals but this is (for me at least) a learn by doing thing. The important thing I recommend is to not get frustrated. I remember when I came to BMS ,after many years of F4AF, and how I felt when I couldn’t get the chocks pulled! Then , once I figured to set the radio(s) the jet wouldn’t move because the brake settings weren’t reversed in BMS setup!
So, don’t let this kind of thing bug you, and many of us are here to help.
As for you Saitek question, I have an x-65 and the new 4.33 keyfile is a good one as a starting point. I had a little trouble with TMS, etc., because my system at least wasn’t liking combination commands (ie: shift +home). Also, the Dx method within BMS works well , too, My personal profile is about 50:50 BMS:SST
Speaking of TMS,etc., for full enjoyment of the Viper HOTAS learn what TMS,DMS, Cursor enable, and the pinky switch do. For me they’re the heart of HOTAS, and very rewarding when you start using them correctly -
Agree with what is said above… but if I can offer a little more advice… Don’t take it too seriously. I did that to the point is was not enjoyable anymore. I was doing so much ‘training’ and all my friends were having fun. Don’t forget to enjoy it… It is a game… it is supposed to be fun. There is a certain amount of enjoyment one can get from ‘doing it like the real viper pilots do it’ but you pass a point where it becomes tedious. Have fun and blow some sh1t up!
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Agree with what is said above… but if I can offer a little more advice… Don’t take it too seriously. I did that to the point is was not enjoyable anymore. I was doing so much ‘training’ and all my friends were having fun. Don’t forget to enjoy it… It is a game… it is supposed to be fun. There is a certain amount of enjoyment one can get from ‘doing it like the real viper pilots do it’ but you pass a point where it becomes tedious. Have fun and blow some sh1t up!
I think this comes down to what you see in it. If you want it to be a video game and a simple diversion, then having fun is the point. For me personally, not taking it seriously makes it not fun.
As far as working out whether you personally want it to be a simple diversion or something more, I guess thats something for everyone to work out for themselves.
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Agree with what is said above… It is a game…
Did you really just say that?? :wfish: LOL
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Always remember, the pointy end is supposed to go forward
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With all due respect, IMHO anyone who “just blows stuff up” is wasting an opportunity here. Don’t get me wrong, I welcome anyone to our community, no matter how serious about it they are. However, BMS is offering us so much more.
For example,last night I was flying a mission and I get a “cabin press” warning. I pulled out good ol’ F-4 of the checklist off my “center display” Ipad and fixed it.
I’ve been flying sims for about 20 years, and I have never seen a game(gasp: I called it a game!
) that offers these opportunities for immersion.
So, if you come to BMS with a casual outlook, welcome Compadre, but don’t cheat yourself of an opportunity for more.
(Insert picture of Yours Truly stepping off soapbox) -
In the spirit of answering the question, I find the Training missions to be very helpful and well scripted. I also find that there are far more learning objectives that can be met if one gets creative with them - the Takeoff Training mission is particularly nice if you do more than just takeoff - put yourself in -2 position and fly formation on Lead for the entire route, including the approach and landing at the end…try this two ways - follow the ATC vectors for the landing, and/or ignore ATC vectors and do a section approach to your assigned runway; use the ILS, don’t use the ILS. If you’re just looking to get into some basic airmanship this is one of the best and most useful Training missions in the sim, IMO; there’s a ton of the basics included in there. The Nav and Timing one is another good one - you can also follow that route to home plate and ask for approach and landing. Do these two missions - a lot - and you’ll get the hang of basic control of the jet.
Then go read the manual, do the weapons related Training missions until you can figure out those…and keep doing the Takeoff and Nav and Timing to keep your basic skills sharp.
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Didn’t mean to insult the sim or anything… It is really great… and the fact that so many people have worked on it for free is amazing - I would be more than happy to pay for it. I am just saying that with this intense type of sims (games?) it is easy to become so immersed that you forget to enjoy it.
I don’t want to start the whole real thing versus sim debate but no sim compares to the real thing other than with avionics management. But hey its supposed to be fun… I haven’t flown Falcon for a couple of years now and can’t wait to re-learn again.
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Get to fly online. Depending on your timezone, there are quite a few “fun-squads” out there that help newbies to come along.
Things you should map on the HOTAS:
TMS (for locking/ unlocking targets)
DMS (for switching MFD’s and SOI on the HOTAS)
CMS (for countermeasures and Jammer)
Comm Switch for the radio in multiplayer
Trim comes in handy
MSL-Step/NWS/AR disconnect (a single button)
speedbrake toggle
radar cursor
HOTAS pinky swich
HOTAS cursor enable
Wheel brake in case you have no rudder pedals /w toe brakes
Pickle (have this mapped in DirectX!)
first and second trigger detent (you should have mapped this in DirectX as well) to fire the gun and Laser/ IR pointer on the TGP.Then start with basic flying and do the training missions that come with a nice manual by RedDog. If you finish the training missions, you should be able to employ the most important weapon types.
You can train to employ A-A weapons in the dogfight module.
But the fastest and easiest way is to get airborne with a squad or on falcon online. -
Didn’t mean to insult the sim or anything… It is really great… and the fact that so many people have worked on it for free is amazing - I would be more than happy to pay for it. I am just saying that with this intense type of sims (games?) it is easy to become so immersed that you forget to enjoy it.
I don’t want to start the whole real thing versus sim debate but no sim compares to the real thing other than with avionics management. But hey its supposed to be fun… I haven’t flown Falcon for a couple of years now and can’t wait to re-learn again.
Well, I will concede that if you have the opportunity to fly a real F-16, then flying falcon is not as fun as that. Given the rather limited opportunities most peoplr have in that respect though, it doesn’t seem to affect it.
I personally cannot comprehend the concept of being so inmersed that you don’t have fun. For me, that immersion IS whats fun about it.
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Well, I will concede that if you have the opportunity to fly a real F-16, then flying falcon is not as fun as that. Given the rather limited opportunities most peoplr have in that respect though, it doesn’t seem to affect it.
I personally cannot comprehend the concept of being so inmersed that you don’t have fun. For me, that immersion IS whats fun about it.
I tend to agree with you… I also like the immersion aspect. I really try to role play as an actual F16 pilot when I play and when someones dog barks in the background it does destroy fantasy for me. Some ‘old timers’ in the game were really making it unpleasant for me, however. For example if you fly with a very serious group and make a small mistake sometimes certain people would come down on you like a ton of bricks. I think it is important to fly with people who match your style of play. The interesting thing is when I listen to real radio chatter all the time and it tends to be a lot more casual than people think. We are humans up there. I have listened to a lot of combat pilots radio chatter I find them a lot more relaxed and willing to make a joke once in a while where as the sim community can sometimes take things too seriously.
And no disrespect to ‘old timers’ I am an old timer myself and have been playing Falcon since 2.0. Also I think what I am saying is gradually build it up… Take your time… The secret to life (and for some of us Falcon) is to enjoy the journey and not the destination.
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I agree with finding a group that matches your style. That can be difficult sometimes. My personal approach is to correct mistakes when I see them, or at least discuss it to determine if its a mistake or perhaps a legitimate strategy. Yelling at people, namecalling, and the like does not improve the student as a pilot. Correction where necessary, and adjustment where appropriate, makes for a smoother learning process.
I think with the radio chatter it depends what you are listening to. There are some interesting local radio calls some squadrons make at their home bases which are not useful anywhere else. In combat though, simulated or otherwise, you tend to hear close adherence to brevity and comm formats. People make mistakes and forget things, sure, but its a standard which is generally upheld. Id have to agree with people taking things too seriously sometimes too, though in limited circumstances. Im probably closer to the taking the flying seriously side of things.
Im a little jealous of you, getting to see the improvement from Falcon 2.0 to BMS 4.33! I only got into combat flight sims with 4.32 back in 2012. Its an impressive progression from 32 to 33, but I think nowhere near as awe inspiring as 2.0 to 4.33 must be.
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Blu3wolf it is AMAZING! My first sim I flew was on the Commodore 64 it was called ACE. When I hear people whining about this or that small detail in Falcon or DCS I laugh because something like TrackIR with DCS or Falcon was simply unbelievable to me… Not to mention the comms and online communities.
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Blu3wolf it is AMAZING! My first sim I flew was on the Commodore 64 it was called ACE.
Same. But was on AMSTRAD CPC6128.
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Then Fighter Pilot
Then Fighter Bomber
And the TOP NOTCH … F-16 Combat Pilot.
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Awesome… I remember on the Stealth Fighter F19 came out it was amazeballs! Advertised as so close to the real thing that US intelligence was concerned LMAO. And… and… that was just before the F117A came out!
