chucksguides

Secret Documents #195: AH-64D Guide Update - Datalink

Hi folks!

I have been waiting to sink my teeth into the AH-64's datalink for a long, long time. I have been quite impressed by the sheer amount of functionalities embedded into this helicopter... and now is the time to explore what a good team of Apache pilots can do. Sharing targets, various reports, assigning fire zones... all that stuff is a real game-changer when it comes to the modern battlefield. This section is quite dense, you've been warned!

2024-09-04 11:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post

September 2024 - Month of Whirlybirds

Hi folks!

This month should be exciting for helicopter fans. There are currently three main things on my plate:

• Updating the AH-64D Apache guide

• Creating a "quick guide" for the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior

• Creating a start-up procedure for the CH-47F Chinook

The Apache update has been o...

Secret Documents #194: AH-64D Guide Update - FCR (Fire Control Radar)

Hi folks!

Let's talk about the long-awaited AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radar (FCR). Overall, it is a surprisingly simple sensor to use with very powerful capabilities. However, you will have to use it in conjunction with others sensors like the TADS to ensure you are firing at a valid target, which is where its LINK feature comes in very handy.

2024-08-29 11:00:08 +0000 UTC View Post

A bit of Housekeeping for summer 2024

Hi folks,

Just letting you know that I have just updated a few things that might be of interest. Enjoy!

F-16C Viper Guide Changelog (14/08/2024): 

• Updated Datalink section to reflect new TNDL (Tactical Network Datalink) implementation

• Added TDOA (Time Difference on Arrival) Assignment & updated HTS logic accordingly

• Updated start-up procedure to ensure proper Datalink setup

• Added VSR (Velocity Sea...

  2024-08-14 20:51:51 +0000 UTC View Post

Secret Documents #193: MB-339 Guide - Start-Up, Takeoff & Landing

Hi folks!

Here is an introductory guide for the MB-339. It includes the start-up procedure, takeoff and landing. I had worked on it a while back when I had a little time and I thought... why not share it? I don't intend to work on it for a while, but I think it was something cool to show.

Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the draft.

August 2024 - Pucker Factor

Hi folks!

I have been very quiet lately and I apologize for it.

Recently, there have been a few tragic events in my personal life. Rest assured, I am surrounded by friends and loved ones to go through it, but this means I have to take a bit of time to recover, slow things down and take care of myself. Accepting that change is part of life is often harder than one would think, and I find it especially hard to realize that there are times when you simply will not get any answers as ...

F-15E Strike Eagle Guide Released!

Greetings, everyone!

The long wait is over, the F-15E Strike Eagle guide is finally here. The page count is above 900 pages.

This project was a roller coaster from start to finish. Two cockpits, many heavily-integrated systems modelled to an unprecedented depth, RAZBAM-gate, a community ever-hungry ...

July 2024 - Freedom!

Hi folks,

The Strike Eagle guide will release on July 17. The draft is complete and I am currently reviewing things to fix typos, find mistakes, etc. If anyone feels like lending a helping hand in proofreading parts of the document, please let me know. This will only make the final product better and benefit everyone in the process.

This means I will (finally) be free to work on other th...

Secret Documents #192: F-15E Guide - Navigation

Hi folks!

Let's navigate to the finish line, shall we?

Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the draft.

Secret Documents #191: F-15E Guide - Air-to-Air Refueling

Hi folks!

Even if the F-15 can carry a most unreasonable amount of fuel, air-to-air refueling is still a useful skill to acquire when flying missions in DCS. As you may realize, we're almost within reach of the final section... almost there, I can smell it! Or are those jet fuel vapes taking a toll?

Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the draft.

Secret Documents #190: F-15E Guide - IFF & Radios

Hi folks!

Time to identify friend from foe and talk on the radio!

Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the draft.

Secret Documents #189: F-15E Guide - Flight Controls & Autopilot

Hi folks!

Even if the F-15 is a real "pilot's plane", there is still some measure of control augmentation throughout the aircraft. We'll talk a bit about how the aircraft is flown, its limitations and how to reduce your workload when flying complex missions.

The pilot can employ a number of basic autopilot modes such as Heading Hold, Attitude Hold, and Attitude Hold (HDG, ALT, ATT), which can also be combined. There are also other advanced (or "blended") modes that allow the air...

Secret Documents #188: F-15E Guide - Defensive Systems

Hi folks!

We have talked about weapons for so long... sometimes one could almost forget that the Strike Eagle can actually defend itself! In this draft, we'll explain the TEWS (Tactical Electronic Warning System), which comprises countermeasures, radar warning receiver and electronic warfare equipment. Four systems form the core of TEWS:

• AN/ALR-56C Radar Warning Receiver (RWR): displays threat identification and location information to the aircrew on any s...

  2024-06-13 11:00:10 +0000 UTC View Post

Secret Documents #187: F-15E Guide - Weapons (All Parts)

Hi folks!

I did a first revision pass on the Weapons section and thought that maybe some of you might want to have it all in a single file. After all, that's roughly 300 pages worth of stuff.

Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the draft.

June 2024 - The Elephant in the Room

Hi folks,

I have always seen honesty as the best policy when it comes to communication.

Since these last few weeks, there have been statements made by RAZBAM and Eagle Dynamics regarding the state of the Strike Eagle, and ongoing "issues" between both parties that have yet to be solved. I am just as much in the dark as everyone else, but it is clear to me that the Mudhen's days in DCS may be numbered if the situation does not get resolved, support is dropped by RAZBAM and Eagle Dy...

Secret Documents #186: F-15E Guide - Weapons (Part 4)

Hi folks!

The F-15E air-to-air weapon section is complete. We employ the M61A1 Vulcan Cannon, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-7 Sparrow, and AIM-120 AMRAAM to great effect. This is one HUGE gordian knot finally untangled.

Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the draft.

A Phun Phriday Phor Phantom Phans

Hi folks!

So, the Phantom's out and you want to get this baby up in the air? Check out this quick guide! See attached pdf.

(Seriously, this trend of misspelling everything needs to stop).

Have a good week-end!

Chuck

Secret Documents #185: F-4E Guide - Start-Up, Takeoff & Landing

Hi folks!

Apparently, the Heatblur F-4E Phantom II is releasing tomorrow.

Since the F-4 release is dear to my heart and I feel like celebrating, I thought it wouldn't really be fair to keep this post locked behind a paywall for who knows how many months before a complete guide is released. Therefore, for this special occasion I will make this short draft public on Friday to everyone. Let's call that... "Phreaky Phriday" or something?

2024-05-20 11:00:11 +0000 UTC View Post

May 2024 - The Big Picture

Hi folks,

This month started with the difficult task of finishing the F-15E air-to-ground weapon employment procedures. I grossly underestimated the amount of work involved, bringing the current page count in the 600s already. Utter madness. I think I may have gone a bit overboard in terms of how much info I added (and whether all of it was really necessary or not), but I guess that's a lesson I'll have to reflect upon at a later time. After that comes air-to-air and IFF, which should h...

Secret Documents #184: F-15E Guide - Weapons (Part 3)

Hi folks!

I have finally wrapped up the F-15E air-to-ground weapon section. We dig in deep into JDAM (GBU-38, GBU-31, GBU-54) and JSOW (AGM-154) territory... and air-to-ground gun runs for good measure.

At first, I thought of doing something simple as I often do with JDAMs... Targeting pod designation, weapon release, and Bob's your...

Secret Documents #183: F-15E Guide - Weapons (Part 2)

Hi folks!

The journey through F-15E air-to-ground capabilities continues. This time around, we employ various cluster munitions (Mk-20 Rockeye, CBU-87, CBU-97), laser-guided bombs (GBU-12) and anti-runway penetration bombs (BLU-107 Durandal). Some of these procedures are fairly simple on the surface but can get quite technical if you want to attack certain targets in a specific profile. I tried to provide as much useful information as I...