Hi folks!
The DCS Viper received a few new functionalities over the last few months. As I am combing through patch notes, I have to review huge chunks of the guide to make sure I'm not forgetting about new system logics.
For the navigation systems, the implementation of INS drift has posed a few interesting challenges for F-16 drivers. Dropping JDAMs is longer a done deal if the navigation system has accumulated significant amounts of drift in both position and altitude. The...
2023-01-28 23:43:51 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
With the Black Shark III expansion, I thought it would be a good idea to improve a few lacking sections on top of adding the new features implemented by Eagle Dynamics. So there it is. The page count increased from 200+ to 420+... happy reading!
Click here to see more!
Changelog (1...
2023-01-18 14:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
It's time to talk about an important new feature of the Black Shark III expansion: the ODS (Onboard Defense System), which also includes a missile warning system (MWS) and an automatic flare dispensing system. This significantly increases the Black Shark's survivability in missions swarming with IR missiles.
2023-01-15 12:00:02 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
This time around, we talk about the powerplant and fuel systems, which I basically glossed over in the previous version of the guide. This may not seem important to some, but I think you'll definitely find this useful once you start getting dinged up by hot lead flying in the air.
Fee...
2023-01-14 12:00:02 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
The quest to provide a better Black Shark guide continues. The previous version was very much an abbreviated overview of weapon systems... this time around, we dig in much deeper and cover the majority of available weapons, including the brand new Igla air-to-air missile.
Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the draft.
2023-01-13 12:00:05 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
There is a massive amount of work going to update the Ka-50 Black Shark to the "Black Shark III" standard. This isn't going to be just a small update... it's almost an entire rewrite of multiple sections in order to bring it up to par with my other helicopter guides. I thought I would share with you the Sensors section, which has been expanded and vastly improved over what we had before.
2023-01-11 12:00:03 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
The Hind module was given a few new features in the last months, so I thought it was about time to include them in the guide.
Click here to see more!
Changelog (10/01/2023):
- Added R-60M Aphid IR Missile
- Added aft gunner tutorial
- Updated 9M120...
2023-01-10 11:00:02 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
The Sabre guide got a brand new remaster. It was one of these "legacy" guides that was gathering a lot of dust and that wasn't up to snuff with the current library. Therefore, I standardized the formatting, cleaned up a few sections and significantly expanded some sections like the one for the Powerplant and Fuel Systems. I added an intro, added a proper profile for control bindings, expanded the cockpit description, added a few pretty pictures, added better e...
2023-01-06 12:00:03 +0000 UTC
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Happy new year, everyone!
Looking Back - A Year of Loss, Turmoil & Grit
For me, 2022 was a year of ups and downs. On one hand, I have realized one of the hardest projects I have ever worked on. On the flip side, events in my personal life have tested me to my breaking point. I have learned some hard lessons along the way, but that's just how it is sometimes. Happiness is a fickle creature, but in my mind there is no point in dwelling on what was lost; someti...
2023-01-05 22:03:51 +0000 UTC
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Greetings, everyone!
At last, the AH-64D Apache guide is here.
I am a few months behind schedule and I apologize to all of you for that. This project was a huge undertaking, and I still have trouble wrapping my head around the fact that I started working on it back in March of this year... 9 months ago. ...
2022-12-23 19:57:41 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
This week, we talk about two important subjects: multicrew and the George AI. Flying with a buddy has never been more fun in the Apache, give it a try!
Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the draft.
2022-12-16 12:00:03 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
Let's talk about the autopilot hold modes for a bit. This isn't the simplest subject since there are many conditions that impact activation or deactivation of specific hold modes, but hopefully the formatting is helpful enough to make it understandable. If it's still confusing, please let me know and I'll try to find another way to present the information (or maybe even trim down/simplify some sections).
2022-12-09 12:00:08 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
Last month was mainly spent on the Navigation section of the Apache guide. Once again, it took longer than expected due to the sheer ungodly amount of information displayed on the Tactical Situation Display page. [Insert relevant "Boy that escalated quickly" meme here.] Apart from that, things are going smoothly for the remaining sections.
Oh, and... December 23rd will b...
2022-12-03 15:39:22 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
Let's wrap up the navigation section with the ADF (Automatic Direction Finder) system. I might expand this section in the future with more advanced pattern work, but for now I think what we have is good enough to understand the basics.
Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the ...
2022-11-30 12:00:08 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
Another day, another draft. The coffee pot is still warm, so there's still hope we can get through this!
This week, we explore different point types. Instead of blurting out everything in a gigantic table, I tried to split symbols, IDENT codes and descriptions in a manner that isn't too difficult to read. We also explain how to add/delete them, navigate with them, and how to program custom routes.
2022-11-25 12:00:08 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
Let's dig into navigation systems! This week, we will introduce the basic tools at our disposal, including the TSD (Tactical Situation Display) page. The TSD has a number of very interesting features such as the ability to display different moving map types, select different targets or navigation points using the cursor, a Battle Area Management functionality (think of something like Windows Paint but for an attack helicopter) and even a list of abbreviations for all these baz...
2022-11-10 12:00:06 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
Another month, another post about the Apache. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With five more sections to go, we are approaching the long-awaited release day:
- Part 19 - Navigation
- Part 20 - Autopilot
- Part 21 - Multicrew
- Part 22 - George AI
- Part 1 - Introduction
Of course, I will need some additional time to do a proper proofreading pass, as you can imagine. Bets are on for the final page count!...
2022-11-01 11:00:10 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
This time, I had a special request to showcase my control bindings a bit earlier than usual. So, there it is! It is not meant to be the best or most optimal profile ever, but it's one that works for me. I have also included Tuuvas' great X-Box/Playstation Controller profiles.
Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the draft.
2022-10-28 11:00:08 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
This week, we have a chunky preview for the following sections:
- Part 9 - Principles of Helicopter Flight
- Part 10 - Autorotation
- Part 11 - Mission Types & Operation
- Part 12 - HOCAS & TEDAC Grips
- Part 17 - IFF (Identify-Friend-or-Foe)
- Part 18 - Radio Tutorial
Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the dr...
2022-10-23 11:00:05 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
This week, we will touch a more "relaxing" topic. We've talked ad nauseam about sensors, weapons, countermeasures and all that complicated mumbo jumbo. Today, we will talk about engine operation and other various systems of the AH-64D. Take a sip of tea or coffee, and enjoy the read!
Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the draft.
2022-10-07 11:00:07 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
As you may have seen in the recent weeks, the Apache guide has been progressing an awful lot. The most difficult sections (sensors, weapons and defensive systems) being completed, all that remains are more or less "known" quantities in terms of workload. I'm not going to state a release date yet, but we're getting closer to the finish line by each week. End of November does not seem like an unreasonable estimate so far (no promises though).
2022-10-05 11:01:01 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
We will now dive into the AH-64's defensive systems. We will briefly talk about the ASE (Aircraft Survivability Equipment) system as a whole, and then we will dive into the AN/APR-39A(V)4 Radar Signal Detecting Set, which basically works as a radar warning receiver (RWR). Then, we will learn more about the the AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS). The AN/AVR-2A Laser Signal Detecting Set and AN/ALQ-136(V)5 Electronic Radar Jammer not being implemented yet, we will le...
2022-09-28 15:35:44 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
This week, we finally wrap up the Weapons section with a whole 100+ pages worth of Hellfire procedures. It took longer than I anticipated, but there it is! The AGM-114 missile is a very versatile weapon, and I thought I would spend some extra effort trying to cover as many modes as possible.
I have recently reached the 500-page mark for the AH-64 guide... it's only a matter of time before I power through the last sections and "release the kraken" to the public. Thank you...
2022-09-23 11:00:07 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
This week, we talk about rockets. The AH-64's ARS (Aerial Rocket Sub-System) has interesting features such as articulated hardpoints that allow the pilot to aim unguided rockets directly with the helmet (or the TADS) on a target, while the Rocket Steering Cursor provides steering cues to line up the helicopter with a valid firing solution. Rockets are mainly an area suppression weapon reserved for soft targets, so expect the use of rockets in the Apache to be closer to a mobil...
2022-09-03 11:01:02 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
September is now upon us. Work continues on the Apache's weapon systems (more specifically rockets and Hellfire missiles). These topics can be quite complicated at times, but so far I believe the tutorials should (hopefully) be straightforward enough to follow without having you dear readers want to bash your head against a brick wall.
While the AH-64 does not have tons of weapo...
2022-09-02 11:01:01 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
Let's kick things into high gear. That's the part many of you have been waiting for. This time, we will learn more about the M230 30 mm chain-gun, which is a component of the M139 AWS (Area Weapon System).
Feel free to consult the attached pdf to see the draft.
2022-08-23 11:00:06 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
After the long wait, here is the TADS (Target Acquisition & Designation Sight) section. I also added a few notes on the PNVS (Pilot Night Vision System). Take note that I also updated the Secret Documents post #128 to include target storing information with the IHADSS. Enjoy!
Feel...
2022-08-14 11:01:02 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
I'm still hard at work on the Apache Guide. I hope to make some drafts available within the next few days. Things are ramping up, and I can't wait to show you some of the stuff I've been working on.
The recent launch of Aerges' Mirage F1 is great news for the flight simulation world. For those of you who ...
2022-08-01 16:22:57 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
I know I haven't given much news lately, but that's mainly because I've been busy on the Apache guide. The TADS section is nearing completion. This feels like one big Gordian knot, but I think I may have finally found a way to present things in a way that's both readable and practical.
Once I'm through with the TADS and PNVS sections, I will finally be able to tackle the W...
2022-07-28 11:01:02 +0000 UTC
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Hi folks!
First, I want to apologize for the recent lack of updates; I also want to thank you all for your patience and kind words. These last few months have been a long and painful process of grief for me. Thankfully, the worst is behind me and my life is slowly starting to regain some form of normalcy. This means that work has resumed on the AH-64 guide. No, it's not dead yet!
I ...
2022-07-05 12:01:02 +0000 UTC
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