chucksguides

Secret Documents #128: AH-64D Guide - Sensors & Sights Part 1

Hi folks!

Let's go through the different sensors of the Apache. This week, we will mainly do an overview of the different sensors and sights, then we will dive into the functionalities of the IHADSS (Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System) and how it is integrated with the TADS and PNVS. The TADS and PNVS will be explored in greater detail in the Secret Documents Post #129.

2022-05-02 11:01:02 +0000 UTC View Post

May 2022 - Month of Resilience

Hi folks,

The AH-64 guide is still coming along, although a bit slower than expected. Of course, there is the complexity of the helicopter that is partly responsible for that, but I am also currently going through some difficult events in my personal life. I want to make sure you all know that despite all that, I have not forgotten about you and that I will keep working on making the Apache guide a quality product. I have never been one to give up.

2022-05-01 11:01:02 +0000 UTC View Post

Secret Documents #127: AH-64D Guide - Takeoff & Landing

Hi folks!

This week, we learn how to takeoff and land in the AH-64. Overall, it is an easy helicopter to taxi due to its main landing gear and its tailwheel (which can be locked or unlocked). While there are many different takeoff methods, we will explore the two most commonly used: the Level Acceleration Takeoff and the Rolling Takeoff.

Regarding the landing methods, we will talk about ...

Secret Documents #126: AH-64D Guide - Start-Up

Hi folks!

Let's start up the Apache. The process isn't the most complicated, but there are many small little things that a crew has to take into account if they want to be mission-ready. In most guides, I try to stick to the bare minimum since there are many different weapon configuration types possible... however I decided to go a little deeper for the AH-64 since you have three main weapon types to set up for a normal mission.

2022-04-08 11:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post

April 2022 - Month of the Apache

Hi folks,

With the Apache going live, the journey to learn this deadly attack helicopter has just begun.

I've spent the last few days getting acquainted with the cockpit, start-up procedures and the relatively mundane aspects of flying the AH-64. So far, the visuals are simply mind-blowing. Just like they did with the re...

Secret Documents #125: AH-64D Guide - Cockpit & Equipment Part 2

Hi folks!

This time, we hop in the cockpit of the  CPG (Copilot/Gunner) and explore the equipment installed on the helicopter.

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

Secret Documents #124: AH-64D Guide - Cockpit & Equipment Part 1

Hi folks!

Let's check out the pilot's cockpit. Despite its complex systems, the cockpit of the AH-64 feels very "clean" compared to russian helicopters like the Hind bristling with a bazillion switches. Most of the controls are placed on the cyclic and collective, which will be an interesting challenge for players with few bindings available. I'm keeping this in mind as I create my own control profiles, checking what is an essential binding to have vs what is not. The pilot bindings wil...

Crank up, the Apache is here!

The wait is over. Time to get to work.

F-5E Tiger II Guide Update

Hi folks!

The F-5 guide has been needing a complete overhaul for a long time. Well, the wait is now over. I've put the old version in the shredder and started anew, trying to put to good use what I have learned in the recent years. Hopefully, the document will be much more useful to F-5 drivers. The page count went from 70 to 230+ pages. 

Special thanks to Enigma and Tricker for helping with proofreading.

I hope you enjoy the read!

2022-03-11 12:01:02 +0000 UTC View Post

Secret Documents #123: F-5E Tiger II Update - The Last Stretch

Hi folks!

The F-5 guide update release is approaching and is planned for this Friday, March 11. This draft contains the following sections:

• PART 12 – DEFENCE: RWS AND COUNTERMEASURES
• PART 13 – IFF (IDENTIFY-FRIEND-OR-FOE)
• PART 14 – RADIO
• PART 15 – NAVIGATION

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

Secret Documents #122: F-5E Tiger II Update - Weapons

Hi folks!

This section was literally thrown in the garbage and re-done from scratch. This time, we explore weapon procedures in much more depth. The attack profiles don't quite match the ones in the real flight manual (likely a Belsimtek issue), so I linked both the real and the "DCS-specific" attack profiles. It's not perfect, but it's honest work. 

Feel free to consult the attache...

Secret Documents #121: F-5E Tiger II Update - Radar

Hi folks!

In this draft, we explore the radar capabilities. This time around, I tried to explain the differences between various modes a bit better and in what situations they should be used. I also elaborated on the optical sight system since it is closely integrated with the radar to display the range to the target. While the radar itself isn't use to guide missiles per se, it is a valuable tool to increase your situational awareness and give you a way to estimate the distance to the ...

Secret Documents #120: F-5E Tiger II Update - Engine & Fuel Management

Hi folks!

Powerplant and fuel systems are probably some of my favorite sections to write about. It's interesting to note that the F-5 still has two J85 turbojet engines, which were starting to become outdated at that time. They won't give you the raw powerful thrust of the MiG-21, but the agility of the F-5 still makes it a serious threat to be reckoned with. I've added a few important notes for the fuel sections, especially when it came to fuel balancing and the external fuel tank jett...

March 2022

Hi folks,

My heart goes out to the brave people of Ukraine.

Work continues on the F-5E Tiger II guide update.

That is all. 

Secret Documents #119: F-5E Tiger II Update - Start-Up, Takeoff & Landing

Hi folks!

Here's the start-up procedure, with the takeoff and landing sections as well. I managed to fix a couple of "oopsies" that were there since 2016, so the process had some real practical use after all. 

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

Secret Documents #118: F-5E Tiger II Update - Cockpit Description

Hi folks!

With the Apache delay and a little bit of time to kill... I wanted to experiment with a few concepts for the F-5E Tiger II update I was planning to do this year. The first attempts were quite underwhelming and frustrating; the module is starting to really show its age and has been neglected for quite some time by Belsimtek/Eagle Dynamics. With the Heatblur F-4 planned for 2022, I thought it would be a shame to leave the F-5 guide in such a "meh" state while the MiG-21 got its ...

JF-17 Thunder Guide Update

Hi folks!

The JF-17 Thunder guide needed an enormous amount of house cleaning, especially since I haven't really worked significantly on it since December... of 2019. This time, the update is focused on the air-to-ground radar, start-up procedure, air-to-air refueling and numerous fixes here and there. The page count increased from 390+ to 480+ pages.

Click 2022-02-15 11:01:02 +0000 UTC View Post

Secret Documents #117: JF-17 Thunder Update - Air-to-Ground Radar

Hi folks!

The previous air-to-ground radar section was pretty barebones. Back then (in December 2019, when the JF-17 module was first released), air-to-ground radar simulation was in its infancy. It was before the Hornet and the Viper got their ground mapping/tracking modes and air-to-ground expanded/doppler-beam-sharpening modes. DCS was in a different place... no new clouds, semi-broken patches every week or so, old lighting... In a mere two years, the landscape of the flight simulati...

Secret Documents #116: JF-17 Thunder Update - Air-to-Air Refueling

Hi folks!

With the addition of the refueling probe, the JF-17 can now perform air-to-air refueling. Let's look at the visual references together and see how the process goes. 

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

Mosquito & Hind Guides Updated!

Hi folks!

The Mosquito and Hind guides have just been updated. The Mossies' brand new RP-3 (3-inch rocket projectiles) come in a variety of flavors, all of them deadly.

2022-02-04 13:01:03 +0000 UTC View Post

"Phebruary" 2022 - Month of Opportunities

Hi folks!

Last month was very rock n' roll in terms of news. Heatblur Simulations announced the legendary, the "phabulous" F-4E Phantom II... a brand new DCS module planned for 2022. For those of you that know me well... this aircraft is probably one of my favorite jets in my favorite period in aviation. I've spent my youth reading about Robin Olds and the Vietnam war. This aircraft is going to be something amazing to ...

F-16C Viper Guide Update #2

Hi folks!

The F-16 guide has been gathering dust since 2020, so there was a lot to catch up. Eagle Dynamics has provided many new toys, so I think it was about time I switched into high gear. The page count increased from 540+ to 720+ pages... but I know it will eventually keep growing as Eagle Dynamics eventually adds other much needed features such as the DTC and missing DED pages.

Clic...

Secret Documents #115: F-16C Guide Update - HMCS

Hi folks!

Previously, the Helmet-Mounted Cueing System section was a bit barebones. I decided to add a better breakdown of symbology and the new HMCS alignment procedure. I also included a few designation methods. They're a bit quirkier than in the Hornet or the A-10, but once you get the hang of it, things go smoothly. The update of the guide is almost coming to an end... I can feel it!

Secret Documents #114: F-16C Guide Update - HARMs and the HTS Pod

Hi folks!

This week, we take a bite at the HARM missile and its brand new HTS (HARM Targeting System) Pod. We will first touch at the new position modes and how they are used without the HTS pod.  We already talked about the HAS (HARM As Sensor) mode previously, but this time we will see what the POS (Position) mode allows you to do. Basically, POS mode requires you select a steerpoint where the target is expected to be, then you attack using the best sub-mode required for the situ...

Secret Documents #113: F-16C Guide Update - JDAM & JSOW

Hi folks!

This time, we play with some new toys: JDAMs and JSOWs. They are fairly easy to employ, so I included a few different designation techniques to give new players a few options, including employment with steerpoints, the targeting pod, the fire control radar and the heads-up display.

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

Secret Documents #112: F-16C Guide Update - Air-to-Ground Radar

Hi folks!

Let's start 2022 with the Viper update. The first big chunk of information is about the radar's air-to-ground and sea search modes. While the GM (Ground Mapping) and GMT (Ground Moving Target) modes can be used by weapons like the Maverick, JDAMs, bombs or other equipment... the Sea Search mode is less useful since no air-to-ship missiles like the Harpoon were equipped for the version of the F-16 we have in DCS. Nevertheless, there are a few cool things you can do with the FCR...

Strapping in 2022

Happy new year, everyone!

Looking Back - A Year of Hardship

2021 Review: Half-a-Star, and I'm being generous. Would not recommend.

Across most industries, it's been a year of constant delays and unforeseen challenges... but I feel sometimes you don't have a choice to keep your chin up and keep going forward. (Insert a nonsensical/inspirational story narrated by Te...

Mirage 2000C Guide Update (v2.7.8)

Hi folks!

RAZBAM recently updated the Mirage systems, so I had to re-write a couple of sections, bringing the page count from 270+ to 330+ pages.

Click here to see more!

Changelog (22/12/2021):

• Re-wrote entire radar section
• Updated air-to-air gun sym...
  2021-12-22 16:39:51 +0000 UTC View Post

Secret Documents #111: Mirage 2000C Guide Update - Méli-Mélo

Hi folks!

The Mirage guide update release date is approaching rapidly as I'm racing across the finish line. Here's a melting-pot of new or revised sections across the document that might interest some of you. There's stuff about air-to-air guns, the S530D and Magic II missiles, BAP-100 anti-runway bombs, IFF, the INS stored heading (ALCM) alignment, tactical waypoints (buts tactiques), and much more that isn't necessarily included in this specific draft.

2021-12-18 16:44:30 +0000 UTC View Post

Secret Documents #110: Mirage 2000C Guide Update - Radar Part 2

Hi folks!

Now comes the interesting part of the radar re-work. As you can see, some of the terminology has changed and there are some new radar modes as well.

An interesting addition is the TAF (Téléaffichage) system, which is a GCI (Ground Control Interception) system that is meant to use ground control stations (airfields, SAM search radars, EWR (Early Warning Radar), etc.) to send g...