I read the instructions...but, HELP

[Luke Skydiver]

I read all of the instructions on how to fly the damn airplain, but I cant get the darn thing in to the air. I keep spining and runing over sheep (those poor dang things). And when I go straight and try to take off, I hear this strange banging noice and just run over some more ship and then the track ends and I fall over a cliff. Id apreciate it if anyone could give me some more specific instruction, or Id like to  know if the programing team is going to make some sort of lift of program for us non-flying dummies...thanks in advance.

[Azrael]

After starting the engines, center joystick and hit shift-x to engage autotrim on angle. The AP light should be red then. Don't move the stick unless you're in the air.

(The rattling noise you hear is the stall indicator - don't pull the joystick back that much on takeoff, let the plane climb itself).

Az

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Azrael
XO 487th BG (Heavy)
'The Gentlemen from Hell'

[-raxx-]

If you want to take off without the autopilot on then a couple of notches of flap wouldn't hurt, half throttle till you get the nose down and then ease up to full throttle once the tailwheel is off the ground.

Initially I'd practice offline with about 25% fuel in the tanks and no ordinance or drop tanks, (the plane will respond faster to the controls as it is lighter).  When you get more confident try heavier fuel/bomb loads.

Spotcha in the Air

[Minotaur]

Luke;

I am by no means an expert. I, like you had a very difficult time with this at first.

1st - Joystick calibration is as crucial to being successful in this game, as Oxygen is being in the air we breath. Delve in the BBS arcives, procedures have been posted many times.

Basically to start, insure that you have maximum joystick movement for minimum control output. This game requires smooth slow movements, especially for takeoff.

2nd - I find this a useable formula to take off succesfully. I will describe the P-51, as it seems as unruly as any (109 shudder shudder  ) to get up.

1) Practice offline with 25% fuel to start

2) Adjust aileron trim to almost full left

3) Pull the joystick to the full back position
** This locks the tailwheel and stabilizes the plane

4) Advance the throttle smoothly and slowly until full, then apply WEP power
** There is a small ball in the cockpit display, try to keep this ball in the middle of its display --> You do this by applying the same direction rudder as the ball has moved. IE: Ball moves left apply left rudder
** Initially, as you roll, the plane will want to veer to the right slightly
** As more power is applied it will want to veer to the left very hard, watch the ball and the runway --> counter steer with right rudder

5) When you hear the stall horn going off (around 100mph) --> slowly ease the joystick forward to the nuetral position.
** Be ready, as soon as the tail comes up the plane wants to do a little "Whup-de-Doo", don't over correct with the rudder just a little nudge
** You will be probably be applying alot of right rudder at this time --> As speed increases you can ease up this right rudder pressure

6) Continue down the runway, at about 150mph ease back on the stick again, you should take off
** Again, be ready for a "Whup-de-Doo" --> correct to maintain wings level flight
** Just as I lift off I generally release almost all of the right rudder pressure

7) Once you get to wings level and climbing raise your gear
** As your speed increases you will need to retrim
** Trimming and re-trimming your plane is a constant neccessity during flight

There are other methods, I have found this to be quickly learned one. I learned it. It has to be easy.

Good Luck to you! I hope you have fewer crash landings than I did.

Mino