Author Topic: Knows Nothing Newbie - Need Help (Read 496 times)

Condor · « **on:** August 29, 2006, 11:13:56 AM »

Aces High has been highly recommended to me and i'm anxious to give it a try. I also have just completed my CH HOTAS and have had almost no experience with the fighterstick, pro-throttle, pedals combination. I have been flying IL-2 using the stick and pedals only. ( I did OK in IL-2 but needed more functions without using the keyboard.) I have not gotten into mapping controllers using CH Control Manager software. I hoped to just set up the basic functions in Aces high and do some flying.

I immediately ran into a problem trying to set up my contollers according to the instructions on the web page. In the controller mapping module I have the choice of mapping CH device 1, 2, or 3. I assumed device 1 was the fightersdtick and the inputs looked OK for pitch and roll using the x and y axes. The Z axis appeared to be fort he throttle wheel on the fighterstick so I did not assign it. I assumed device 2 would be the throttle. I wanted to assign it to throttle of course so I tried to calibrate it to the Z axis of device 2. As far as assigmnments only RPM 1, 2, or 3 seemed to have anything to do with throttle so I chose RPM 1. I saw no throttle assignment choice. I wasn't sure how to deal with moving it through its full range of motion and centering it as instructed so I moved it to full throttle position and all the way back and then pressed OK. I then went to device 3 and was comnpletely lost on what to do for the pedals.

Thinking I had at least airlerons, elevator, and throttle I decided to try flying. I selected the training module, found myself in a mustang with the engine starting. I thought, great, advance the throttle, get it in the aair, and get a feel for the game. I pushed the throttle forward and nothing happened.

Am I on the right track on how to set up the controllers or completely messed up?

Any help will be appreciated.

SAS_KID · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2006, 12:14:45 PM »

the stick should control ailrons and elevators while your rudder pedals should control the rudder. Also im not sure but if the joystick has a slider like a little lever that is for your throttale or more prescise manofold pressure. For RPM's if comes with a lever for that great. Or for my stick it doesn't so i had to set the keys somewhere on my joystick. As for trim controls, set them in places that are easy access for your thumbs and what so ever as if you were in a dogfight so you don't have to let your guard down once you have to trim one way. In addition, welcome to AH and also set views and such to easy access. Of course have fun forget about your score and learn to do the basics before the hard stuff.

Murdr · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2006, 12:49:50 AM »

Map the throttle axis as "throttle 1". That is the problem with your throttle. "Increase/Decrease RPM" controls your prop RPM.

While in the Map Controllers, click on the "Advanced..." button. That will open up a tab that has a graphic display of the axis you have selected. You can then look to that to figure out which axis corrisponds to the axis on your controls.

The 2 "sliders" are the toe brakes on your pedals. Set those to left/right wheel brakes.

Feel free to PM me if you need more help.

Condor · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2006, 05:44:12 PM »

Thanks for the helpful responses. I think I'm getting it. I now not only have throttle control but also flaps and landing gearand can even fly....well, sort of. Now, where to I find the air training wheels?

Dichotomy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2006, 06:44:21 PM »

http://www.netaces.org

Before I started flying I read the help forum going back for about a year. Ya okay it was slow at work but there's a TON of good information there. Follow the advice of netaces then take a lot of time in offline mode practicing everything. Go ahead and leave autotakeoff on. I did it forever with it off but it really is easier. Practice landing and shooting down the drones. There's tutorial in here a few weeks back that shows how to turn on a targeting reticle for lead calculation in offline mode. This will help your gunnery tons.

I made some binders with everything I could glean usefull off of the boards and netaces and read it during my 'man' time in the mornings if you get my meaning.

Be prepared to suck badly for a while. Don't worry about it. I've attributed this game to golf. You're playing against yourself attempting to increase your skill set. You're going to get clobbered in the MA for a while (I still do) but don't let it get you down.

Ask a trainer or a vet to meet with you in the TA for practice. You'll find a lot of people will make time to help a new guy with a good attitude.

Feel free to PM me with any questions you have as well. I'm still WAY noob but I can help you with the basics of getting in the air etc and I'll go to the TA with you and play target for you if we're both on at the same time.

Good luck to you

Condor · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2006, 12:05:51 PM »

Thanks for the good advice. I’ve been reading as many of the help files and how to articles as I have time for. I try to keep a few available for reading in the “throne” room. I just wish my memory were a little better for when I sit down at the computer to use what I’ve read. Right now I’m actually spending more time reading and getting used to which buttons on my CH stick and throttle do what then actually flying. A friend supplied me with a control Manager map that is a big help.

When I fly the two most significant problems I have other than limited skill are:

1) Knowing my altitude, airspeed, and heading.

2) Keeping track of where I am relative to everyone else.

Problem (2) Will, I hope, be taken care of with more practice with the view functions and just flying. (Or, maybe, Track-IR. I’ve been told it works very well in AH. Pro and con comments will be appreciated.)

Problem (1) can only be solved by my eyesight getting better, which it probably won’t, unless like in the IL-2 series sim there is a way to display airspeed, altitude, and heading in plain text on the screen. Is there such a display function? I have not been able to find any reference to one. And before anyone makes the point, yes, it would not be realistic. But then it’s not realistic that I guy my age with my imperfect eyesight would be flying combat missions in a WWII fighter anyway. I also use a CH stick that’s been modified for left hand use so I’ve already given up on realism. I’m sure there are other myopic sim pilots out there. How do you deal with difficulty reading the instruments? I already have a 19” monitor.

Murdr · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2006, 12:22:53 PM »

You will get used to reading the instruments. Do you need to see the numbers on a clock with 3 hands to know what time it is? No. You can tell by the hand positions. Same with the altimeter, and airspeed indicators. Most of the time you don't need to know your exact airspeed, just a general idea. If you do need your exact airspeed, you can bring up the e6b on the clipboard to view that information. You can also use your planes icon on the clipboard to determine your heading by sight. Unless you are flying in an orginized mission, you are not likely to need to use specific degree headings.

As far as keeping track of your spacial relationship with everyone else, your situational awarness will come with experience.

Schatzi · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2006, 12:30:16 PM »

Condor, unfortunatly there is no option that will display the data you require. Youll have to read the gauges im afraid.

One (or rather two) tips i can give you for that is:

- stick to one plane/plane type for the time being. Youll get used to the layout of the cockpit and the gauges and simply seeing the white needle point in a general direction will give you an idea of your air speed.

- even though id usually recommend to map the "look forward" view to one that allows you to see over your nose, in your case you could use it to set up a close up view on your gauges. Just "look forward" (numpad 8 or hatswitch) and adjust your head position such that you have a close up view of all your gauges (arrow keys, page up/down, [ and ] to zoom). F10 to save. Now when you want to read them in flight just look forward for a second.

As for having trouble keeping up with all the buttons and keys.... Just use the VERY basic ones for startes. Like views, WEP, look up, fire buttons and maybe flaps. For the rest use the keyboard for now. As you grow comfortable with flying and your stick, add new functions mapped to Joystick one by one.

Yes, your problem (2) will solve itself with time and practice. Its called Situational Awareness (SA) and is a very important skill (id say about 70% of fighting, if not more). Very important for SA are well set views.

If you use a hatswitch on Joystick for view, you have forward, back, left and right view as well as their combinations. Additionally, you should map one button to view "look UP" (make sure you can hold that button while using your hatswitch!), which again can be combined with the other 8 views. Together with the default center view, this gives you 18 views altogether. Adjust head positions for each view and plane seperatly - arrow keys, page up/down, F10 to save - for maximum visibility.

Holler if you need help with that

.

Edit: Heres a link to Hammers Net Aces on views:
http://www.netaces.org/ahview/view.html#title