About to give up

[Crousader]

I've flown sims before. Got a new Saitek X52. Been at this for 2 weeks straight and signing up for more and I spend most of my flights overshooting on dives, losing visual, getting shot to pieces and/or spending most of the flight blacked out...and shot to pieces.


I've never been so down in my life about flying...

[Rollins]

Dude, stick with it.  I posted almost the exact same thread a while back. Still green but I took everyone's advice, asked plenty of questions and most importantly-got with a trainer.  I'll still overshoot, get shot up and roll my plane on the landing more often than not, but I'm getting better and it's a blast.  It's tough but worth it.  PM me and let me know if you want to fly together sometime, I'll help where I can.

[Mace2004]

Crousader, don't let it get you down.  Aces High has a very steep learning curve but there are lots of things you can do to get up to speed.  First go to the Aces High Trainer's site here  and do some reading up.  There are lots of helpful articles and films that can give you some in-depth background and tips.  I've included a good list of what you should start with below.  There is also a link to request training on the trainer's site.  Head to the Training Arena (it's listed under the On-line arenas) and ask for help.  There's usually at least one of us hanging around, just jump in and ask for help.  Even if one of the trainers aren't there or are tied up there are many players who will jump in to assist.  To identify the trainers call up the clipboard and select roster.  Just please make sure you read the Message of the Day which pops up to the left of your clipboard when you first log into the TA.  It lists the rules and general procedures for the Training Arena that help us maintain some 'semblance of order the decorum.

Here's a list of especially pertinant articles that I've shamlessly copied from another trainer (Schatzi) to get you started:

A very good, short explanation of Murdr on "Energy".
http://trainers.hitechcreations.com/emanage/emanage.htm

This are short rundowns on basic maneuvers:
http://trainers.hitechcreations.com...s/maneuvers.htm
You can download Aces High Film demonstrations on some of them on the homepage http://www.hitechcreations.com under "Downloads - Films".
A very good exercise for Immelmans/merges is shown in this film: http://trainers.hitechcreations.com.../immelexcer.ahf
While when in an actual fight, youll probably not fly the maneuvers "textbook" but rather fly in a way/direction that gets you where and when you want to be, its always good to know them (if only to be able to name them). Also, flying them "correctly" - for example in flat turn dont loose altitude or in an aileron roll dont change your flight path heading (ie nose always points to the same spot) - will practice your command of the aircraft and hones your inputs. Flying aerobatics and through hangars for example can also be a fun way to learn to controll your plane finely.

This thread points to an article (with films as demonstration) that explains the immelman turn on merge, and why it is the best option:
http://forums.hitechcreations.com/f...threadid=186602

Also, id like to stress again how important views (and keeping your eyes on your opponent) are - LOOSE SIGHT; LOOSE FIGHT! Knowing where everyone around you is (enemies as well as friends!), what they are doing and where they are going next is called Situational Awareness (SA) - most important factor in winning (or loosing) a fight. I would say about 80%, if not more. After all, you cannot evade (or shoot for that matter) an enemy that you dont see.
http://trainers.hitechcreations.com/views/views.htm
http://trainers.hitechcreations.com...overthenose.htm

Good luck and feel free ask for help anytime in the TA

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by Crousader
I've flown sims before. Got a new Saitek X52. Been at this for 2 weeks straight and signing up for more and I spend most of my flights overshooting on dives, losing visual, getting shot to pieces and/or spending most of the flight blacked out...and shot to pieces.


I've never been so down in my life about flying...

This isn't a game that you can expect to pick up and be competitive after the 2 week trial.    The trial is just a teaser and wets your appetite and you won't learn what you need to know in that period.

The first thing you should do is seek the assistance of a trainer and go to sites like Netaces.org and read everything they have on that site.  

Now here is my general tip to make the learning curve easier.  I know some will post that I'm wrong, blah blah blah but I've been at these things for 10+ years so I do have a little wisdom to share.

To make it easier to get used to the flight model, I highly recommend that you start off in the Spitfire Mk IX.  It's a great plane and is very easy to fly, which is a necessary trait for the new pilot.  Fly the Spitfire Mk IX until you get used to the flight model.  Once you get used to the flight model and are comfortable flying the plane, you can then start learning some of the more advanced maneuvers and once you become comfortable doing those advanced maneuvers in the Spitfire Mk IX, then you can make the choice to move on and fly other airplanes or continue to fly the Spitfire.  Do not listen to those that call the Spitfire a dweeb's plane.  Those are just bitter players that haven't yet figured out how to fight against the Spitfire and are under the dillusion that it's the plane and not the pilot.

Hope you have fun.  Oh,  as for trainers, ask for Murdr.  Sure, he likes to dress in a skirt but he's a damn good trainer.  Tell him his squadron mate AKAK sent you.


ack-ack

[BaldEagl]

Originally posted by Crousader
I've flown sims before. Got a new Saitek X52. Been at this for 2 weeks straight and signing up for more and I spend most of my flights overshooting on dives, losing visual, getting shot to pieces and/or spending most of the flight blacked out...and shot to pieces.


I've never been so down in my life about flying...

I've flown sims before. Got an old MS Sidewinder 3D Pro.  Been at this for 10 1/2 years straight and signing up for more and I spend most of my flights overshooting on dives, losing visual, getting shot to pieces and/or spending most of the flight blacked out...and shot to pieces.

Every once in a while the tables turn.  What a blast!

[DamnedRen]

It sounds like you came to the game because you enjoy it and WELCOME to AH2!!!

Here's a thought....whenever you think that you're not gonna get it look around at all those guys you are overshooting and then are killing you. Every single one of they were just where you are right now.

In RL the cream of the crop gets picked to fly fighters. In this game everyone has a chance to become the top dogs because you get the chance to make mistakes and do things you could never do in RL.

Yep it's hard but that's because the game programmers were able to model the physics involved in flight and reproduce them here. That means everything you read from all the old aces from past wars actually hold true here too. It also means you have to learn some flying skills and tactics.

You have the right equipment. The X52 is a step in the right direction as it allows you to fly HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick). You can fly and fight without ever touching your keyboard.

I'd suggest you get into the Training Arena (TA) and spend some quality time with any one of the trainers. They can get you correctly setup and give you some tips on using your new setup.

I'm pretty much available this weekend if you want to get together. PM me if you want to.

BTW, what's your in-game call sign?

Hope this helps.

[jazzman1315]

...spend most of my flights overshooting on dives, losing visual, getting shot to pieces...

Hey brother, you took the words right out of my mouth. That's me to a "T".

Being a WWII buff for many years -(reading history saved my sanity when I was having some challenges in Real Life), I am often thankful, and a little torqued, but I am still in one piece physically when I arrive back at the tower. (Whew!, it was only fantasy after all!!)

The thing that makes AH so facinating and addictive is that very challenge! If it was easily mastered, I would get soon bored.

I guage many things by the way it raises your heart  and respiration rate (heh, heh, ) and this is one endevour that ranks right up there with RL racing. (150 mph Go Karts anyone?)

Anytime you see me in the training arena, give me a holler. I'd be happy to practice with you. (My callsign is Trumpman)

[humble]

I've flown sims before

hehe been there:). As mentioned by many here we have a pretty steep learning curve. I am far from the top of the hill....but I'm also not cannon fodder either. My story might help you a bit.

I "signed up" back in the early 90's but couldnt afford AW on genie. Luckily not much later it became available on AOL....as an experienced "simmer" I of course bybassed the "newbie" arena...bypassed the "relaxed" arena and went straight to the "real deal"....visions of dominance....which lasted right up till I couldnt get the @#$% plane off the runway......eh well maybe a bit rusty....off for a hop or two in RR (relaxed realism) to "freshen up". 1st "duel" all I remember is the guy going vertical off the merge....to be honest I didnt see much of anything....but I heard alot....of pings. 10-15 fruitless (and semi planeless) hours later I realized I needed to go to "babysealdom"....I soon realized that I was not a baby seal...but an embrionic one.........arghhhh.

15 years later I'm still "climbing the hill".........

I fly knight as "snaphook"...you can tag along as an observer anytime or fly with us (71st) as a "tag along".......stick with it.....years of relentless misery burnout and total frustration await you.......and I wouldnt trade it for anything you can do on a computer

[kvuo75]

Originally posted by Crousader
I've flown sims before. Got a new Saitek X52. Been at this for 2 weeks straight and signing up for more and I spend most of my flights overshooting on dives, losing visual, getting shot to pieces and/or spending most of the flight blacked out...and shot to pieces.


I've never been so down in my life about flying...

I do the exact thing.. luckily though, there are enough players, so that there are at least a _few_ who are worse at it than I am!!

when I start gettin frustrated in fighters, I take a time out and do something else... take up a set of bombers, go hunting GV's with a bomb carrying jug, drop supplies, drive vehicles, sit on a 5 inch gun on the carrier and take out some revenge,etc I've even had a blast hiding in the bushes in an m3 for an hour.

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by Ack-Ack


Hope you have fun.  Oh,  as for trainers, ask for Murdr.  Sure, he likes to dress in a skirt but he's a damn good trainer.  Tell him his squadron mate AKAK sent you.


ack-ack

Good grief!  Silat got to Murdr too?  Not the fishnets as well I hope?

[Murdr]

It's a kilt, I tell ya!!

[airspro]

I would hope you stay .

I quit at least 3 times cause it bothered me so much .

But in the end it's well worth the time you spend learning this fine online Flightsim game .

I got 1 year of CFS1 and 8 months FA2.5 and came here and got my bellybutton handed to me alot so I quit and rejoined etc , I say quite alot  times  .

Oh yea humble is alot better than me , listen close to all his tips . He's good at teaching IMO .

Just remember if you are wayyyyyyy good , not much to learn etc , you get that burnt out feeling and that's not fun either . So have fun , learn some , get some kills and have fun and remember >


ENJOY it's not the end that is so fun , it's the journey

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by Guppy35
Good grief!  Silat got to Murdr too?  Not the fishnets as well I hope?

I'm afraid so...


ack-ack

[moneyguy]

<=== been here 4 years or so...still get my but kicked. you will get better with time. try schedualing time in the training areana with a trainer. or even just jump in there. at most times there are a vet or two in there that would be more than happy to assist. maybe even try getting into a squad. thats one of the best ways to learn the game more. just keep trying. when you get shot down at least you dont have to fly back to get more ammo and fuel.

[Dichotomy]

^^^

INDEED!!!