Total noob with questions, be warned!

[mmurek]

This is the first flight sim I have ever played and I have only been playing for a day so bear with me. I have been reading the websites and forums so I have found the answers to a lot of my questions already. I am flying a Spit8 as suggested for a first plane on netaces.org, I can get up and fly around OK even knock out the AI. All I am trying to accomplish at this point is getting from one airfield to another and land without crashing, I can do neither. Is there any way to tell where the heck you are while flying, besides just watching your compass and learning the terrain? Any tips on landing? I have read the guide on the trainer site but so far no luck. I am using a joystick, albeit a fairly ancient Wingman Extreme that I have to recalibrate everytime I boot my computer. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Lusche]

Welcome mmurek,

Each time you bring up the clipboard (ESC), the map centers on your plane (shown by the grey plane symbol in the center). INS & DEL is mapzoom, use mouse to drag map around, rightclick on map for more options and legend.
Change airfields when in tower by doublecklicking on them or type .move XX in the text chat box, XX being the field number.

Landing - there's a guide on the Training Corps webpage too. Just keep it as smooth & slow & gentle as possible. Shallow, slow approach.

If still having trouble, come to the Trainign Arena. Even when no official trainer is around there are usually several helpful players there that can help you with such basic problems.

[AWwrgwy]

The ESC key brings up a clipboard with a map.  You are the plane on the map.  You are going in the direction the plane is pointing.  In the Main Arena's, green dots are friendly aircraft and, withing the radar circle of a friendly airbase with functioning radar the red dots are enemy aircraft.

Landing is about getting slow enough to stop flying but not so slow as to fall out of the sky.  Below 200mph you can lower your landing gear.  It is really a balance between throttle and descent.  Cut throttle enough to be able to descend at a speed between 180 and 120mph.  Use flaps if needed for extra lift as you get slow.  Try to keep your speed up above where you start to hear your stall buffet. Any slower and you'll hit the ground faster than you expected.  As you touch down, cut throttle and apply brakes while gently pulling back on the stick to lock the tail wheel.  If you launch back into the air, release back pressure until you are back on the ground.

Some advocate not using your gear at all as it cuts out the "bounce" aspect.  You can usually ditch and slide in on your belly below 200mph as long as your decent angle is not too great.



wrongway

[Max]

Welcome to AH.

Logitech joysticks are generally worthless. Your best bet long term is to save your pennies for CH gear. Meanwhile the Saitek ST290 Pro should suffice for awhile.

[Belial]

I saw someone with a printout picture of EVERY SINGLE Button and command in the game, if your watching pls post it for this guy.

[mmurek]

Thanks for the map info, new what it was and how it functioned, just never thought to hit esc to bring it up while flying, duh! Still working on landing, my main problem seems to be trying to make minor adjustments to get lined up with the runway, I always end up in the grass. I don't think the stick is the total problem, more the operator, but I will definitely take a change into consideration if I decide to get serious about this. Thanks again!

[mmurek]

That printout would be great! A lot to learn, a cheat sheet would certainly help!

[Lusche]

See the One Page Quick Reference PDF on the Aces High Training Corps Website

All important default keys as well as radio info and important .dot commands

[Soulyss]

If you're swerving off the runway on landing, once your speed has bleed off enough try holding the joystick back, this will lock the tailwheel and should reduce the amount of rudder or brake input you'll need to keep the plane tracking straight down the runway.

[malpeake]

One thing to be aware of is the Spit has very narrow landing gear, which makes it tricky to land and take off. Although you can use auto T/O to save some hassle there is no auto landing LOL. Key points in the spit are flaps and gear can only be dropped below 160 MPH and it is best to touch down at about 100 MPH.

[trotter]

Welcome to the game murek. You have a good approach in coming here and asking questions, many new players simply get discouraged, never seek advice and never learn the game (or worse, learn the game improperly). The advice you've been given so far is all good, the only thing I might add is something regarding landing. You said you have trouble lining up and actually touching down on the runway. This is where rudder is very useful. Use rudder to make minor course corrections and you will not need to take the time to roll one way or the other. Rudder also creates drag, which bleeds off excess airspeed, which can also help you in getting slow enough to land.

Remember when landing, if you think you are slow enough and still flying, you can always get slower. The easiest landings are actually controlled stalls: the plane stalls just as the wheels are touching down. If you land as slow as possible (use flaps), and try when possible to use "3 point" landings (centerline wheels and tailwheel touch at the same time), your landings should not be any issue at all. Just takes patience, and practice. Good luck.

[SRD]

I saw someone with a printout picture of EVERY SINGLE Button and command in the game, if your watching pls post it for this guy.

Not sure if this is what your refering to but Ciaphas made some keyboard cheat sheets that may be helpful. You can find them in this thread http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,259270.0.html

[mmurek]

I am getting better guys, I actually crashed ON the runway this last time! If I had remembered to drop my gear and hit the flaps I might have made it! Seriously though thanks for all the help and I am taking it all in, the response I have gotten here in such a short time is incredible. This forum is very impressive so far and thanks again!

[Lusche]

I am getting better guys, I actually crashed ON the runway this last time! If I had remembered to drop my gear and hit the flaps I might have made it!

Actually dropping gear isn't strictly necessary to get a successful landing message. As long as you and on runway you are fine.
In some situations, particularly when having lost one gear due to battle damage, it's even highly advisable NOT to lower your gear at all.

[projoe]

Spit not easy to land...you might want to try something like a p38 to practice landing.