Aces High Bulletin Board

Help and Support Forums => Help and Training => Topic started by: slimey_J on January 21, 2006, 03:47:51 PM

Title: Cockpit Trainer?
Post by: slimey_J on January 21, 2006, 03:47:51 PM

I've been kicking around the idea of a cockpit trainer for AHII. Something done in Flash that would introduce new players to the various instruments that they encounter in AHII aircraft. My question, though, is whether or not there is an audience for it... do most newcomers to AHII already have a basic understanding of aviation instrumentation? Would a cockpit trainer actually see much use? Cheers.

Title: Cockpit Trainer?
Post by: Soda on January 21, 2006, 04:09:05 PM

There have been a couple of posts in the past in regards to general knowledge of the instrumentation in the cockpits.  Of course, there are now more variations based on the re-development of some of the aircraft so there are "versions" of instruments to learn.  I don't remember many questions recently in regards to instrument/dash but it's something that might have an audience, just not sure.  I know I had a landing overview in a PDF that showed how to read the intruments and gave some individuals an overview some time ago.. whether I even still have it is unknown.

Title: Cockpit Trainer?
Post by: Blooz on January 22, 2006, 12:20:48 AM

Cockpit instruments (http://www.flyaceshigh.com/ahhelp/cptinst2.html)

Title: Cockpit Trainer?
Post by: Schutt on January 22, 2006, 04:30:32 AM

I think a flash animation would be verry good here, the photo you showed from the manual demonstrates that.

It is impossible for anyone new to aviation to remember more than 3 things from the photo with 15 numbers on em, it really would help if the location of the instrument and the interesting range is pointed out in animations, like show green/yellow/red overlays for hard to handle speed and impossible to fly at speed animated needls, black out demonstration etc.

Title: Cockpit Trainer?
Post by: Schatzi on January 22, 2006, 04:50:39 AM

I think thats a great idea.

As for new players having a grasp on aviation. That varies a lot. Some come in from other sims and just have to shake some rust, but a lot of the new guys have no real idea of aviation and the technical side of an airplane. "Wheres the reverse gear" - i heard that question more than once.

Title: Cockpit Trainer?
Post by: Ghosth on January 22, 2006, 09:07:37 AM

Awesome idea!

If I could make a suggestion?

Start with a spitfire, its one of the easier planes to learn on, so as trainers we encourage them to start with a spit. Its also got some confusing instruments.
IE Boost instead of manifold, etc.

Title: Cockpit Trainer?
Post by: The Fugitive on January 22, 2006, 09:30:53 AM

If your going to spend the time doing it, start at the begining. Show from the tower, to the basics in the hanger, to picking a plane, load out, take off cockpit lay-out circle the field to get speed up, and a landing.

That would give newbies a basic idea on flight in general and the working of the notebook and plane in the game, a good stepping stone to start with. End it with "Visit the TA ! for the work out of your life"  :)

Title: Cockpit Trainer?
Post by: slimey_J on January 22, 2006, 11:35:27 AM

Cool - thanks for the ideas everyone. Now, my question is this: Can someone with ultra-smooth flying skills send me a film of a perfect takeoff, climb and transition to smooth and level (in a spit)? I'm guessing landings can be a separate lesson. Cheers.

Title: Cockpit Trainer?
Post by: Schatzi on January 22, 2006, 05:50:31 PM

Here's (http://www.slowcat.de/slowcats1/films/AHfilm.zip) two films, Spit9 and P51D. Neither smooth nor perfect, but maybe you can use them ;).

Title: Cockpit Trainer?
Post by: Ast on January 22, 2006, 07:59:58 PM

I can't seem to get to zoom in the cockpick without the gun zoom, so I'm having a problem seeing my insturments. =(

Title: Cockpit Trainer?
Post by: The Fugitive on January 22, 2006, 08:29:57 PM

hit "Z" to zoom, and the arrow keys to move around. I think you can hold down both "0" and "8" at the same time to get a "down" and "front" view, hitting "Z" while holding them will give you a close up view. Some people map thos keys to there joysticks to be able to view it quick.

Title: Cockpit Trainer?
Post by: TequilaChaser on January 23, 2006, 12:01:29 AM

Quote

Originally posted by The Fugitive
hit "Z" to zoom, and the arrow keys to move around. I think you can hold down both "0" and "8" at the same time to get a "down" and "front" view, hitting "Z" while holding them will give you a close up view. Some people map thos keys to there joysticks to be able to view it quick.

what Fugitive said:

hit the "0" and "8" keys on the keypad , if you need to zoom, hit Z and use the [ & ] keys ( bracket keys) to move in and out as needed, if ya can program it on ya stick, you can make it use the key combo 0 & 8 and then set your distance by movinf with the up/down arrow keys and pageup/pagedown keys while holding down 0 & 8 at same time, once you got your postion you want to view whole instrument panel, hit the F10 key to save the head position.....then you all set, everytime you hit the combokeys of 0 & 8 ( programmed to stick) you get an instant view of your instruments