Why online is so unpopulated?

[ESCOMM_FlyMaker]

Hi guys!

I play IL-2 series since 1946 4.08 version. I never see in BOS 2 full servers in a day.

I really like to see again 400 players online like on 1946 Hyper lobby.

Well anyone have a answer about less pop on BoS??! Ideas to bring back IL-2 gold age?

Thx see you on Sky!

ESCOMM_FlyMaker S!

[coconut]

On EU prime time, it's not uncommon to have the wings of liberty server full at 64 players, with an additional 20 players or so on the 1CGS normal server, and maybe 5-10 players spread out on other small servers.

 

US prime time seems to be a problem. It would seem the Americans' interest for the game isn't strong enough (yet?) to reach critical mass. The lack of an official hyperlobby is adding to the problem, as the few that play the game have a hard time getting in touch with each other in real-time.

 

In general, the uniformly snowy landscape is also an obstacle, as not everyone likes that setting. But that should change in a few weeks when the autumn and summer maps come out.

 

My current feeling is that the MP side of things is slowly but surely picking up.

[PB0_Foxy]

You can also add the requirements needed for hosting (compare to il2 46 making mission and hosting them is more complicated) and the lack of online campaigns (like airforce war)

 

Many people are working alone on log files parsers or on online missions generator that's why it's taking time.

People should try to work together to improve efficiency

[ESCOMM_FlyMaker]

I think Dev's decision launching Moscow is not so smart. Maybe some later battle with P51 or pacifica will make more interest to american players!

[KG200_Volker]

This sim is a long waited improvement over the old Sturmovik. It's a move forward in many aspects. Unfortynately, the problems that keep online population so low imho, and after some years of online flying in Sturmovik are these:

 

Lack of a "Hyperlobby" type of room for players to meet and start missions. Whoever used HL knows the convenience that it has, not only for mission starting but for chating, joking, info sharing.

 

A problematic FMB, even though it's a better software from old IL2 FMB in terms of flexibility, it's counter productive in terms of use. This creates another problem in continuation, it's very hard for someone to create an online war like the the ones we had in old IL2 that where bringing HL server down to its knees with more than 1000 pilots online sometimes.

 

That is very important, again imho, the sence of achievement in between human players and not AIs that give you some badges, you knew pilot X and pilot Z are aces and you have to sweat to beat them, you knew the next mission is very important for your teammates to be won, you wanted to be a part of a squadron and fly with them, be that fighter or bomber, your actions had an effect to all VVS or OKL teams.

 

This brought the enjoyment of being a part of flyers in a community. The way that this sim is working right now makes it a bit lonely. You make some kills in a server and that's it. No sence of continuation. So this makes it a bit boring after a while.

 

The good thing is that I believe the team is working (within the hard constrains that they have, time-money-personnel), in order to improve the sim. I believe that is possible to give us the after mentioned ideas that will raise this sim to what it deserves.

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

Online coops would be nice to. But you must start it from game menu and be able to browse others instances.

[Gump]

On EU prime time, it's not uncommon to have the wings of liberty server full at 64 players, with an additional 20 players or so on the 1CGS normal server, and maybe 5-10 players spread out on other small servers.

 

US prime time seems to be a problem. It would seem the Americans' interest for the game isn't strong enough (yet?) to reach critical mass. The lack of an official hyperlobby is adding to the problem, as the few that play the game have a hard time getting in touch with each other in real-time.

 

In general, the uniformly snowy landscape is also an obstacle, as not everyone likes that setting. But that should change in a few weeks when the autumn and summer maps come out.

 

My current feeling is that the MP side of things is slowly but surely picking up.

 

all the posts have some great comments, certainly good points.

.

EU prime time doesn't match US prime. and if a US player gets on with empty servers, it just doesn't work - he goes elsewhere.

.

i think there are more players waiting or wanting a spot in WOL when it is 64/64, but they seem to only go to the 1CGS server while waiting (or to single player or to do yardwork). amazingly, even 64 players seems sparse sometimes, for some reason.

.

there is an inherent 'problem' in that a critical mass is necessary to get things going (ESPECIALLY in realistic servers), but there is no player-friendly way to build it. SO, a player only has to 'know' that 'they will come'. so far, that only happens on two servers. it is common knowledge that no one will come to the other servers if they only see 4 or 5 players there, much less 1 or 2.

 

... i'd suggest an innovative, player friendly way to build a critical mass:

.... maybe a "wait list" feature that allows a player to "join" the list, then informs him of other players and possible alternatives (like another server). if enough players have a "start another server when >25< players are "waiting" selected, the players would get logged into the new server automatically, and/or get notified of such if they were off in single player land or a different server.

[Sokol1]

 

 

I really like to see again 400 players online like on 1946 Hyper lobby.

 

Most of this people now are playing War Thunder, or other games...

 

 

 

I think Dev's decision launching Moscow is not so smart. Maybe some later battle with P51 or pacifica will make more interest to american players!

 

 

I thin this famous "american player" are no longer interested in "WW Sim", they move for these new spacial "sims".

Edited October 6, 2015 by Sokol1

[-DED-Rapidus]

Khm.... Ded-expert?

[Original_Uwe]

Most of this people now are playing War Thunder, or other games...

 

 

 

 

I thin this famous "american player" are no longer interested in "WW Sim", they move for these new spacial "sims".

I can only speak for this American, but I just do not care about the eastern front. It holds absolutely no interest to me whatsoever.

Let's see some Sandy north Africa maps and planesets.

[Reflected]

Interesting how different tastes are. I, for instance, couldn't care less about North Africa and the MTO.

A new sim where I could fly Hellcats off carriers, or Corsairs off white sandy runways would fall into the "Shut up and take my money" category though 

[novicebutdeadly]

All the reasons above, as well as:

The game not being (and still isn't in regards to single player) what the hype said it would be at first,

 

Many players burnt by some of the dev choices (which the devs finally listened to...), 

Higher ping being really obvious, I used to be able play il2 1946 with a ping normally at 350, now this is totally unplayable,

lack of diversity due to only one plane set to choose from, and soon another set of eastern front aircraft...

very few people outside Russia want to fly soviet aircraft, and Russian gamers seemingly never online.....

the older generation of gamers "growing up" or perhaps getting "fed up",

the younger generation wanting games that are dumbed down so that they are playable on console, so not many are buying it, 


While it all sounds so negative, the game is becoming awesome, but from my point of view the developers should have gone to Africa next, not Moscow.




 

[Gump]

I can only speak for this American, but I just do not care about the eastern front. It holds absolutely no interest to me whatsoever.

Let's see some Sandy north Africa maps and planesets.

.

it would be interesting to see a choice of servers where some were featuring the eastern front, some the western, some BoB, some PTO, some NA/MTO and watch who goes where and when. given that the sim worked well for all places.

.

it seems we all would like to sim-experience what our own previous country-men experienced, mostly. it seems we all hear and learn mostly about our own country's experiences.

.

same for me - i'd prefer the western front with the american planes. italy would be interesting. the p-51 mustang and the p-47 thunderbolt are bread-and-butter to any american warbird discussion, as well as the german 109 and 190 for opposition. then there's the p-40, the corsair, dauntless, avenger,the hellcat, the p-38 lightning, and the jap zero. we don't hear much about russian planes. occaisionally the yak or la5/7 shows up, but not much attention (unless speaking of modern yak aerobatic planes).

.

however, that given, i enjoy the education that i'm getting regarding the eastern front experience. i hate the stark white winter maps ALL THE TIME, but help is on the way, i hear. pity those poor ppl that actually had to live that scenario IRL.

[Gump]

also, i think there are some very good SP options. in campaigns there are better rewards and recognition for accomplishments than in casual (not a squadron or stat member) MP. 

Edited October 15, 2015 by Gump

[jokerBR]

New maps (not so white ones) will help too.

[indiaciki]

I think Dev's decision launching Moscow is not so smart. Maybe some later battle with P51 or pacifica will make more interest to american players!

 

All combat sim are P-51s and Spits...it's acually boring. And I don't think its the reason. There's a P-51 in DCS

Edited October 15, 2015 by indiaciki

[71st_AH_Hooves]

I'm wiating for summer maps, and I'd play nothing else if the Pacific theater rolled around.

[SCG_Neun]

Family time obligations in a fast paced world....especially within an American Culture.....It's just so fast paced.....we go to a restaurant....we want our food now....we get up and leave as soon as possible....not like European or Latin American approach for sure.  Go...go....go...It doesn't make for the time allotment for online play the way it did ten or more years ago.  A hyperlobby approach would be the ticket to see the US step up to the plate. Especially in the coop mode.

[[CPT]Pike*HarryM]

Well, I usually can only get online at all after 9:00PM pacific, not much going on then. Funny thing though is the other night I saw 0 players in NW:WG but went anyway to just goof around and see what the setup was (haven't flown online much at all for the last several years) and pretty soon there were 4 people on. So it's the usual thing of there might be several non-squadron people who want to fly but when they log in and see 0 players on the server they don't. With only 4 players I didn't see any other planes in the air at all and only managed to blow up a parked plane. Had no idea where I was in all the white emptiness, somewhere "west of Stalingrad". 

[HippyDruid]

The pings from an Australian connection to the server make it hardly worthwhile, or competitive.

Make an Australian server I hear you say? Good idea, then the 'four of us'* from Australia will have a right blast. 

 

North Africa and The Pacific I hear mentioned alot. If people hate the snow so much, why would you ask for an all yellow map or an all blue map?** 

Ahh the planes, it's all about the planes.

 

In all seriousness. I think most of the vaild points have been mentioned.

The game is still young. Give it time and I am certain more players will come along to help improve the situation.

I'm just glad Jason encouraged Pat Wilson to do his thing! 

 

 

*It's possible I just plucked that number out of thin air.

** I am aware there are more to these two theatres than I have mentioned. But still...

[Gump]

agree with hippy (heh heh), that most valid points mentioned. all posts showing probable combination of factors.

.

but i must say this (if anyone knows whay this is invalid, pls speak up)... im finding myself attracted to SP play more and more lately. (MUCH more than ROF SP).

.

... the online servers are fun when they are full/busy, but they are STILL missing some significant attractions even when the gang's all here:

 

* there is no reward for bombing things, other than the recognition of how many items destroyed. no personal or team points. it helps accomplish an end goal but, as an individual player, there is no benefit. compare this to some SP options where a pilot can get awards, promotions, skins for such accomplishments. Actually, the same can almost be said of destroyed planes. so, it seems, there is more reward in SP mode for accomplishment.

.

* Teamspeak works well enough, but not everyone is on it, at least on the official BoS one, and many times there are just a couple at most (who may very well be interested in a different mission than i at the time). i recall flying a mission with areoace and volcom once (i think there were 4 or 5 pilots on the english/allied ts channel at the time when the server was full or near), and it was indeed a good time, in other words, TS is good, but there seems to be a lack of participation (or participation is dispersed)  which limits the opportunity which limits the benefit.

.

* there is no "definition/description" of the missions being flown, by your team. the ONLY way to know what is going on is to catch teammates on teamspeak (or vaguely converse in chat).that, obviously, is only going to be useful for the missions the TS pilots are involved in. otherwise there's just vague guessing about missions, progress, locations, plans, etc. im not going to mention that this isn't close to real life, because it doesn't matter. what matters is that online MP play seems to be so much more disconnected and confused as compared to SP.

.

compare an SP campaign to MP: in SP you know what the objective is, you start it, you (usually) get the full necessary array of AI support planes. you can have a route mapped out for you (if desired). you can get radio messages from support AC. in MP, you 'hope' the server is populated. you 'hope' some are on teamspeak (if you want to mess with TS at the time). you need to join a side (blindly regarding pilot roster because it doesn't show until you are starting a flight). (without TS contact) you have no (or limited) clue about missions in progress or planned. you have no clue about progress of objectives (beside completion when map icon disappears). you have no idea of route(s) (ie: flight plan) taken by team mates. when it's all over, you have no rewards, just memories.

.

so, anyway, what i'm trying to say is that online MP offers flying with real ppl, which adds more interest and skill, but those things are not come by as readily as would seem. PLUS, the SP has so many other things that MP just seems to omit, for whatever reason.

.

why can't MP have the things SP does?

[ESCOMM_FlyMaker]

http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/22683-contact-visibility-need-help/?do=findComment&comment=362879

That should be a reason?

[Eclipse4349]

I have had IL-2 BOS and a full CH setup and TrackIR for a little while now - I had a taste of flying in Battlefield games, then eventually War Thunder after Star Citizen motivated me to buy flight gear, then quick found War Thunder lacking in the "full-real" area, and jumped to DCS and IL-2 to learn to fly and play with other real simmers. But... Just taxiing, taking off, and landing have taken me a lot longer to master than I anticipated, partly due in IL-2 to a lack of training missions and basic information, and partly due to my skill development taking time, of course. It was frustrating, for example, trying to taxi the Yak without knowing there were no independent left and right wheel breaks as in the German planes and my DCS P-51. After finally getting frustrated enough to look for help online, I found out about the Russian wheelbrake system - the brake lever that has its own separate key bind, and pressing the rudder pedal to unlock the opposite wheel (pressing left to skid-turn left with the tail wheel still locked), or keeping the pedals centered to brake both wheels. This sort of thing should be taught in real training missions!

 

Information and training in gerneral is lacking - we should have information like:

What is this plane's powerband?

Rpm and manifold pressure for takeoff? Landing? Cruise?

What are the safe rpm ranges, manifold pressures, and temperatures in climbs and combat?

Land this plane with flaps? Stall speed for landing?

Etc, etc

 

Training should include this information and also walk a player through things like engine management, one phase at a time (throttle, rpm, and temperatures, coolant flap use, etc). This is something that DCS has done a better job with, although not stellar, either.

 

Some of this information, like stalling speeds, I finally found hidden in the the Pilot Profile section... Not only is it not readily apparent that the information is available somewhere, but it is far from complete enough that someone could come close to mastering a plane to a level where confidence is high enough to jump into multiplayer. I don't feel even remotely ready to start playing with and against seasoned pilots!

 

Hopefully I'll get there in the near future. My next step is to get trimming and flying straight and level properly (holding speed and altitude, trimmed properly so I am not fighting the controls), then acrobatics like slow rolls, snap rolls, barrel rolls (again learning them properly, holding altitude, heading, and speed as applicable to each maneuver)... I would appreciate any resources anyone could point me to!

 

Sorry for the wall of text, I got into this post. Lol

[No_85_Gramps]

Try this link:

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/10268-chucks-aircraft-guide/

 

Lots of info.

[Eclipse4349]

Try this link:http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/10268-chucks-aircraft-guide/Lots of info.

Thanks, Gramps. I actually had found that last week, and it looks like what should be included in the game! I did find one discrepancy so far for the Yak - touchdown speed in the guide is shown as 150 kph, while game's (limited) information says 135-145 kph. In practice, using flaps, as the Takeoff and Landing mission suggests, I have found 150 kph too be too fast - still too much lift and bouncing on touchdown. About 140 kph feels about right, and I can land without damaging anything

 

Looks like a great guide, though! I really wish IL-2 had something that resembled the VERY detailed manual that comes with each plane module in DCS. At least flight envelope and engine management information would be a minimum, I would think!

[JimTM]

...

 

Some of this information, like stalling speeds, I finally found hidden in the the Pilot Profile section... 

 

...

 

Check the "Specification" tab beside the mission description on the map. The Specification tab has plenty of specs for the current aircraft that you are flying.

 

Also, check out Requiem's Air Combat Tutorial Library, which includes a section on IL-2 BoS: Aircraft Familiarisations and IL-2 BoM Aircraft Familiarisations. Requiem also has RoF videos, which include great air combat information.

Edited September 7, 2016 by JimTM

[Eclipse4349]

Thanks! Those videos will help a ton, I'm sure! I did find the information in the Specifications section, but some things that would help with engine management do not appear to be there - Like safe operating temperatures, manifold pressure, rpm, and mixture settings for climbing, takeoff, and landing, when to switch supercharger stages, how lean or rich the mixture should be in different stages of flight and different altitudes, etc.

The game should not rely on the community putting out guides and information - this only makes the learning curve more difficult to overcome, which limits player numbers!

 

I'm looking forward to getting things under control enough to go get shot down a lot and start honing my maneuvering skills

Edited September 7, 2016 by Eclipse4349

[Gump]

Eclipse, I remember thinking (some of) the same things when I 1st started. I agree with you that it would help TREMENDOUSLY if a comprehensive guide (planes,tactics,strategies,weapons,targets,etc), stepped tutorial missions with instructional messages, and BFM tutorial missions were all part of the game, were clearly accessible, and were beginner friendly.

...it is a common occurrence to see/hear new pilots on chat getting frustrated trying to start, taxi, or manage an engine in MP. I learned this in SP, like you, but I do recall a lack of immediate instruction/help. kinda have to learn the basics as well as you can, glean info from various scattered sources. then, when you feel somewhat competent you can go online MP and get on TeamSpeak, and fly with the experienced pilots to ask questions that fill in the rest of the education. I would certainly recommend getting the taxi/takeoff/landing SOMEWHAT (not necessarily expert as practice over time will improve it) accomplished before asking q's on MP in order to keep from inundating the players with simple things while they are trying to accomplish a mission. However, in general, I've noticed that there is usually plenty of help for q's asked in MP - just be ready to be pranked now and again (which is part of the education).

.

all that said, many of the pilots/players learn much of this by experience. if the planes are not limited, wrecking a plane - so what - just respawn and try again. sometimes online MP has a limited planeset and you need to be a bit judicious about doing this, but a 'normal' (aka "icon") server usually has infinite supply.

.

another thing about MP vs SP: MP will always have a higher skill level of pilots/tactics than SP. the AI just cant compete with good human tactical skill. HOWEVER, the AI planes cant be bounced (they have eyes in the back of their head), but human pilots CAN BE BOUNCED (surprised/ambushed). in other words, you can catch a human pilot before he sees you so that he does not take evasive actions - nice for shooting . AI always evade whenever you are near. other differences too, of course, but what im trying to say is don't try to be 'too' ready to get into MP. SP will never fully prepare you for it. just be ready to spend time learning and getting shot down. don't let yourself get too concerned about feeling like you are nothing more than a target in MP. No better place to learn serious skills than MP. No other way to get that special comraderie (or anti-comraderie) and live interaction. it makes for a more dynamic and 'alive' experience. and just remember, everyone is still learning 'something'. even the most experienced vets. but there are plenty of greenies on MP.

[216th_Jordan]

I counted 250 a few days ago.

[Eclipse4349]

... but what im trying to say is don't try to be 'too' ready to get into MP. SP will never fully prepare you for it. just be ready to spend time learning and getting shot down. don't let yourself get too concerned about feeling like you are nothing more than a target in MP. No better place to learn serious skills than MP. No other way to get that special comraderie (or anti-comraderie) and live interaction. it makes for a more dynamic and 'alive' experience. and just remember, everyone is still learning 'something'. even the most experienced vets. but there are plenty of greenies on MP.

Good point - if I waited till I was "ready" I would never start into MP! I think I have taxi, takeoff, and landing down (not perfect, but enough not to damage things). Once I get the hang of trimming properly and I can properly handle a slow roll, without losing airspeed or altitude or changing heading during the maneuver, I think I'll go ahead and start jumping in some MP. From what I've seen in my research, maneuvers like the slow roll and barrel roll are pretty standard for learning the primary and secondary effects of control surfaces and how to compensate for them in various attitudes, right?

[JimTM]

Good point - if I waited till I was "ready" I would never start into MP! I think I have taxi, takeoff, and landing down (not perfect, but enough not to damage things). Once I get the hang of trimming properly and I can properly handle a slow roll, without losing airspeed or altitude or changing heading during the maneuver, I think I'll go ahead and start jumping in some MP. From what I've seen in my research, maneuvers like the slow roll and barrel roll are pretty standard for learning the primary and secondary effects of control surfaces and how to compensate for them in various attitudes, right?

 

One survival tip for new pilots in MP: If you can help it, don't go near any plane unless you have a good height advantage (or you identify them as friendly first).

[Eclipse4349]

One survival tip for new pilots in MP: If you can help it, don't go near any plane unless you have a good height advantage (or you identify them as friendly first).

Thanks - Aircraft recognition is something I need to work on also. Any way to get good external views in-game? I would love to be able to take screenshots of the aircraft at different view angles to put together "flash card" images to work on this during my down time. Edited September 7, 2016 by Eclipse4349

[Trooper117]

There is quite a lot you can do for yourself actually... In the old IL2 I used to become my own test pilot...

 

Do an air start in a new aircraft at 10,000ft.

Cut throttle, raise the nose and check air speed and note when aircraft stalls.

Repeat this with gear and flaps down and again note speed at stall.

Dive aircraft with power on and with power off until structural failure occurs... note max dive speeds.

Run aircraft at max power watching oil and water temp until engine failure, note max temps before failure.

etc, etc...

 

I found it could be good fun

 

Having said that, the dev's do give us good info now in the specifications tab

[JimTM]

Thanks - Aircraft recognition is something I need to work on also. Any way to get good external views in-game? I would love to be able to take screenshots of the aircraft at different view angles to put together "flash card" images to work on this during my down time.

 

Some servers allow external views and some don't. Here are some things to try out:

 

- Check out the Viewer in drive:\Program Files (x86)\1C Game Studios\IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad\bin\viewer

- Look up each plane in Wikipedia. Most of the entries have a "three view" graphic.

 

Finkeren was working on an Easy ID Guide, but real-life concerns have put it on hold for now. 

Edited September 7, 2016 by JimTM

[Eclipse4349]

There is quite a lot you can do for yourself actually... In the old IL2 I used to become my own test pilot...

 

Do an air start in a new aircraft at 10,000ft.

Cut throttle, raise the nose and check air speed and note when aircraft stalls.

Repeat this with gear and flaps down and again note speed at stall.

Dive aircraft with power on and with power off until structural failure occurs... note max dive speeds.

Run aircraft at max power watching oil and water temp until engine failure, note max temps before failure.

etc, etc...

 

I found it could be good fun

 

Having said that, the dev's do give us good info now in the specifications tab

Some servers allow external views and some don't. Here are some things to try out:

 

- Check out the Viewer in drive:\Program Files (x86)\1C Game Studios\IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad\bin\viewer

- Look up each plane in Wikipedia. Most of the entries have a "three view" graphic.

 

Finkeren was working on an Easy ID Guide, but real-life concerns have put it on hold for now.

 

Thanks guys!

 

I would rather not resort to being my own test pilot, but it's a good point that one could go through that process and eventually determine the limits,if they know what to look for and how best to go about it.

 

I'll definitely check the viewer out. And checking the wiki for the real thing is a good idea, thanks!

Edited September 7, 2016 by Eclipse4349

[Quax]

I really like to see again 400 players online like on 1946 Hyper lobby.

 

At least > 200  (Tuesday 1915 GMT)

 

[Lusekofte]

I really hated servers with late model Japanese fighters, 109, spits and P 51. So fed up with non realistic flying that I honestly was sick for years not able to see a online server. I am in now and then in this game. Almost never in WOL server, not that I do not like WOL server, but primetime it reminds me of those uber performing late war planes from IL 2 and the attitude and way maps are used is the same.

So when this sim reach late war models, I personally probably jump off, not for protest . It is just my reluctance for online play

[Gump]

I can say with utmost confidence that many pilots in MP never land, or landing ends in a wreck. some folks land well. some don't. the thing to learn about in MP is taxiing and runway SA, because you are sharing the taxiways and runways with others. sometimes collisions happen on taxiways and runways because of it. DEFINATELY get in the habit of using nav lights (and landing lights if possible) for approach and landings.

.

my advice is thus: since there are lessons that are particular to MP, i'd recommend learning a plane well enough to make a decent attempt at the basics (taxi, takeoff, flight, landing) - not expert/precision - just basic skills, then hop in to MP with the plane and use it in game. your skills will improve with experience and practice. you are NOT going to rule the skies as a beginner. any beginner needs to understand that so as not to get frustrated about their experience. one of the absolute best teachers and best experiences in this game is to get on teamspeak with your team and fly as a team. learning is accelerated in multiples with TS on MP.

.

often the MP experience highlights an area of skill that needs immediate attention, then a pilot might go into SP mode to work on it some.

Edited September 7, 2016 by Gump

[Eclipse4349]

I can say with utmost confidence that many pilots in MP never land, or landing ends in a wreck. some folks land well. some don't. the thing to learn about in MP is taxiing and runway SA, because you are sharing the taxiways and runways with others. sometimes collisions happen on taxiways and runways because of it. DEFINATELY get in the habit of using nav lights (and landing lights if possible) for approach and landings.

.

my advice is thus: since there are lessons that are particular to MP, i'd recommend learning a plane well enough to make a decent attempt at the basics (taxi, takeoff, flight, landing) - not expert/precision - just basic skills, then hop in to MP with the plane and use it in game. your skills will improve with experience and practice. you are NOT going to rule the skies as a beginner. any beginner needs to understand that so as not to get frustrated about their experience. one of the absolute best teachers and best experiences in this game is to get on teamspeak with your team and fly as a team. learning is accelerated in multiples with TS on MP.

.

often the MP experience highlights an area of skill that needs immediate attention, then a pilot might go into SP mode to work on it some.

Good advice, although I prefer Discord over Teamspeak these days, lol.  Maybe I will see some of you in-game soon...

[Eclipse4349]

Check the "Specification" tab beside the mission description on the map. The Specification tab has plenty of specs for the current aircraft that you are flying.

 

Also, check out Requiem's Air Combat Tutorial Library, which includes a section on IL-2 BoS: Aircraft Familiarisations and IL-2 BoM Aircraft Familiarisations. Requiem also has RoF videos, which include great air combat information.

So... did they add to the information that used to be in the Specifications tab?  Or did I completely just not remember how much was in there (I've been away from my "flight sim training a while)?  I just looked again and was pleasantly surprised!