Universal control scheme (Soviet-German, fighter-bomber)

[FTC_Darmene]

Tldr:

Salute gentleman,

Please advise me what do you consider as the best assignment of controls in a cockpit equipped with joystick, throttle, throttle quadrant, rudder pedals and TrackIR.

 

Here goes the long version:

I would like to have an universal control scheme so I can fly both Soviet and German airplanes on full realism from muscle memory.

 

I have Akers-Barnes cockpit with Fighter Stick, Pro Throttle, Throttle Quadrant, Pro Pedals (CH products) and TrackIR. I'm right handed, the throttle quadrant is in front of the throttle.

 

Q1 - Engine management

My current throttle quadrant axis setup is (from left to right): mixture, rpm, supercharger switch (cms script), unassigned (maybe cowl cooling), oil radiators, water radiators. Throttle axis is assigned to throttle. What would you recommend?

 

Q2 - View zoom on pedals + brakes

I have cms script to apply Soviet brakes when a button on joystick is pushed, to apply differential brakes when a button on joystick is pressed and a pedal axis is operated and to zoom when a pedal axis is operated. What do you think about this setup? Should I add into my script that view snaps to gunsight or instrument view when I press pedal to its maximum?

 

Q3 - Flaps and trim

I plan to control flaps and roll trim with button under my index finger on the throttle and yaw and pitch trim with microstick on the throttle. I'll reset trim with a throttle button. I plan to send keystrokes, not to manipulate cms axis. What would you recommend?

 

Q4 - Weapons

Should I fire cannon and machine guns with one button, use two separate buttons or should I make a script to switch modes for one button to fire: all guns / cannon / machine guns? How about bombs and rockets?

 

Something about me:

This is my first post on the forum - please be gentle :-) Also BoS is my first airsim since Eurofighter 2000. (Yes, I'm so old.) I spent last ten months cutting plywood, reading books, manuals and forums but I flew maybe thirty minutes total; I plan to change it this winter.

 

See you in the skies.

[andyw248]

Just like any pilot of the time I focus on one aircraft at the time. Right now I seem to enjoy the different versions of the 109 that we got, and I've optimized everything on my system for them. But then there were times when I explored other aircraft, like the La 5, so I would optimize for them. In real life, a pilot would really only fly one single type of aircraft, so why not make that call?

[Sokol1]

Q2 - View zoom on pedals + brakes

I have cms script to apply Soviet brakes when a button on joystick is pushed, to apply differential brakes when a button on joystick is pressed and a pedal axis is operated and to zoom when a pedal axis is operated. What do you think about this setup? 

 

Since this involve a joy button the script is not needed, just assign this button for "wheel brakes" and move the rudder for right or left to have differential and proportional brakes in Russian and Luftwaffe planes (Yes, this brake mode work for these too in this game - besides their conventional  'toe brakes').

 

So leave the pedals (brakes?) only for zoom.

 

 

 

Should I add into my script that view snaps to gunsight or instrument view when I press pedal to its maximum?

 

The game have already mapped keypad "," + keypad 8 for momentarily gunsight view and keypad "," for a glance in major instruments, try with these in your script.

 

Q-3 - Sounds OK. 

 

- Not all planes allow trim in all 3 axes (e.g. Pe-2 allow).

- Only Bf 109 allow set "stabilizer adjust" (nose trim) in axis (and key/buttons), so use the buttons for others is mandatory.

 

- Some flaps operation need a button "click"  (Yak-1) and others "press and hold" (Bf 109).

 

Q-4 -  Always fire mg and cannon together is wast of munition, the ideal is trigger for MG and a button that can be pressed individual for cannon, pressing both simultaneous fire both.

Or at least set trigger for MG and adding a modifier to fire cannon together (drawback dont allow use only cannons).

This proposed toggle mode: all guns / cannon / machine guns sounds awkward... in the heart of the battle you end mixing the things.

 

Bombs and rockets is simple - they are secondary controls, that if used is for few seconds per mission (unless you play only with unlimited ammo).

That red button left of China hat fire rockets, + modifier  (or mode) drop bombs. Since this button is on top of stick difficulty will be pressed accidentally.

 

Just a 0,02$.

 

BTW - This game follow (a dumb IMO) idea of "less keys is better", so have options limited, but the default key map have different keys or combos done things similar (and various keys assignment are wasted in "useful" pilot gesture and colored flares)...   

 

E.g. You have a key set for Bf 109 "stabilizer adjust", other set for "Fw 109 stabilizer adjust" and other set for "elevator trim", to make things simple

assign the same 2 keys for all these "trims".

 

Use the same principle for radiators, are 4 or 5 types, each with individual keys/combo done the same thing: cooling the engine, so 2 keys do the job.   

Edited November 20, 2015 by Sokol1

[FTC_Darmene]

Thank you very much Sokol1 for the detailed and very useful advice. Especially your remark that there is a difference (click vs press and hold) in applying flaps saved me a lot of head scratching.

[SharpeXB]

Q2 - View zoom on pedals + brakes

I have cms script to apply Soviet brakes when a button on joystick is pushed, to apply differential brakes when a button on joystick is pressed and a pedal axis is operated and to zoom when a pedal axis is operated. What do you think about this setup? Should I add into my script that view snaps to gunsight or instrument view when I press pedal to its maximum?

Hey that's a great idea!

I use the toe axis on my pedal for the zoom and just make do with HOTAS buttons for the brakes. They just aren't used enough whereas the zoom is used constantly. And having it on your foot keeps your hands free. But a modifier! That a super idea!

[SharpeXB]

So you can add keys as a modifier to an axis right in the BoS Menu, just hold down a key while you move the toe brake. Looks like Ctrl Alt or Shift will act as modifiers

Now I can have zoom view and the toe brake both assigned to the same axis, just when I press Ctrl it activates the brake.

 

Now I just need to figure out how to make the CH stick emulate a key press in BoS. I'm sure there's a way to do that in control Manager but it's not the easiest piece of software to figure out

Edited November 21, 2015 by SharpeXB

[Sokol1]

http://www.ch-hangar.com/forum/index.php/files/file/109-control-manager-dummies-guide/

[SharpeXB]

http://www.ch-hangar.com/forum/index.php/files/file/109-control-manager-dummies-guide/

Thanks. I think CHCM was made 25 years ago...

[Sokol1]

This "CHM4D" is comprehensive but a bit extended. For what your want, press some keys with joy button this YT video is more direct:

 

[FTC_Darmene]

Hello SharpeXB,

You probably found how to assing a key to an axis in CH control manager with GUI. And you also probably found that there are some "peculiarities" in CH control manager and IL2

 

Now I just need to figure out how to make the CH stick emulate a key press in BoS. I'm sure there's a way to do that in control Manager but it's not the easiest piece of software to figure out

 

Would you please describe what you want to achieve. Maybe we are trying to do a similar thing.

I want to send one key press when I'm moving axis up and another when I'm moving axis down but GUI is not working for me. Now I'm writing case-select cms script.

 

[SharpeXB]

It seems the game only accepts Alt Ctrl or Shft as modifiers, meaning keys you can press at the same time as an axis. It won't recognize a joystick button as one. So you need to make a hotas button emulate the Ctrl key.

Another maybe better idea is a mode. So you don't have to keep the modifier held down constantly. You could make a "ground handling" mode and an "aerial" mode.

I haven't figured out anything yet though.

[Sokol1]

Another maybe better idea is a mode. So you don't have to keep the modifier held down constantly. You could make a "ground handling" mode and an "aerial" mode.

I haven't figured out anything yet though.

 

 

 

Yes mode is practical.  I use this in DCS, the joystick trigger is Mig-21 brakes, only fire cannon if the "switches" (a permanent modifier in DCS GUI, no programming soft need) are ON.

I use ScrlLk key, so the LED ON indicates that cannon are "hot".

 

I use a CH stick only for 2 weeks - change the pots for a guy - and find very easy use his program software, include use the modes - monitored by colored LED on stick base.

Edited November 25, 2015 by Sokol1