This game is hard

[Jeevers]

I have read Chuck's guide and watched a bunch of tutorial vids on youtube. (requiem's stuff is great)

I am still have a ton of difficulty with what I'm sure you all consider basic tasks. I don't expect to be an expert overnight, but some things don't make sense to me.

 

If anyone has tips for me, that would be amazing. Here are some of my difficulties.

 

1) Taxying is impossible. I've only tried Russian planes, but it seems like it takes at least 40% throttle to even start moving, and then you shoot off like a rocket. Then either my plane starts ground looping uncontrollably, or a crash because its so hard to steer. I've tried using breaks, but it seems only the button I have mapped to both wheels works. Do Russian AC have individual break control? Some things I've read suggest I need to adjust prop pitch and mixture, but I am on normal mode for now. Shouldn't those things be automated?

 

2) I learned after a bunch of crashes how to take off. Stab the rudder left tons. How do the flaps work? I've noticed it only says extended or retracted. I'm assuming extended means for take-off and landing? I've also noticed you can adjust the flaps in percentages. It seems difficult to land and take-off. (as in not enough lift) I'm assuming I'm using my flaps wrong.

 

3) Landing is incredibly hard. I've read deploy LG at 300kmh, and flaps at 250, land at 200. I just can't seem to get it right. I always have way too much speed and crash, or too low speed and crash short of the runway.

 

4) I have the Thrustmaster HOTAS X, which I know is pretty basic. I'm having issues deciding what to map to where is a way that makes sense to me. Should I leave all the default mapping that come out of the box? I'm also having problems with mapping things to my HOTAS, in that once I've mapped them, the buttons don't do anything in-game once I'm flying. 

 

5) I've ordered a ps3 eye, in the hopes of getting facetracknoIR running. Anyone have any experience doing this and using this program? How did it work?

 

Thanks ahead of time for any answers.

[TP_Silk]

It sounds like you're on the right track. It takes a bit of time to get the basics right.

 

1. Once you start the aircraft moving throttle back until you are moving along at approximately walking pace. Steering is done in a variety of methods depending on what plane you are in, but in general use a combination of brakes and rudder. Apply back pressure on the stick to help keep the tail wheel planted and straight, make intelligent use of the lockable tail wheel if you have one.

2. I generally rarely use any flaps on take off unless in a heavily laden aircraft. If you want to use them apply only 15-20% for takeoff. For landing it varies a bit with which aircraft you are in, but remember that it sometimes helps to keep the throttle up to keep up to speed if you are at full flaps. Approach speed is more important than exact flaps deployment by rote.

 

3. See above

 

4. I started out with that stick and it's fine for learning. For button assignment use the Settings option in-game and remember to apply your settings before leaving the configuration page.

 

5. I started off with facetracknoir, but eventually went with a clip from Trackhat combined with a PS3 Eye and their proprietary version of the OpenTrack software. The clip only costs around £25 or so, so is a reasonably priced alternative to TrackIR.

[6./ZG26_5tuka]

1. There are 2 types of brakes, first being toe brakes for german aircraft (left and right) and second wheel brakes for any aircraft (single button). For russian aircrafts you have to map wheel brakes to a button since they don't have seperated brake pedals unlike german aircraft. Instead you need to push the brake button and point the rudder into the direction you want to go to increase braking on the side you turn into.

 

2. Each aircraft has their own flap system, means in the Yak you have 2 flap settings (retracted - landing) while you can deploy them gradually in the Lagg-3 and La-5. As said above flaps are no requirement for takeoff but do help shortening your takeoff run especially at high payload. 15-20% is enought for that.

 

3. Way too fast. Try deploying your landing gear once below 300km/h and start adding flaps gradually from 250km/h onwards or 200 km/h if you have only landing flaps. Average approach speed for fighters is 200-180km/h, landing speed varies (160km/h for the Lagg-3, 165km/h for La-5, 150-140km/h for Yak-1, 135km/h for Bf-109 F-4). Be aware that landing speed is given for empty fuel tanks, means < 10% fuel. The heavier the aircraft the higher your landing speed.

 

4. Up to you although customization is usually preferrable.

 

5. You're better off using Opentrack with an IR clip but it requires some modification to the camera.

Edited October 12, 2016 by 6./ZG26_5tuka

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

I use ps3 eye with Opentrack - pm me and i wil send you whole package.

[coconut]

1) It definitely takes some practice. Some planes are easier than other. What planes are accessible to you? BOS, BOM or both? For learning I think the Yak and the IL-2 are pretty good on the Soviet side. On the German side, I'm not sure which is easier. The Bf109 are OK, but the engine torque can be a little be troublesome during take-off in the beginning. It might actually be easier to taxi in expert mode. In the Russian planes, you set your RPM and leave it at that in expert mode, whereas in normal it will change with your throttle changes, which isn't always good while taxiing. It should not be a major factor anyway.

 

Brakes on the Russian planes and the mc202 use a single button, the amount of braking on each wheel depends on the rudder position. On the Bf109 and the FW190, the brakes are individually controlled. If you have pedals with individual brakes, I find this system easiest to use. You can counter-brake with the outer wheel during a turn if you feel it's going too fast.

 

The difficulty with taxiing resides in going fast enough to be able to control your direction, but not so fast that you lose control during turns.

 

2) Flaps on the Yak and IL-2 are "binary", they are either fully out or in. Normally you only use them during landing. Some also use the flaps for the IL-2 during take-off, personally I seldom need too, but it depends on your load-out. The Lagg and the Pe-2 have partially deployable flaps, and using 10-15% during take-off is pretty common. It also works without flaps, especially for the Lagg.

 

3) I think it's a common mistake to try to land using your instruments. Do it visually. Check your speed during the circuit, especially the last turn, but once you are straight on final, use your feeling.

 

5) I'm using a PS3 eye with a delan clip and OpenTrack. Works very well. I did not need to modify the camera, all I did was to use an old floppy disk as filter, put over the objective. But that depends on the model you get. Some require opening to remove the existing IR filter.

Edited October 12, 2016 by coconut

[Jeevers]

1) It definitely takes some practice. Some planes are easier than other. What planes are accessible to you? BOS, BOM or both? For learning I think the Yak and the IL-2 are pretty good on the Soviet side. On the German side, I'm not sure which is easier. The Bf109 are OK, but the engine torque can be a little be troublesome during take-off in the beginning. It might actually be easier to taxi in expert mode. In the Russian planes, you set your RPM and leave it at that in expert mode, whereas in normal it will change with your throttle changes, which isn't always good while taxiing. It should not be a major factor anyway.

 

 

5) I'm using a PS3 eye with a delan clip and OpenTrack. Works very well. I did not need to modify the camera, all I did was to use an old floppy disk as filter, put over the objective. But that depends on the model you get. Some require opening to remove the existing IR filter.

BOS planes are what I currently have. I'll try playing around with the Yak and IL-2 more and see how it goes. Just to clarify, when you say set your RPM, are you talking about prop pitch or a separate setting? That's another thing that's been confusing me.

 

Just looked up delan clips, and it looks like a great product and a lot cheaper than buying a tracker. based on their shop it looks like you still have to put it together but they send you all the stuff? I don't have a soldering kit, so building the headmount from scratch would be a pain. If I could save myself the hassle I'd look at that route for sure.

[TP_Silk]

The Trackhat clip is much the same as the delan clip and comes ready assembled with a long USB cable (or battery pack if you prefer wireless version). At the end of the day it's up to you which you prefer though.

 

As for the question about RPM and Prop Pitch, the two are linked in most cases/planes so you can somewhat use the terms interchangeably (though inaccurately).

[Jeevers]

It sounds like you're on the right track. It takes a bit of time to get the basics right.

 

1. Once you start the aircraft moving throttle back until you are moving along at approximately walking pace. Steering is done in a variety of methods depending on what plane you are in, but in general use a combination of brakes and rudder. Apply back pressure on the stick to help keep the tail wheel planted and straight, make intelligent use of the lockable tail wheel if you have one.

 

2. I generally rarely use any flaps on take off unless in a heavily laden aircraft. If you want to use them apply only 15-20% for takeoff. For landing it varies a bit with which aircraft you are in, but remember that it sometimes helps to keep the throttle up to keep up to speed if you are at full flaps. Approach speed is more important than exact flaps deployment by rote.

 

5. I started off with facetracknoir, but eventually went with a clip from Trackhat combined with a PS3 Eye and their proprietary version of the OpenTrack software. The clip only costs around £25 or so, so is a reasonably priced alternative to TrackIR.

I do feel like I'm on the right track. I know it's just a matter of time to get everything down pat.

 

Didn't think about trying the tail wheel lock. To lock it, is it a button or just pulling back on the stick while taxiing?

 

I looked up track hat, and it looks great! Another user mentioned a delan clip which looks almost like that. I suppose its a matter of preference, but they both look good. Definitely a plus that it comes already put together, as I don't have the means of building a hat from scratch. Did you have to modify your ps3eye?

[JimTM]

...

 

Didn't think about trying the tail wheel lock. To lock it, is it a button or just pulling back on the stick while taxiing?

 

...

 

Here is a post with tail wheel and flap information.

[TP_Silk]

I bought mine pre-modified from the Trackhat people. From what I understand the modification is not that difficult if you are technically minded and a bit confident, but I just wanted something that works out of the box as it were.

 

As for tail lock there are three types in game, one with a button to lock and unlock, one with stick back-pressure to lock and the third type is that you cannot lock the wheel. It all depends on which aircraft you fly.

[kissklas]

A good tip for the throttle at the start of taxiing, is to give it a little more juice just until you start to roll, and then throttle back at once. I guess it takes a bit of energy to get the wheels over the first bumps. After that you should be fine on a low throttle. Also use the brakes a lot. In the planes without brake pedals, use the rudder and tap brakes when turning.

[Nocke]

I think a lot oft initial problems result from the fact that you are controlling a 1000+ HP monster using some tiny plastic levers or keys, and don't get too much feedback. Treat the throttle with a lot of respect and care, at least that idea did help me a lot.

[Sokol1]

For start forget that LaGG-3, this is a "brick" with propeller.

Take the Yak-1 and master then.

 

Assure that you joystick/throttle are properly calibrated and reduce the "sensitility" in game controls, at least for start.

 

 

1. There are 2 types of brakes, first being toe brakes for german aircraft (left and right) and second wheel brakes for any aircraft (single button).

 

Since you are using HOTAS X (joystick, throttle) with twist/rocker rudder - and seems not rudder pedal, don't bother with "toe brakes" keys when you fly for German, P-40 and i-16 planes.

 

Set a button* in you joy or throttle for "Wheel brakes", press this move the rudder (twist or rocker) for the side that want turn, this will brake only the wheel in this side - is called (maybe tont correctly) "differential brake) - is explained in Chuck manual's. And work for any plane of the game, not matter if German, American, Italian or Russian.

 

* Using a keymapper (Xpadder, Joy2Key, SVMapper) you can set two buttons profile for your joystick/Throttle.

Example, 1 for combat, 2 for ground, so a good place for set "Wheel brakes" is joystick trigger, once in air change (pressing a button) the profile and use trigger for guns.

Edited October 12, 2016 by Sokol1

[Jeevers]

Thought I'd provide a small updated on my progress...

 

I am now able to taxi just fine thanks to your many tips in this thread. Thank you all for your help there. I am currently using external view to taxi since I do not have a track cam to lean forward and look out the cockpit, but at least I am able to do it.

 

Taking off is also not much of a problem, even though I probably look drunk swerving all over the place with my rudder corrections.

 

Landing is still an issue. I can make a crash or emergency landing just fine. I have only managed to stay on my wheels during my landing once (In a bf-109) but destroyed my propeller in the process hitting the runway with it. Still, I feel like I am making progress here.

 

The biggest issue with runway approaches for me is spotting it from a distance and approaching it from the right angle.

 

I have ordered a trackhat kit, and it should hopefully arrive in the next week or two. It looks like a good alternative to the trackir.

 

I tried some multiplayer for the first time. I forget the name of the training server, but it had different areas to do different things. I joined in the dogfighting area, and had fun flying around even though I was shot down repeatedly. Again, hoping my situational awareness improves once I receive my trackhat. Managing my energy is something I need to practice a lot. I've been trying to master the Yak, and I notice that if I turn too sharply, My wing drops and I go into a spin. Died a few times that way.

 

The campaign is ok, but I would much prefer a career mode where I follow one pilot through the battle. Good to read that that is in the works. When is it coming out? Will it be for all iterations of IL2? (BoS, BoM, BoK, etc...

Edited October 17, 2016 by Jeevers

[=EXPEND=Tripwire]

Awesome to see someone come back and post updates. I'm sure the guys that have offered assistance so far will get a small kick out of seeing you progress.
 

 

Keep up the practice and it will all become second nature eventually. We were all in the same position once (just many of us quite a number of years ago).

[Dakpilot]

A good landing will come from a controlled stable approach

 

and a good approach will come from a correctly flown circuit, at least this is how you should train until very familiar and with understanding of all landing aspects, then you can try more demanding Curved/combat/straight in approaches 

 

Check this thread post #6 for a correct training type circuit

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/23781-using-flaps-during-landing/

 

Being trimmed correctly is very important, get it right, and with correct throttle setting you can almost fly a hands off final approach (light winds) to the threshold, with an easy flare and slow throttle cut. (of course this requires practice   and is different for each aircraft)

 

Remember throttle controls height and stick/attitude controls speed when on final approach

 

landing flare aircraft attitude is same as when sitting on the ground, familiarise yourself with this cockpit/horizon "picture"

 

Cheers Dakpilot

Edited October 17, 2016 by Dakpilot

[Sokol1]

 

 

I am now able to taxi just fine thanks to your many tips in this thread. Thank you all for your help there. I am currently using external view to taxi since I do not have a track cam to lean forward and look out the cockpit, but at least I am able to do it.

 

You don't need a "track cam" (TrackIR, Freetrack, EDTracker...) for lean, use POV HAT + modifier, e.g. LWin key, fast to access. More than enough for taxi maneuvers.

 

But leave this taxi inside cockpit for the "advanced training".

bc_head_cvml,                                     key_lwin+joy0_pov0_270,                                       0| // Move pilot head left
bc_head_cvmr,                                     key_lwin+joy0_pov0_90,                                         0| // Move pilot head right
bc_head_cvmu,                                    key_lwin+joy0_pov0_0,                                           0| // Move pilot head up
bc_head_cvmu,                                    key_lwin+joy0_pov0_180,                                       0| // Move pilot head down

Edited October 17, 2016 by Sokol1

[Jeevers]

I found I just could not get used to the hat switch to look around. It's just too clunky. My situational awareness was extremely poor.

 

So I bought a TrackHat from trackhat.org

 

I am expecting it any day now and can't wait to fly with it!

[Fishbedpressuredat19]

A good landing will come from a controlled stable approach

 

and a good approach will come from a correctly flown circuit, at least this is how you should train until very familiar and with understanding of all landing aspects, then you can try more demanding Curved/combat/straight in approaches 

 

Check this thread post #6 for a correct training type circuit

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/23781-using-flaps-during-landing/

 

Being trimmed correctly is very important, get it right, and with correct throttle setting you can almost fly a hands off final approach (light winds) to the threshold, with an easy flare and slow throttle cut. (of course this requires practice   and is different for each aircraft)

 

Remember throttle controls height and stick/attitude controls speed when on final approach

 

landing flare aircraft attitude is same as when sitting on the ground, familiarise yourself with this cockpit/horizon "picture"

 

Cheers Dakpilot

so it's better to do a circuit than just a straight-on approach?

 

 

I'm noob btw. Came from DCS because of the great graphics here but man, it really feels like you're flying a machine here. Landings are hard on these things because of how the wheels/LG were positioned back then.

[IRRE_Centx]

so it's better to do a circuit than just a straight-on approach?

 

Actually a straight-on approach isn't recommended for "beginners". You don't see the airfield because of the big engines of the WWII propellers, while you can do it with a lot of modern jets because you don't have the engine blocking your view, and as you said the landing gears are different.

 

 

The easiest way is to approach the airfield with an angle (30° is generally enough), so you can check your altitude/speed and adapt, decrease your speed/put flaps/ landing gear, while keeping the airfield in your field of view on the side of your engine, then correct your trajectory to go straight on for the final approach and land.