TechnoChat mode in between "technical only" and "off"

[19//Moach]

this is something I've been wanting for quite a while - I'm sure many others here would agree

 

 

I would like to have something between "technical only" messages appearing and none at all, a "simulator only" mode which would indicate only the same things that a pilot should be able to know from his seat in the cockpit, and/or things the pilot himself does, whenever those things would not be clear due to the nature of a desktop simulation

 

that would mean:

 

 

not shown:

 

- no damage reports

- no precise percentages of control positions (trims, throttles, flaps, shutters, etc...)

- no hints, obviously

- no boost on/off icon

- no airbrakes icon

- no bomb bay icon

- no engine "mode" indications

- no overheat icon

 

shown:

 

+ major pilot actions, such as landing gear up/down, flaps operation callouts (needed due to largely automated operation of those)

+ bomb bay operation (open/close only, no permanent icon when open)

+ airbrakes operation (same as bomb bay, given the semi-automated nature of those controls)

+ tailwheel indications (there is no other way to tell before consequences)

+ parking brake icon (one cannot "feel" the lock engaging on the pedals)

+ bomb and rocket mode selections (the specific systems for this are often heavily abstracted in the sim, so these messages are needed to clarify selection)

+ bomb interval selection (same reasons as mode selection)

+ bomb fuse armed/disarmed (not all cockpits have this function animated)

+ startup/shutdown procedure callouts (those are very informative, and required to indicate procedure progress)

+ engine selection info (how else would you tell?)

+ time acceleration and pause messages (for offline flying)

+ autopilot on/off messages and icons (most planes don't truly have this capability, this is generally a simulator accessibility feature)

+ system automation messages and icons (for normal mode flying)

 

plus, a much needed new (not currently implemented) message that should be also be shown here:

 

* mixture control "states" (special positions along axis range), such as auto-rich, auto-lean, boost, manual-lean, etc. as featured in planes such as the P-40, IL2 and Mig3

 

 

 

 

in a perfect world, I'd love to have control of specific messages - like there was in CloD, or in 1946 (with config file edits) - so that we could only have the selected ones appear... but the set laid out here would already be a pretty good start, presenting only facts that are needed to overcome the limitations that come with a simulator, and no unrealistic information the pilot wouldn't normally receive from his plane in the real world

 

 

thanks

Edited March 11, 2017 by 19//Moach

[ema33ig]

yes, nice! 

 

+1

[-=PHX=-SuperEtendard]

I agree with you except on the "no precise percentages of control positions" not all the planes have flaps/radiator position indicators, and if the player doesn't have them mapped to an axis (using buttons) he/she would be forced to look down in the cockpit to see the position of those levers, while IRL the pilot would know just by using the lever/turning wheel if he/she is pulling it half way, to the top, 3/4 etc without the need to look at them. And those controlled by turning wheels there would be no indication at all of the current position for the player.

Edited March 11, 2017 by SuperEtendard

[VBF-12_Stick-95]

As with many thing this has been discussed before and I believe it does need to be addressed.  I don't totally agree with your breakdown though.  I would suggest the In Game Message options be refined so one can turn on/off by one or more categories or maybe even a custom.  This would allow each pilot to choose their own level of enjoyment.

 

For Example:

Off

All Technical & All Tips

Technical - Aircraft Management

Technical - Aircraft Warnings (if any)

Technical - Aircraft Damage

Technical - Engine Management

Technical - Engine Warnings

Technical - Engine Damage

Technical - Weapons

Technical - Pilot systems

Tips - Aircraft

Tips - Engine

Custom Settings

 

I also think you should be able to disable the 2D compass without shutting down the entire HUD.

Edited March 11, 2017 by 12.OIAE_Stick-95

[6./ZG26_Klaus_Mann]

+1

[Hipsu]

I was just about to make a "Technochat without warnings" topic but found this one so I'm bumping this one.

 

I know there's a megathread about removing technochat altogether in realistic multiplayer servers, but I don't care about that. My concern is simply enjoyable immersion.

 

I'd be mostly happy with a "Technical only (no warnings)" added. So same as before but without overheat, damage, and engine mode messages.

 

I also like what the OP listed for the most part except I'd keep percentages for anything axis based at least (wheels, levers...), because IRL pilots could feel the positions of those without looking. Actually I'd prefer a visual representation like a small bar or dial icon instead of precise percentages but percentages are better than nothing.

 

I've noticed I don't need technochat to tell me about my throttle, RPM and mixture because I have levers for those, but I find it very valuable for radiators because I use buttons for those and buttons don't give me any tangible "feedback" if you know what I mean.

 

I also realize everyone has their own preferences so the best would be a fully customizable technochat of course.

[SharpeXB]

I agree. I always thought that’s what the difference between “Technical” and “Tips” was supposed to be. 
Technical = graphic indications of things the pilot would know by feel like throttle or level positions. 

Tip = more gamey helpers like “engine overheat” or “gun out of ammo”