I'm a crappy navigator

[NewfieDunfielder]

I'm burning up mother Russia's fuel supply trying to find my way around lol. Stalin will have me shot for sure. Any idea when the map and info pop ups might get fixed. I don't like having objects marked in game and I don't speak Russian so it'd be nice to know what my flight is saying again as well.

[Scojo]

It was fixed the day before yesterday, no? It was for me, at least

[NewfieDunfielder]

Mine still does it with 2.009b as of yesterday I haven't had a chance to try yet today. Messages I do get still stack in upper left from time to time. Don't get any of the team messages just voice. When using hud it marks enemies in game on expert mode. Mouse disappears too in menus but I can get around that

Edited April 14, 2017 by Dunfielder

[Thad]

I have never gotten lost.... but I WAS terribly confused for a few days.

[Lusekofte]

It is not hard , but it take some effort.

 

For the "O" map :North is up West to the left, East is Right and south is down. And take it from there. There is even a tool for it in inter web. 

[NewfieDunfielder]

Yeah I've been having to pause and check landmarks on the map. I find it's worse after a fight which disoriented the crap out of you

[Professor1942]

I had this problem a couple days ago but they fixed it.

[NewfieDunfielder]

Just got to play now it's 2.009c and it works agin sweet

[Field-Ops]

It made me realize how hopeless I was at navigating without GPS guidance.

[Wulf]

I note there's a radio navigation antenna on several of the aircraft plus of course the corresponding dial on the instrument binnacle.  Do we know if this is being implemented anytime soon, or at all?  They had it operational in the old IL-2.

[Lusekofte]

The homing device on the PE 2 work very nice if the mission maker put a beacon up. In Random expert the beacon was set to the further behind airbase. I was sure it was a feature that it led you back to the airport you came from since I started from that airbase. 

But if they only had more frequences it could be like that

[Wolf8312]

I'm a brilliant navigator I've found one of the greatest secrets of WW2, all I have to do is press a button that I have mapped to my HOTAS and a giant arrow will appear in the sky telling me where to go! I quickly turn it off again and pretend I havent seen it!

 

Navigation might be fun to learn one day but at present I have very limited time to play so I just tend to get myself into combat situations as quickly as possible! I'm also lazy in that I have largely avoided learning how to dogfight and tend to attack airports and things like that! I do love that BOS/M has the option to fly both expert but also doesent force you to fly across the world is you dont fancy it.

[dburne]

I'm a brilliant navigator I've found one of the greatest secrets of WW2, all I have to do is press a button that I have mapped to my HOTAS and a giant arrow will appear in the sky telling me where to go! I quickly turn it off again and pretend I havent seen it!

 

 

 

LOL, I have done the exact same thing as well.

Works pretty good.

 

I occasionally use it as well for ID'ing friend or foe... quick switch flip on then off again and I am like, oh yeah I recognize that plane.

 

[Professor1942]

I'm pretty good with navigation sans icons but still find it impossible to tell fighters apart when there is a big swirl of them. I do the on/off icon thing as well.

[Feathered_IV]

My navigation is pretty good. Mostly because I enjoy it to begin with, and think that the challenge is actually half the fun of the game.

[Scojo]

As far as the act of navigating, I don't feel it's too bad.

 

It took me probably 10-15 sorties before I started to get the hang of it.

 

All you need is compass, briefing map, and your eyes.

 

Before takeoff pseudo plan or plan your route. Identify a few landmarks and general headings for different stages of the sortie. Upon takeoff pick your first landmark out of the cockpit and grab your general heading. After that, it's just a matter of periodically checking your map and matching up your surroundings with what's on the map.

 

The only times I ever get lost is when I don't make it a point to check my map consistently.

 

If you get lost, fly in a circle and climb. You'll eventually be able to pick out a landmark to match your map somewhere.

 

Landmarks for me in order of helpfulness are rivers, towns/bases, train tracks, forest shapes, crossroads.

[TP_Silk]

I note there's a radio navigation antenna on several of the aircraft plus of course the corresponding dial on the instrument binnacle.  Do we know if this is being implemented anytime soon, or at all?  They had it operational in the old IL-2.

 

This is already implemented in player-produced missions IF the mission designer has enabled it. It is somewhat limited in that it only has a single channel so will only show you directions to the nearest allied base with an NDB, but provided you have a vague idea where you are you can work it out from there.

 

All it takes is for the mission designer to place and NDB on the map, make it into a linked object, select a faction for it and then set it to channel 1. Job is then done as much as possible at the moment.

[[DBS]El_Marta]

Navigating is half of the fun when flight simming:

 

 

 

Navigation tools: link

Edited April 18, 2017 by [DBS]El_Marta

[seafireliv]

I did a couple of missions flying with my paper map and actually made it to the mission zone and back. Really not that hard, but it does take a little preparation.

 

Now of course stalingrad and the river really helps in navigation, though it was in winter so it still be a pain spotting the river when the city isn`t near.

 

Other maps are a lot harder to navigate since there aren`t that many features to track, so you have to get your vectors right and even time your journey.

 

I do like it though it does take some effort. Really glad for the guy at the airfield who fires that flare gun!

 

Navigating is half of the fun when flight simming:

 

 

 

Navigation tools: link

 

 

"Only look for a landmark when it`s due and if you don`t see a landmark, don`t flap!"

Lovely.

Edited April 19, 2017 by seafireliv

[Guest deleted@30725]

I'm a pretty good map reader on the ground, it's harder while flying as your point of reference is always moving. Note where your plane starts from, from which runway and note landmarks on the map and when you get in the air to orientate yourself with the landscape. Some of the planes with compasses are good as you can orientate yourself with north, east, etc and when you find a plane, check which way you were headed before engaging so you can at least get back to going in the same direction after the fight to orientate yourself again.

 

Studying the map or an area you plan to fly in to start with can help and just have fun flying from one airfield to another. Good chance to do a couple of perfect landings too.

[1./KG4_OldJames]

Look forward to the spit in bok. The compass is on the floor hidden by the flight/joy stick. At least it is in CloD.

[Jade_Monkey]

All it takes is for the mission designer to place and NDB on the map, make it into a linked object, select a faction for it and then set it to channel 1. Job is then done as much as possible at the moment.

Cool, i'll try it this weekend. I knew it was possible but I didn't know how.

Do all planes have instruments capable of radio nav?

[LukeFF]

 

 

Do all planes have instruments capable of radio nav?

 

No, only these:

• Pe-2 (both)
• Yak-1 (both)
• La-5
• Fw 190 A-5
• Bf 110 (both)
• Ju 88
• He 111 (both)
• Ju 87
• Ju 52

[Jade_Monkey]

<p>

 

No, only these:

• Pe-2 (both)
• Yak-1 (both)
• La-5
• Fw 190 A-5
• Bf 110 (both)
• Ju 88
• He 111 (both)
• Ju 87
• Ju 52

Cool thanks!

[BuzzU]

I never get lost, because I don't know where i'm going.

[seafireliv]

Some guys are just natural navigators in game and out. I`ve always had to work at it. Even when taking walks out with people, I go in circles where one guy gets it instantly.

 

It`s the same online, I`m looking and another guy sees where he is instantly. Especially tough when you have a crew behind you and you`re leading. Meh.

Edited April 21, 2017 by seafireliv

[Gambit21]

I haven't flown in a while, but when I was flying online on the Stalingrad map back before Moscow was released, I familiarized myself with the map/ landmarks, forest shapes, rivers etc between 

the base I usually took off at in my Yak, and was able to get across the lines, fly to a few enemy bases that I knew the locations of, and navigate home just by those landmarks.

Have to start somewhere. The point is that with a little bit of study you'll find that you can get around pretty well on a given section of the map on landmarks alone.

[BuzzU]

I haven't flown in a while, but when I was flying online on the Stalingrad map back before Moscow was released, I familiarized myself with the map/ landmarks, forest shapes, rivers etc between 

the base I usually took off at in my Yak, and was able to get across the lines, fly to a few enemy bases that I knew the locations of, and navigate home just by those landmarks.

Have to start somewhere. The point is that with a little bit of study you'll find that you can get around pretty well on a given section of the map on landmarks alone.

 

What do you do at night, or heavy fog?

Edited April 22, 2017 by BuzzU

[Gambit21]

What do you do at night, or heavy fog?

 

Get lost!

[BuzzU]

That's an honest answer. Kind of like when I go elk hunting in my Colorado Rockies. I don't get lost. I just take the long way back to my Jeep.

Edited April 22, 2017 by BuzzU

[Riderocket]

I found navigation in rise of flight super easy, because even though the map is bigger, in rise of flight the mission only uses a very small area of it, and I can spend a lot more time Spotting, and less navigating and management of the engine.

 

And with IL-2 the planes have a lot more engine management, and much bigger map area.

 

Rise of flight only had, Oil Rad and Mixture.

 

IL-2 can have, Oil and Water Rads, Mixture, Supercharger, Boost, Engine time limits, separate Prop pitch and Throttle for RPM and Manifold. Etc etc etc

 

All this makes much less time for spotting, which is why I just leave Navigation map Icon on, because there's just too much stuff to fidle with, I really hope one day they add Co-Pilot and bombardiers, so the pilot can fly/Navigate while the Co-pilot can manage the engine. Etc

[Feathered_IV]

One thing I've long wished for in a flight sim is AI bomber crewmen who do their jobs.  For example, plotting a course on the map before or during flight.  Then being able to ask the navigator for the correct heading at any time.  Also to receive corrections if he thinks I've strayed too far off course.

[Scojo]

What do you do at night, or heavy fog?

For me, I stick to headings as best I can. If I get lost, I still play the landmark game.

 

In a fighter, if I get taken off course for an engagement, I usually remember a good heading for getting back to friendly lines and I'll take it for roughly the time I spent to get to the fight, then drop low and find landmarks from my map.

 

One thing I've long wished for in a flight sim is AI bomber crewmen who do their jobs.  For example, plotting a course on the map before or during flight.  Then being able to ask the navigator for the correct heading at any time.  Also to receive corrections if he thinks I've strayed too far off course.

So much this. In my bombers, I always look at my gunner and think "why can't you just be helpful?" lol

 

The 111 nose gunner even has a little table with maps and compass beside him.

 

I guess the only solution right now is bring a buddy along, but it's too tempting to take two 111s instead of just one with a human navigator/gunner

[Wolferl_1791]

Visual Navigation is really easy in BoX. Landmarks are easily recognized on the map. Just follow the basic rules...

- scan the map before the mission. Note cities, airfields that you will pass next to. Note the biggest landmarks possible (a big river). Ask yourself if you can follow roads or rivers.

- as soon as you take off, always check your position, you should always have an idea of your general position.

- keep checking the map for the next big landmark (forest, city, river pass). Look ahead and search for that landmark. Before you pass it, pick the next one. 

- if your nose gets in your way, offset your course so you can see your route better. Don't fly right on top of a road, but 2-3 km to the left or right. It's safer as well.

- the sun can help you, depending on the time of the mission. It's due east in the morning and due west in the evening. At midday it points south. 

- compass is your friend, but remember that you also have wind drift. Even if you fly a perfect heading, after 10 minutes you might miss a big city by miles. 

- radio navigation is basically cheating

- after a big fight, rely on your previously known position. You should have a big landmark nearby to help you figure out where you are. If not, head back towards friendly territory in a general course and wait for one. 

[7.GShAP/Silas]

This is news to nobody I'm sure, but taking the time to plan out your route takes only a couple minutes of your time and relieves most of the constant pressure of navigation.  Take a quick flight sometime and note your cruise speed with your typical weapons and fuel load.  When the time comes online, use the online tool to plot a course going from landmark to landmark, noting your flight time between marks and quickly jotting headings and times down on a piece of paper. It's better not to simply plot a straight line because it's too predictable and because suddenly coming onto the target after a relatively long flight will often surprise you as much as the enemy.  If on ground attack and flying at the appropriate altitude(less than 50 metres) this is especially true.

 

If you have a couple guys to fly with, have the best navigator who can make a snap decision(right or wrong) lead and everyone else can focus on maintaining position and looking for other aircraft.