Navigation tips for single player

[Bloyamind]

Hi there, 

A question about navigation. In this case i'm referring to the cross country quick mission, as I'm using that to practice navigating.

I've got setting the compass and gyro of my spitfire down, I'm able to adjust during flight and such. Also I'm learning the map and focussing on finding landmarks. The trouble is, I read about using tab -> 7 -> 1 to contact ground control. What confuses me is that mission bearings and distance never change and only point to the first waypoint if you fly a straight line from the location of departure. Neither does this change when I fly over the first waypoint to the next. Same goes for tab -> 7 -> 2 to find where I came from. Both just keep saying bearing 120, distance 15 miles. Am I missing something? 

Same happened when I tried multiplayer yesterday. I had fun being lost, and it made me realize the importance of navigation and gave me incentive to learn and practice that. I also kinda goofed up because I was looking at the huge piers of the Dover harbour, but they aren't on the map, regardless of how much you zoom in. No critique, just me not knowing the map well enough to realize I was actually exactly where I thought I was haha. 

As per usual I feel the need to mention: if this is in the wrong place, or if there's a topic I could hi-jack for this question, feel free to remove and point me in the right direction! Every forum is slightly different in this.

[Sokol1]

It's a confuse thing.

 

First thing to get used,  the "controller" (Tab > 7...) only give you bearings in 30 degrees increments, like in Timosthenes 280s–270s BCE, Wind Rose: 

 

 

 

If he say bearing 120, the next bearing will be only when your are in the 150 - 180º "slice".

[Bloyamind]

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure I follow, the bearing and distance stay static wherever I am on the map. It's a simple problem but I have trouble explaining it clearly. Another way to explain: if I take-off and my mission goal is at bearing 120, at 15 miles distance, and I fly at bearing 120 for 15 miles, I should be at the mission goal, but tab 7 1 still tells me it's bearing 120, 15 miles distance. Same if I fly off in a random direction, the message stays static. In other words, following ground control's message will never point me to where I need to go from where I am. Does ground control always measure the distance and bearing from the airfield where you started? That would explain, but I would asume they know where I am? If not, ground control wouldn't be able to help me find my way if i'm lost, which was what i was trying to use it for.

[Sokol1]

The "ground controller" is the home base set for landing (in missions files), so he will only give you bearing for there.

 

The "controller" don't give you bearings for waypoints - this was function of "AI navigator"included in original TAB commands at game release, but since at this time TAB commands are all broken, several commands are "sweep under the rug" instead fixed by original game developer. 

 

Due the 30 degrees "slices" followed by the "controller" sometimes is need take the longest path for the home base, because need fly a big distance for reach the next "slice" and so be corrected by the "controller", but when your are near the home base will notice that corrections in bearings are more frequent, because the reduction of the cone of the "slice" and so distances. 

 

Is possible navigate "dead reckoning" in CLoD but due this "peculiarities" is more difficult than should.

I  fly some nigh missions in Piper_Kiev Beaufighter mini campaign relying only in "controller" commands for find enemies and for return to home base, who at nigh are only (barely) visible when you fly very close - 2-3 Km; to see runway lights.

 

Anyway in the Cross Country mission the "controller" only give you "bearing 120" because the home base (for landing) is in French coast - Le Crotoy surroundings I think, more or less at 120º of departure base, so since you are in the largest part of an 30 degrees "slice" will receive only "bearing 120" unless make a big navigation error.

 

I don't remember how is the "controller" guidance for targets online, don't fly this at ages.

 

A strange thing is that in offline in missions - like Cross Country, in what are no enemy neither friendly flights, the "controller" give you that...  '"bearing 120, distance 15 miles"  for TAB-7-1. ?

Edited November 7, 2022 by Sokol1

[Bloyamind]

Thanks for taking the time for that in depth reply! now 30 degrees slice makes sense to me :).

[Dawson]

Bloyamind, the target requests was greatly improved in a patch last month. It's described in the TFS public notes.

 

https://www.team-fusion-simulations.de/tfsresources/_dat/_01_Manuals/Cliffs Of Dover Public Notes.pdf

[Bloyamind]

Thanks, I think this line explains it all:
 

· The biggest distance displayed is 15 miles (GB, US) or 30 km (all other countries), even if the target is further away.

In combination with Sokol's 30degree slice explanation. 

 

Now practice is what I need

[Sokol1]

On 11/8/2022 at 12:46 PM, Dawson said:

Bloyamind, the target requests was greatly improved in a patch last month. It's described in the TFS public notes.

 

https://www.team-fusion-simulations.de/tfsresources/_dat/_01_Manuals/Cliffs Of Dover Public Notes.pdf

Quote

 

Regardless of the type of the vehicle you are in, you’ll get bearing and distance to the next waypoint in your mission (“Mission target Bearing”).

 

If there were no waypoints or no waypoint is left, it gives distance and bearing to your homebase (where spawned).

 

 

I think that this "next waypoint" information work only in multiplayer...?
 

BTW - An example of how "slices" work, from  Quick Mission:  Bomber Intercept - Channel - Low Level 

 

 

At spawn you are ~66º relative to home base, but when ask for bearing the answer is "Vector 060".

 

A direction that put you at NW of home base (Hawkinge), why?

 

Because the "slice" 30 to 60º - of Timosthenes Wind Rose; is the one more close to the real bearing needed. 

The same "logic" is used as when I ask for the runway for takeoff, the nearest direction is indicated, instead of runway 22, 50, etc... what make little sense. ?

 

 So if you don't ask for direction again time to time can end in the Thames estuary. It's how things are in "Dr. Wh'Oleg World!" ?

 

Edited November 11, 2022 by Sokol1

[Veteran66]

hi, i make a Navigations App for PC and Android

 

https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36466&p=384537&viewfull=1#post384537

 

last Side the link for the Android App