The blue circle

[greybeard_52]

Currently my realism settings are as follows.

So I can't see my airplane on the map either. However, I realize that if there is a blue circle on the map (as in the following figure), when land and air objects - friends and enemies - are inside it, I can see them represented on the map.

I don't know what that circle is; it would be nice if the developers explained the codes of the symbols that appear on the map. I've already asked once, but I haven't received any complete and official answer.

[Riderocket]

I think it's radar

[Trooper117]

Perhaps it's simulated range of vision... outside of the circle it's beyond visual range?

[spreckair]

If you are escorting bomber or attack aircraft and they are out of range from you, the lead plane will be in the blue circle.  At least, that is how it works for me.

[JG4_Moltke1871]

I think the blue circle is the range of spotters.

In the centre should be an armoured car in the game.

 I have it also in some careers and I wish I can turn it off?

[AEthelraedUnraed]

Mission logic wise, the blue circles are spotters, and the blue circle represents the range they can detect aircraft.

 

Game wise, it's indeed intended to represent either radar or ground controllers who'd guide an aircraft towards the target. It would be nice if the ground controller AI was a bit more advanced so that it could actually do this by itself, but given the state of radio messages as it is, this is probably the best compromise available.

[Ram399]

15 minutes ago, AEthelraedUnraed said:

Game wise, it's indeed intended to represent either radar or ground controllers who'd guide an aircraft towards the target. It would be nice if the ground controller AI was a bit more advanced so that it could actually do this by itself, but given the state of radio messages as it is, this is probably the best compromise available

The spotter does actually have his own callsign and will communicate with your flight over the radio when hostile aircraft first enter the zone, giving you a position and distance before telling you to engage, but he then usually doesn't talk again until the target he designates is destroyed or leaves the area. 

It's easy to miss those messages when the area devolves into a giant furball within a couple minutes as often happens though.

[AEthelraedUnraed]

57 minutes ago, Ram399 said:

The spotter does actually have his own callsign and will communicate with your flight over the radio when hostile aircraft first enter the zone, giving you a position and distance before telling you to engage, but he then usually doesn't talk again until the target he designates is destroyed or leaves the area. 

It's easy to miss those messages when the area devolves into a giant furball within a couple minutes as often happens though.

That's correct, and there's even a couple of tricks to make the spotter repeat its message once or twice

 

It is however not nearly as much guidance as you'd have with a "real" radar/ground controller.

[jollyjack]

So that's why the darn boogiemen always shoot me up my ass ... them figgin' plane engines are as noisy as my old Mercedes '78 diesel van.

So i always keep the sound off these days. As ex bus driver i miss those great mirrors however. Just to check my six, especially if the cops are on my tail.

[greybeard_52]

On 3/14/2023 at 11:12 PM, AEthelraedUnraed said:

It is however not nearly as much guidance as you'd have with a "real" radar/ground controller.

I can't help but notice how the GCI aspect is always overlooked in these simulators. Good old European Air War had a ground control (albeit underperforming) that guided you to your target. All of these newer simulators, on the other hand, appear to be based on the state of the art from WW1 or so. I believe that - at least since 1942 - all the major belligerents had fighter guidance radar stations (including the Soviet Union with its RUS-2), so why not integrate them into the games?