galvedro

The L-39 has G, AoA and Speed limit protections that inhibit firing out of parameters. Check that you are steady and above 400 km/h when you fire.

Here: Flying the F-5 Tiger II (Part 1)

The trajectory of the bomb is already accounted for when you are given the release parameters: H=1100m, DiveAngle 40°, speed=500km/h, Depression=10°. These parameters define the release vector for a weapon of certain characteristics. Here, we are only deducting the slant range as a function of those given parameters. We are not calculating the release point itself.

I believe I understand what's going on. The fictitious target size you are getting with the spreadsheet (28m) is the same I was getting before I realised we have to introduce a correction for sight depression. Since the depression is 10°, it affects the result significantly, so it cannot be ignored if you want to do the calculation properly. You and I are getting the same slant range, after I reviewed my numbers as described above, just because the sight depression happens to be 10°, which makes it so DiveAngle + Depression = 90° - DiveAngle. This is a coincidence. If I am understanding this correctly, you are entering the dive angle 40° in cell B41. This is wrong. The formulation in that row is using the second equation in the diagram, which expects the angle phi = 90° - DiveAngle as input, in other words, the angle with respect to the vertical, not with respect to the horizontal. We get the same result because making phi = 40° results in the same triangle I am resolving when introducing the correction for sight depression :).

If I should trust the manual in that the maximum distance is 800m for the target scale in the reticle, I stand by my calculation of 33.4 m for the target base. I checked the spreadsheet, and I didn't manage to understand how the number is derived in there. This is how I am doing it, is it wrong?

Aha, I see. Those plots show a deviation in H, as well as in slant range. Basically, they are releasing with the target centred in the reticle which, for an Hact>Hcalc release means releasing further away from the target. That can indeed result in a short drop, depending on the reticle depression. But that's an F5 in the drawing, isn't it?, and I believe the F5 does not allow you to adjust the reticle for a calculated slant range, nor does the calculation for you either. Anyway, what I was thinking when I wrote my comment was that, if you consider the velocity vector imparted to the bomb at the release point, and consider that all parameters: initial speed, distance to the target and dive angle remain the same, and only consider altitude as a source of error (which is what I thought you where trying to illustrate in the lesson), then if Hact > Hcalc, the bombs will tend to fall long, and this is why: if released from a higher altitude, the bomb will spend more time in the air traveling at the same speed with respect to the ground (also true if you consider horizontal deceleration due to aerodynamic forces). Therefore, it will travel more distance over the ground and fall farther away. In practice, when I did this lesson, I had a tendency to release 100-200 meters lower than I should, and my bombs tended to fall short every time. All other parameters where about right (dive angle, speed). EDIT: Actually, looking at the diagrams you posted, I realise that my numbers are also slightly off. Slant range should be 1435 m, giving a fictitious target size of 33.4. Hopefully these ones are correct.

I was on this mission two or three weeks ago, also running the open beta. I didn't see a problem with this. (This was before the update that introduced the MiG-19 and crooked the F-18's FCS). When I screw, I normally forget to flip the trigger safe before firing. Other than that, are you loading the weapon with the pyro charge?

Thank you. While you are at it, maybe you can also check M7. There are also a few errors in the briefing: The target building is about 60m wide. The slant range at the bomb release point should be 1711 m. That makes for a fictitious target size of about 28 m (not 15 m as stated in the briefing). Further down, in the common errors: If Hact > Hcalc, or Vact > Vcalc, the bombs will fall long, not short.

Just use Kneeboard Builder

Hi, The briefing for missions 4, 5 & 6 state that the targets are enclosed in a 30 m circle and that the fictitious target base must be set to 17m. This is wrong. The circles are 60m in diameter, and the fictitious target base should be set to 33m instead.

Good point. I tend neither to do that (keep min distance on the sight until lineup), nor flip the trigger safety just before and after shooting. Both are vices that I have that I should correct. And are actually both relevant to many airframes.

That makes sense. Thank you! I'll then use it as a tool to hone my manoeuvres, but set it to "fixed" for firing.

Hi, The ground attack exercises with rockets in this campaign ask you to configure the gunsight to the gyro setting prior to the attack. Why is this? I understand that in the gyro setting, the gunsight provides a firing solution to a tracking shot onto a moving target, i.e., it calculates the required lead for the shot based on your own turning rate. You don't want that when firing at static objects in the ground, do you?

I don't think the OP is asking how to fly as realistically as possible, but just what to do with the elements DCS provides out of the box. Most of the items you list in the first post are basic aviation concepts. This is my go-to reference: Microsoft Flight Simulator X For Pilots: Real World Training. Ignore the fact that it says FSX in the title; it is still a very accessible and complete guide on aviation for enthusiasts. The best I have found, I would say. Not a tutorial. Not free. But you get everything, except for combat procedures, explained in an accessible and entertaining language. Check the table of contents. (I am not related to this publication in any way, other than having it in my bookshelf, that is..)

I am having a blast going through this campaign! Kudos to the developers! Some feedback on mission 3, level bombing: I is possible to complete the mission by flying under the cloud cover at 200m, just like in missions 1 & 2. I flew it this way the first time and passed, then went through it again to try to do it better, and noticed that I was supposed to go enroute at 900m! The experience is quite different! The briefing is so detailed that it is easy to miss steps. For this mission, the instructor should probably force you up through the cloud cover and not pass the lesson if you do the route visually.