Easier To Learn Jets?

I'm about finished learning the basics of operating the DCS P-51 and I want to try flying one of the more Modern jets. I was curious if any of them would be easier to learn and fly as the next step? By this I'm specifically looking at the F-86, F-15, and F-18.

 

Thanks.

The F-15 has no clickable cockpit and thus it would be a let down from the P-51 .. of the remaining two, without doubt the F-86 is easier to learn completely as it has very simple systems, however it has the disadvantage of DCS not having much on assets from the period 1950-1960 so creating believable missions for it is a big challenge.

 

 

So, my advice is to go with the F-18 .. it is easy to fly, and you can learn the wide array of sensors and weapons one by one .. it wil take a while but it is very fulfilling .. it has also the ability to operate from a Carrier, thus bringing another aspect of air warfare onto your missions.

 

 

Best regards

Su-25T,

 

 

slower,

more stable (keep it unarmed),

no flight computers (you actually learn how to fly, not how to command a computer)

FREE

already installed

 

 

enjoy

The Hornet is extremely intuitive in systems management. It's very safe to call "easy."

I have a soft spot for the F-18 as I am Canadian and our air force flies this jet as the CF-18. Is the F-18 a stable module to run in DCS, no code issues?

I would not jump from the P-51 to the F-18, the contrast between them is too large. After an analogue airplane you get a flyable computer.

The F-86 is a good idea! Simple, easy to learn, fun to fly.

If you want something more complicated, I higly recomend the F-5E! Actually this is one of my favorite planes recently.

 

Russian planes are a bit harder to fly.

The F-5E is a great airplane to get into jets. It's not too complicated system wise, but has all the basics a combat jet needs.

I have a soft spot for the F-18 as I am Canadian and our air force flies this jet as the CF-18. Is the F-18 a stable module to run in DCS, no code issues?

Go for the F-18 then. It's still not fully developed, but it has enough systems to use for missions. If by stable you mean crashes, I don't have problems with it, although it's not my main module so I might not be using it as often as some others.

 

 

My opinion when it comes to DCS is that while it can be complicated, nothing is really out of reach if you're willing to learn it. Especially if you plan to focus on one airframe. For the most part though the F-18 is pretty straight forward. Even if you don't master it, you can still enjoy it. One thing to keep in mind when coming from the P-51 is that the F-18 has many many more inputs to map. You can mitigate this somewhat with the clickable cockpit, but if you do like to bind controls to your flight stick, I suggest having one with many buttons. Perhaps also learn how to set buttons as modifiers in the DCS controls so you can effectively multiply the amount of buttons you have.

I would like to thank everyone for their feedback, it is much appreciated!

Yeah F18 for sure. As far as startup, takeoff, shoot guns... Not much harder than the P51. A good bit easier to take off actually...

 

 

But then you have quite a few more systems to learn after that and you can do so at your own pace.

I have a soft spot for the F-18 as I am Canadian and our air force flies this jet as the CF-18.

 

Canadian? .. I loved this TV show of yours :)

 

IF6kA56pwnc

The F-18 is definitely easier to learn.

 

But I would suggest you take on the F-5 next. That is, to really learn how to fly without the help an FBW. The good habits you pick up (and the bad habits you will NOT pick up) will serve you well in any jet for many years to come. Whereas not just the bad habits you pick up but the various important basic skills you will never really pick up in the F-18 will hurt you for many years to come as well if you go that route.

The F-5E is in my opinion the perfect full fidelity module to learn as being a 3rd generation fighter it's systems do not have the depth and complexity of say modules like the A-10C or the Hornet. It's a fun little aircraft to fly and learn the basics of flying and navigation, BFM techniques, along with some old school air to ground work thrown in for good measure.

F-5E was my first module

 

1. F-5E is my recommendation if you plan to continue purchasing other modules later.
   
2. Hornet, if you plan only to buy one in the foreseeable future.
   

 

 

 

After some lengthy consideration F-5E was my first module. Since I've got nearly all modules - and I would still recommend it as first. If you have a limited budget and plan to only get one - then I'd say F-18. I do agree with the criticism previous posters have presented about getting Hornet as the 1st jet. Though, if your budget is limited it will bring smiles for a long time and be suitable and competitive in a wide range of missions.

For basic flying, navigation, and unguided weapons I am finding the F-18 Hornet much easier to learn to fly than the P-51.

The F-5E is a great airplane to get into jets. It's not too complicated system wise, but has all the basics a combat jet needs.

 

There ought to be a free T-38.

Watch this series for opinions. It will give an (opinionated) snapshot view of all planes and helicopters.

 

He also really like the F-5 for a starter jet.

 

Since opinions are a dime a dozen, here's some more (caveat, I've haven't flown jets much at all, I'm into WW2 planes).

 

Every jet is simpler in the flying department than any tail dragger.

 

The Su-25T is free and included. Absolutely try it. It's a

and it's a pig in the air and to land because it is overweight. Other jets are on average easier. But if enjoying the flying aspect, it's rewarding to figure it out.

 

The F-15 is ridiculously easy maybe because it's an FC3 plane without an advanced fm. Then again the Mig-29 is also FC3 and it is tricky to land. I read somewhere that the Su-25T has an advanced fm unlike the other FC3 planes (I might be wrong).

 

The P-51 (once having learned to properly take advantage of the lockable tail wheel) is an order of magnitude easier than all the other taildraggers (never tried the Dora).

 

The Spitfire is my absolute favorite for pure flying. It has a very steep learning curve to takeoff and especially land but it is very rewarding. In the air it's viceless. To me the Spitfires flight model feels most 'real' and immersive of all planes in DCS.

Edited September 8, 2019 by -0303-

I find the F86 the easiest to fly and to me is the next logical step after prop planes, but I don't own the F18 or F5. The Mig15 is a bit more demanding to learn...

Going to throw a curveball in & suggest Viggen, simple startup, can take waypoints off the map in mission if you don't want to work the computer out ( not that it's difficult ) and the weapons go from very simple to stimulatingly complex. Advantage over the F-5 is actual nav computer, otherwise the F-5 is fantastic ( if a bit *too* basic at times ).

... I'm specifically looking at the F-86, F-15, and F-18.

 

 

The OP was very specific about the aircrafts he is considering ... why is everyone suggesting something else instead?

I'd suggest the Hornet, while it does have many different digital systems to learn that you can get really deep into, simply flying the aircraft itself is going to be a breeze if you're already proficient at handling the P-51. All the different pages available for the three different cockpit displays might seem daunting at first, but getting the basics down (such as dropping dumb bombs, basic A/A engagements, etc) is not overly complex IMO. There are a ton of great official and third party tutorials and guides available online that can help you master the Hornet. I'd also make sure that your throttle and stick have enough buttons to map all of the F/A-18's HOTAS functions to as this will greatly increase your efficiency while flying it.

 

If you're worried about jumping straight from a warbird to a fully featured jet and want to ease yourself in you could also try learning the F-15 first. Since it's a Flaming Cliffs 3 aircraft it has no clickable cockpit and it's systems are very much simplified, but it can teach you a lot about A/A and will help you get acclimated to things systems like the RWR, HUD, radar display, etc. Unfortunately it lacks any A/G capability, so you might consider purchasing the whole FC3 bundle as you'll get a bunch of other 4th gen aircraft that can also take the fight to the ground. The free Su-25T will also definitely get the job done if you just want to learn the basics of A/G combat like CCIP/CCRP bombing, rocket and guns employment, and even SEAD.

why is everyone suggesting something else instead?

Because we are full of opinions eager to let out?

 

I have the F-15 and the F-86 so ...

 

The F-15, very easy to takeoff, land and also taxi. The Grim Reaper Capn' (video series I recommended) likes it a lot as a plane to learn the basics (systems) of modern jet combat. That's partly at least because it is an FC3 plane with less detailed systems). I've not learned it fully, the systems seems plenty detailed to me.

 

The F-86, slightly more difficult, but still very easy to takeoff, land. All it's handling problems stems from the awkward noose wheel steering. Learn to watch the Turn Indicator while taxiing. Noose wheel steering is very sensitive on takeoff and landing, therefore release it quickly on takeoff (rudder steering is much more stable) and only engage at very slow speed after landing. On landing it floats quite a bit, easy to overshoot at first. System wise it has some of the primitive prototypes to modern systems. You can of course, bomb and threw rockets like a WW2 plane.

 

Haven't got the Hornet. Only heard it is easy to fly but to fully learn all it's systems it is 'go to school' 400 page manual category.

Edited September 8, 2019 by -0303-

The F-86 is fun and I enjoy it but it doesn't transfer much to the F-18. In dcs you don't need to advance and transition from simpler planes to more advanced. All you have to do is respawn. To me though doing that is part of the fun. If you don't want to go for a dedicated trainer like the C-101 or L-39 (both great) then the F-5 is the best jet trainer. But F-86, C-101, L-39, F-5, or F-18 what ever you pik you cant lose. They're all great.

The OP was very specific about the aircrafts he is considering ... why is everyone suggesting something else instead?

 

Because sometimes when there's a large amount of information you pick something you're vaguely familiar with to have a starting point - but there may be something remarkablel you miss by doing that until it's pointed out.

 

I haven't actually flown the F-86 in this sim, but Gen 1 jets aren't really all that different to mid-40s props systems-wise other than the obvious propulsion management. The F-18 is a UFO in comparison, and automation everywhere - does have the disadvantage as the modern multirole jet of making everything else redundant though.

The OP was very specific about the aircrafts he is considering ... why is everyone suggesting something else instead?

I suggested the Su-25T. I'll tell you why.

 

 

OP mentioned that they had flown the P-51 and was ready to move on to jets. They didn't mention which P-51 they were referencing, so I assumed they were talking about the free TF-51D, which is the unarmed version. It's possible this person hasn't bought a single module yet, and is enjoying flying the free aircraft and learning. If this is true then what we're really talking about is OP's first paid module.

 

 

OP said they wanted to "try" flying modern jets. They didn't know what aircraft to purchase, probably because they didn't know if they even liked flying jets, or what type of flying they want to do in jets.

 

 

Assuming this person has spent no money, I don't see why they should start when there's a free aircraft already installed which can give them a jet fighter experience. I'm further assuming OP doesn't know the Su-25T is available (no mention) or has forgotten about it. Maybe they don't like jets. Maybe they do. The good thing is they don't have to risk any money to at least dip their toes into flying jets.

If it's the TF-51D then this will also be the first aircraft which can launch weapons in the combat simulator. They can get experience with that too. If they don't load it with every weapon it can carry it handles really well, and it's CAS design makes it a good first jet.

 

 

I'm a fan of the Su-25T, and while OP didn't specifically ask about it, I thought it was good to remind them of it.

Edited September 9, 2019 by randomTOTEN