DCS Huey FAQ

1. How accurate is the flight model?

2. How do I set up my controllers?

3. I can’t hover!

4. How do you land the damn thing? I keep crashing!

5. Does the sim support force-feedback?

6. I’m having problems with the training missions.

7. I can’t find the throttle assignment to map.

8. I keep getting a beeping alarm in the cockpit.

9. Does the sim include missions or campaigns?

10. How do you navigate in this thing?

MAY 16, 2013:

11. I just purchased the Huey and am new to DCS. How do I get started?

12. What is trim and how do you use it?

13. I am using a keyboard for pedal (rudder) control and the sim does not respond to commands.

14. Is there a way to enable more vibrations in the cockpit?

15. Is there a skin template?

16. How do I reset my controls to default?

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1. How accurate is the flight model?

DCS: UH-1H Huey is based on the same flight dynamics modeling principles as other DCS aircraft, which we have termed “Advanced Flight Model” or AFM. Using this technology, the FM is created using physics-based real-time calculations of the forces and moments experienced by the aircraft as a summation of its major individual elements, such as the fuselage, rotor blades, skids, stabilizers, etc. The model does not rely on “canned” scripted behavior to recreate desired performance characteristics, but instead naturally produces them based on carefully tuned input data of the aircraft elements’ characteristics and the equations governing the dynamic effects they impart on the aircraft. This means the model produces almost every dynamic effect associated with conventional helicopter flight naturally and in real-time (with some limited exceptions in cases where real-time calculations are extremely difficult, such as complex LTE (loss of tail rotor effectiveness) conditions). However given that the product is currently still in Beta stage, fine-tuning of the FM continues to ensure it is as accurate as possible specifically to the aircraft being modeled, i.e. the UH-1H. We have been and continue to work with a number of actual or former Huey pilots that have been of great value is testing and tuning of the model.

2. How do I set up my controllers?

Unfortunately there is not one, easy answer to this. Input setup depends on both the hardware used and the personal preference of the user.

Like most helicopters, the Huey demands active control on all three primary flight controls – the cyclic control stick (“joystick” to control pitch and roll), the collective control handle (side lever to control rotor lifting power), and anti-torque pedals (to control nose left/right yaw). Although the game can be played reasonably well even with just a keyboard, it’s best to at least have a joystick, preferably with a twist function to control yaw (pedals), but if possible a complete set of all three controllers.

DCS Huey includes a “Game Flight” mode, which uses the same flight model as Sim mode, but with heavily increased damping, which makes the helicopter much more stable and easier to control. If you find your controllers lacking or are unable to fly well even after considerable practice, we recommend trying the Game Flight mode as it may actually provide you with a more realistic level of control than you would otherwise have with a keyboard or other highly limiting controllers.

To configure your controllers, open the OPTIONS > CONTROLS menu, select the “UH-1H Sim” or “UH-1H Game” Layer as desired (the Game layer is used when “Game Avionics” mode is set to ON in OPTIONS > GAMEPLAY), and select Axis Commands for Category.

Next, make sure that only the desired hardware device is assigned to each simulation flight control device. Meaning, the Cyclic is only controlled by the joystick, the pedals (or “rudder”) only by whichever device you want to control the pedals, etc. If multiple hardware devices are mapped to a simulation flight control device, you will experience conflicting inputs and the helicopter will be uncontrollable.

To tune the input of a device, highlight it and press the Axis Tune button. This will bring up the Axis Tune panel, where you can setup such options as a deadzone and input curve.

The configuration of the deadzone and the input curve is up to you and it can take some flying time to find a combination that works for you. Technically, DCS aircraft are designed to accurately model the real controls of the aircraft at linear settings and no deadzone. However, because most gaming hardware cannot provide the same amount of control precision as real aircraft controls, a small deadzone and some curvature may be used to compensate for the lack of precision and provide better control.

It’s important to understand that when a curve is set, it helps with control around the neutral position of the device, but amplifies your inputs away from the neutral position, making it less precise. Therefore it’s important to re-trim the helicopter controls (“T” key) when the stick is away from center to re-set the in-game neutral position and place the flat part of the input curve to the currently trimmed position of the device.

The screenshot above demonstrates one suggestion for an input setting, but it is only a suggestion. Some users find that they require no deadzone or curve at all, while others require a large deadzone of more than 5 and a curve of 30. Generally speaking, it’s best to keep both the deadzone and the curve to the minimum values necessary for you to fly well and with complete control of the helicopter.

3. I can’t hover!

Hovering is not easy. Hover control requires very small, but very frequent inputs on the cyclic and, to a lesser extent, the pedals. Try this video, created by one of our consulting Huey pilots, to get some pointers:

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4. How do you land the damn thing? I keep crashing!

One of the main challenges in a landing approach the change in dynamics experienced as the helicopter loses what’s called translational lift at speeds below approximately 30 knots. The slower you are, the less efficient the main rotor becomes, requiring increasing collective to maintain lift. At the same time, the more collective is raised, the higher the engine torque required to maintain rotor RPM. As torque increases, so does torque-induced yaw, pulling the helicopter’s nose to the right and requiring increasing left pedal. In short, as you slow down, be prepared to progressively add collective and left pedal until you reach a hover, at which point you can carefully reduce collective for a vertical landing.

When learning, keep your approaches relatively shallow and your rate of deceleration low to give you plenty of time to react to the changing dynamics.

If you haven’t seen it yet, the Landing training video is available on Youtube:

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5. Does the sim support force-feedback?

Yes, it does.

It’s important to note that when using force feedback, the pitch and roll axes may need to be swaped if you are using an MSFFB2 stick, which can be done using the FF Tune button in the Controls options. Also, you cannot set any input curve for the pitch/roll axes when using force feedback.

You can also try an unofficial, external force-feedback application developed by community member “average_pilot”. This program not only modifies the force modeling on the stick, but also makes it possible to set curves on your cyclic input. For more details, follow the thread here:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=84883

Specifically:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1394206&postcount=18 (for MSFFB2)

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1628706&postcount=43 (for G940)

Thanks, average_pilot!

6. I’m having problems with the training missions.

Try the updated training missions, which include a number of minor fixes and improvements as well as full voiceover. While we wait for the archive to be hosted by an ED server for download, you can download the file here:

http://ge.tt/8Zd9kyf/v/0?c

Or a torrent here:

http://ge.tt/5nrppmf/v/0?c

Unpack the archive to \\Mods\aircrafts\Uh-1H\Missions\EN

7. I can’t find the throttle assignment to map.

Under Axis Commands, the throttle is currently called “Corrector” in the Controls setup.

8. I keep getting a beeping alarm in the cockpit.

This is the Low Rotor RPM warning. It’s normal during start-up. In flight, it is bad news and means the engine is unable to provide enough power to turn the main rotor at enough speed, leading to a loss of lift and flight control.

The alarm can be reset by clicking the Low RPM Audio switch on the central pedestal.

9. Does the sim include missions or campaigns?

Yes, a handcrafted single-player campaign is included with extensive voiceover. Currently three single missions and a few instant-action missions are included as well. More missions and probably another campaign will be included for final release.

Check out the trailer for the "UN Pilot" campaign currently included with the Huey open beta version:

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10. How do you navigate in this thing?

The DCS: UH-1H model includes VHF and ADF radios, which allow you to conduct radio navigation using the radio navaids on the map, including many NDB stations and a few VOR stations. In addition, the Mission Editor allows mission designers to place custom radio transmitters in their missions, which can include stationary location-based radios or mobile radios attached to moving units. If the radios are setup correctly, you can also navigate to these custom radio stations.

Of course there is also the compass and clock method of dead reckoning, and visual pilotage.

In addition, the kneeboard map screen can be brought up at any time using the RSHIFT+K command.

You can check out these unofficial navigation guides by user wess24m for more in-depth instructions on how to navigate using the radios.

ADF/VHF FM nav:

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VOR/ILS nav:

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List of NDB stations: https://www.dropbox.com/s/kb47biu7he5is6i/Martin_Renders_LOSLAMs.pdf

11. I just purchased the Huey and am new to DCS. How do I get started?

Although we take great efforts to try to lower the entry bar, this is a complex piece of software and a deep simulation of a complex machine, so please give yourself a little time to get sorted if you are unable to just open the game and fly right off the bat.

There are a number of different ways to start. You may wish to check out some video tutorials. A good one for new Huey players that are also new to DCS might be this:

There are many other video tutorials available, including the official training videos on the Belsimtek YouTube channel and various user-created videos. Browse through the Peter Pilots section of the forum for more resources for beginners.

You may also wish to check the Quickstart Guide. It is relatively short and should give you enough information to get started without having to read the full Flight Manual. The game documentation can be found in the ModsaicraftsUh-1HDoc folder.

Lastly, take a few minutes to go through the Options menus. You may need to configure the difficulty settings in the GAMEPLAY menu, CONTROLS settings, MISC., and SPECIAL options.

When setting up your controls, make sure that there are no duplicate controller mappings, i.e. that your joystick is only assigned to the roll and pitch axes of the simulation. Check the previous FAQ entry on controller setup for more information on how to set up your devices.

12. What is trim and how do you use it?

To keep it simple, trim is a way to keep the aircraft flying with a particular attitude (bank/pitch) without having to push on the flight controls the entire time.

In most real aircraft, the flight controls are loaded with some tension designed to keep the pilot from throwing the controls around too much, which could lead to a loss of control or even break the aircraft. The tension on the controls returns them to their neutral position after the pilot stops pushing them away from it. Note that the neutral position may not necessarily be the center position. For example the tension of the stick can be neutralized (or “trimmed”) to the left to maintain a left turn. If this is hard to imagine, pretend you are driving a car and making a left turn. If you let go of the steering wheel, it will begin to turn back to straighten the wheels. If your car had a trimmer mechanism, you would be able to press it to neutralize the forces on the steering wheel in the turned position and keep it there to maintain the left turn. You would then have to apply force to it to turn it back and straighten the wheels. If you wanted the wheel to stay straight without having to hold it there by force, you would need to trim once again after it is straightened out.

For example, when hovering in a Huey, the stick is positioned back and left with the left pedal pushed in about a third of its travel range. When flying forward at speed however, the stick is forward and center with the pedals almost centered. To help the pilot from having to pull hard and push hard on the controls between these two flight regimes, he can trim them in the hover position when he needs to hover or in the straight and level flight position when he needs to fly straight and level. When the pilot trims the controls, the tension is “reset” and the controls become neutralized in their current position.

In the Huey, the system is called Force Trim and is operated by the trim switch on the cyclic control stick. When the switch is pressed down, the spring tension is removed from the controls and they become easy to move through their entire travel range. When the switch is released, the spring force is re-set and holds the controls in their current position. And so the pilot trims throughout the flight in order to keep the controls where they need to be without having to work against the spring tension the entire time.

Force Trim can be disabled by the Force Trim switch on the Central Pedestal. In reality pilots often fly with the system disabled. This allows them to move the controls without resistance, which makes flying easier when active maneuvering is required. However most gaming HOTAS devices already provide very little tension and in fact feel more like the real controls with Force Trim disabled. Hence there is really no reason to disable Force Trim in the simulation.

There are a couple of important trim options available in the OPTIONS > SPECIAL > UH-1H menu.

- ENABLE RUDDER TRIMMER. This option controls whether the virtual pedals are trimmed in position when the trimmer is used. When unchecked, only the cyclic control stick will be trimmed. In this case you will need to manually control the pedal position throughout the flight. When pedal trim is enabled, you will be able to trim the pedals in a desired position and not have to continually apply force to them. However when using this option with standard gaming pedals, which do not have a force-feedback function, you will have to physically re-center the pedals each time you trim since gaming pedals cannot maintain a trimmed position outside of center.

- CENTRAL POSITION TRIMMER MODE. For users without a force-feedback joystick there is no way to physically maintain the position of the stick after it is trimmed out of the center position in the simulation. With CENTRAL POSITION MODE OFF, the player has to very quickly return the stick (and pedals if pedal trim is on) to center after trimming the controls (press-release of the trimmer switch). With CENTRAL POSITION MODE ON, control inputs freeze until the stick (and pedals if pedal trim is on) is returned to center, giving the player more time to do so, but disabling control of the helicopter in the meantime.

13. I am using a keyboard for pedal (rudder) control and the sim does not respond to commands.

Set the ENABLE RUDDER TRIM option in the OPTIONS > SPECIAL > UH-1H menu to ON.

14. Is there a way to enable more vibrations in the cockpit?

There is an optional cockpit vibration effect you can turn on by pressing LSHIFT + K when airborne (can take three or four presses sometimes). In addition, there is a “Head Movement by G-Forces in Cockpit” option in the OPTIONS > MISC. menu. Note that having the “Head Movement by F-Forces in Cockpit” option enabled can cause overly dramatic effects when combined with other vibration effects in the cockpit.

15. Is there a skin template?

Yes. http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/345687/

16. How do I reset my controls to default?

To reset your controls to default, delete (or rename, to be safe) the input folders found in C:\Users\<NAME>\Saved Games\DCS\Config\Input\UH-1H.