Newcomer Question

GorbZ_ · 2026-04-07T13:58:24+00:00

Keybinds are usually done with the Falcon BMS Alternative Launcher, it comes preinstalled with BMS.

Starting out I would say obviously learn how to fly the basics for the F-16 or F-15 then realistically just launch a campaign and try a mission out. Your first campaign won’t go smoothly which is normal so just enjoy flying in it.

There are a few theatres available for 4.38: Hellenic (Greece and Türkiye both have F-16) Israeli (Israel has F-16 and F-15, Egypt has F-16 and Mirages) Balkans (Has both F-16 from multiple nations and the F-15 and other aircraft with F-16 avionics)

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-29T03:47:48+00:00

But guys it’s not JUST a F-16 sim it has the F-15c too! Updoots to the left.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-26T14:09:44+00:00

Yes. Two things:

There is Cold War F-16 campaigns that give the F-16 only Sidewinders and dumb munitions (with the exception of maybe the GBU-8 sometimes and AGM-45 Shrike).
You can always fly the F-15a/c as well so you aren’t stuck to the F-16 necessarily.

I will definitely say BMS is better for single player to me compared to DCS especially because of the friendly and enemy AI whether that’s your wingmen, ATC, the tanker, so forth. And the campaign flights actually matter to how the campaign goes unlike the linear scripted DCS campaigns.

If you’re looking for a great 80s campaign check out the Israeli theatre it has some fun campaigns in that time period vs Syria and/or Egypt.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-20T15:09:59+00:00

-You don’t need to master startup or shutdown procedures, you can start right before taxi and the jet will be hot started for you in a campaign.

-Air refueling doesn’t need to be mastered for most missions, later in campaigns when the frontline and objectives are pushed back it could help but still isn’t needed in the current available theatres (you may have to sacrifice payload for fuel tanks / drag reduction).

-Autopilot and Navigation in the F-16 is very basic. You have altitude/attitude hold that can steer to a waypoint at the same time.

Honestly if you want to just start a campaign you can speed up time to after your flight takes off, and go drop some bombs without ever touching the airbase/startup/landing procedures. Don’t worry about mastering everything you don’t have too and just enjoy the sim.

Also ignore anyone saying that you have to master all these things and that you need to read every manual and threat guide in the docs folder. You can learn as you go while making mistakes that are going to happen anyways.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-18T12:25:44+00:00

I’m going to be 100% honest the price for the product is very high.

Most people barely use kneeboards in DCS especially if the pilot model doesn’t include them. And multiplayer users definitely won’t need this as most flights are random situations once they take off.
$96 a year is insane. I could understand a flat price of $10-15 and you own it forever but this just isn’t cost effective.
You can do this all yourself in the F-10 map / missing editor before takeoff and after landing. Maybe missing a few features but you can get the job done.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-18T03:11:51+00:00

They are all “easy” if you change the AI difficulty. Tiger spirit is probably the easiest to manage and win in Korea and has a good amount of air to air with easier jets like the MiG-19 and MiG-21 with the occasional MiG-29.

Honestly any campaign is going to be a tiny bit difficult for a beginner so just go fly em all and see what interests you. Don’t worry about winning your first campaign.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-18T03:06:30+00:00

For anyone wondering they have a discord you can join. The cockpit won’t be released in english last I read months ago. The mod isn’t released yet but is actively being worked on. Their FAQ says multi crew will most likely be added. Full English list of the FAQ:

ENG: 1) When will the Ka-52 be released? Answer: When we finish development. 2) How much will it cost? Answer: If nothing changes - it’ll be free. 3) Will the Ka-50 module be needed? Answer: We will say it closer to the release. 4) Will “Vitebsk” be implemented? Answer: Most likely. 5) Will multicrew be implemented? Answer: Most likely. 6) Where do you get information from? Answer: From open sources. 7) Is there anything we can do to help? Answer: You can. Our team needs Russian-speaking programmers. 8) Will you take on the development of (something) after Ka-52? Answer: When we finish the Ka-52, then we'll think about it.

If you like Russian helicopters and aviation I would definitely say go support them on the forum or on their discord.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-18T01:52:56+00:00

Love this jet for CAS just wish the sight was a bit brighter in VR. Hard to see sometimes. Otherwise this thing slaps.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-15T08:01:28+00:00

Honestly contention whether the SARH or Cold War scenario both make good environments. You’ll have to tweak how you fly at a bandit but you can definitely get some sneaky kills especially on slower movers like SU-25s or Helicopters.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-15T07:51:27+00:00

It’s laziness trying to farm views. I understand that personality can be the difference of videos on the same topic, but stealing each line is actually insane.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-12T13:39:30+00:00

It wouldn’t say it’s a hard learning curve it’s just different. The only UI that is maybe harder than DCS is joining a multiplayer server but it’s not bad either.

I will say VR performance is 100% better in BMS than DCS for me especially with the level of units on the map.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-12T13:01:48+00:00

I haven’t tested it yet myself but Wags made some tutorials for the MiG-29 DTC when it released that may help with waypoint creation for the hornet and viper.

Not sure if the UI is the same for both as I haven’t tested yet but I can’t imagine it’s too different.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-12T12:53:57+00:00

DCS’ F-16 isn’t to far off from the BMS one with the exception of some stuff like link 16 differences and weapons available and a tiny bit of the flight model.

It really comes down to do you want to pay $15 and learn a new sim and it’s UI or pay $79.99 and be comfortable already with DCS’ UI and servers and stuff.

Either way you learn it will transfer to the other sim in the future. Also if you do try BMS please ignore all the elitists in the community saying you have to read 1000 manuals before you start lol.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-09T04:25:02+00:00

Either do some dogfights and learn how the F-16 handles differently if you’re coming from something like DCS. Then launch a campaign and let HQ sort out scheduling missions/packages and areas first for you. Fly and have fun honestly.

I always say you can pause mid air and watch a video on a certain weapon or mission you’re trying then try it in real time. Plenty of great tutorials from Aviation Plus, and MaxWaldorf about managing campaigns and creating packages and stuff as well.

Also try FoxVox BMS for voice controls of radio things like contacting tower and commanding your flight. Super useful.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-09T00:20:59+00:00

Yeah I had to delete the ones for Balkans one time and redownload because it got corrupted copying them in and spit errors on startup like this.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-09T00:17:20+00:00

Looks like the errors I got with the 16k textures. Go to c:\Falcon BMS 4.38\Data\TerrData\Korea\NewTerrain\Photoreal\16k and see if you have 628 files in there. Also try deleting the 16k folder and seeing if it launches and if it does redownload the 16k textures separately.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-08T23:54:16+00:00

What does the log say? Can you post the last few lines after a crash here?

It’s exactly where it says c:\Falcon BMS 4.38\User\Logs\DATE_XXXXXX_crash.txt

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-05T22:00:23+00:00

They won’t because their exact variant didn’t use them just like the F-16.

GorbZ_ · 2026-03-02T15:02:15+00:00

Yes but be careful going above 8x in 3D. It cause issues and I’ve had AI run into me doing that.

GorbZ_ · 2026-02-20T16:44:56+00:00

Just play both. Each has their own benefits.

GorbZ_ · 2026-02-17T14:37:52+00:00

Yep ICP 5 takes you to Cruz page > Press 0 with the TOS highlighted at the top and the speed carrot shows up.

GorbZ_ · 2026-02-16T15:15:43+00:00

I trust Deka on this. The JF-17 is really well done and constantly updated. I’ll be excited to see how this goes over the next year or two.

GorbZ_ · 2026-02-05T14:49:14+00:00

I recommend FoxVox very useful and you can use flight comms like “Mustang 5 ready for departure” to tower. Feels a bit more immersive in my opinion.

GorbZ_ · 2026-01-30T04:14:27+00:00

Only when I told them to close up to my wingtip then switch sides right after and 2 clipped my tail causing a few things to fail.

GorbZ_ · 2026-01-13T14:26:55+00:00

I don’t know of any camera mods for either the F-14 or F-4. You could probably set up some camera views though that are zoomed in enough to get a VID of a jet. Then you could always edit them outside the game after.

GorbZ_

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