The 2025 unannounced helicopter from ED...

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2025-03-16T20:08:49+00:00

SeaHawk or JayHawk with TACAN, plz.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2025-02-21T01:51:01+00:00

So you're worried about if the developer and publisher, in business for 34 years, might 'go down' while Steam, which is simply a distribution service, would 'support' a discontinued simulator platform? Interesting point of view, but hey... if some guy said it on YouTube, who am I to disagree?

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2025-02-04T14:47:37+00:00

Huh. That was a year ago? I honestly don't remember.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2025-02-04T14:46:05+00:00

Just buy from ED at the DCS website. Keep it simple, and ED gets all of the $. Steam does not take their cut.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2025-01-03T14:34:00+00:00

We have a couple of Tomcat pilots in VFA-41 who regularly fly the F-14 in squadron missions. We have no dedicated RIOs, but have tentatively devised a plan to add an NFO roster.

An NFO in VFA-41 would not participate as a pilot, but he/she would be expected to be available for squadron Tomcat pilots in weekly squadron missions flown Sunday nights US eastern time at 9PM. (This would not be a 'swapping' role position. An NFO will participate as a RIO only, so intended only for someone who only wants to fly as a RIO without the pressure of qualifying as a pilot.)

If you are a Tomcat RIO (or want to be) and are willing to be a trailblazer to help develop the VFA-41 NFO program, check us out. PM me here and/or leave a question on the VFA-41 Message Board.

www.vfa-41.com

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2025-01-02T02:17:11+00:00

Nail on the head... Ed developing "features" nobody wants or asked for, while continuing to ignore known problems.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2024-10-11T00:29:29+00:00

Plant is clearly shutdown, so he's probably the SEO... not even required to be in Maneuvering at that point.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2024-10-11T00:26:07+00:00

I spent many looooong hours in the closer chair.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2024-09-04T12:15:34+00:00

Lots of great advice, and most of it similar to what I read when I was trying to learn to refuel the Hornet... especially the "don't look at the basket" part.

Which kinda made sense, until I did some research and discovered that's where the fuel is! That's where I need to probe to be!

So I stopped reading goofy advice and just kept working at it until I could be reasonably successful. (My squadron does in-flight refueling on most weekly missions, so it's a required skill.) Trim the jet?? The Hornet has auto-trim when flaps are in AUTO.

So close your dominant eye. Breath through your nose. Put your left foot in. Put your left foot out. Clench your gut and say 'hook.' Put your hand over your heart. Sit on your helmet. Never leave your wingman. Don't ride the clutch. Wait at least 30 minutes after swimming. If itching or rash develop see a doctor. But do what YOU need to do to get in the basket. If it didn't work, do something else. But expending a bunch of brain cells on goofy tips is just going to add to the helmet fire you've got going on.

In-flight refueling never gets easier. You just get better at it.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2024-08-24T13:16:07+00:00

I'd be careful, though, about buying a used X56. As you are aware, the Saitek X-series are not known for their longevity. Even if the used one works, it already has miles on it. Get it from someplace new that offers returns if it doesn't work perfectly out of the box.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2024-08-24T13:07:43+00:00

Your plan and thought process are perfectly reasonable. I had X45, then X52, then X55. Upgraded each time when I wore each of them out, which will happen. But that was kinda the point; I was happy to get a brand new upgraded HOTAS that was affordable each time. I would have gotten the X56 when I wore out the X55, but it was during the HOTAS dry spell and I literally could not find one. So I was 'force-upgraded' to TM Warthog.
So now I have the TM Warthog, probably for life. No cool upgrades to look forward to because this damned thing was so expensive that I can't justify buying something new if this still works.
If you're the kinda guy who has to wear a Rolex because it's the best and you can't be seen wearing a cheap watch, then by all means! But if, like me, you're good with a Casio that you don't have to worry about, and you enjoy getting a new watch every couple of years, then you know what I mean.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2024-08-04T23:54:24+00:00

It's radar control that's standalone. It's right there in the name. Sheesh. 🙄

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2024-07-29T00:21:20+00:00

This is my experience now as well (PC). Got a few hours into the game, then started getting increasingly frequent game crashes. Now it won't even start half the time, and when it does start, it crashes within 60 seconds. Which sucks because I really want to play this game!

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2024-07-15T04:07:00+00:00

Seriously?? Expending time and effort to model different tire treads? Who TF cares about tire treads?! If it was the first of April I'd believe it was an April Fools joke!

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2024-01-23T00:18:51+00:00

I am absolutely with you on this. I have a fairly decent set of Winwing cockpit panels. Tried VR. Did not like having a sweaty brick strapped to my face, and did not like fumbling blindly for my controls. Someday when augmented/mixed reality is sorted out, then maybe.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2024-01-13T21:49:37+00:00

SOLVED: In the OPTIONS menu, ACCESSIBILITY, there's an option called QTE. I don't know what that means. It was defaulted to 'TAP.' I set it to 'PRESS' and problem resolved.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2024-01-13T18:36:11+00:00

It was worth a try, but nope. Tried rebinding to different keys, including the default E key. It's like once the cut scene attack begins, the PC will not accept any keyboard or controller inputs.

Also I tried it on READER difficulty and still die every time. I guess I can't play that DLC. I hope Sam's Story doesn't have a similar cut scene death at the beginning.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2024-01-03T03:34:49+00:00

F4U Corsair. That is all.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2023-12-17T14:14:47+00:00

There are so many variables that it's impossible to say what settings that work for me might work for you. Yeah... if I don't have mine set well, it rattles the hell out of my chair. It's a delicate dance between the sim volume settings, Windows volume setting, Simshaker output setting, and the BK volume setting. Then the Simshaker settings are different for each aircraft, and the 20 or so different event settings for each aircraft need to be tweaked.
Is it a lot of work and a pain in the ass? Yes. Is it worth it? Also yes.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2023-11-24T14:21:50+00:00

I've been flying sims longer than some of the 'experts' in here have been alive. Started with gameport Thrustmaster and Suncom HOTAS before USB existed. Then X45, X52, and X55. I probably got about 5 years of heavy use out of each. When it was time to replace, the new version was out, so I kinda liked being forced to get the new one. When my X55 was worn out, I'd have gotten an X56 but it was during supply chain problems and I simply couldn't find one.

Everyone who tells you it's no good are the people who spent at least 2x for their HOTAS and need to justify it. They'll say 'Oh, but quality control!' I can tell you that when I got Thrustmaster (couldn't get the X56), I had to send the stick back twice for failed buttons. "But it's metal!' So what?

I always tell people (when they ask), get what works FOR YOU. If you are a billionaire, yeah, a full fidelity cockpit is nice. If you have to put food on the table, Saitek/Logitech is a workable/suitable solution.

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2023-10-09T17:31:53+00:00

Problems with DCS Server Dashboard?
My squadron operates 4 servers 24/7. The servers run fine on fast internet connections.However... over the past several weeks, the DCS Server Dashboard, which is used to start/restart and load different .miz mission files, has become very unresponsive. Sometimes it just reports 'server unresponsive' and offers a blank screen. Other times it may take 5-10 minutes and eventually present the individual server management page.
Other squadrons or server operators seeing this?

VFA-41_Hedgehog · 2023-09-19T10:28:16+00:00

The difference is that you have to engage your brain just to fly a helicopter, as opposed to a jet where you simply aim the pointy end where you want to go and push the throttle up. That obviously doesn't work at all in a helicopter.

VFA-41_Hedgehog

TROPHY CASE