Falcon 4 BMS :: Training

PanzersEast · January 01, 2014, 02:31:46 PM

Quote from: Jarhead0331 on January 01, 2014, 01:19:12 PM
Would it be at all possible to indicate, when feasible, the actual key command for each task you describe while in flight? That would be really helpful!

Yes I will, and just to note I am using the Logitech 3D Pro and this is how I have my layout. I highly recommend doing the Main list I have below (You will use a lot), then the optional. Also NOTE: I am using the Keyboard Profile in BMS and NOT the BMS key layout. You will need to change it in the Setup.

MAIN

Trigger/Primary Fire: Fires your guns (M61) Keyboard control: /
Pickle: Fire release of weapons (Missles / Bombs...) Keyboard control: Space

TMS UP: This locks on targets you select in your radar. Keyboard control: Ctrl + Up arrow
TMS Down: This will unlock a target you have selected Keyboard control: Ctrl + Down arrow

DMS Down: Switches your SOI (Sensor of Interest) Keyboard control: Ctrl + Alt + Down arrow
Wheel Breaks: Wheel breaks while on ground. Keyboard control: k.
Chaff/Flare: Releases countermeasuresChaff/Flare. Keyboard control: x

If you have the buttons:

TMS Right: This will cycle through radar contacts in a group while in TWS mode. Keyboard control: Ctrl + Right arrow
RADAR INT UP: Tilts the RADAR down to higher altitude. Keyboard control: F7
RADAR INT DOWN: Tilts the RADAR down to lower altitude. Keyboard control: F5
CYCLE AA: Cycle through A/A weapons. Keyboard control: Enter
CYCLE AG: Cycle through A/G weapons. Keyboard control: Backspace

If you have TRACKIR

Radar Cursor: Used to select Radar contacts in the MFD. You can assign this to your HAT swicth. Keyboard control: Arrow Keys

PE

Jarhead0331 · January 01, 2014, 05:09:43 PM

I definitely need a key chart. So far, I've managed to pretty competently take-off and land. My navigation skills are somewhat rudimentary, but this is mainly because I have forgotten the avionics systems and again, do not know the keys. Also, I managed a pretty solid landing at around 160 knots, but then did not know the key for the gear brakes. I rolled off the end of the runway. It was embarrassing.

Overall, the aircraft is remarkably easy to fly. It damn near flies it self. Learning all of the advanced systems...now there is the tricky part.

PE...with all of the simming you do, I'm surprised you don't have a HOTAS. I'm set up with the X52 and plan on upgrading to the X55 as soon as it is released.

PanzersEast · January 01, 2014, 05:59:12 PM

Quote from: Jarhead0331 on January 01, 2014, 05:09:43 PM
I definitely need a key chart. So far, I've managed to pretty competently take-off and land. My navigation skills are somewhat rudimentary, but this is mainly because I have forgotten the avionics systems and again, do not know the keys. Also, I managed a pretty solid landing at around 160 knots, but then did not know the key for the gear brakes. I rolled off the end of the runway. It was embarrassing.

Overall, the aircraft is remarkably easy to fly. It damn near flies it self. Learning all of the advanced systems...now there is the tricky part.

PE...with all of the simming you do, I'm surprised you don't have a HOTAS. I'm set up with the X52 and plan on upgrading to the X55 as soon as it is released.

I did have, until it went belly up, so I am waiting for an upgrade.

Some NAV practive for you.

NAVAGATION BASICS

Try this while I am putting together the other section. We discussed steerpoints in our briefing so lets go fly them.

First, Make sure you are using the Keyboard layout in the controls config instead of BMS.

Now, before we take off we need to press the s key which will cycle to our next steerpoint which should read 2. 1 is usually the base you are taking off from. In the right MFD zoom out until you see the a O (steerpoint) in the flight path that is solid. That will be the active steerpoint.

Now lets get in the air.

As you can see in the image above our steer point carrot is telling us that the steerpoint (2) is off to our right hand side. Also note in the lower right of the HUD that we are 32 nm from our current steerpoint which is 2. So I will bank to the right to intercept the steerpoint.

Also notice that our current HUD mod is NAV (Navigation) mode. More on that later... but that is important when we are flying our steerpoints as it configures our HUD for specifically Navigating the F-16.

I have turned to intercept steerpoint 2 in the image above and we are 28 nm from it. We can also see the Steerpoint Box noting the geographic location. Once we are over/near that steerpiont we will need to select the s key to cycle to the next steerpoint which will be 3 in our case.

You will continue to do this until you reach your target area..... also realize that if you make a target say Steerpint 14, you will need to cycle all the way up to it and it will give you a barring to the target. This is great for attacking targets that we already know the location of and that are stationary ground targets.

You can see in the right MFD / HSD that we are heading for the active steerpoint 2 at our 12 o'clock and is solid. My current view range is set to 30 nm and the airfield I just took off from (Steerpoint 1) is at my 6 o'clock. Our F-16 is the blue plane in the center.

AUTOPILOT

This autopilot is basic and there is no FMC on the F16. The F-16 will not follow a flight plan, it will follow the active steerpoint. So you will need to pay attention to where you are at and change the active steerpoint accordingly. Now let's climb to say FL150 (15,000 feet) and level off.

Let's say we are at our intended altitude and our wingman is in place and we have a long flight in front of us. It will be a good time to engage the auto-pilot and go through our systems and monitor the A/A radar for potential threats.

To the left of the left MFD and just below the Master Arm switch we will see 2 switches in the MISC Panel (ROLL HDG SELECT) and ( PITCH HOLD).

Now we want the F-16 to maintain our current altitude and follow the active steerpoint which is steerpoint 2.

We need to place the (ROLL HDG SELECT) into the 6 0'clock setting by right clicking on it and then the ( PITCH HOLD) into the 12 o'clock position by left clicking on it. This will keep our F-16 level at the current altitude and following the active steerpoint. REMEMBER to watch the distance to steeerpoint so you can hit the s key to switch to the next steerpoint.

Once you are close to target you will need to move both switches back to the neutral position by doing the opposite of what you did to enable them.

Give this a try as this is the very basic in flying a flight plan to your intended target. I will post more soon.

Dismissed!

PE

Jarhead0331 · January 01, 2014, 06:36:46 PM

^Outstanding. Got it.

Nefaro · January 02, 2014, 01:19:39 AM

Does TrackIR work okay with BMS?

I realize it probably doesn't have x/y/z and tilt head movement but if the basic look around is functional and doesn't make anything look weird, that would be nice.

Yskonyn · January 02, 2014, 02:38:33 AM

Yes it does work. If you send me your email in a PM I can send you my profile, which has been pretty popular with the crowd on the Benchmark forums.

jomni · January 02, 2014, 03:19:27 AM

So Panzer is not using a HOTAS? That is actually encouraging as that means Falcon BMS is manageable just by keyboard and joystick. And it looks like he's using more of the clickable cockpit.

I played a bit of Falcon 4 AF in the past and it's not as complicated as DCS A-10. probably catering to the simulation peripherals available back then.

Jarhead0331 · January 02, 2014, 05:09:22 AM

Quote from: jomni on January 02, 2014, 03:19:27 AM
So Panzer is not using a HOTAS? That is actually encouraging as that means Falcon BMS is manageable just by keyboard and joystick. And it looks like he's using more of the clickable cockpit.

I played a bit of Falcon 4 AF in the past and it's not as complicated as DCS A-10. probably catering to the simulation peripherals available back then.

This is a totally different beast than Falcon AF.

Yskonyn · January 02, 2014, 06:47:56 AM

Well yes, it's more complicated than AF because there are more systems modelled, but Jomni is correct; it is not as detailed as DCS A-10C either.
A non-HOTAS setup works fine. You just have to remember more keyboard shortcuts. ;) And in a furball or high risk environment a HOTAS allows you to keep your head where it needs to be; on-screen. But without one the sim is still playable for sure.

PanzersEast · January 02, 2014, 09:32:11 AM

Falcon 4 can be played without a HOTAS and the game is not bad once you learn it. There are other sims today that are more in-depth and at the time there where non outside of Falcon 4..... however, the Dynamic Campaign of Falcon 4 is unmatched today imho. Most of the Avionics are straight forward and a lot of the systems like the DED are not used as much. There are pretty straight forward ways in prosecuting targets, however in some cases you have different methods to accomplishing the task. Setup your procedures and follow them..... staying alive is another matter ;)

After going through 2 HOTAS, I have resigned myself to buying a used one or waiting to the next incarnation. For now, I am running on a in between L3D.

PE

republic · January 02, 2014, 09:42:20 AM

In 2013 I learned Blackshark and A-10C, my goal for 2014 is to learn Falcon BMS...with the help of this thread. Thank you! :)

PanzersEast · January 02, 2014, 11:24:55 AM

I remember these tutorial videos for Falcon 4 BMS where Krause goes through the systems of the F-16. They are from a couple of years ago but should still be relevant. If I remember correctly they are pretty good, however some of the videos may talk about areas that you need to be familiar with. I can keep doing the write up if you like.....

Also, keyboard reference for the Keyboard profile preset layout in the control settings and not the BMS profile.

REFERENCE

Keyboard Reference

F-16 Cockpit Layout

jomni · January 02, 2014, 08:06:04 PM

I'm basically a ground attack guy, I appreciate the availability of targeting pods in BMS. In AF, I can only lock on blips in the ground radar but not really sure what they are.

PanzersEast · January 03, 2014, 03:08:17 PM

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Ok, so let's go over something we did not previously from the briefing and that topic is the mission times. These times are pre-planned for you and work in conjunction with other missions for elements in your flight that could be counter acting for you or you for them. In the mission above we where preforming a SEAD mission, however we are the only element in our group. There are sometimes different elements that may preform a SEAD and then a ESCORT and the pre-planned times are important because we want to get their before the strike package arrives or if we are striking a target, we want to allow time for our other elements to do their job.

So in the briefing above we are to Reach Steerpoint 2 @ 08:24:37 which is bearing 315 @ 31.7nm and we should be @ 245 IAS.

Time on Target is: 08:35:00 (Which is Steerpoint 5)

As you can see above the current time is 8:13:16 (Displayed in the DED) and we are going to arrive at Steerpoint 2 @ 081633 (08:16:33) and that is way ahead of schedule. You will also notice that we are doing 488 IAS as well and our takeoff time should have been 08:19.

From Steerpoint 2 we should reach Steerpoint 3 in 65.6nm @ 08:32:49 heading 321 at around 390 IAS (this is variable).

If we looked back at our flight plan Steerpoint 5 is where our target area is and we will need to be there @ 08:35:00 to prosecute targets.

There are many things that can keep you off balanced and off time and the main so keep in mind the briefing screen. Also, the altitude from me varies based on what target I am striking and what the flight path is, so that is up to you.

Also take note of the threat analysis.

TIP: USE THE AWACS to get a picture up ahead, they will let you know where the closest bogies are and their position. Remember situational awareness is key.

PE

Jarhead0331 · January 03, 2014, 03:25:46 PM

When you get a chance, can you make a post regarding setting up and uploading data cartridges before take-off? Thanks!