Flightmodel, Similar to OFP or seriously improved? Options

[Blackscorpion]

OK, I guess this goes here... as the guys who have played MP with me know I'm quite an aviation freak.

*gibberish* Both OFP and off-OFP, as I have way over a gig or 2 of aviation (choppers, planes) addons, and couple of very popular "flight sims" on my PC. Also visited Paris mainly due to the airshow... same for UK this year. 2 airshows, so I'll be spending a week there. */gibberish*

So, how's the flight model, for both choppers and planes?
Can the AV-8 (Harrier) take off vertically?
Does loadout affect the flying characteristics?
Can we change loadout?
Do we only have the Sopwith Camel and Harrier (note that there's no major airstrip in N-Sahrani, just a dirt one)?

All I could come up with couple of mins.

[DaRat]

If you take a look at the BI forums, some people are saying that the helicopter flightmodel has changed dramatically - and it's no longer fun to fly choppers. On the other hand, some are saying that it's ok once you get the hang of it..
Haven't heard much about Harriers actually having VTOL capabilities

[AriesUK]

The ah1 and mh6 flight models are the only ones i've had experience of so far, and I have to say it doesn't feel anything like as maneuverable or controllable as OFP. The choppers seem to go into weird spins at times and they can take an age to gain and lose altitude. I'm going to persevere though and see if I can get to grips with it.

Generally though the look and feel of the game is very impressive, I'm sure the few little annoyances will be ironed out in patches.

[Blackscorpion]

You played FS2004? Any comparance to that, easier/harder (I'm not actually that crappy pilot in FS2004 lol)?

[Red Square Monkey]

The question is: is it worth to get a joystick for ArmA? Can you make crazy maneuvers with the AV-8 which are only possible while flying with a joystick (like in BF2?).
And why the hell does the OPFOR have a Sopwith Camel with bullshit markings in their airforce? I guess BIS listened to all the people that wanted the community to finish the game instead of adding some decent planes themselves.

Does anyone have a pic of that dirt runway btw?

[Blackscorpion]

You meant ArmA?

Well, depends on yourself. If you don't fly alot, especially planes, or don't need "hands free" (i.e. you can aim the V-80 (=Ka-50) cannon with the mouse while flying with joystick), then I don't really know whether you'd need it. But if you're like I am, having couple of flight sims (the yoke I got was actually for Il-2, but... useful in OFP too), well, then... why the hell not use it?

I'm quite good chopper pilot in OFP, the stick gives a nice amount of agility, especially for smaller birds (flipped an MH-6/MD-500 over more than few times in really sharp turns). For planes... well you can fly upside down, i.e., and target missiles and such quite freely. Not really sure if it eases up the landing, but I've noticed that I can land to most treeless areas in OFP. Atleast if it's uphill.

[Red Square Monkey]

You meant ArmA?

Well, depends on yourself. If you don't fly alot, especially planes, or don't need "hands free" (i.e. you can aim the V-80 (=Ka-50) cannon with the mouse while flying with joystick), then I don't really know whether you'd need it. But if you're like I am, having couple of flight sims (the yoke I got was actually for Il-2, but... useful in OFP too), well, then... why the hell not use it?

I'm quite good chopper pilot in OFP, the stick gives a nice amount of agility, especially for smaller birds (flipped an MH-6/MD-500 over more than few times in really sharp turns). For planes... well you can fly upside down, i.e., and target missiles and such quite freely. Not really sure if it eases up the landing, but I've noticed that I can land to most treeless areas in OFP. Atleast if it's uphill.

Lol, yes I mean ArmA
And i'm also quite an aviation freak, spend most of my time flying in OFP, so that's why I asked.

[Wittmann]

The Camel is a bit of an inside joke with the ArmA community as it was one of the first BIS released addons for OFP...

[Crankep]

I think what they wanted with the new flight model for helis is to make the player fly..slower. Turn slower, fly slower, take their time. Etc. If you turn to fast you will be launched into a massive spin.

[Blackscorpion]

Red Square Monkey, if you want one and especially if you might get some flightsims, hell yeah get one. This is only from OFP experience but still... it's woot.

Choose yours wisely... I've heard about guys breaking theirs in just few months. Mine has lasted for nearly 3 years now... best ever MS product!

[Crankep]

The X52 is good. But a bit expensive for only ArmA.

[Crankep]

You meant ArmA?

Well, depends on yourself. If you don't fly alot, especially planes, or don't need "hands free" (i.e. you can aim the V-80 (=Ka-50) cannon with the mouse while flying with joystick), then I don't really know whether you'd need it. But if you're like I am, having couple of flight sims (the yoke I got was actually for Il-2, but... useful in OFP too), well, then... why the hell not use it?

I'm quite good chopper pilot in OFP, the stick gives a nice amount of agility, especially for smaller birds (flipped an MH-6/MD-500 over more than few times in really sharp turns). For planes... well you can fly upside down, i.e., and target missiles and such quite freely. Not really sure if it eases up the landing, but I've noticed that I can land to most treeless areas in OFP. Atleast if it's uphill.

Actually, that V-80, "mouse while flying with joystick" how do you do that? I is as if the camera aimer i locked. =/

[Blackscorpion]

I press Numpad * (next to Numpad Minus) to enable freelook (only head moves) and then just aim, as the freeaim doesn't affect commander and gunner positions (and thus, turret movement). A tad hard to explain, I guess, but works fine if you just can keep track of where you're flying while sniping stuff with the 30mm.

[Crankep]

Ah, I tried that when using mouse only, but forgot when trying with joystick. Thanks.

*Edit* Hmm won't move. -_- Gonna check my controls for the mouse..

[Red Square Monkey]

Red Square Monkey, if you want one and especially if you might get some flightsims, hell yeah get one. This is only from OFP experience but still... it's woot.

Choose yours wisely... I've heard about guys breaking theirs in just few months. Mine has lasted for nearly 3 years now... best ever MS product!

[offtopic]
Yeah I got Flight Simulator X Deluxe...


..no joystick though You can play it with keyboard but it really sucks then.
[/offtopic]

[CJE]

To be honest, I wouldn't expect Arma to be awesome when it comes to flight sim, remember, this game is not solely a flight sim, but also you drive cars, walk around etc. Think of all the different stuff the engine copes with. If it is an improvement from OFP, I'll be happy, if it's more or less the same, I'll be happy, I mean, OFP wasn't awful now was it?

[Blackscorpion]

Apparently you've never played OFP with me. I fly a lot, atleast when there's a chance... gone as far as shooting someone taking "my" chopper. On a public server.

[Crankep]

Blackscorpion, I really can't the the turret to work, what axises should mouse be put on for it to work?

[Blackscorpion]

Hmmm? What you mean? I just use default settings, maybe a tad lowered (0.4 or something like that). Y axis normal. "Look around" using "Left Alt", "Free-look" using "* [NUM]". Joystick enabled. If this doesn't help, I can't quite help you.

Pilot V-80. Enable freelook either by pressing Numpad * (or if you have a different key, it) or pressing and keeping down left Alt button. Either cycle to 30mm cannon or just enter optics straight away (the camera still moves, so only ref. point when flying with the camera is either the aiming dot or the sensor antennas on the nose). Errrr... move your mouse vertically (Y axis).

Works for me.

[Crankep]

Hmm ok, I'll try again. Thanks for the help.

Edit: The turret won't move. I have freelook on, press V to the the turret camera up. But it won't move.