(B/229) groundhog wrote:During formation flying I was of course too far away - as usual. However, the longer we flew, the better it went.

Best way to practice formation flight is the Solo pickup and take off single player training mission. If you wait a bit on the runway, another Huey will take off from the apron at your 10 oclock, will fly straight ahead, then come back down on the right side of the RWY, and fly rock solid straight and level, all the way to the coast, where it will turn back and RTB again. Really good tool to practice formation with.

Thanks Blade. Is this mission available on this page or where do I have to look for it?

It is included on your original Huey game preinstalled. Go into Training, and choose the name I mentioned, Solo pickup and bla bla training.

Ah, yeah...all clear now, thanks.

It takes a while to perfect and needs constant practice but it is very rewarding when you can put your chopper where it needs to be in the formation and stay there

Sure, and by using AI as lead, you can be sure to eliminate any human flight error by lead.

I use the Mi-8 Free Flight QuickStart mission the same way. Follow the leader! You get used to where he is going, but he never announces "Turning 30 degrees left" etc, though he does mention waypoints just as he arrives on them. Keeps me on my toes as practice, and avoids the negative feedback of accidentally clipping your real live co-combatants on a mission.

Following the AI with the Hip for sure is easier than following a human with the Huey ;-) The Huey seems more nervous on quick inputs.

Sometimes the AI can also do really bad manoevers though. I think it was in the Spring Tension campaign where they changed speed in an extreme harsh way when there were elevation changes.

DCS AI generally sucks in manuvering and in considering any wingman. Teaches you to solve worst problems tough, so you will have it easier with a human lead later on...

Yes. Sudden radical course and altitude changes. Like being at the back of a 10 ship formation.