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"To clarify what "easy" mode really is... there is one flight physics model in WarBirds and Dawn of Aces, with each plane having its own detailed parameters. What easy mode does is put a "fly by wire" limiter on the flight model." "Easy mode is exactly the same flight model. The only difference is that the front end (WarBirds or Dawn of Aces client software) won't let you put in enough stick to spin or stall. It automatically limits how much joystick input gets to the plane on the fly, to not let you stall, or spin, or reach maximum A0A (Angle-of-Attack) and trims your control surfaces." "This means that the advanced flight version always has a significant advantage provided that you stay within the flight envelope." "There are two steep learning curves in WarBirds and Dawn of Aces - one is learning to fly the aircraft, the other is learning ACM against tough human competition." "We implemented easy mode and mixed it in the main arena to allow new folks to have the option of learning one curve at a time, and learn enough ACM while not having to learn to deal with a tough flight model at the same time."
Here are some exercises that will help you move fairly painlessly from easy flight to realistic flight mode. The WarBirds Trainers will be happy to help you learn more in the Training Arena during Scheduled Training hours, or mail them at wbtrainers@ient.com. Finn's Primary Exercises
Then do some gentle banks, trying to keep the wings at about 15 degrees of bank with almost no back stick pressure.
Roll into the bank angle, and remember to slightly lead the turn with rudder. Once in the bank, center the stick, and then apply only as much stick force in any direction as is absolutely required to keep the nose tracking in the same line all the way around the turn.
Learn to keep the yaw indicator centered in manuevering. It works like the yaw string in a glider, pointing to the side that needs rudder.
It's important to keep the airplane in balance, neither slipping nor skidding in the air. The yaw indicator will tell you when you are coordinated in your manuevers... that is, when you are in balance.
Once you can hold a bank for two or three consecutive 360 degree turns without losing or gaining altitude, you can try steepening the bank and tightening the turn. Remember to go to the sound settings in Setup and make the stall warning as loud as possible.
You often get an incipient spin before the full blown spin. If you are maneuvering and a wingtip drops on you, you are close to a spin. Remember, the ailerons are the first controls to lose effectiveness, the rudder and elevator maintain effectiveness longer. Sometimes you can pick up a wing by using opposite rudder. In fact, it's one of the things you learn in flying gliders... but you won't normally want to fly this close to the stall end of the envelope.
Spin Recovery Once recovered from the spin, do not immediately pull back on stick. Make sure you have sufficient flying speed before doing anything else.
Moving On Once you learn these things in the P-38L, you can move on to the easier planes that do have torque effect, like the early Zero's.
Eadg's Advanced Exercises
The secret to "full realism" flying is to develop a light touch, learning that you can get a plane to turn forever at a competitive rate and radius with only minor stick deflection. You can get a Spitfire to turn all day in a circle that would win many intermediate dogfights by only pulling back, steadily, about 1/3 or 1/4 of the way on the stick.
Pick a random bogey, and close at full throttle (no WEP though) into pure pursuit, and just follow it through its gentle turn. This will help develop the feel of a sustained, gentle turn.
This teaches more sustained turning, but also a little roll and yaw control, as both are required to keep the sights on the enemy.
Then, practice swoop attacks and low G climbing egress (which I first show them in the training arena - most folks need hands-on training to learn that one).
Stalls and Spins
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