Warbird Group, Anyone?

[Kiwikat]

To be honest, true formation flights on FS Host are nearly impossible due to server lag. For hardcore formation flights we would have to utilize gamespy.

[Lateral-G]

I'd like to try as well. I've never flown MS flight sims online before but would like to give it a go.

I have many warbirds in my hangar from WWI to modern jets.

-G-

[falcon409]

If anyone remembers the MB-339 from Lago (man I wish there was an FSX version of that), then you'll also remember that they released a "Formation Flight Module" soon after. It was hailed as the perfect way to learn formation flying. when the module was active, you were placed at the end of the rwy with the instructor directly ahead of you. The idea was to follow him through a series of maneuvers that over time as your progressed in ability, got more and more difficult, until finally, you graduated as a full fledged formation pilot. NOT, lol. The main flaw, which I realized right off and mentioned to Mathjis was that the lead pilot would take off and then without warning break in another direction. By the time you realized (even in a split second) that he was diverting, it was too late for you to find him, catch up and rejoin.

Anyone who does serious formation flying for a team knows that all maneuvers are executed from the lead on a cadence. The lead doesn't simply begin any maneuver on his own without a call. That's what that module for the MB-339 didn't have and it eventually went the way of other good ideas that lacked the one ingredient to make them great.

Loose formation flying, even at a distance, still requires at least two things: A constant heading and a constant altitude (being certain that your altimeter is set correctly too, lol). That way, everyone has the time to get into position and join up. It can be fun if you follow some basic rules.:salute:

[PRB]

To be honest, true formation flights on FS Host are nearly impossible due to server lag. For hardcore formation flights we would have to utilize gamespy.

I don't know - we've done ok at times. It sometimes seems like the connection speed of the computer might have something to do with the severity of the lag. At least in our experience the lag is consistently worse or better with particular users. Of course this is FS9. I've never done MP in FSX.

[falcon409]

I mentioned above that you need FSHost Client 1.1 to fly MP. . .that's only true if you fly FSX. If you intend to fly in FS9, the standard FSHost 3.2 is what you'll use. Sorry for the confusion (if there was any).

[NathanT28]

I am actually redoing the VWA or Virtual Warbird Association but its a FS9 VA should have site up soon.

[Kowalski65]

First, though, I need to configure the ports on my network. I've made several stabs at this and so far no joy.

There's an excellent tutorial on the SOH.net forum(thats what I followed & it got me up & running in MP so it MUST be good!)

[Kiwikat]

I am actually redoing the VWA or Virtual Warbird Association but its a FS9 VA should have site up soon.

Yeah, FS9-based and VA are kind of out of the scope of this group. This is meant to be a casual group where we can get together and fly when we've got the time. Beyond that, there's no real specifics set.

We need some more ideas!

[warchild]

Formation flying?? :;gulp:: Ummm ok,, hows this?/ I'll fly the zeppelin and you all can land on top of it and i'll fly us all around the world?? Thats formation isnt it?? ::lol::..

[Txmmy83]

a Warbird flying group sounds interesting count me in any idea if that will be more VA structured or just Large Warbird Fly Ins


BR
Tom

[Kiwikat]

a Warbird flying group sounds interesting count me in any idea if that will be more VA structured or just Large Warbird Fly Ins

It won't be VA structured. I'd hope that most flights would be a group of 5 or 6 of us (maybe more on weekends) just flying around together. I've tried VA's and other more complex groups in the past and I didn't have fun with them at all.

The around the world idea seems popular so far. It would be fun to do it with you guys!

[dswo]

Some ideas, none original:

1. MP carrier ops using mission (there's one for this already)

2. MP carrier ops using player-driven carrier? (I don't know if the wires and cats will work in this mode though.)

3. RAF base tour using member scenery

4. Solomon Islands tours/missions using Mark's forthcoming scenery

5. Reno-style air racing (Mustangs, Texans, L-39s, Spitfires, &c)

6. Fighters form up with bombers, fly to target, fly back (woo hoo!)

7. Screenshot scavenger hunt

8. Skins vs. Shirts (I don't know what that means in this context, just trying to get up to ten)

9. Limbo (what's the lowest bridge you can fly under without crashing?). Not sure where to play this...

10. Aerial carrier ops using Piglet's ship or Robert Fitzgerald's "Ragtag Fugitive Fleet" scenery (Battlestar Galactica stationed over Honolulu).

[Rezabrya]

This sounds like a ton of fun! I am a huge warbird lover and this is exactly the kind of thing I have been looking for. Me and Kiwi and a few other pilots have been involved in warbird flights before and they are really fun. I hope this becomes a regular thing. Remember, all we need to do this is pilots!

[Kiwikat]

Is anyone else interested? We hope to begin operations within the next week or two.

[daytonite_andy]

A few screen shots of last weeks very successful formation flight...enjoy!

Attachment 4495Attachment 4498Attachment 4497Attachment 4496

[Mathias]

Some ideas, none original:



6. Fighters form up with bombers, fly to target, fly back (woo hoo!)

...and the Luftwaffe joins in over the target area? :d

[Rezabrya]

I agree. I think some intercept missions would be fun. A few B-17's and P-47's flying to a target, only to find a couple FW-190's and BF-109's waiting for them!

[Roadburner440]

We had a Me-109 on there with us that day, but it just appeared as a Cessna 172 for me. Looked weird having contrails off of a Cessna 172 as it buzzed by the windshield. Was definately fun. Think next time I may have to pull out the P-47D and do some escorting. The bomber while easy to fly on it's own I thought was a little hard to fly in close formation. Definately worth doing again and hopefully we can get some more people involved.

[Mathias]

How's that:
Team A takes off South Coast Britain choosing one of two or three pre-defined destinations in France, each being, say, 30 miles apart from each other.
Team B is to protect the "targets".
Team B does not know which of the three targets will be approached by team A, also the teams are not allowed to split up formation while cruising and searching.
Team A has won if it manages to cross the target without being jumped on by Team B.
Team B has won if it manages to locate Team A and to get on the tail of each Team B aircraft within 100 yards or so.

[srgalahad]

Guys,
First of all I understand the differences between FS9 & FSX and of course, for those whom FSX is their first or only sim, some of the compatibility issues do make a difference. Certainly a gathering being FSX only has it's advantages and may even get converts.
However, not every wheel needs to be reinvented.

Currently there is a long-standing group (primarily FS9) that has done this sort of flying for ages and are on the SOH server most nights. "Flight 19" always creates a theme, then flys as many ongoing legs as required to flesh out the story line. Compatibility is more a matter of having fun than rules and it's an ongoing history lesson as well ( besides, you might convert some to TeamSpeak ). There will always be 'invisible aircraft' until everyone owns every plane but the fun is being together.

As for the warbird style 'event' take a look at the beginning of the 2010 RTWR -
http://www.fsrtwrace.com/rules.htm
to see how it fits into something larger. We had 8 'pairs' airborne in the 2 1/2 hour period. This had "rules" because it was to accomplish a goal for the race, but was also a companionship-builder. The post-race celebration had over 20 aircraft from 4 forums crossing the channel
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforum...l=1#post364915
(and a few German stragglers popping up when they could muster gas and pilots )

While not intended as a mass, online group flight the recurring RTWR-style fun events hosted by SOH often turn into multiplayer travels (2008 Nobel Race around S. America, 2009 "Evita" Race to Argentina). Learning new planes, realistic flight ops (as opposed to balls-to-the-wall engine busting), navigation, geography, history all blend together in these. Even after the rebuild of the forums there are a lot of posts in the Around The World & Multiplayer forum from these and other gatherings. Some have 'rules' some are just an excuse to get together.
Think about taking part in the upcoming SOH-hosted "The Pacific Rim Nifty 50s Jet Challenge" http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforum...l=1#post391724

Two things I'll suggest... slip out of the FSX forum and explore the rest of the Outhouse, even just for inspiration, or to find something to participate in; get a couple of like-minded evil geniuses to suggest a theme for a one-time event:

"Hmmm.. let's have a "Gathering of Mustangs" and ferry them from the factory to xxxx" -- or maybe the ATS Class 44A graduation flight from YYYY to ZZZZ in Texans ...

once started I think you'll find it just grows - as long as you keep the public informed. As time goes on it could be an ongoing flight/mission over several days or weeks with the ability to pop-in/drop-out.

Rob

[Henry]

now i do have a few twin merlins that need exercise
im in
H

[SirBenn21]

Count me in to.

Ben

[Tweek]

While joining the FS9 events are a good idea, I'm afraid I'd only be up for FSX events. I presume to use both FS9/FSX you'd have to use FSHost, which creates some serious lag issues which ruin my enjoyment of multiplayer (nothing more annoying that seeing planes darting across the sky like pond skaters). That and the fact that being able to download/buy the correct aircraft that FS9 users are using would be a major drawback, as some wouldn't be fully compatible with FSX, and the ensuing performance issues would bring my sim to its knees.

That's not to say I'm stopping anyone else from joining in with the FS9 sessions - far from it! Just that I'm only really interested in such a group if it's a strictly FSX one.

[Kiwikat]

Nice to see this thread come to life again!

Andy, how's the video coming?

I've still got some screenies on my desktop that I need to post...

[Kowalski65]

Here are some of mine from that flight,unedited & straight from the sim as I was struggling to maintain formation,so not as good as Andy's. I must have taken 60+pics