DCS: AH-64D Tutorial | Getting started with the Apache

NOTE: All footage is pre-EA release
General cockpit walkthrough as well as flight symbology tutorial.
NOTE- Engine start to follow as I did not have a reliable build version for engine start procedures when I was making these videos.
#DCSWorld #DCSAH-64D #RealPilot
Join the Low Level Hell Discord!
discord.gg/5mmHKHD
Join me on Twitch: www.twitch.tv/casmotv
Support the Channel and the Low Level Hell Community!
www.patreon.com/LowLevelHell
Merch Store! my-store-bb2c82.creator-spring.com/
Check out the "Low Level Hell Podcast" on your favorite podcast provider!
thelowlevelhellpodcast.com/
Amazing Orchestra Music provided by THE RIGHT MUSIC FOR VIDEO at www.patreon.com/no_copyrightmusic/posts
Hardware:
OMEN by HP Obelisk Gaming Desktop Computer, 9th Generation Intel Core i9-9900K Processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB, HyperX 64 GB RAM, 2x 1 TB NVMe SSD, Windows 10 Home
Joystick: VKB Gunfighter III with 20cm extension
Pedals: VKB MkIV
Throttle: Virpil Mongoose 3

[@ignaciobuhadla9342]

Its amazing having you in our DCS world, thx !!

[@CasmoTV]

You’re sweet.

[@nymerie]

@@CasmoTV No, you are. Thank you and bless you.

[@prichardgs]

Agreed-Very helpful

[@mysticgatekeeper]

All of that amazing hardware in the cockpit including an M-4 and storage compartments but no cup holder?!

[@mattthacker465]

@@mysticgatekeeper or ashtray!

[@Deceter]

I can't believe in a few long hours, I'll be flying an Apache mo-fing helicopter being instructed by an actual Apache mo-fing helicopter pilot! I didn't think I'd live long enough for this!

[@SsgtHolland]

I share that!

[@aaronwhite1786]

Right? If you had told me as a kid that I would be in a world where a real life Apache pilot could (relatively) easily create videos showing me how to fly a very realistic version of an Apache (not to mention the great content for the Hind and others) I would have been blown away.

[@nymerie]

Well, you made it ;-)

[@Nytehawkntn]

We've come a long way since Gunship on the C-64. 😀

[@anthonyj5298]

Janes Longbow days are back but better!

[@frogisis]

"It's not as hard as it looks" really is the hidden secret of DCS

[@overlordgaming752]

My friends told me it was the hardest game they’ve ever played, while it is loads of fun, it’s not as challenging as some elitists pretend

[@frogisis]

Yeah, the hard part is actually getting _good_ and consistently completing missions and coming home in one piece, along with more nebulous things you need to do that like "situational awareness." Ironically it's all the fiddly, technical "airplane-y" stuff that looks so intimidating to a general audience, the "lol how does anyone learn all this shit" part, that's actually not that hard at all (barring disability of course). A lot of the same people who assume DCS is utterly beyond good normal folks like them will think nothing of mastering strategy games with interfaces and tools that are at least as intricate as the Hornet or Warthog avionics (or are just effortlessly juggling a bunch of smartphone apps in daily life). Yeah like the thing that really gets you in trouble isn't forgetting or mixing up buttons, at least not for very long, it's the more intangible challenges of finding them before they find you, or maintaining the courage and fighting spirit to press an advantage while also knowing when to fly away to safety.

[@mro9466]

i'll take DCS over Dark Souls any day of the weeks xD

[@GTRNights]

@@frogisis I think that's because people have been conditioned to video games being simple, like flying an Apache in a video game where it auto hovers for you, does everything for you and you only need to use the thumbsticks and A, B, etc... Games dumb shit down for people so much that they never have to be used to learning anything more than "press A to takeoff". I swear this modern gaming generation would lose their minds if they ever had to enter a 1st Gen Nintendo cheat code... "left, right, left right, B, A, B, A, start" "OmG LiKe HoW aM i SuPpOsEd To ReMeMbEr AlL ThAt UUUUUGGGHH"

[@dodoman6372]

@@frogisis very well said

[@NWGJulian]

looking forward for my first violant crash today evening!

[@tomyfamily1]

Dude🤣🤣🤣

[@zenoemenhemdeslappeslang346]

Is it coming out today??

[@aaronwhite1786]

@@zenoemenhemdeslappeslang346 Yep. Should be out sometime later today.

[@zenoemenhemdeslappeslang346]

@@aaronwhite1786 holy shit! Awesome!

[@airhog8161]

This is so awesome. I wish we had a f18 and f16 pilot involved as much as you are and have been. Thank you for helping us with this!!

[@richardhockey8442]

Persuade C.W. Lemoine to read a manual

[@stovic1442]

Got to say as a complete beginner, I was at a total loss to flying the Apache. After lots of clueless crashes I sat on the ground and thought "I'll turn the IHADSS off and just look at what the grounds doing in relation to the chopper". Namely, "is it getting closer or further away" :-) Amazing. I'm actually learning to fly and enjoying it now instead of obsessing over torque/vs and all the lines/crosshairs. Then when I turned it back on hours later I was looking "past" it mostly. Now able to use the info it gives as an extra not the be all end all. Oh and I think its good to forget trim while you're working out the basics of low level maneuvers.

[@BasictoFinal]

That’s fantastic instruction Cosmo! We really appreciate what you’re doing for the community!

[@romagnolo]

IT'S FINALLY HERE! Thanks for your great content, casmos

[@Valentina64e]

just downloaded this to keep my skills fresh before my checkrides

[@Valentina64e]

also was a startup video ever posted?

[@CasmoTV]

Forever ago

[@SimDeck]

Great stuff. So cool to have an Apache pilot show us this stuff. Makes it so much more immersive and better. Much appreciated.

[@VRTrucker]

Thanks Casmo really appreciate the explanations of the symbology and nose to tail trim too.

[@felippejonsson6078]

Thank you, for taking your time and help us out. Looking forward to get her up tomorrow 😁👍

[@athr_blu]

Thank you for making this, I would have never imagined learning a simulator from an actual pilot. Love your videos

[@Sir_Gonzo]

Downloaded the module over the weekend and these tutorials help a lot. Thank you.

[@markusljkjell1989]

You are my hero man! Having these vids available on launch day is amazing. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, its gonna make the learning experience of this module a hell of a lot easier :)

[@sp00f64]

Awesome! Also, an honor to get lessons from a professional!

[@nickzappa4253]

Great having you free to explain everything now, good job on the video!! Looking forward to more with your input.

[@Zatracenec]

IT HAS BEGUN!!! Thank You! I'm glad to see the difference between aerodynamic and nose/tail trim.

[@jakemiranda5851]

AWESOME! I've always wanted to fly the Apache since I was a kid. You've made it possible! I cannot wait for this to come out. Thank you sir!

[@BK45AUS]

Outstanding video, my DCS is updating atm, your videos are really helping me to push my concern of learning the aircraft aside and letting my excitement for flying a good Apache sim take over. I upgrade my PC in 6 weeks and ordering HOTAS upgrades at the same time, really looking forward to it now, Thanks.

[@CosmiicCandii]

Watched this video a year ago as I was learning to fly the Apache in DCS. Then my computer went on the fritz, so haven't touched it. But I recently got into VTOL VR and wanted to come back to say your advice for landing and putting the velocity vector where you wanted it stuck with me. It wasn't immediately helpful because I struggled a lot to grasp the concept (I was used to fixed-wing). But I'm now able to put my helicopter down wherever I want it. Thanks @CasmoTV!

[@mccornac9548]

Gosh i'm gonna spend so many hours just listening and re-listening to you Casmo.. Thanks for the tutorials

[@particularsound]

Hey Casmo, thank you very much for making and sharing!

[@SsgtHolland]

Thanks, Casmo. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@sabatheus]

Very, very helpful. Thank you Casmo!

[@panthera1536]

The longest few hours to wait for any release so far in 2022 :D Great video thanks Casmo

[@dwrabauke]

I have been a fan of the Apache for years, whenever it is playable in a game, you need a crowbar to pry me out of that thing. If I lived in a country that deployed them I would have worked towards piloting them, too. Unfortunately in most games it is all very "arcade-ish" and I wish there were more details, tho DCS has always scared me off a little with its INSANE level of detail. Your tutorials are incredibly awesome and I am so happy I found them. A retired Apache Pilot who absolutely knows what they are doing, explaining everything in every tiny little detail but easy to understand how and why it is done. This is a real treasure and I am truly grateful that you took the time and effort to make these videos. Thanks a lot.

[@CasmoTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@dwrabauke]

@@CasmoTV Liked and subbed too :)

[@wesleycline9278]

Thanks for the explanation on the FPV & trim!

[@barneybarnes8637]

Perfect! Great content, presented by a real pilot and expert. Exactly what I need for getting into the Apache :) Wish I could hit the subscription button more than once!

[@JamesGoodwin1994]

Had my first flight last night and man i really struggled! you make this look so easy i cant wait to have another go at it after watching this video

[@PHIDDOO]

Awesome video. Can’t wait to see what else you got coming out.

[@myxomytosis13]

Thanks, Casmo! Hopefully, the DCS Apache release, and upcoming Kiowa light the fires on your channel's growth. Well deserved, IMO. Cheers!

[@RightYouAreKen01]

Chuck's Guide, Video Edition. Can't wait for the rest of your tutorials!

[@259559ful]

picked up everything quite quickly with the exception of hovering and ground effect...trying to do it is literally melting my brain!!!

[@Flow-.-]

I see you’ve changed your mind on making some tutorials! You’ll be my go to for learning the apache

[@Jigsaw407]

Thanks for the refresher, by an actual Apache pilot, no less! I've been away from military simulations for a loooong while (more than 10 years) but now I wanna get into DCS with the AH-64D and the A-10. I have some Apache sim experience with Jane's AH-64D Longbow 1 and 2, but that was about 20 years ago at this point. Looking forward to finding out if those fun killboxes are still a thing. :D

[@signore1]

Awesome to be taught by an actual 64 driver! Great tips, helped a lot, thx

[@Rhinozherous]

I am so happy that ED has you on board!

[@andrewernest8943]

Thank you for your video's Casmo. Great stuff!

[@CasmoTV]

Thank you

[@user_16309]

Great info, subbed!

[@redtailpilot]

Thanks IP. Looking forward to the next lesson 😀

[@yungcaco1443]

Great video thank’s, I’m about to start my apache odyssey myself tonight and this knowledge should come in handy.

[@NoBody-me5me]

THAT WAS AMAZING, Thanks mate.

[@viper31stvfw86]

by the way, could be interesting, casmo, if you make a video about emergency procedures, like auto-rotation and stuff like that. great video, learned alot, thx for doing this

[@omarmahmoudfathymahmoud710]

My AH-64D instructor for sure, thank you sir!

[@sasquatchycowboy5585]

Casmo, this thing is ridiculous! It's responsive as hell, but actually kinda easy to fly. I was able to do the 270° turn to landing that the Marines used to do over my head. I really have never gotten it right, even with the Blackshark I run out of energy, or don't burn enough. I did it first try in the Apache. As long as you don't get caught up in all the symbology it's just super easy to slip into a hover. And that's with a full weapons load. It just feels like it has power for days. Its like have a hot but well trained horse under you. It's vary controllable, but it just feels like a coiled spring. My god the real thing must be just an awesome experience to fly. Thank you for all the tutorials you've put out. I love your disclaimer at the beginning. I get it, I won't even talk about half the stuff I know or have seen, and I'm just a spark chaser. You really are an amazing teacher, and we are all very lucky you took the time to share what you can about this amazing aircraft. Thank you.

[@CasmoTV]

Glad you’re enjoying it.

[@simonmiller2075]

Thanks Casmo that was great

[@nathancathey4282]

Great job as usual. Thanks

[@rasmussen8383]

Best video, really good at explaining this. Thank you!

[@jaynuck]

Thanks Casmo. Can’t wait.

[@colinrickatson6320]

just tossed in my pre-order, couldn't be more stoked :D

[@CasmoTV]

Just in time. Worth the money.

[@brannanjohnson4046]

Well done

[@streetmachine8211]

Great video!! Thanks man.

[@jonathaniszorro]

Great video, very helpful. Thank you

[@darryljackman6730]

Great tutorial video, thanks!!!

[@dannyd7714]

So ready!

[@Sgt_Bilko]

I really appreciate the systems for flying the Apache are very common sense. Being able to beat up the air has really allowed them to simplify procedures such as simply landing with the FPI

[@Isimus]

Casio, great video and content in general. Many thanks!

[@yonathanengineer]

Thanks. Very helpful

[@theveryshinyone]

Great video, thanks.

[@CasmoTV]

Thank you

[@razrides]

Thanks for this man, ctrl + enter to see your control movements would be super helpful to see in future videos.

[@thejanettor3095]

Awesome I just watched a colab you did with this helicopter on another dcs players channel was some great content keep it up

[@davidmeyer4192]

ask a recruiter!

[@ryansta]

Thank you.

[@timothydavy6431]

Thanks!

[@Afrorc]

Thank you so much for making this video this video has helped me 1 billion times over thank you thank you thank you

[@CasmoTV]

You’re welcome a billion times

[@gwalker3092]

Looking forward to more videos we going to need them

[@yongzhimou2351]

Just can’t wait

[@jamesrothwell8693]

I am excited.

[@davannagle450]

Definitely some OCD regarding the tail wheel locking process Casmos!

[@CasmoTV]

If I don’t over explain it some other numb nuts is bound to critique me for confusing him so damned if I do, damned if I don’t.

[@Mossyyyyyyy]

Wow she looks an absolute beauty to fly!

[@CasmoTV]

It’s really good. Think you will like it

[@indyjons321]

Looking forward to the KW Apache combo!

[@thomasyantorno1734]

Thank you for sharing, the Apache rules. If possible a suggestion, if when doing a video for trim ect is to show the controls dcs has as option so we can see how much pedals etc you are using. Thanks again, look forward to flying on server.

[@shelbylynn5882]

that was an amazing gun kill

[@airspeed_alive]

Thanks!!

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

6:37 Yay! Guess it's time now to put the AH-94 into the hangar :)

[@config2543]

Great vid

[@flightsimulatoradventures7246]

Great video.

[@flightsimulatoradventures7246]

Casmo I learned more in this than all of wags video. You will be instrumental in a lot of virtual pilots success. 👏🤘😎. Nice thing is since I’m moving I won’t get to fly it till May.. so by then I’ll be able to binge watch all you’re tutorials 😂

[@iceman14555]

Casmo needs a joint collaboration with Chuck to put out a Chuck's Guide for this thing.

[@timothydavy6431]

Got my shirt today!! Its AWESOME!!

[@CasmoTV]

Excellent.

[@friedrichnix]

Hey Casmo - really enjoy your vids there. I learned a lot about helicopters already. My one question about the controls setup would be: Do you use any curves on cyclic, collective or rudder? Thanks and keep on doing great helicopter stuff!

[@ThruTheWireless]

Awesome video very informative, I was wondering why I couldn’t relock that tailwheel

[@ianwilliams7740]

Great intro video.

[@yonathanengineer]

Cosmo. We need a detailed video on the trim /hold button on the cyclic. Real Apache trimming

[@timothydavy6431]

more please!

[@prichardgs]

First of all, I loved when I had you guys overhead in Iraq- Second-you are my helicopter Sensi-Love the real-world information, I feel smarter already.

[@tommyuk329]

Hey man, loving your vids on this new module. Im looking to maintain an authentic flying experience with this module, so would you say the way the collective and cyclic inputs effect the aircraft are accurate to the real machine? Or would you recommend adding curve adjustments to better emulate real world flight? Keep up the great work :)

[@kalli71]

its go!

[@chrisjames7557]

Awesome work as always, I'm just wondering, does the front seater have a separate start up procedure or do you just copy everything the pilot has done /does this happen automatically if the pilot twists a dial?

[@Johnny641]

I am off to the gym, hopefully available for DL when I get back , no way I am I gonna be able to increase my heart rate higher than it is now though !! Lol Awesome stuff , thanks Casmo.

[@Viddub]

Just found your channel and subscribed

[@CasmoTV]

And we welcome you.

[@simonhouel1984]

Thanks Casmo ! One question though (and I hope this is not sensitive material) : Where do you guys keep the ignition keys of those bad boys and are they usually parked fully loaded with fuel and gun rounds ? ;-) Will probably wait for that module to mature a little bit but will most likely buy it.

[@xXbrick84Xx]

Can't really speak for 64's cause I'm a 47 pilot, but as for the key I can almost guarantee they're stored in Flight Ops and signed out before every mission. They're probably stored with fuel, as I'm sure, like my community, they harp on making sure pilots fuel up their aircraft after every flight. As for gun rounds, doubt they stay loaded. Pretty sure 64s have to be parked in a specific area, facing a backstop, anytime they're actually loaded. But that could just be for rockets/hellfires. None of that is sensitive info. Casmo was referring to ASE and the specifics of all that stuff, which is stuff we can't talk about.

[@sofloemir]

Please release more stuff! Also what are the dots on the cross on the helmet display, and the diamond shape?

[@clericneokun]

LEZ GOOOOOO!

[@mattiashenriksen8216]

Great vid👍 Always awesome to have people Witherspoon real life experience with The mods in The game. Love to fly this beast and push it to its limits . Its a great FM One thing im curios about is if The real model has tourqe trim on The pedals or If it is a manual job to keep it in "nose to tail" trim or compensating during hovers Cheers

[@Tordan69]

Thanks for your videos! Sorry for not using the correct abbreviations (yet) but I was just curious of how much of a parallax effect you´ll get when using the PNWS(?) close to the ground? Obviously it various depending on angles and distances to what your looking at, but is it completely negligable or one of those tricky at first but ou get the hang of it things. :)

[@davidmeyer4192]

Do you happen to have a video on the autopilot / trimmer in the apache? If not you should make one! I enjoy how you present the information in your videos :D

[@regwatson2017]

Thanks Casmo. You covered everything in the topic so I only have two inane questions. Can you tell me what the dangly hook off up to the right of the cockpit is used for and who is responsible for loading and maintaining the M4 rifle ? Thanks.

[@akmguru1062]

It’s just a c hook for hanging gear on , each pilot is responsible for their M4 rifle just like any soldier. Apache crews are US Army personnel so they are all assigned a primary weapon, as well as a pistol.

[@regwatson2017]

@@akmguru1062 Thanks for the reply !

[@Zarma4074]

Nice ! Maybe a few talkings about the trim ?

[@tiaria9677]

To be a grateful noob, maybe I missed it, but I keep getting, "Low rotor rpm" voice and no matter how much twisting (x56 pro HOTAS) I do, I can't prevent the spinning of death. I feed in the collective, taxing at 24% and trying to lift off the ground at 55-60%. Gets light on the wheels, then spins and I crash. Maybe I should have stayed in the Air Force, can't recall spinning an F16 into the ground taxiing. :) Awesome to have you doing these videos, would have thought you would be sick of Apaches at some point. Cousin is an Annapolis grad, was in EA6Bs launching missiles at SAM sites in Bosnia back in the '90s. Show him an EA6 now, he gets a bit sick and says something about Growlers.

[@GatAppTechnologies]

Not sure if you can answer this..but is the M4 kept with a magazine inserted during real flights? Is it cocked and loaded for use? First helicopter module I've seen with one.