DCS Helicopters and Air Traffic Control | Learning from the pros

A recent stream with my Patreon community where we discussed ATC procedures specifically regarding helicopter operations in controlled airspace. This is about half of the actual stream, editing for your viewing enjoyment.
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[@TheHateHarbinger]

As an Air Force Air Traffic Controller myself, indeed; airspace can be wack! Always impressed by pilots ability (or inability) to make sure they know the area around our airports and restricted ranges.

[@CameTo]

It really helps having 50 pages of notams informing of things like a new lamp post 10ft high was erected 3nm South East of the airfield... That being said, I've generally found the controllers in America to be super helpful whenever something takes place. Never once heard a "can't you read the chart" type comment

[@heefie8659]

Its nice to see videos like this when you have such a big DCS audience and this shows them the basics in flying that seems a lot of people skip over on Sims.

[@benjiminus04]

Love your videos. I was the facility chief at Molinelli Range at Ft. Rucker from 2000 - 2004.

[@CasmoTV]

I was in flight school 03-04 shooting the kw out an the range.

[@jakemcnally4868]

Such a helpful topic and learning format. Thank You. Cheers - DCS Newb

[@Nackenzwei]

Superb video - honestly, great stuff! :)

[@bryanbishop2377]

Typically, two controlled airports that are very close will have their airspace tailored. For example, HNL and JRF. The ILS 8L goes through JRF airspace, so that part of JRF airspace is delegated to HNL. At Yokota AB in Japan (36/18), the airbase is right next to Tachikawa airport (36/18). Both airspaces are restricted with a straight line halfway between the two fields. As a result, no fixed wings can fly between the two fields. At Lihue airport, we have about 20 tour copters. Most land at the heliport, some land on the ramp. They don't use the runway unless they are doing pilot checks. They also use grass areas around the field. Even on the runways, we usually give them half the runway length.

[@D00kerT]

I grew up in RI and did most of my instructing there out of PVD. The only place I can think of that fits your description is Quonset state. It underlies the PVD class C. If you live in the area and have a boat or a buddy who does, it is the only way to watch the airshow there every June!

[@FuriouslyFurious]

RI native here. Yup, I've taken off out of Quonset several times. If you're taking off to the north, you have to turn south pretty quickly or you'll bust the PVD airspace (inbound Charlie extension I believe. It's been awhile).

[@heremyjogan]

Small world. I was at Holloman for 5 years. Don't really hear that place mentioned very often lol

[@Zatracenec]

In multiplayer, my biggest concern are not enemy air defenses, but midairs during landing. I usually write into chat my finals and airports, but it doesn´t help. :-D

[@Faffel]

Hundreds and hundreds of hours flying online and never had an incident or collision. Think it's a you issue if this is happening to you.

[@KZ14.420]

Nice. Watched this on Twitch!

[@bartacomuskidd775]

So Right Downwind, is actually an approach on the left side of the runway

[@TheSking20]

I’m curious, do you still occasionally use 2 clicks on the mic button to acknowledge an incoming transmission or use QSY to indicate a frequency change? Pretty common when I was instructing out of Hanchey…but that was 1972.

[@CasmoTV]

I love to double click. Little less common in the civilian world but still there.

[@GoosewithTwoOs]

My first instructor I had when I started learning LSA did this, he primarily did it when acknowledging ATC telling him to standby before getting an instruction or other follow on.

[@benjiminus04]

Mother Rucker!!! That place is more like home than my actual home town! Stationed there 4 times not including AIT. I've worked Highbluff, Molinelli and Tabernacle, ended up being the 1SG of Alpha company 1-1th AVN.

[@lucky_luke4785]

I wish more people in dcs aimed to flying more „like a pro“ but the vast majority i know just wants click boom

[@lowlevelheaven]

Great video from a commercial pilot point of view. And I like the controllers comments especially when it belongs expectations and military pilots. 😂 But as a flight instructor I miss 90% of the important information about the advantage of fling patterns. Unfortuned at the last weekend in Switzerland they lost 1 Alouett 3 and 1 Hughes 500 ther private pilots maby lacking that training.

[@RK-he9dv]

faa class c should still be 2 way and transponder unless something is updated? Now the agency in charge of the airspace can deny entry or remove you, but you don't need permission to enter, just 2 way like entering a class d as I understand it from the far/aim and have done. Maybe a confusion with class b requirements?

[@CasmoTV]

Transponder is required for C, correct. Maybe have been a misspeak. I don’t remember that being said. Things done live have that happen. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@RK-he9dv]

@@CasmoTV Yeah not digg'n, I think it was just confusion between class b and c, thanks for your time

[@heefie8659]

You are correct, class C is the same as D to enter for radios. B is where you specifically need to be told you can enter. Ex. For C and D -*Callsign* continue inbound (can enter) -*Callsign* standby (can still enter) -*Callsign* remain outside airspace (can not enter)

[@deadyplus1]

That is correct, I got them confused, I'll blame it on not having coffee and being surrounded by big burly men.

[@heefie8659]

@@deadyplus1 that's a fair reason lol. I've done 1 DCS instructional video and when reviewing I don't even know what I was trying to get across to the viewer. And that wasn't live. But you all did a great job for a big part that the DCS community doesn't really dive into. They all shout that's for MSFS but then complain when things arnt accurate.

[@ShuRugal]

lol, 1-mile wide on downwind sound HUGE to me. In my Mooney, I like a half-mile wide pattern. I've seen light sport guys and piper/kitfox types fly 1/4 mile or less.

[@CasmoTV]

Doing a thing doesn’t make a thing correct

[@ShuRugal]

@@CasmoTV correct. For example, if I flew a 1 mile wide downwind, it would be incorrect, because I would end up landing off the airport property if I lost my engine.

[@CasmoTV]

In a moonie? What’s your glide ratio?

[@ShuRugal]

@@CasmoTV book says 10.7 windmilling or 12.4 stopped. In practice, pulling power at .5 miles abeam the numbers puts me between the numbers and the captains bars

[@CasmoTV]

Well what ATC “expects” wrt a traffic pattern is a base like. I’m routinely at a mile or so in a Cessna but a Cessna can handle that in spades. In a helicopter I was probably a bit closer. Aviation has a lot of rules and numbers and none of them matter as long as you keep the airplane safe I guess.

[@Cat-107]

What are recommended speeds for Apache at different stages of the pattern?

[@CasmoTV]

As I recall about 70 on base and adjust as required on final.

[@jamieeast4974]

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SHOULD BE LIKE , AIR TRAFFIC BUSY, EXPECT 10 MIN DELAY. ETC . . .

[@bdog7262]

Do you think the Thrustmaster warthog will work for the Apache?

[@bdog7262]

Thank you, guess I will save up and buy the actual sticks.

[@rmack9226]

Can you comment on the Mi8 vs Mi24? Different machines, but they share a lot. The Hind, I find, flies so wobbly and awkward compared to the beautiful Hip. Do you notice this? Can you maybe discuss this at all?

[@ethangrew745]

You know, as a son of a prior Black Hawk pilot, I wanna see one, maybe even a sea stallion, shit, how bout an Osprey, oh wait, nahh, C17, Chinook? We need some ground troop transport for the US! COME ON DCS, YOUR LACKIN!😂😂😂

[@bryanbishop2377]

Standard Delta is 5 mile radius, surface to 2,500 feet AGL.

[@CasmoTV]

4

[@bryanbishop2377]

Foreign airspace and air traffic is different than FAA, or US military ATC.

[@CasmoTV]

This isn’t a video about non US airspace. But yes you are correct.