The exploding chopper dilemma (mkII)

[Lucid Nightmare]

Well, seeing how choppers have been boosted, I thought I'd bring this up again.
The original thread
http://realitymod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11421

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Have you ever tried landing a chooper on mao?
Have you ever tred landing a chopper anywhere that doesn't have large open spaces with nothing nearby?
Have you ever missed that helipad?
Have you ever tried to use 'control' to look around to see if you are going to hit somethig, drift of course, and have to redo your whole approach?

Well my friends, there may be a solution.
Seeing as planes get a 'six" cam, would it be possible for choppers to have their own version of this, except it would be a 'landing cam'.
Just a simple camera pointing straight down at the ground. Positioned somewhere between the middle/front of the chopper would allow us to see if there are any nasty surprises where we want to land.
Just a quick tap of 'c' and then a quick tap back would reduce the estimated number of landing casualties by anything up to 95.78%*, improving the conservation of resources and the survivability of aditional passengers.

* Note, not a reliable percentage.

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Take note of this authentic post by the man himself.

Actually I really like the idea. I'd prefer if it was more like the pilot sticking their head out the side window / door as I've seen lots of chopper pilots do that when landing.

So what does everyone think of this in relation to the new choppers?

[ArmedDrunk&Angry]

That sounds good, but is it possible to change the camera angle like that ?

[77SiCaRiO77]

agree

[Dr. Chagas]

Not realistic.

[danthemanbuddy]

having a view that looked down from the pilots perspective would be nice, pressing c or another button.

But doesn't holding control allow you to do this already?

[BetterDeadThanRed]

He just said it would be like sticking ones head out a window, how is that not realistic? And besides, dont just type simple generalizations like that without anything to back it up. I agree that it is a problem comming in for a landing because you have no sight lines on what you are about to land on.

[Mongolian_dude]

I have to say, some things have been negelacted when it comes to implementing air power.

for example, on Moa, i have only ever seen 1 other person sucsessfully take off, that wasnt me or zeplin. The ground there needs to be flattened and a temrporary looking dirt helipad and ammo crate be placed there so you can actualy rearm without having to call in a supply box in at shrine, which is uslay in enemy hands. Same goes for chinese scout chopper.

Another thing would be the USMC airstrip on Greasy Mullet.

The airfield is WAY too tight. For an A-10 with a wingspan like that its a gamble landing ever time. Also, the big container in the middle of the runway is a bit dangerous. The airfield needs to be lengthened out, especialy as the F-16 can rarely take off after landing due to immobility. The choppers use 70% guesswork when landing on those helipads, surrounded by oiltowers, overhead covers and whatnot.
Its a nice little cosey area....for a SU25 strafing run at least.

I think this needs to be looked into.

...mongol...

[Lucid Nightmare]

Not realistic.

So are lots of things in this game. Until you can code me a way that lets me free look without losing the ability to control my aircraft, I opt for the slightly less uber realistic option....

But doesn't holding control allow you to do this already?

When you hold down CTRL to free look, you are unable to make any inputs to the chopper until you release CTRL. Needless to say, you will often drift off course if not crash in the time you are free looking.

The camera pointing at the ground would be used to simulate the lack of situational awareness you would have in these situations and it is only a quick check to make sure there is nothing immediately below you that could ruin your day.

[El_Vikingo]

Not neccesary.

Why, becuase you should look at the zone when your coming in for a landing.


The problem is cr@p pilots.

I don't care if your a "good" pilot, if you crash trying to land, without enemy fire, you're not good enough.

If you can't keep the chopper steady while descending, you're not good enough.

[Mongolian_dude]

Not neccesary.

Why, becuase you should look at the zone when your coming in for a landing.


The problem is cr@p pilots.

I don't care if your a "good" pilot, if you crash trying to land, without enemy fire, you're not good enough.

If you can't keep the chopper steady while descending, you're not good enough.

Come on though, lets face it. What percentage of players are classable as good pilots?
I mean, why was the LB gunz made easyer to get kills with?
If you put enough time in, could kill around 40people a round on Mutrah.

...mongol...

[El_Vikingo]

What percentage of players are classable as good pilots?

Let that percentage fly the choppers then.

[Lucid Nightmare]

Not neccesary.

Why, becuase you should look at the zone when your coming in for a landing.


The problem is cr@p pilots.

I don't care if your a "good" pilot, if you crash trying to land, without enemy fire, you're not good enough.

If you can't keep the chopper steady while descending, you're not good enough.

It's not about looking at the zone when you're coming in to land. Nor is it keeping the chopper steady. You will often overshoot your landing area because you can't look to your sides to get a visual reference on where you are in relation to said landing area.
In maps like Mao Valley, if you try to come down to hover in a clearing to drop off/pick up troops, it's often rather difficult because when you are trying to lower yourself into the clearing, your nose will obscure the trees as you are descending. Normally, you'd be able to look to the side to get an indication where you are, but in right now, that's suicidal.
Trying to land whilst in the 'nosecam' is not it's intended use. I'd say looking straight down and trying to land the helicopter without a horizon would be quite difficult (sorta like looking straight up at the sky and trying to run forward in a straight line). It's intended to be used as a last minute check before touching down or for jungle maps to check if you are past the clearing or not. Just a quick tap of 'c' and a quick tap back.

[PlayPR!]

Not realistic.

Well niether is the ability to shove 3 sniper rifles, 4 support MGs, and an unlimited amount of M-16/G3/QBZ-95s all into about four or five backpacks filled with field rations, ammo, and god knows what else soldiers need on the battlefield.

I support this idea, becuase everyone who has flown a helo in PR knows that landing it is a ***** without seeing what benieth you.

Let that percentage fly the choppers then.

What happens if there isn't one on the server, it still means that someone has to take up the job of using a chopper as a valuable battlefield asset. So if he tries as hard as they can to do good with it, I'm good with them flying.

PS: Just because its realistic, it doesn't mean this mod cant have a few "gamish" components that make things a wee bit easier for people.

[DirtyHarry88]

Not realistic.

Neither is not being able to look anywhere other than straight ahead in a jet/attack chopper,

You have to balance things out.

[El_Vikingo]

what about CTRL?

[Fenix16]

Not realistic at all. If your not good enough to check where your landing in the first place, you shouldnt be occupying your teams air assets.

[Lucid Nightmare]

what about CTRL?

Like I have said, when you hold down CTRL to free look, you lose the ability to control your aircraft. So it will, if you are not perfectly level, drift off course and can often be fatal.

[El_Vikingo]

But I use my little finger to press CTRL.

You would lose control of the chopper even if you bound it to "mouse2".

[Mongolian_dude]

Let that percentage fly the choppers then.

Well arnt we lucky that they all play on the same server and all live in the same time zone eh?(note the hint of sarcyness)

But I use my little finger to press CTRL.

You would lose control of the chopper even if you bound it to "mouse2".

Nah, hes right. You lose ALL controll over what the chopper does.

...mongol...