Topic outline

  • General Information

    Ka-50 im Einsatzgebiet, Bild von Freddo, GemeinfreiIn late 2008, Eagle Dynamics released the first part of the DCS series: DCS: Black Shark. This was by far the best simulated helicopter for a home simulator. This makes the Ka-50 the oldest fully-fledged module for DCS World even before the A-10C and remains a milestone to this day. Originally designed as a standalone simulation, it was updated to the BS2 (Black Shark 2) version and was followed by a graphical revision and the introduction of further functions to increase the system depth. Parallel to this, the Ka-50 Black Shark was integrated into the newly created DCS World environment to create a common game world with the A-10C.

    Eagle Dynamics has created a first-class simulation with the Ka-50 Black Shark, which is useful and applicable in almost every conceivable situation of a virtual battlefield. Many who have been a little bit involved with DCS recommend both the Ka-50 and the A-10C as the two optimal modules because of their versatility. The helicopter has excellent utility on the battle field and is a mature, bug-free and well documented module. It offers a lot to learn and "study". It's not easy to get started, but once the basic control become natural, it's a real pleasure to fly the Ka-50 into combat.

    Dodging enemy fire, taking targets out from cover or clearing up the battlefield is great fun, but being able to transmit target data directly to a wingman and to proceed tactically in a team is the  strength of this module. On the return easily transport an underslung load on the strop and then refuel and rearm ammunition on an offshore heli deck or somewhere in the forest just behind the front.

    The aim of this course is to get an initial overview of the helicopter and its systems. To learn the essential procedures for take-off, flying and landing and to familiarize yourself with the flight characteristics. This forms the essential basis before progressing in later flights to navigation, weapon training and the combat operation of the Black Shark.

    And as always: If something is unclear, you don't know what to do or have a problem with whatever, contact the tutors for this course and we will try to help you wherever we can.

    Tutors: Kaltokri, Pelzfrosch

  • Technical Specifications

    Ka-50 techn. drei Seiten Sicht, Wikimedia public DomainVersion: Чёрная акула (Black Shark) Construction Period: 1982 (1995) - Present*
    NATO Code: "Hokum-A"

    CharacteristicData
    Rotor Diameter: 14.50 m
    Length: 16.0 m
    Height: 4.93 m
    Rotor Disc Area: 330.3 m²
    Engine: Two Klimov VK-2500
    Empty Weight: 7,700 kg
    Max Take-Off Weight: 10,800 kg
    Wing Loading (Rotor): 30 kg/m²
    Max Speed: 315km/h (Level)
    Service Ceiling: 5,500 m (4,000 m Hovering)
    Climb Capability: approx. 12 m/sec

    Range (without tanks):  
    (with additional tanks)

    545 km
    1,160 km (with 4 Tanks)
    Armament: One 30mm Shipunov 2A42

    * (Commissioning), 11 Units plus a Prototype


    Unfortunately it is not enough to just know which button to press to start the engine.  It is also necessary to understand what the aircraft can achieve technically.  These include technical data such as climb rate and range, but also limitations such as maximum speed and temperature.  Often time limits are also specified for certain engine outputs, e.g. full throttle after take-off is limited to a Maximum of 5 minutes.  In aviation, there are usually performance charts and flight operation instructions for this data in the form of tables and graphics and clear regulations.  These data are listed in detail by the manufacturer and further limited by the operator.  Operators in civil aviation are the airlines, in the military the owners (Army, Navy Airforce) of the aircraft determine what can be expected of the technology.  After all, they also pay for maintenance and repairs.  

    Compliance with these parameters will only play a very minor role in the basic course.  But we explicitly point out a few really important points at a suitable place in the course.  The detailed handling of the helicopter after the flight operation instructions is dealt with in the advanced courses.

    • Cockpit Instruction

      In this section, we will focus on the various areas of the cockpit and the instruments and switches they contain.  If the individual functions are necessary for the basic course, we will deal with them in detail.  Of course, this also includes the necessary settings for the main menu of DCS, the keyboard layout and the setting of the different control axes.  

      The cockpit of the Ka-50 is packed with the various avionics systems, so that a beginner is quickly intimidated and can lose the overview.  But since the focus of this course is on take-off and landing, there are only a few switches and displays needed.  In the later advanced courses or weapon courses the other systems will be introduced in a step by step manner.  For example, the navigation system ABRIS (right monitor), which dominates the cockpit, or the optical target system Shkval (middle monitor).  

      We also omit all tests of the systems and postpone their execution until the advanced courses.  This should enable beginners to quickly gain their first flight experience with this helicopter.

    • Standardised Procedures

      Focke-Wulf Fw 190Standardised procedures help pilots to process all necessary steps in the correct order.  Therefore, they are an important part of flying.  The standard procedures exist in real aviation for every airplane / helicopter and all normal and emergency situations.  The corresponding procedure lists are also called checklists.  

      We have created checklists as well as procedures for these first steps, which enable beginners and those converting to the Black Shark, to quickly complete a clean take-off and a safe landing without forgetting anything important.  

      The standard procedures are always the same for every flight and form the basis for everything else.  The individual steps should therefore be memorised and run the same way each time, so that you get these basic procedures ingrained.  At first we deliberately kept them simple.  In the later courses, there will be slight deviations or additions, depending on the purpose of the flight.  

      Only those who can take off and land routinely and safely will have a clear head for further things such as the effective use of weapons or even emergencies, e.g. landing with a damaged engine or landing gear.  

      The subject of "flying characteristics" occupies a special position.  It is not really one of the standard procedures, but it will always be the same or very similar for every new aircraft that a pilot flies for the first time or after a longer period away from that aircraft.  It is therefore also a kind of standard procedure in aviation, to becomes familiar with any particular airplane or helicopter, and its individual characteristics, in a safe way.  We recommend you do this before the first landing and have therefore placed it here within the these procedures.  

      We have created practice missions for you, with which you can practice the individual steps such as take-off and landing.  They are designed in such a way that an area can be isolated and played through at your own pace.  

      If necessary, you should print out the checklists and actually read them as you conduct the checks.  In this way you make sure that no check is missed and this will help engrain the processes gradually.  

      Take-off and landing requires a lot of practice.  It is not unusual to struggle for 10 or 20 attempts before success.  In real life you would probably take 3 to 4 hours of flying training before being able to hover, but there you also have other sense organs available and better peripheral vision than on a computer.  The feel of gravity and smallest changes of attitude of the helicopter in the pit of the stomach makes it easier again.  If you still can't handle the aircraft after the umpteenth attempt, please don't hesitate to contact us (see next section).  We will certainly be able to help you.

    • All-in-One Mission

      All-in-One-Mission, Bild von kaltokri, GemeinfreiSo, enough of gray Theory and Practice in by yourself.  

      Our final Exercise Mission includes all the steps from Takeoff of the ”Cold” aircraft to Landing and is well suited to consolidate the procedures with a few practice flights.  You can also use it to prepare for the optional exam in the next section by taking off and practicing all the necessary points in a single flight (see Exam Procedure), just as they are asked for in the exam.  

      If it doesn't work out properly, you can, for example, ask other OFS members or tutors for support by posting in the course forum, or join forces with other students for a joint exercise day.  The mission can be started online and used by multiple players to practice together, allowing you to help each other out, or simply because it's more fun as a team.  

      To complete the exercises alone, simply host the mission yourself as a server or start it directly as a mission.  Choose a slot and off you go.  As a team one pilot should host the mission (usually the OFS tutor or one from the OFS learning group) and all others can join the server.  The Hosting a Mission guide explains how to do this.

      Please study the briefing carefully, including the mission description in the game itself.

    • Course Completion

      Kursabschluss, Bild von kaltokri, GemeinfreiWe hope you enjoyed learning the basics of this great helicopter.  After you have read and practiced everything, there are two ways for you to complete this course:  

      1. Without a practical exam,
      2. With a practical exam.

      Without a Practical Exam

      We hope this course has helped you to master the entry level into this helicopter.  You can attend the other basic or weapon courses to get more familiar with DCS.  This material is also open to you without a practical exam.  However, the Advanced courses are only available if you have passed the practical exam (see below).  We want to make sure that all students who attend an Advanced course are familiar with the basics first.  This enables them to effectively use their online time of the practical training without having to repeat the basics.  

      To remove the course from your course list, please choose the link Unsubscribe from <Course name> in the menu on the right side under Course administration.

      With a Practical Exam

      Now you can show what you've learned.  A description of how the practical exam works can be found in the course General Basics (DCS) in the section Exam Procedure.  You can download the practice exam mission above (see All-In-One).  Instructions on where to place the mission files and how to start them can also be found there.  

      If successful, the Ka-50 Basic Course badge will be allocated to your profile as proof of your achievement.

      We're still working on exam regulations. Therefore, we are not yet able to accept any examinations. Please come back later.