Topic outline

  • General Information

    A-10C, Picture from kaltokri, Public DomainThe A-10C Thunderbolt, developed by Fairchild-Republic, is one of the most complex planes in the series of Digital Combat Simulation by Eagle Dynamics.

    This course is for people without knowledge about the A-10C Thunderbolt. Therefore this course deals with the introduction to the simulation, simplified procedures for activating the necessary systems, as well as the start and landing procedures for this plane.

    To be versed in starting up the systems and safely starts and landings, are parts of the fundamental knowledge absolving the flight training and the enhanced courses dealing with a detailed weapon and navigation training. Essentially the A-10 is easy to fly, but you can easily lose the overview because of the diverse settings of the many help and assistance systems. Therefore we only talk about the most important things you need to get safe into the air and back on the ground.

    On 30.09.2020 Eagle Dynamic released the successor module A-10C II Tank Killer. This is a newer version of the A-10C with Helmet-Mounted Integrated Cueing System and additional weapon systems. For this course the differences are not relevant. It can be used for both modules!

    If you have any questions the authors and tutors of this course will be glad to help you. You can contact them through the Block Persons on the right top.

  • Technical Specifications

    A10C 3-Seiten Riss

    Version: A-10C 
    Produced: 2005-2011 by converting the A-10 A into the A-10C

    ParameterSpecification of the A-10C Thunderbolt II
    Type: Ground attack aircraft
    Length: 16.26 m
    Wingspan: 17.53 m
    Height: 4.47 m
    Wing area: 47.01 m²
    Wing loading: minimal (empty weight): 200 kg/m²   
    nominal (normal take-off weight): 245 kg/m² 
    maximal (maximal take-off weight): 448 kg/m²
    Empty weight: 9,389 kg
    Normal take-off weight: 11,500 kg
    Maximal take-off weight: 21,081 kg
    Maximum speed/Never exceed speed: 0.75 Mach
    Stall speed:  ca. 220 km/h (sea-level) 
    Rate of climb: 1,828 m/min 
    Service ceiling: 10,000 m
    Landing speed: ca. 245 km/h
    Range/Ferry range: 1,500 km / 4,000 km
    Engine: two General Electric TF34-GE-100-turbofan
    Armament:  integral GAU-8 Gatling 30 mm cannon


    The A-10 is able to carry exceptionally many and various weapon systems because of its powerful engine, the big wing area, and the high wing loading. But you reach the maximum weight very easily with a fully loaded A-10. Full tanks and plenty of weapons decrease the speed and maneuverability noticeable.

    Its job is to stay a long time in the operational area and to interfere situationally while dealing precisely accurate and fatal damage. Since today it meets its obligations with flying colors.

    Sadly it is not enough to know which buttons to push to start the engine. It is also important to know what the aircraft can perform. Therefore you need to know some technical specifications like rate of climb and range, as well as the limitations like maximum weight, rate of rotation and temperature. There are also time limits for some specific engine powers, e.g. you are only allowed in the first 5 minutes after the start to fly at full throttle. You can obtain this information from the so-called Performance Charts or Flight Operation Instructions. In these files the Fabricator and operator write down the needed information. The operators are the airlines and the military. They determine what the technic can withstand since they pay for maintaining and repair.

    The adherence of these parameters will not be very strict in this course. But we will indicate some of the most important ones at the right time. The detailed handling of the aircraft following the Flight Operation Instructions will be discussed in the advanced courses.

    • Cockpit Instructions

      Steven Fine [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia CommonsIn 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 A-10C in the main menu of DCS, the keyboard layout and the setting of the different control axes.

      Later you need at least three (better four) 4-way switches (Coolie-Hats) while in combat. For this Basic course, an ordinary joystick is sufficient, because you can program one Coolie-Hat, via modifications, to perform more than one function.

      The cockpit of the A-10 has been modernized and rearranged through the upgrade from the A-Version to the C-Version. The instruments and switches have been arranged thematically. Both screens on the left and right (MFCD – Multi-Function Color Displays) are very eye-catching. Through them, the pilot is able to go deep into the system and weapon control and change the settings to match various situations.

      To simplify this part of the course we will split the cockpit into different sections. In the following chapters, we will describe the different settings of the cockpit clockwise.

      The focus of the course is the start, landing and the traffic circuit, therefore we will cover all mandatory systems you need for this purpose. Everything else is covered in the advanced courses.

    • Standardized Procedures

      Procedures, Picture from kaltokri, Public Domain Standardized procedures help pilots to process all necessary steps in the correct order. Processing these standard procedures can take a few minutes in both reality and simulation and contains many single steps. In this course, we have simplified and minimized these procedures. Through that a relatively quick system-start is possible and you get very quickly into the air.

      The procedures from starting the engine through to reporting the Taxing are supported with pictures above the positions of the switches and levers. But basic knowledge about the structure of the cockpit is still very important for a practiced flow in the cockpit.

      To ensure a smooth process on the airfield, some standardized procedures are as well required. For example, calling the Towers (ATC) or the movement on the taxiway til the holding point right before the runway.

      In the single paragraphs of standardized procedures, you will learn everything from starting the systems til taxiing to the runway and from landing til shutting down the systems while in parking position. Once you mastered these procedures you will be able to apply this knowledge to many other aircraft.

      Especially start and landing require some exercise. Usually, you need 10-20 attempts until the first success. In reality, you would probably be dead by now, but the simulation lacks some special senses. For example, you are able to fell the gravity and the smallest positional change in your pit of the stomach. This is very helpful in reality. If you have still problems after many attempts please do not be shy and contact us. We will probably gonna help you.

    • All in One Training Mission

      All-in-One-Mission, Picture from kaltokri, Public DomainSo much for theory and practice alone at home.

      Our final training mission contains all steps beginning with starting the engines till landing and is adequate for practicing the procedures during training flights. You can use it also to prepare yourself for the optional exam in the next chapter. To do this you need to learn the start and follow all instructions in one single flight (see examination process) like they are required in the practical examination.

      If you have problems you can ask, with a post, for support by other OFS-Member or -Tutors or you can train with other trainee pilots. You can start the mission online and play it with several others. Through that, you are able to help each other, and it is much more fun to play in a team.


      To absolve the mission alone just start the mission by yourself as a server or directly as mission. Grab a slot and let’s go. In a team, one has to host the mission (normally the tutor or one out of the group) and everyone else will be able to join the server. If you need help, make use of the guidance Hosting a Mission.

      Please study the briefing precisely as well as the mission description in the game.

    • Course Completion

      Course Completion, Picture by kaltokri, Public DomainWe hope you had fun while learning this great aircraft. After you have read and practiced everything you have two possibilities to absolve this course:

      1. without a practical examination,
      2. with a practical examination.

      Without a practical examination

      We hope this course supported you by mastering this great aircraft. Now you can visit the other basic and weapon courses to one’s way into DCS. These courses are available without a practical examination. However, the advanced courses of the Advanced-Line are only accessible if you have passed the practical examination (see below). Through that, we want to ensure that all trainee pilots visiting a course of the Advanced-Line have mastered the basics. This allows us to use online time effectively for practical training without repeating the basics.

      If you want to remove the course out of your course list, please press in the menu on the right side below the Course-Administration the button Log-Out of <Course Name>.

      With a practical examination

      Now you can show what you have learned. The description of the examination process is available in the Basic Course (DCS) in the paragraph Examination Process. The Training Mission is available for download above (see All-In-One). There you can find a description of where to put the mission-files and how to start them as well.

      After you have passed the practical examination you will get the insignia of the A10-C-Basic Course as a course assessment.

      Exams are available only for participants of our tutor-led courses.

      •  Exam Request Quiz
        Restricted Not available unless: You belong to any group