User Guide

IN THE COCKPIT
Once you have instructed the simulator to execute your mission, you find yourself in the cockpit of
your chosen fighter. The introductory class Confederation and Kilrathi Shipshas already provided you
with basic information on ships and fighter cockpits. However, this will be your first experience in a
“real” cockpit. When the TCSN simulator begins to execute your mission, the gauges and indicators
of the ship you have chosen appear as the simulator emulates a real fighter. Initially, you see space
through the front view screen of the simulator cockpit. You may also select rear and side views, as
well as chase plane, missile, battle, tactical and tailing views.
The TCSN simulator allows you to choose between nine ships to fly. Even though each cockpit may
look very different, all but one differs only in the way their instruments and readouts are arranged.
(The F e r r e t has one less display than other ships.) Evaluating the information from all controls and
gauges at one glance should become second nature to every competent fighter pilot. In combat, you
will only have a split second to assess the situation and act on the information given to you. Your
ability to remain on top of every development may mean the difference between life and death to
both you and your wingman. If you require more time to plan your next move, you can always hit
P on your cockpit keyboard to pause the simulation. You should keep in mind, though, that this is
not an option you have when you are flying real-life missions in the dangerous vacuum of space.
Views During Spaceflight
The front view screen provides you with a clear view of space directly ahead of you. A green circle
with cross-hairs indicates where your ship’s guns are aimed. Brackets appear around the ship you
have currently targeted. Hostile targets are framed by red brackets, friendly vessels by blue brackets.
A ship communicating with you will be indicated by white brackets. As soon as a target is locked,
the brackets turn into a solid box.
Hit F 2 on your cockpit keyboard if you want to go to the left view (or the left turret, if there is one
available on the ship you are flying). Similarly, you can call up the right view(or the right turret) by
pressing F 3 . If your fighter has a rear turret or you want to see the rear view, hit F 4 .
In addition, the simulator has implemented additional views that are designed to help you evaluate
your situation and the movement of your fighter. Chase plane view, battle view, tactical view, mis-
sile camera view and tailing views are called up by F 5 , F 6 , F 7, F 8 and F 9 r e s p e c t i v e l y .
• In chase plane view (F 5), the camera tails your ship so you can view your fighter from immediate-
ly behind it.
• The battle view (F 6 ) provides you with a panoramic shot of all ships and their respective posi-
tions from a distance. This view makes it easier to evaluate your current situation.
• The tactical view (F 7) shows you another battle view from farther away and at a different angle.
Neither battle nor tactical view may be activated unless you are being attacked by enemy ships.
• The missile camera view (F 8 ) keeps a missile in its sights after it has been launched, following it
to its target. This perspective provides you with a dramatic view of the effectiveness of your dead-
ly weapons loadout.
• You may toggle through tailing views for several different ships by pressing F 9 repeatedly. The
tailing view provides you with a chase plane view for all ships in the area.
If you wish to return to the front view screen, hit F 1.