General Question Confused about DeltaGlider Versions

[Noldi400]

Hello, all.

I'm a very new user of Orbiter - I'm staying confused a lot but also having a ball learning.

I'd like to change the skin on my DG occasionally, but after looking through the add-ons I'm a bit confused.

I'm using the default DeltaGlider in Orbiter 2010 v.100603. Which type of skins work with this craft? DG Mk4? DG III? Or something else?

On a related point, I see that there are a lot of skins for the DG-IV mod. Since I'm still at the learning-to-rendevous-and-dock stage, would it probably introduce additional confusion to upgrade to the IV? That is, is there enough difference in the controls and instrumentation that I would have trouble following tutorials?

Any help and/or advice is appreciated. Sorry to ask such basic questions, but hey, we were all n00bies once.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

The default DG has a blue skin that is available, and if I recall correctly it get addressed in the scenario somewhere... I can't remember for sure though.

However, I recommend that you go ahead and level up to the DGIV, it's a wonderful craft to fly, has some very handy built-in autopilots, and much-much-much better flight characteristics than the stock DG (and it carries cargo and turbo-packs).

>AND< as you've already noticed, there are multitudes of skins available for it, these can all be easily switched back and forth with a simple mouse-click via the scenario editor. As far as the "old" deltaglider III skins, I haven't found one yet that didn't work with the DG IV (that's not to say that there aren't any "broken" skins out there, I just haven't found any).

Don't be too concerned about newbie questions, we don't bite (well, some do, but we've had them tested and they check out A-OK). It's like you say, we've all been there. After you make a good faith search (using the handy-dandy search function) I don't think anyone could fault you for posting a question; not to perpetuate a sterotype, but we've all had out "blonde moments".

Be groovy, and happy orbiting!

 

[Mythos]

When I was noob I didn't like the DGIV because the only things someone could ever miss in DGIV:
- no virtual cockpit
- no such docking-light-switch the stock DG has

But then I tried DGIV and with practice I liked it because of
- much more functions and nice little buttons
- autopilots
- cargo

If you have a quick look at the built-in checklist display and go through startup- and shutdown-procedure you'll know what most buttons are for and feel much more as a real pilot with control over all that. And then you may try opening every posible door and watch from outside

 

[orb]

You can also check Altea Aerospace's XR1 which is a DeltaGlider too.

 

[NTpspE]

Hi There,

You should definitely get the DGIV, it's pretty much an 'upgrade' to the stock DG, and a lot of fun to pilot. However, as your just starting out, I'd recommend once it's installed, use the DGIV-config program that will probably be on your desktop, and turn on 'chicken' mode, and perhaps infinite fuel. This makes it invincible, so is a lot easier for starting out. Then later on, you turn the realism back on

Kind Regards,
NT

 

[SolarLiner]

I think you should download the DGIV too, because it is an excellent ship to learn Orbital manoeuvers with. 3 years of service with me, never had a CTD with it. Pretty DGIV !

 

[Noldi400]

Thanks, all, for the input. I downloaded the DG-IV and tried it out. It looks like a sweet ship and I'll probably "trade up" at some point, but right now I'm still learning basic orbital maneuvers and such and I'm gonna stick to the Stock DG for now.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

For orbital maneuvers the stock DG is fine (so is the Shuttle-A for that matter). But trying to re-enter in the stock DG can be... problematic. Particularly for a novice. Don't get me wrong, it can be done, but it can be quite a ride.

 

[Noldi400]

My other problem is that I really need a bigger screen. If I use a resolution that fits the entire width of the control panel, the labels and numbers are unreadable or nearly so.

Also, I'm still very much a novice - I know you can turn a lot of the "realism" off in the DG-IV, but the extent of the controls is still a little intimidating. I haven't even made the moon trip yet, and the original DG looks like a good trainer until I get more comfortable with basic maneuvers.

 

[Mythos]

Try F8 and switch to generic cockpit for better MFD readability. If you need some vessel-specific display or buttons, switch back to the panel view.

 

[flytandem]

Just curious what the problems are you mention. I have only really flown the stock DG so I don't have much to compare it to.

For orbital maneuvers the stock DG is fine (so is the Shuttle-A for that matter). But trying to re-enter in the stock DG can be... problematic. Particularly for a novice. Don't get me wrong, it can be done, but it can be quite a ride.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I just had a heck of a time maintaining a pitch attitude that was reasonably stable. I found it to be pretty difficult. On the recommendation of another orbinaut I tried the DGIV, and was pretty amazed with the built-in autopilots (same with the XR series).

Knowing what I know now, I can bring in the stock DG without any drama, but that's because I've spent a lot of time watching different APs, and in essence, doing what they are doing. Still I've got to keep and eye on it. With the DGIV or XRs, I can set it up (re-entry) go to the bathroom (wash hands) hit the kitchen for something to drink maybe, and get back to the keyboard and I'm not too far off my descent profile (if it's drifted at all).

edit---
Just gave the stock DG a try, just to prove to myself that I still could... Not as pitchy as I remember, but still, it's not something that you can afford to ignore. The best advice I can give anyone sticking with the "stock" DG is to follow the Doc's. directions with the "checklist" missions on pages 117-118 of the Orbiter manual. Using these I had one horrible "bounce" around 45Km altitude that I was able to recover from. This put me a little high and hot crossing over Tampa. No sooner did the reentry flames die off than I had to do the HAC. Out of the HAC into a no-worries approach to a soft recovery on runway 33.

 

[BruceJohnJennerLawso]

For orbital maneuvers the stock DG is fine (so is the Shuttle-A for that matter). But trying to re-enter in the stock DG can be... problematic. Particularly for a novice. Don't get me wrong, it can be done, but it can be quite a ride.

I always found suborbital hops in the stock DG to be really easy, although the reentry angles we so steep that I probably hit 20+ Gs every time, not so good in real life. I have however, once deeorbited a Shuttle-A within about ~100m of a target pad after about 30 tries. Aerobrake MFD is a big help in making sure you hit your intended target, I highly suggest it

 

[Wrangler]

I just had a heck of a time maintaining a pitch attitude that was reasonably stable. I found it to be pretty difficult. On the recommendation of another orbinaut I tried the DGIV, and was pretty amazed with the built-in autopilots (same with the XR series).

Knowing what I know now, I can bring in the stock DG without any drama, but that's because I've spent a lot of time watching different APs, and in essence, doing what they are doing. Still I've got to keep and eye on it. With the DGIV or XRs, I can set it up (re-entry) go to the bathroom (wash hands) hit the kitchen for something to drink maybe, and get back to the keyboard and I'm not too far off my descent profile (if it's drifted at all).

edit---
Just gave the stock DG a try, just to prove to myself that I still could... Not as pitchy as I remember, but still, it's not something that you can afford to ignore. The best advice I can give anyone sticking with the "stock" DG is to follow the Doc's. directions with the "checklist" missions on pages 117-118 of the Orbiter manual. Using these I had one horrible "bounce" around 45Km altitude that I was able to recover from. This put me a little high and hot crossing over Tampa. No sooner did the reentry flames die off than I had to do the HAC. Out of the HAC into a no-worries approach to a soft recovery on runway 33.

What did you use to calculate the Deorbit and EI profile? I was able to get a feel of things for the space shuttle. But for the Stock DG, I am still not clear on the best Entry Angle and Anticipation angle.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I just used OrbitMFD and MapMFD. I'd attempted to use Glideslope, but quickly realized that it wasn't going to follow the curve now matter what I did (but it does have a handy burn-time calculator, but I'd already started my de-orbit burn just west of Australia.

I need to run this again using LoadMFD, to see just how bad it would be for a crew.

 

[Wrangler]

I think The load would have been huge, if you burned just west of Australia. That is usually where you burn for the space shuttle. But the Stock DG has more lift than the Space shuttle, so if you still managed to land at KSC, you must have taken on a lot of Gs. Still let me know what LoadMFD says.

Hell I have to try that now!