You're just starting out in Janes Longbow: What do you need to know? This guide is for beginning to middle level players who need to hone their skills. You'll find tactical tips and suggestions on making the best use of the diverse and powerful weapon and targetting systems of the US Armys premier attack helicopter. Note that these suggestions apply to the Flash Point upgrade.

Go to:

• Basic Cockpit Setup
• MFD's: TSD and ASE
• Other MFD's
• Flight Tips
• HOTAS and Controls
• Weapon Use
• Waypoints and Navigation Tips
• Facing Enemy Platforms
• Use of Wingman
• Damage Control
• Ground Threats
• General Cruising Tips
• Primary Target Procedures

Basic Cockpit Setup

Starting out in the Apache Longbow is a bit intimidating, especially if you have transferred in from Comanche 3 or some jet sim. There's a lot to learn, and a few things to unlearn, but its worth the effort! Don't sweat it, just take your time. Go through the very thorough training operations, learn the basic systems, set the difficulty levels low and have some fun!

A good basic cockpit configuration for starting out follows. Use these keys to get set for action:

REngage rotorUdisplay enemy idINSSwitch to LOAL,Cycle to ASE MFD PageDELChange ASE range to 10kmSHF AASE Auto Range offENDSwitch to Cruise IHADSS modePGDNChange FCR to 10 kmPFor nite vision PNVS

MFD's: TSD and ASE

The two most critical MFDs are the Tactical Situation Display and the Aircraft Survival Equipment. The TSD shows you the battle lines and what enemies are in FCR range. Its a good idea to keep this range at 10km.

The ASE is your primary SAM avoidance system. Normally you will keep the range setting between 10-25 km. This display tells you two things: your proximity to a SAMs threat radius and whether or not you are currently being tracked by radar or a missile. A radar track is indicated by a solid line, a missile track by a solid diamond.

Use the TSD (Target Acquisition and Designation Sight) for target acquisition. You can lock a target by left-clicking the mouse on a target icon. By using the right mouse button you can click and drag to create Priority Fire Zones (PFZs). This technique can be used to ripple fire Hellfire missiles, or to hand off a group of targets to your wingman. Note: you can't use the mouse to lock TSD targets if TADS is active because your CP/G (co-pilot/gunner) controls the TADS. Note also that if targets all appear as little boxes you need to press PgDn to zoom in closer.

If you switch from FCR mode to TADS mode then be sure to switch your ASE display to TADS.

More MFD Modes

LOAL - If you are using Hellfires then this will be your primary mode. In LOAL (lock on after launch) mode you can fire BEFORE you have a valid lock. Fire first, then pop up from cover just before impact to get a valid LOS (line of sight). Or, use this mode to fire when just out of range and move within range prior to impact.

FCR Target Acquisition Mode - Always stay in FCR mode UNLESS your target is too small for rdar, like an individual soldier (in which case you need TADS mode).

UPFRONT DISPLAY - Always keep this active ("U" key) to avoid fratricide.

Flying Tips

• Go directly to the Advanced or Expert model. The flexibility gain in manouvering is worth the extra learning time.
• Don't turn right at low speed. Your wingman flies on your right flank.
• Watch the collective indicator on the right of the IHADSS. When the arrow is in the middle your altitude is steady. Adjust to gain or lose height above the ground with collective control.
• Try to stay below fifty feet when cruising. When you need to see around (which you should do every 5-8 km) increase your altitude to about 200 feet.
• To maintain a constant speed while flying low set collective at 70% and use cyclic for altitude adjustment
• To lose speed quickly drop collective to 30% and pitch up your nose. You will gain altitude so watch yourself. At 15 knots level out and set collective about 70% or autohover.
• Begin to shed air speed at least 1 km from a waypoint. Drop collective to zero and glide in, adding collective again near the waypoint.

HOTAS and Controls

• If you are a casual plaer only, program the tail rotor to a four way switch (I used H4 up/dn on my F22 Pro). Otherwise, but a set of pedals.
• A separate throttle is really a necessity. A throttle wheel is a compromise.
• Assign Autohover to a button on your stick
• Assign "attack my target" to a button on your stick. You'll need quick access to your wingman when things get sticky

Weapon Use

• The chain gun will overheat if you hold the trigger down too long. Use five second bursts.
• Point your nose up slightly when launching missiles and rockets if you are low.
• Stay under 100 knots in order to launch rockets.
• Use FARPs (forward arming and resupply point) if you run out of gas or ammo before completing your mission
• If your targets appear in a line approach from one end and strafe in a linear path
• Use guns against artillery, don't waste rockets and hellfires
• Hardened bunkers require two Hellfires as do Hinds and Havocs
• With laser Hellfires you must maintain lock til the target is hit
• Use ATA radar to do one sweep upon reaching a primary target area

Waypoints and Navigation

• Before you leave home base make yourself familiar with the map, check carefully for concealment areas 6-8 km from your primary target
• Before you approach your primary target area check the terrain. If your approach is too exposed, approach from a different direction
• Programmed waypoints often lead into trouble. You don't need to visit every waypoint to succeed at your mission.
• To bring up the NAV map use ALT N.
• If you need to mark a particular point (for example, 6 km from target) create a waypoint to use as a marker
• If you incur excessive damage backtrack to your starting point rather than trying to achieve your landing point. You have already cleared an easy path!

Use of Wingman

• Arm your wingman with stingers to increase his survival rate
• Use your wingman especially for softer targets and as a backup
• If you have to concentrate on targetting data in a dangerous spot order your wing to provide cover (CTL +)
• Use your wingman to Pop Up and Scan area when at your primary target (CTL 4)
• Don't send your wingman after grounded helicopters; other threats will take him out
• When approaching a well defended target area use the Stay Here command (CTL 9) and Hand Off Targets (CTL BkSp) until you get positioned and divide your attack and the enemies attention
• Ensure your wingman is within weapons range prior to Stay Here command
• Order weapon priority (ground or air) prior to giving Weapons Free command
• Use Rejoin Formation command when the target area is secure to keep your wing from wandering
• Your wingman is your best asset out there; use him!

Damage Control

• Tail Rotor - land and order your wing to engage targets then use AP to get home. Change waypoint to #1 and return the way you came
• Engine Loss - Return to the nearest FARP.
• If you are damaged and land and need to take off again you may need to re-engage the main rotor (R key)
• You can only use your fire extinguisher once, but be sure to use it!

Ground Threats

• Prior to crossing the border ascend to about 200 feet to get a good read of the defensive positions
• If you get in close to a SAM site you can use guns because you will within their minimum launch range (Exception: 2S6)
• If you are fired on dropping very low will often break the lock
• The 2S6 also mounts guns and is deadly at all ranges
• Always take out radar sites first
• Destroy the tracking radar such as the Snow Drift and the launch sites become useless
• Activate radar and IR jamming when in a battle zone

General Cruising Tips and Use of Radar

• Use IHADSS Cruise for normal mode since it is relatively free of clutter
• Every two minutes or so activate air radar and do a sweep
• When terrain masking is unavailable deactivate radar for greater stealth
• Be sure your TADS is in FLIR mode for filter of ground clutter
• Learn to use radar scan adjustment for maintaining max stealth

Primary Target Procedures

• Use ATA radar mode to scan airspace for hostile aircraft.
• Assume your position at 6-7 km from the target.
• Acquire all linked targetting data.
• Identify all near threats and defensive positions for first attention.
• Set up for your attack. If appropriate position your wingman and then assume your own position.

Part II will cover more general questions about "how to" and some typical problems that newer players encounter...

Need more tips? Check out Corsairs' Longbow Rookies Corner

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Last Updated September 21st, 1997