While I love ROF I have been really intimidated by the prospect of moving on from simple gauges (they are so spread out in most of the pits) as well as using complex engine management. I would really like to get as much out of this sim as possible (and for me that is jumping the gap toward full realism and getting as close as possible to the experiences of pilots flying these kites). As such I was wondering if anyone has tips for integrating these elements into my game play. Thanks for any advice you cats can give

Turn on complex engine management before you turn off the instruments. That way you can see how it works before you rely on the visual cues.

Makes sense. I've heard that CEM relies more on sound cues too, so it would allow for one to get used to those in conjunction with the instruments moving based on the sounds.

Practice navigating without map icons by loading up a quick mission with no enemy aircraft. That way you can focus on practicing navigation without having to worry about accomplishing mission objectives or encountering enemy aircraft.

Can I add that flying with some fellas who have already made the jump makes it less intimidating. Feel free to join us on our server and any of us will help you. You will really enjoy flying with others and getting into organised flights. Makes the game tbh.

Find us at www.syndicatesquadron.net (There is a teamspeak3 how-to there on the forum)

All the above advice is spot on, and will steer you in the right direction. I'd just like to add that it is not as intimidating as it seems as long as you just don't overwhelm yourself while learning new pilot duties.

Like ROFfan says, learn complex engine managment first - it's actually not all that complex. Mixture full rich at start, and lean for best RPM as you assend. Pretty straight-forward. Radiator full open will get you through most circumstances, but not all! You can play with temperature as you grow more proficient.

Simple Gauges - get rid of em'. Heck, even with them turned off, you still can show 3 small (compass, clock and Engine) 2D gauges if you need it with LCTRL+I.



And take Luke's advice as well, when learning to spot landmarks for general navigation, practice that in the FLY NOW missions where there is no enemy unless you enter the zone. Rivers, traintracks, roads and the front are all good landmarks.

Also, Jedders has great advice too! Time to take off your floaties and jump in the pool - sink or swim - the water's warm, c'mon in!!
Sindicate and (Vintage Mission Sundays) are a great experience!

No matter what you decide, HAVE FUN!

Check Six!

S!

There's nothing to it, navigation by pilotage is a piece of cake in RoF because the map is so superbly rendered. You won;t get lost and, even if you do manage to then you only have to land and your icon shows you where you are.

The 'complex' engine management is a bit of a joke really (The engine management isn't complex at all, it's hugely over-simplified. WW1 engines were pernickety things with very complex and idiosyncratic plumbing)

Rules of thumb? Lean the mixture as you get higher (watch the tacho for best RPM output to determine mixture), throttle back to dive and open the radiator when climbing. If you can read a tacho and you know your up from down then you can manage that.

On German inlines it's even easier - mixture is automatic.

Awesome guys, thanks for all of the advice. I will start putting it into practice as soon as I can.

Once you'll get used to fly without any icons of any kind, and without any help boxes checked, an other great immersion experience to close what reality could have been: try Josh virtual head position for greater immersion!
http://riseofflight.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=21673&hilit=virtual+head+position
I just made few default zoom adjustments to my taste:
http://riseofflight.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?p=417219#p417219
Best is to use TIR for more confort with this head position, but the flying experience is great, and i couldn't go back flying full FOV out!