V.20230227 (new ships)
This is a multiplayer-capable helicopter naval landing trainer. Focus is on landing on ships, and it does not teach the radio protocols involved (although you can choose to observer them). The mission sports different vessels to land on, with multiple difficulties to choose from.
BACKGROUND
Now that you have graduated from "Lawnmower" Academy and can reliably land your helicopter *and* walk away from it, it's time to get serious: do the same with moving platforms. Ships, to be precise.
Off the coast, west of Batumi, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: gathered for the centennial festivities, a massive joint fleet is preparing tomorrow's parade. Nearly all of the ships are now in constant demand for shuttle services, and we can use this for practicing ship landings. Admiral Behring is running the show, and "Sea Dragon" is her current command authority.
OBJECTIVES
Choose your helicopter, and request tasks from Sea Dragon. You will be assigned a ship to fly to and land on. For your education, landing zones are marked on the target vessels.
You may request a task befitting your skill level. Once assigned, you can reject a task and then request a new one.
Landings are graded in percent, measured from the center of the marked LZ. The higher the percentage, the better. Be advised that some of the more advanced landing zones are partly obstructed and may not provide a direct, into-wind approach.
During your approach we will regularly update you on bearing and range until you are 200m (600 ft) away from your designated LZ - a nicety we'll only provide for promising rookies like you.
HOW TO PLAY:
Choose your helicopter (2 hot, 1 cold slots per type), and once you are ready to depart, request a task from Sea Dragon, the fleet command authority. To request a task, choose Communications --> Other... --> Contact Sea Dragon. You can choose between three tasks:
Easy:
The craft you approach is very large (usually a carrier), the landing zone is large, and freely accessible from all sides
Normal:
The landing zone is readily accessible from most sides
Challenging:
the landing zone may be difficult to approach, there may be objects (cranes etc.) blocking approach and landing may require lateral movement
After touch-down, your landing is rated for accuracy (100% for a touch-down dead center, 1% when you just barely managed to touch the outer rim)
You can cancel a task and request a new one at any time without penalties.
While you are enroute to your designated LZ, Sea Dragon will provide you with bearing and range so you will always be able to find your ship.
