Part 1 – Basic Flying Skills.
From first squadron familiarisation flights to 4-ship leadership and live weapons employment in DCS World.
Formation & Weapons Basic Course.
This module forms part of the DCS WORLD Fighter Pilot Training Course, designed around a USAF-style B-Course conversion syllabus. The focus of these missions is to develop the foundational skills required for pilots to operate safely, efficiently, and cohesively as a formation before progressing to advanced tactical employment.
To ensure accessibility for new pilots, the course is built around the DCS World environment using default maps and the T-45C Goshawk Mod. This allows any pilot to participate without the need for paid modules.
Download T-45C Goshawk Mod Free Here – Latest 2025.
Pilots may substitute their preferred combat aircraft if desired. However, it is strongly recommended that all missions should first be flown in the T-45C Goshawk to reinforce correct training habits.
Once complete, missions can be saved under a new filename and adapted to another aircraft type, with appropriate weapons manually selected for each sortie. Learn then expand to new learning objectives.
Download and copy the Mission_Name.MIZ mission files to C:\\Your User Name \ Saved Games \ DCS \ Missions Folder. WHen you load up you will see them all in your mission editor ready to fly.
Training Objectives.
These free, downloadable missions have been created to develop essential airmanship and formation skills required of operational fighter pilots, including:
- Accurate navigation and time control.
- Wingman responsibilities and formation discipline.
- Flight leadership fundamentals.
- Progressive introduction to weapons employment.
Navigation Fundamentals.
Effective navigation and punctuality are critical fighter pilot skills, enabling coordinated operations and successful mission execution.
The T-45C Goshawk provides robust navigation capability for a training aircraft, including:
- Waypoint display on the MFD
- Time and distance to the active waypoint
Waypoints are automatically loaded at mission start. Pilots must manually step between waypoints, reinforcing basic cockpit management skills. Ensure the MFD range scale is correctly set to display the active waypoint clearly.
Wingman Training.
The wingman phase introduces the discipline and responsibility of supporting a flight lead.
Pilots will:
- Depart after the AI flight lead
- Execute a prompt and efficient rejoin
- Establish and maintain proper wing position during turns and straight-and-level flight
Rejoining quickly and maintaining precise formation is a point of professional pride for any wingman. Expect to repeat this mission several times to build proficiency. Missions are intentionally flown at lower altitudes and kept to manageable lengths to balance realism with enjoyment.
Flight Lead Responsibilities.
Once proficient as a wingman, pilots transition to the role of flight lead.
In this mission, the objective is to:
- Manage formation spacing
- Maintain situational awareness
- Control the flight using the in-game command menu
While AI behavior has limitations, this mission focuses on developing leadership mindset, workload management, and formation oversight rather than precision AI positioning.
Weapons Employment Phase.
Weapons training begins with a clean, unarmed familiarisation flight along a preplanned route. This reinforces navigation, formation integrity, and target area awareness before introducing ordnance.
Subsequent missions include:
- Practice bombing using BDU-33 inert training bombs
- Attacks on designated vehicle targets following waypoint four
- Emphasis on correct attack profiles, safety, and recovery procedures
The primary objective is to deliver weapons accurately and return safely as a flight.
⚠️ Operational Warning.
Pilots must adhere closely to the published flight plan. Significant deviations may result in engagement by enemy ground units positioned along the route. This applies to all missions in the course and reinforces disciplined navigation and situational awareness.
Rocket Employment Mission.
The final mission introduces 2.75-inch rocket employment against a group of fixed structures.
This sortie features:
- A new departure and recovery airfield
- Extended flight duration
- Mountainous terrain and higher cruise altitudes
This mission serves as the culmination of the course, combining navigation, formation leadership, and weapons delivery in a more demanding operational environment.
Navigation Tutorial (Recommended Viewing).
The following tutorial by Grim Reapers provides a clear and detailed explanation of the T-45C Goshawk’s navigation systems. A short viewing will greatly improve confidence when flying the planned routes.
WATCH HERE: 👉 https://youtu.be/JWcjI7Ru5ZU
Mission List.
The Missions are all available for download below and I hope you enjoy the challenges flying them.
Please review the heights and speeds required and note once you arrive at the landing airfield the AI are hard to predict so go ahead and fly the pattern and land. There are two subtle differences with missions.
A. Missions when you’re on your own start in front of the hardened shelter. If you start inside, the doors won’t open and taxiing through them works sometimes, and other times not.
B. Missions when you’re the leader, you start inside the hardened shelter and the doors open automatically and when you return, they also open for you when in front of your hangar.
NOTE: All missions are about 20 minutes so, you can fly them again and again to improve your skills without spending hours doing nothing in long transits. The exception is the last mission which is longer and has other aircraft supporting you.
- Mission B 01: Solo Familiarisation & Navigation Flight
- Mission B 02: Wingman Rejoins & Formation Discipline
- Mission B 03: Two-Ship Formation Flying
- Mission B 04: Four-Ship Formation – Student as Flight Lead – No Weapons
- Mission B 05: Weapons Familiarisation & Practice Bombing (BDU-33) – No Defences
- Mission B 05A: Weapons Familiarisation & Practice Bombing (BDU-33) – Caution Defences
- Mission B 06: Navigation & Rocket Employment & Cross-Country Recovery
Please Unzip these and place in your Saved Games\DCS WORLD\Missions Folder.
Preflight Planning.
Welcome to your learning USAF Style B Course. Included are a number of missions that will test your flying standards & abilities. In flying these missions you need to self grade your flight before choosing to fly the next one.
Navigation:
You need first to be able to navigate the T-45C Goshawk which is simple. Using the scale to change the range of the MFD as well as the waypoint STEP buttons on the right will allow you to step each waypoint as you need it.
Zero displays no waypoint. Please click to get to WP1. The T-45C does not automatically step to the next waypoint, so remember to manually step it as you’re reaching the waypoint.
The HUD displays a Chevron and a single line on the compass ribbon at the top. If you line up the | with the /\ you will be on course. Note the time and distance to the waypoint located in the top right of the MFD.
CONFIGURATION:
The T-45C AI jets have an issue taking off above 70% weight. They continue on a very low transition and often hit trees or buildings at the end of the runway. All AI have about 50% Fuel so this is not an issue. Worth noting if you decide to adjust configs or alter the missions for yourself.
TAKEOFF – Caution:
AI Wingman do not wait long for you when you want to takeoff. Taxi out immediatly to the centreline and line up. Your wingman will power up quite fast so be ready to takeoff nearly immediately as wingman or leader in these missions.
The AI leader taxis out and nearly immediately takes off. In the case of AI wingman they also don’t wait terribly long but they give you a little time before they takeoff. You can power up and listen or watch for them to release brakes and fly as a pair in formation if you want.
You need to be ready once they enter the runway. I recommend placing yourself behind and on the side of the leader.
If you wish you can taxi out centreline and let them take off first then follow. The AI takeoff roll is always too long and too fast. I lift off at about 130 Knots and stay in a low transition being careful not to collide with the other AI jets. Try and stay on their wing throughout if you can.
This task is easier said than done but, that’s why these missions I believe are so valuable. It can take a few missions just to get use to catching and flying confidently on the wingtim of the leader. I really enjoy the challenge and refly these missions myself often.
A good formation flying wingman makes it into the fighter stream more often, according to the pilot training series I have seen on TV. So master your formation flying skills.
The Join- up & Mission Requirements.
In the wingman missions its is desired that you either:
- Stay on the leaders wing from takeoff roll to end of mission. That is inline with the wing line and at 45 degrees or so. Never more then +/- 10 Ft. It’s hard!
- Take off in trail and be joined up as the leader turns after takeoff and flies back downwind on the way to WP 1. Easier but still a challenge!
- Be prepared for the AI Flight Leader to make their turn. You need to work on staying on their wing as they do it. That’s really a challenge at first.
Mission B 01: Solo Familiarisation & Navigation Flight.
Mission B 01: Solo Familiarisation & Navigation Flight is a single mission flown with an instructor in the back seat. Please remember the T-45C Goshawk can be multi crewed if you want to use it that way. (FYI)
Note the waypoints on the map as well as the altitudes required. The decent and landing are quite quick and be aware your over mountains for most of the trip with the decent also needs caution not to hit any terrain.
PASS OR FAIL: Mark your flight by how well you maintain heading and altitude. Plus / Minus 100 Ft in altitude as well as Plus / Minus 10 degrees from planned route.
Note: If you stray far or decide to do some sight seeing you may find yourself being engaged by RED air defences. If you cannot maintain these parameters then consider the flight a FAIL and fly it again till you PASS!
Mission B 02: Wingman Rejoins & Formation Discipline.
Mission B 02: This is a wingman mission with AI Leader for you to fly alongside. The leader starts in the hangar to your right. You are engines running in front of your hangar. Follow the leader as they taxi out to the runway. It is both a Navigation Flight with the need to fly in formation on the wing of your lead! Please remember the T-45C Goshawk can be multi-crewed if you want to use it that way. (FYI)
I have placed most waypoints on water features like islands or small rivers as well as lakes. You should be able to spot these easily along with the MFD guidance.
Remain close behind your Lead AI jet and as it lines up. Be ready to give the AI leader 20 seconds to take off then follow yourself joining on the downwind or easterly rout to WP1. The option is to get into position for a formation take off and remain on the leaders wing throughout.
I recommend first doing the 20-second wait trail takeoff initially and joining on the downwind section after the lead turns and heads EAST in parallel with the runway.
Mark your flight by how well you maintain heading and altitude. Plus / Minus 100 Ft in altitude as well as Plus / Minus 10 degrees from planned route.
PASS OR FAIL – It’s Up to You! You just have to be honest with yourself about how well you flew this mission. Did you remain on the AI leaders wingtip like glue or were you all over the sky? I would expect the latter initially till you have flown this a number of times. I was getting better at it after about ten flights! Yes its not easy!
Note: If you stray far or decide to do some sight seeing you may find yourself being engaged by RED air defences. If you cannot maintain these parameters then consider the flight a FAIL and fly it again till you PASS!
Mission B 03: Two-Ship Formation Flying.
Mission B 03: Remain close behind your Lead AI jet as it lines up. Be ready to give the AI leader 20 seconds to take off then follow yourself joining on the downwind or easterly route to WP1. The option is to get into position for a formation take off and remain on the leader’s wing throughout.
I recommend first doing the 20-second wait trail takeoff initially and joining on the downwind section after the lead turns and heads EAST in parallel with the runway.
The leader will take off west and make a right turning 180 degrees to fly towards WP1 once they are over the sea. Be ready to get off the ground and cut the circle to the right, meet them as they fly past the airfield again easterly. This again is the opposite direction from the takeoff.
Mark your flight by how well you maintain heading and altitude. Plus / Minus 100 Ft in altitude as well as Plus / Minus 10 degrees from planned route.
PASS OR FAIL – It’s Up to You! You just have to be honest with yourself about how well you flew this mission. Did you remain on the AI leaders wingtip like glue or were you all over the sky? I would expect the latter initially till you have flown this a number of times. I was getting better at it after about ten flights! Yes its not easy!
Note: If you stray far or decide to do some sight seeing you may find yourself being engaged by RED air defences. If you cannot maintain these parameters then consider the flight a FAIL and fly it again till you PASS!
Mission B 04: Four-Ship Formation – Student as Flight Lead – No Weapons.
Mission B 04: Now you step up to be a leader taking a flight of four T-45C Goshawks on a mission. You will start in the hardened shelter so taxi when your ready. The doors will open in this mission and your wingman will follow after you pass them.
Taxi out and turn right going to the end of the runway. Be ready to have your aircraft set up and WP1 selected with the appropriate range. Note your altitudes and you can control your flight through the formation menu. Close up or Spread out is all you can do. They wont form up on you as you were in previous missions (ATM).
Fly your mission and ensure: Mark your flight by how well you maintain heading and altitude. Plus / Minus 100 Ft in altitude as well as Plus / Minus 10 degrees from planned route.
This is a prelim to your bombing mission that is up soon. Note the trucks after WP4 on the road as well as a row of trees as these will be targets for you and your wingman in upcoming missions.
Mission B 05: Weapons Familiarisation & Practice Bombing (BDU-33) – No Defences.
Mission B 05: In this mission you will take off as flight leader and fly the navigation rout as planned. At waypoint 4 (WP4) as you should have observed in previous flights there is a row of ground vehicles located just past WP4 which you should bomb with your team.
Your BDU-33’s are the low drag version imitating a slick bomb like a MK-82 GP weapon. To be successful you should check out the bombing tables for your desired delivery method.
Choose one type of delivery and fly that one. You have lots of bombs on both racks so drip a single bomb and circuit around again as many times as you like. Your wingman will also be bombing so keep an eye out for them. You can do a stick of bombs just select more in the release settings of the MFD.
Need help setting up your weapons release? Watch this Grim Reapers YouTube video with all the best tips: WATCH HERE!
Bombing Options are CCIP or (Continually Computed Impact Point) which makes bombing super simple. Look for the cross at the end of the line and release.
CCIP does not work for Rockets so the chart below should be helpful. You need to manually aim rockets.
T-45C Basic Dive Bombing Chart (Training).
| Dive Angle | Sight Depression (mils) | Release Height (AGL) | Slant Range | Airspeed | Recovery G | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10° Low Angle | 90 mils | 1,500 ft AGL | 4,800 ft | 420 KCAS | 3.5–4G | Safe, long tracking, lower accuracy |
| 20° Medium Angle | 140 mils | 2,000 ft AGL | 5,800 ft | 420 KCAS | 4G | Best training profile |
| 30° Steep Angle | 185 mils | 2,500 ft AGL | 6,500 ft | 420 KCAS | 4–4.5G | Best accuracy, standard attack |
Mission B 05A: Weapons Familiarisation & Practice Bombing (BDU-33) – Caution Defences.
Mission B 05A:
This mission is a repeat of the previous mission but comes with the danger of added defences around the target area, so you’ll be busy bombing, watching your wingman and looking for ground defences, so good luck. You’re going to be busy!
Mission B 06: Navigation & Rocket Employment & Cross-Country Recovery.
Mission B 06:
In this mission you will take off from a totally new airbase and fly with your wingman to blow up some buildings before transiting to yet another air base. You will also have some company here with Vipers flying cover for you. There are some ground defences so be careful of your navigation and be watchful at the target area for defences too.
Primary Rocket Chart.
| Dive Angle | Depression (mils) | Fire Height (AGL) | Slant Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10° | 55 mils | 1,200 ft | 4,000 ft | Low angle, longer exposure |
| 20° | 85 mils | 1,500 ft | 4,800 ft | Best training profile |
| 30° | 115 mils | 1,800 ft | 5,500 ft | Best accuracy |
Conclusion.
I hope you found these missions useful in expanding your flying abilities. I have to be honest in that I never thought flying a DCS WORLD trainer aircraft would be the slightest bit entertaining. I was very very wrong. I have enjoyed the hell out of the T-45 Goshawk and I hope you also have a great time and learn something as well.
The Program:
This series starts with the initial lets call it ground school which leads you to this USAF style B course that builds on the basics. This is only the first part of the B course because we have hardly scratch the surface on what get covered.
We also need to cover Basic Fighter Manoeuvres in the T-45C Goshawk with different scenarios for you to fly such as Perch / Butterfly setups, Defensive setups, Offensive Setups, 2 Vs 1 & 1 Vs 2 engagements so look forward to that being added in the near future.
Author
Brendon McAliece (Aka Gunnie) is a military veteran with 23 years working on Jet Fighters, their weapons systems and ejection seat/module systems as well as munitions and R&D. Involved with flight simulation since the 1980s, he has flown all the major flight simulators over the years.
He is an Australian expat who has lived in Malaysia, UK, Saudi Arabia and more recently Thailand. He is a multi-lingual blogger who loves to share his life experiences here on LetsFlyVFR.com and DreamingGuitar.com, with his lifestyle and Travel experiences Blog plus his Dreaming Coffee website.
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