DCS World Flaming Cliffs 2024 – Beginner’s Guide to Dogfighting & Aircraft Pack.
Introduction
If you’re new to DCS World and want to jump straight into the skies without spending weeks learning full-fidelity aircraft systems, then the Flaming Cliffs 2024 pack is exactly what you need. Packed with classic jets spanning from World War II, through the Korean War, and into the modern era, this collection is both affordable and beginner-friendly.
It offers a perfect gateway into dogfighting, air combat manoeuvring, and learning the fundamentals of BVR (Beyond Visual Range) and WVR (Within Visual Range) engagements.
DCS World Flaming Cliffs 2024 – Beginner’s Guide to Dogfighting & Aircraft Pack.
What’s Included in Flaming Cliffs 2024
The Flaming Cliffs 2024 Pack builds upon the legendary Flaming Cliffs 3 (FC3) by including a wide range of aircraft that cover multiple generations of fighter aviation. Aircraft included:
- F-15C Eagle – Modern American air superiority fighter
- Su-27 Flanker – Russian multirole fighter
- J-11A – Chinese-built derivative of the Flanker
- Su-33 – Carrier-capable variant of the Flanker
- MiG-29A/G – Agile frontline fighters for dogfights
- MiG-29S – Upgraded MiG-29 with improved radar and R-77 capability
- A-10A Warthog – Close Air Support (CAS) powerhouse
- Su-25 Frogfoot – Russian counterpart to the A-10
- F-5E FC – Lightweight US 3rd/4th-gen fighter (simplified avionics)
- F-86F FC – Korean War-era transonic fighter
- MiG-15bis FC – Korean War-era Soviet jet fighter
New 2024 additions focus on expanded aircraft variety (F-5E FC, F-86F FC, MiG-15bis FC), enhanced cockpits, and refinements to flight/avionics across the FC line-up.
These aircraft come with simplified avionics and easy-to-learn key binds, making them ideal for new players who want to fight, not just study manuals.
Features of Flaming Cliffs Aircraft
What Makes Flaming Cliffs (2024) – A Great Choice for Beginners.
- Simplified Avionics – No need to manage complex start-up sequences.
- Full Combat Capability – Access to advanced missiles, bombs, rockets, and cannons.
- Professional Flight Models – Realistic flight physics tuned for each aircraft.
- Easy Key Mapping – Most controls are shared across aircraft, so you don’t need to relearn for every jet.
- Instant Action Missions – Jump into dogfights quickly.
Aircraft Histories & Performance
Below is a breakdown of each aircraft in the Flaming Cliffs 2024 pack, along with key performance data for dogfighting and combat efficiency. Figures are approximate in DCS and vary with fuel, stores, altitude, and temperature.
Please remember that REAL WORLD vs DCS WORLD aircraft Performance are often very very close but not always the same! IN depth Performance figures can be found here for those dedicated DCS WORLD pilots that need more!
Download the DCS WORLD SUBSONIC ENERGY MANOUVERABILITY CHART PDF HERE!
| Aircraft | Role | History & Highlights | Best Sustained Turn Rate (°/s) | Initial Climb Rate (ft/min) | 1-Circle / 2-Circle Corner Speeds (KIAS, approx.) | Common Loadouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-15C Eagle | Air Superiority | 1970s US jet, unmatched BVR and climb | 16–18 | 45,000–55,000 | 280–320 / 360–440 | AIM-7, AIM-120, AIM-9 |
| Su-27 Flanker | Multirole Fighter | Soviet answer to F-15 (first flight 1977) | 15–16 | 40,000–50,000 | 280–320 / 330–400 | R-27 (ER/ET), R-73, R-77 |
| J-11A | Multirole Fighter | Chinese-produced Su-27 variant | 15–16 | 40,000–50,000 | 280–320 / 330–400 | R-27, R-77, R-73 |
| Su-33 | Carrier Fighter | Naval Flanker; heavier, longer legs | 14–15 | ~40,000 | 300–330 / 340–420 | R-27, R-73, Kh-31 |
| MiG-29A/G | Multirole / Interceptor | Agile frontline fighter; short legs | 17–18 | 40,000–50,000 | 280–320 / 330–380 | R-27R/T, R-73 |
| MiG-29S | Multirole / Interceptor | Radar/avionics upgrade; R-77 BVR | 17–18 | 40,000–50,000 | 280–320 / 330–380 | R-77, R-27, R-73 |
| A-10A Warthog | CAS | US tank-buster; GAU-8 cannon | N/A | ~10,000 | Avoid WVR turning fights | AGM-65, Mk-82/84, rockets, GAU-8 |
| Su-25 Frogfoot | CAS | Rugged Soviet CAS “flying tank” | N/A | ~12,000 | Avoid WVR turning fights | S-8/S-13 rockets, FAB bombs, cannon |
New 2024 FC Aircraft – Performance Snapshot
| Aircraft | Role | History & Highlights | Best Sustained Turn Rate (°/s) | Initial Climb Rate (ft/min) | 1-Circle / 2-Circle Corner Speeds (KIAS, approx.) | Common Loadouts |
| F-5E FC | Lightweight Fighter | 1960s US export fighter; great handling | 14–16 | 25,000–35,000 | 280–320 / 320–380 | AIM-9P/P5, Mk-82/83, rockets |
| F-86F FC | Transonic Fighter | Korean War icon; high-speed slashing | 12–14 | ~8,000–10,000 | 280–310 / 320–360 | 6× .50 cal, HVAR rockets, bombs (AIM-9B on some fits) |
| MiG-15bis FC | Transonic Fighter | Korean War counterpart; strong climb | 12–14 | ~10,000–12,000 | 260–300 / 310–340 | 23mm/37mm cannon, rockets, bombs |
This information especially the 1-Circle & 2-Circle speeds are the ones you MUST KNOW to max perform your favourite aircraft in DCS WORLD.
What is ONE Circle & Two Circle Dogfighting?
Dogfight guidance (quick take):
- One-Circle Specialists: Su-27/J-11A, MiG-29 variants, MiG-15bis (nose authority, high AoA).
- Two-Circle/Energy Fighters: F-15C, Su-33, F-5E, F-86F (sustain speed and rate).
- Ground Attack (avoid WVR turns): A-10A, Su-25.
What is One-Circle vs Two-Circle?
When two fighters merge (fly past each other head-on), both pilots must decide how to turn. Do you turn to face them or Chase them down? Here’s what you need to understand!
- One-Circle Fight
- Both fighters turn into each other after the merge.
- Think of it like two cars in a tight parking lot making a U-turn toward each other.
- The fight becomes a radius fight: who can turn tighter, at higher angle of attack (AOA).
- Two-Circle Fight
- Both fighters turn away from each other after the merge.
- Imagine two race cars taking the outside lane of a racetrack, each trying to get around first.
- The fight becomes a rate fight: who can sustain turn rate and keep energy.
Why One & Two Circle Dogfights Fights Matter!
- One-Circle fights emphasize nose pointing (quick weapons employment, high off-boresight missiles).
- Two-Circle fights emphasize energy management (wearing the enemy down, staying out of their weapons WEZ until you gain position).
If you don’t understand which fight favors your jet, you may choose the wrong option at the merge and instantly give your opponent the advantage.
Why Some Aircraft Prefer One Over the Other!
- F-16 Viper
- Strength: Best sustained turn rate, excellent acceleration.
- Weakness: Limited AOA, can’t pull huge instantaneous nose authority at slow speed.
- Loves two-circle fights (rate fight). If you try to slow down and go one-circle with him, he’ll just keep speed and grind you down.
- Mirage 2000, Su-27, F/A-18
- Strength: High AOA capability, can point nose aggressively at slow speeds.
- Weakness: Bleed energy fast, poor sustained turn compared to F-16.
- Love one-circle fights. They’ll get nose on quickly, threaten you with heaters (IR missiles) or even a gun shot.
- MiG-29, F-15C
- Sit somewhere in between: great power and climb, but tactics depend on who they fight.
Why Do We Need to Know the “Best Speed”?
This is called the corner speed (the best compromise between turn rate and energy loss).
- If you fight above corner speed → wide turns, harder to point nose.
- If you fight below corner speed → tighter turns but bleeding energy fast, can’t sustain.
Knowing your own and your opponent’s corner speed tells you:
- Whether to go one-circle or two-circle at the merge.
- How to keep your jet in its “sweet spot.”
- How to force your opponent out of their sweet spot.
For example:
- F-16’s corner speed is around 440 knots → that’s where it shines in a two-circle fight.
- Mirage 2000’s corner speed is lower → you might want to drag him into a slower one-circle knife fight where he can pull more AOA, but beware his instant nose authority.
✅ In summary:
- One-circle = nose authority / radius fight. Nose to Nose Fight! Always turning towards your opponent to get weapons pointing at them! This type of fight is all about your TURN RADIUS! How small a circle can you get around in!
- Two-circle = energy & sustained turn rate / rate fight.
- Know which your aircraft excels at, and avoid giving the enemy his preferred fight.
- Stay near your corner speed to maximize your jet’s performance. This is more a chase fight where your behind your opponent and both flying in the same direction like a dog chasing another!
- This relies on you TURN RATE so how many degrees you can move around the circle per second. The F-16 Viper is a monster at about 18 degrees per second!
List of Dogfighting Tutorials on LetsFlyVFR to Hone your Skills!
Below are a comprehensive list of Tutorials available on LetsFlyVFR regarding Dogfighting and BFM (Basic Fighter Manoeuvres) and not BVR (Beyond Visual Range) which is also available on the blogs.
- Fly Like a Real Fighter Pilot Tutorial!
- Ultimate Guide to Air to Ground in DCS WORLD Tutorial.
- How to Defend Against an Air Intercept Tutorial
- 1 v 1 Dogfight Tutorial How to Win -Tutorial
- 1 v 1 Basic Fighter Manoeuvres (BFM) Tutorial
- 1 v 2 Dogfighting Tutorial – Survival is Possible!
- Mastering Dogfighting Tutorial
- Top 10 Tips to Improve Your Dogfighting Skills Tutorial.
- 2v2 BFM: Coordinated Teamwork – Advanced Tactics & Secrets.
- Advanced Analysis of Basic Fighter Manoeuvres (BFM)
- Achieving DCS Dogfighting Turn Circle Entry Perfection.
- How to EXCEL at Dogfighting in the F-14 Tomcat!
- Most Asked Dogfighting FAQs Comprehensively Answered.
- Fly BFM and be Dominant Every Engagement.
- What is BFM mean? – LEARN How to FIGHT – Don’t make these MISTAKES!
Basic Flaming Cliffs Keymap Guide
Most FC aircraft share similar default binds (verify in Options → Controls):
- LWin + Home – Auto-start (where available)
- Home / End – Engine start / stop
- Page Up / Page Down – Throttle up / down
- G – Landing gear
- F – Flaps cycle
- B – Airbrake (toggle)
- I – Radar power
- R – Target lock / STT (varies by aircraft)
- D – Cycle weapons (A/A ↔ A/G)
- C – Cannon / gun mode
- Space – Fire / weapon release
- F1–F12 – Views (cockpit, external, weapon, etc.)
This makes transitioning between aircraft simple and intuitive.
Best Freeware Mods for Flaming Cliffs Aircraft
The DCS community has created some incredible freeware mods that work seamlessly with the FC aircraft packs. Here are five of the very best:
- VSN F-104 Starfighter – Fly the iconic Cold War interceptor.
- MB-339PAN Mod – Italian trainer/light attack jet. (Note – There is a now a Paid Module ALSO available. This mod is no longer supported by the developers. FYI)
- A-4E Skyhawk Mod – Vietnam-era jet, fully functional and beloved by the community. (Stand Alone Mod – Does Not Need FC3 to Work- Its Excellent!)
- Community F-22A Raptor Mod – Experience 5th-gen stealth fighting.
- UH-60L Blackhawk Mod – Transport and utility helicopter to expand mission types.
- T-45 Goshawk Stand Alone Jet Trainer – Very Good Quality.
These mods open up even more variety without costing a cent.
Conclusion
The DCS World Flaming Cliffs 2024 pack is the best entry point for newcomers. It combines affordability, accessibility, and authentic air combat experiences across different generations of aviation.
With a common control scheme, a wide range of fighters, and support from the incredible DCS freeware modding community, beginners can quickly immerse themselves in the thrill of dogfighting without the steep learning curve.
DCS then has many incredible full-fidelity aircraft for you once you have developed your basic DCS World fighting skills.
If you’re looking to get started in DCS World air combat, this is the pack to buy.
Conclusion
The DCS World Flaming Cliffs 2024 pack is the best entry point for newcomers. It combines affordability, accessibility, and authentic air combat experiences across different generations of aviation.
With a common control scheme, a wide range of fighters, and support from the incredible DCS freeware modding community, beginners can quickly immerse themselves in the thrill of dogfighting without the steep learning curve of full-fidelity aircraft.
If you’re looking to get started in DCS World air combat, this is the pack to buy.
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.
Learn More @
DreamingGuitar.com – DreamingCoffee.com – LetsFlyVFR.com
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