Do You Want to Be a Real Fighter Pilot? The DCS WORLD Basic Flight Training Program is Here!

Introduction.

Want to know how real fighter pilots start? Before the jets and weapons, every pilot flies a basic, intensive syllabus in a trainer. This is generally a Texan or Pilatus-style turboprop to learn stick-and-rudder skills.

In addition pilots also learn navigation, instrument flying, formation, and landing discipline.

Below is a realistic, DCS-friendly 20-flight basic program modelled on USAF primary training (T-6 style). Use it in DCS to practice procedures, callouts, and mission discipline a perfect Step ONE for aspiring fighter pilots.

In DCS World, the A-29B Super Tucano Freeware Mod brings that experience to your desktop with authentic flight dynamics, glass cockpit avionics, and weapons options perfect for training. Its a great option to enhance or start your DCS WORLD flying career.

Program Introduction.

This is Step ONE: Your Basic Flight Training Program, built around a realistic 20-flight syllabus inspired by real-world USAF and NATO programs for the T-6 Texan II and Pilatus PC-21.
Each flight builds specific skills from the first take-off and pattern work to ILS approaches, formation flying, and low-level navigation.

If you complete this series, you’ll have mastered the fundamentals needed to progress to Part Two: Jet Training in the T-45 Goshawk, coming soon.

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Aircraft: A-29B Super Tucano (DCS WORLD Freeware)

The A-29B Super Tucano is a real-world light attack and advanced trainer aircraft used by air forces worldwide.

In DCS World, it’s a perfect first step for aspiring fighter pilots:

• Glass cockpit with HUD, MFDs, and realistic systems
• Excellent low-speed handling for pattern work and aerobatics
• Integrated weapons for later tactical training
• Free and easy to install:
  
  👉 Download the A-29B Super Tucano mod here!

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Lets Get Started.

Its up to you as Pilot in Command to monitor your performance. In flying you should maintain altitude +/- 100ft or better as well as speed +/- 10 knots as a basic reference. If your not maintaining this then you need to fly the mission again and do better.

Honest self assessment and honest assessment will make you the DCS World fighter/ Transport/ Helicopter pilot you want to be. Remember pilots start with often hours of prefight briefings then hours of post flight briefings. This is where parameters and training objectives are laid out. The post flight brief is often where the most learning occurs.

Download PDF CHECKLIST – Tucano Prefight – Start – Taxi – Take off Checklist.

Phase A – Introduction & Fundamentals (Flights 1–5)

1. Cockpit Familiarisation / Taxi / Take off-Go-Arounds (Dual, SIM warmup)
   • Aim: Learn cockpit flow, radios, comms, taxi, takeoff and rejected takeoff procedures, basic pattern.
   • Skills: Checklist discipline, radio calls, basic takeoff, climb, circuit (pattern).
   • DCS tip: Use external view for taxi practice, practise flow checklist until muscle memory sets in.
     
2. Basic Aircraft Handling & Straight-and-Level / Climbs/Descents (Dual)
   • Aim: Trim, airspeed control, attitude flying, coordinated turns.
   • Skills: Pitch/ power relationships, energy management.
3. Stalls & Basic Recovery / Spins-recognition (Dual)
   • Aim: Recognize approach to stall, practice recovery, accelerated stalls where applicable.
   • Skills: AOA awareness, recovery priorities (power, rudder, stick).
4. Traffic Pattern & Normal/Short Field Landings (Dual → brief solo pattern)
   • Aim: Normal/precision in-pattern flying, go-around practice.
   • Skills: Flap schedule, approach speed, landing stability.
5. First Solo (Short Solo Pattern)
   • Aim: Student demonstrates pattern competency solo.
   • Skills: Decision making, stable approach execution.
   • DCS tip: Record this flight — playback helps a lot.

Phase B – Basic Manoeuvres & Introduction to Instruments (Flights 6–9)

6. Basic Instrument Scan & Partial Panel (Dual)

• Aim: Basic instrument scan, transitions from visual to instrument.
• Skills: Attitude instrument cross-check, partial panel recovery.
• Note: Instrument practice is heavy in T-6 syllabi. (columbus.af.mil)

7. Radio Navigation / VOR / GPS Navigation Leg (Dual)
   • Aim: Use VOR/ADF/GPS to navigate point-to-point, intercept and track radials.
   • Skills: OBS use, cross-bearing, timing legs.
8. Instrument Approaches (Non-precision + GPS approaches) (Dual)
   • Aim: Fly a published approach to minima, missed approach procedure.
   • Skills: Approach brief, descent planning, missed approach execution.
   • DCS tip: Use kneeboard to display approach plates; practice GPS-guided approaches if available.
9. Precision Approach / ILS Familiarisation (Dual)
   • Aim: Fly an ILS/precision approach (localizer + glideslope), go-around if unstable.
   • Skills: Glidepath control, autopilot/flight director as available.

Phase C – Solo Instrument & Navigation (Flights 10–12)

10. Solo Navigation Sortie — Point-to-Point (Solo)
– Aim: Plan and execute a multi-leg nav using VOR/GPS, use map/time checks.
– Skills: Fuel management, diversion planning.

11. Solo Instrument Holder / Approaches (Solo under supervision)
    • Aim: Solo practice of non-precision approaches and missed approaches.
    • Skills: Single-pilot workload management.
12. Night Familiarisation / Night Pattern (Dual → solo depending on local syllabus)
    • Aim: Night takeoffs and landings fundamentals (if your DCS server/mod supports night ops).
    • Skills: Lighting, night scan, depth perception.

Phase D — Introduction to Formation & Aerobatics (Flights 13–15)
13. Close Formation Basics — Wingmen Work (Dual in formation; dual lead)
– Aim: Learn formation positions, station keeping, lead/wingman calls.
– Skills: Smooth control, visual references, relative motion.

14. Aerobatics / Contact Work (Dual)
    • Aim: Loops, rolls, steep turns, aileron roll — energy management under higher G.
    • Skills: Aircraft energy control, G awareness.
15. Formation Approach / Formation Landing (Dual formation)
    • Aim: Execute formation pattern and formation landing (practice two-ship; larger formations later).
    • Skills: Inter-ship spacing, cross-check, emergency separation.

Phase E — Low-Level Navigation & Tactical Basics (Flights 16–18)
16. Low-Level Navigation (Low-level legs, terrain clearance) (Dual)
– Aim: Navigation at low altitude with terrain/obstacle avoidance procedures.
– Skills: Ground reference, timing, lookout, reaction to pop-ups.

17. Instrument Transition / IMC Recovery (Dual)
    • Aim: Recover from inadvertent IMC during VFR, partial panel and lost-comm scenarios.
    • Skills: Sterile cockpit, priority actions, ATC interaction.
18. Tactical Familiarisation / Basic Strike Profile (Dual)
    • Aim: Simulate basic fighter-type profile (attack ingress, target run, egress) with emphasis on airmanship.
    • DCS tip: Use simple SEAD/target practice scenarios; conserve energy, use good radio calls.

Phase F – Consolidation & Check-Ride (Flights 19–20).

19. Syllabus Consolidation Sortie (Dual)
– Aim: Instructor evaluates all core skills in a mixed sortie (pattern, instruments, nav, formation).
– Skills: Cross-discipline fluidity.

20. Check-Ride / Evaluated Flight (Dual with evaluator)
    • Aim: Formal check-ride covering maneuvers, instrument approach, navigation, emergencies.
    • Outcome: Pass/Fail for progression to advanced track (T-38/T-1 for USAF fighter/bomber tracks).
    • DCS tip: Conduct the check with a friend IP or record and present your debrief.

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Notes, Realism & Numbers.

• Sortie counts and hours in actual UPT vary many students fly dozens more sorties across Phase I/II/III; T-6 sorties commonly average ~1–1.5 hours each.
• Unit fact sheets and T-6 IFG/standards confirm the T-6 syllabus emphasis on aerobatics, instrumentation, formation, low-level and navigation. (Federal Aviation Administration)
• The Pilatus PC-21 (or modern lead-in trainers) can compress more training into fewer hours because of higher performance and integrated avionics; it’s often presented as a modern alternative for advanced, integrated training.
• USAF bases (Columbus, Vance, Laughlin, Sheppard) operate the T-6 as the primary trainer; local SOPs, IQTs, and unit standards modify exact sortie content. (columbus.af.mil)
• Learn More at the links in this text.

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DCS Implementation Tips (Quick)

• Use a small set of realistic checklists (engine start, before takeoff, before landing) and force yourself to run them out loud — that discipline is half the learning.
• Record flights and review for stable approaches, deviations, and formation spacing.
• Run instrument failures and partial panel scenarios to practice prioritization (aviate → navigate → communicate).
• Two-ship formation: fly as lead and wing in separate flights to understand both perspectives.
• Simulate ILS/approaches using the in-game nav aids or simple GPS fixes — rehearse the missed approach every time.

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Pass or Fail!

CTA / Closing line:
If you want to fly like the pros, try this 20-flight program in DCS. Treat each sortie like a real lesson: brief, fly to the brief, debrief honestly and you’ll feel the difference in your stick-and-rudder skills within weeks.

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The Program.

Phase A – Introduction & Fundamentals (Flights 1–5)

#	Flight Title	Aim	Focus Areas
1	Cockpit & Taxi Familiarisation	Learn cockpit layout, checklists, radios, taxiing, basic take-off	Checklists, comms, smooth control
2	Basic Handling	Master straight & level, climbs, descents, turns	Pitch/power, trim discipline
3	Stalls & Recovery	Recognize and recover from stalls	AOA management, smooth recovery
4	Traffic Pattern & Landings	Circuit flying and go-arounds	Approach speed, flare, spacing
5	First Solo Pattern	Fly a solo pattern confidently	Self-discipline, pattern consistency

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Phase B – Basic Instruments & Navigation (Flights 6–9)

#	Flight	Aim	Focus Areas
6	Instrument Scan	Learn instrument cross-check and control	Scan pattern, attitude flying
7	VOR/GPS Navigation	Track VOR radials and GPS waypoints	Situational awareness
8	Non-Precision Approaches	Practice NDB/VOR or GPS approach	Descent planning, missed approach
9	ILS Precision Approach	Fly ILS localizer + glideslope to minima	Glidepath control, decision altitude

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Phase C – Solo Nav & Night Flying (Flights 10–12)

#	Flight	Aim	Focus Areas
10	Solo Navigation Leg	Multi-leg VFR cross-country	Time/fuel management
11	Solo Instrument Work	Solo practice of approaches	Workload management
12	Night Familiarisation	Take-offs, landings, pattern at night	Lighting, night depth perception

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Phase D – Formation & Aerobatics (Flights 13–15)

#	Flight	Aim	Focus Areas
13	Formation Basics	Fly stable formation position	Lead/wingman discipline
14	Aerobatic Maneuvers	Loops, rolls, steep turns	G-management, precision
15	Formation Approach & Landing	Two-ship landing	Spacing, visual reference

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Phase E – Low-Level & Tactical Intro (Flights 16–18)

#	Flight	Aim	Focus Areas
16	Low-Level Navigation	Fly at 500–1000 ft AGL using terrain	Timing, map reading
17	IMC Recovery	Recover from inadvertent cloud entry	Scan recovery, trim control
18	Tactical Familiarisation	Fly simple strike profiles	Ingress/egress, radio calls

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Phase F – Consolidation & Check-Ride (Flights 19–20)

#	Flight	Aim	Focus Areas
19	Consolidation Sortie	Combine pattern, instrument, nav, formation	Overall proficiency
20	Final Check-Ride	Full mission evaluation	Brief–Fly–Debrief discipline

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DCS WORLD Training Tips

• Pre-flight briefings: Treat each sortie like a mission. Set objectives and success criteria.
• Use the kneeboard: Create small checklists and route notes.
• Debrief every flight: Replay the track, note airspeed control and pattern precision.
• Formation practice: Fly with a friend — alternate as lead and wing.
• Instrument flying: Turn off the HUD to force a scan using only gauges.

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Fast Jets! What’s Next in the Training Program?

Once you’ve mastered the A-29B program, you’re ready for Step TWO – Jet Transition in the T-45 Goshawk, where you’ll learn high-speed pattern work, carrier approaches, and tactical intercepts.

Stay tuned at LetsFlyVFR.com for the upcoming T-45 Goshawk Training Syllabus and downloadable missions.

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PASS or FAIL – It’s Up to YOU!

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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 @ 
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