Flying American Classic warbird the A-10 Warthog Tank buster
What you'll learn
- Ok we are just going to cover flying the aircraft and general handling characteristics.
- This aircraft is a free download and can be flown in 2D 3D and VR.
- We are not covering the weapons on this aircraft just the flying and handling.
- Best to do the multi engine course first but not essential.
Requirements
- PC based computer and controllers are recommended VR headset highly recommended but not essential.
Description
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat, twin turbofan engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic for the United States Air Force (USAF). It is commonly referred to by the nicknames "Warthog" or "Hog", although the A-10's official name comes from the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, a World War II fighter-bomber effective at attacking ground targets. The A-10 was designed for close air support (CAS) of friendly ground troops, attacking armored vehicles and tanks, and providing quick-action support against enemy ground forces. It entered service in 1976 and is the only production-built aircraft that has served in the USAF that was designed solely for CAS. Its secondary mission is to provide forward air controller-airborne support, by directing other aircraft in attacks on ground targets. Aircraft used primarily in this role are designated OA-10.
The A-10 was intended to improve on the performance and firepower of the Douglas A-1 Skyraider. The A-10 was designed around the 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon. Its airframe was designed for durability, with measures such as 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of titanium armor to protect the cockpit and aircraft systems, enabling it to absorb damage and continue flying. Its ability to take off and land from relatively short runways permits operation from airstrips close to the front lines, and its simple design enables maintenance with minimal facilities.
The A-10 served in the First Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm), the American–led intervention against Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, where the aircraft distinguished itself. The A-10 also participated in other conflicts such as in Grenada, the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, and against the Islamic State in the Middle East.
The A-10A single-seat variant was the only version produced, though one pre-production airframe was modified into the YA-10B twin-seat prototype to test an all-weather night-capable version. In 2005, a program was started to upgrade the remaining A-10A aircraft to the A-10C configuration, with modern avionics for use with precision weaponry. The U.S. Air Force had stated the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II would replace the A-10 as it entered service, but this remains highly contentious within the USAF and in political circles. With a variety of upgrades and wing replacements, the A-10's service life can be extended to 2040; the service has no planned retirement date as of June 2017.
Who this course is for:
- For All levels of experience but best to do the basic flying course first so that you understand what I am talking about.
Instructor
![Graham "The Baron" Hesketh](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=avatar}
- 4.1 Instructor Rating
- 589 Reviews
- 19,436 Students
- 111 Courses
Chief Flying instructor.
Baron flying club.
I will show you the basic skills you need to fly aircraft fixed wing and rotary.
Learn from me first before you go to the flying school and part with your hard earned thousands as it could save you a lot of money.
If you are stuck on anything please feel free to ask questions.
So you want to learn to fly?
Why not it is Great fun.
My style is not for everyone but here it is.
Flying can be very very expensive, Helicopters are double expensive, but now there is no need to let that stand in your way.
The future for flying training is CGI and VR headsets with controllers. The air forces around the world are already doing this in their pilot training as is saves a fortune. So whatever type of flying you want to do this is an inexpensive way to go.
Today the flight sim on your own computer with a VR headset is almost like the real thing. (Yes it is!) I am a real pilot and done plenty of both. I love flying in VR because it is FREE. Loads of cool aircraft to fly too as FREE downloads. You can easily build hundreds of flying hours experience for FREE.
If you want to be a commercial pilot there is no option but to spend heaps of cash, join the military or land yourself a scholarship with a big airline. But in the meantime you can learn with me on your own PC almost for free. My courses are an excellent introduction to being a pilot.
You will need a joystick and controllers too and a flight sim programme. I use X Plane 11 and microsoft flight sim. VR headset is highly recommended but not essential.
Don't waste cash at the local flying school just yet. I am a Multi engine pilot and skydiver, I qualified as a pilot in 1996. I ran my own flying school "The Baron Flying Club" at Shoreham airport in East Sussex, where students were trained to PPL and multi engine PPL standard CAA UK.
Today I teach private students only.
I love doing low flying and aerobatics but I want to bring my online training to everyone, students, people who simply cannot afford it, or do not have the medical requirements because lots of people do fly just for fun and are not actually interested in going commercial. Sim flying is actually better than the real thing in many respects mainly the cost.
Using pc and mac based flight simulators we can go through every aspect of flight school without the crippling cost in easy stages and make it fun. Flight sims are not held up by the weather either as real aircraft often are, the realism levels are awesome. I enjoy flying the flight sim every day, We really can go anywhere in the world to fly.
Do it in your own time as much or as little at a time as you like, At the end of my courses you will know if you have the ability, desire or need to actually lash out thousands and thousands of your own cash to fly the real thing.
The drones are the future certainly for combat aviation. They will be controlled by someone on a computer sitting in a room on the other side of the world.
VR headsets are really very good for flying and I highly recommend them. In my opinion it really is worth investing in a good joystick, throttles and rudder pedals, even second hand ones from ebay can be found at a good price.
Blue skies!