Combat Pilot - Alpha Update #5 - Released for all Ace Tier Patreon Subscribers!

Dear Pilots,

We are very happy to announce that we have released Alpha Update #5 (0.511) for our Patreon Ace Tier subscribers. Just update your Steam install to apply. 

Changes and Additions

1. More arresting cables added to the carriers or removed to match historical placement on the ships.
2. Back-end improvements on the tooltips system. No change to player experience.
3. Implemented a new External Camera system (F2 View) to better match industry standard and improve usability.

• Mouse X/Y pans the camera.

• Pressing Right Mouse Button works in conjunction with Mouse Y to move the camera in and out.

• Mousewheel handles FOV Zoom.

• Holding Shift modifies the camera movement to rotate the camera on its own axis instead of the plane’s. Releasing Shift will set a new rotation point for the camera relative to the aircraft. Useful for re-centering the target in the frame.    

 4. To support the new F2 View, we’ve added new input Actions:

• Camera Movement Modifier (External) [Default: Right Mouse Button]

• Camera Rotation Modifier (External) [Default: Left Shift]

• Camera Move Forward/Back (External) [Default: Mouse Y]

5. Realism options panel in quick mission screen integrated. Almost all settings don’t work yet.
6. Spawn settings panel in Quick Mission screen integrated. This will be improved over time. It’s super ugly now.

Important Note: If the user spawns flying, the aircraft will start with auto-level on, deactivate it to control the plane. There is no currently assigned default key. You'll need to assign one first. 

7. Added an engine damage model. Damage can be mechanical, thermal, and related to lubrication. The probability of failure isn't deterministic; it's based on stochastic models with different probabilities tailored to the type of damage model and how much the threshold is passed. Further iteration of the Engine Damage system will be performed over time.
8. Engine damage status has been added to the Message Center. Damage sounds and visual effects will come later.

Bug Fixes

9. Controls weren’t working sometimes after using Alt+Tab and returning to the sim.
10. Control inputs were being accumulated when the user was in the Menu or in the Active Pause and then applied to the plane when back in the scene.

Flight-Model Changes

A6M2
11. Increased elevator inertial hysteresis.
12. Reduced p-factor.
13. Increased brakes effectiveness.
14. Reduced slip angle drag.

F4F-4
15. Increased elevator inertial hysteresis.
16. Reduced p-factor.
17. Increased brakes effectiveness.
18. Reduced slip angle drag.

Enjoy!

The Combat Pilot Team