DCS Tutorials and Guides

Whether you are learning your first DCS aircraft, setting up controls, mastering weapons or building missions, the Grim Reapers tutorial library covers a huge range of aircraft, systems and skills.

Choose an aircraft or subject below to open the full tutorial playlist on YouTube.

Completely new to DCS? Start with our introduction to DCS World.

Getting Started with DCS World

Completely new to DCS? Watch this introduction to understand what DCS World is and how to begin.


Aircraft-Specific Tutorials

Select an aircraft to open its full tutorial playlist, including controls, cockpit systems, navigation, weapons and combat guides where available.

A-10A Warthog

Learn the controls, cockpit systems, navigation, weapons and combat basics of the A-10A Warthog.

A-10C I and II Warthog

Detailed guides covering startup, avionics, navigation, sensors, weapons and combat employment in the A-10C.


A-29B Super Tucano

Learn the cockpit, controls, navigation, weapons and mission systems of the A-29B Super Tucano.

A-4E Skyhawk

Tutorials covering startup, cockpit systems, navigation, weapons and combat flying in the community A-4E Skyhawk.


AH-64D Apache

Learn to operate the Apache’s cockpit, sensors, weapons, navigation systems and multicrew functions.

AJS37 Viggen

Guides to the Viggen’s distinctive cockpit, navigation, weapons, low-level flying and strike procedures.


AV-8B Harrier

Learn vertical and short take-off operations, navigation, sensors, weapons and combat procedures in the Harrier.

Bf 109 K-4 Kurfürst

Tutorials covering startup, take-off, landing, engine management and combat in the Bf 109 K-4.


C-101CC Aviojet

Learn the controls, cockpit systems, navigation, weapons and flying procedures of the C-101CC Aviojet.

C-130J Super Hercules

Operating the C-130J, including cockpit systems, navigation, cargo handling and mission procedures.


C-130 Hercules Mod

Learn the controls, systems, navigation and cargo operations of the community C-130 Hercules mod.

CH-47F Chinook

Tutorials covering cockpit setup, flight controls, navigation, cargo operations and multicrew flying in the Chinook.


Christen Eagle II

Learn the controls, cockpit, engine management and aerobatic flying techniques of the Christen Eagle II.

F-14B and F-14B(U) Tomcat

Covering startup, navigation, carrier operations, radar, weapons and multicrew combat in the Tomcat.


F-15C Eagle

Learn the controls, radar, navigation, air-to-air weapons and combat tactics of the F-15C Eagle.

F-15E Strike Eagle

Tutorials covering cockpit systems, navigation, sensors, weapons and multicrew strike operations in the F-15E.


F-16C Viper

Controls, displays, navigation, sensors, weapons and combat procedures.

F/A-18C Hornet

Covering startup, carrier operations, navigation, sensors and weapons and in the Hornet.


F-4E Phantom II

Learn the Phantom’s cockpit, navigation, radar, weapons, crew coordination and combat procedures.

F4U Corsair

Tutorials covering startup, carrier flying, engine management, weapons and combat in the F4U Corsair.


F-5E Tiger II

Learn the cockpit, controls, navigation, weapons and combat techniques.

F-86 Sabre

Guides to startup, navigation, weapons, gunnery and air combat in the classic F-86 Sabre.


F-100D Super Sabre

Learn the controls, cockpit systems, navigation, weapons and flying characteristics of the F-100D Super Sabre.

FW 190 A-8 Anton

Tutorials covering startup, engine management, take-off, landing, weapons and combat in the FW 190 A-8.


FW 190 D-9 Dora

Learn the cockpit, engine management, flying procedures, weapons and combat techniques of the FW 190 D-9.

I-16 Ishak

Learn the I-16’s cockpit controls, engine management, flying procedures, weapons and combat techniques.


JF-17 Thunder

Learn the JF-17’s cockpit displays, navigation, sensors, weapons and modern combat systems.

Ka-50 Black Shark

Tutorials covering flight controls, navigation, targeting systems, weapons and combat in the Ka-50 Black Shark.


La-7

Learn the La-7’s cockpit controls, engine management, flying procedures, weapons and combat techniques.

L-39 Albatros

Startup, cockpit systems, navigation, flight training, weapons and multicrew operation in the L-39 Albatros.


MB-339

Learn the MB-339’s cockpit systems, controls, navigation, weapons and flying procedures.

Mi-8 Hip

Covering flight controls, navigation, cargo operations, weapons and multicrew flying.


Mi-24P Hind

Learn the Hind’s flight controls, navigation, targeting systems, weapons and multicrew combat procedures.

MiG-15bis

Guides covering startup, cockpit systems, navigation, weapons, gunnery and air combat in the MiG-15bis.


MiG-19P Farmer

Learn the MiG-19P’s cockpit controls, navigation, radar, weapons and air-combat techniques.

MiG-21bis

Tutorials covering startup, cockpit systems, navigation, radar, weapons and combat flying in the MiG-21bis.


MiG-29A Fulcrum

Learn cockpit controls, navigation, radar, weapons and air-combat systems.

Mirage 2000C

Guides covering cockpit systems, navigation, radar, weapons and combat procedures.


Mirage F1

Learn the cockpit systems, navigation, radar, weapons and combat procedures.

Mosquito FB Mk VI

Covering startup, engine management, navigation, weapons and multicrew flying.


NS 430

Learn how to use the NS 430 for route planning, positioning and in-flight navigation.

OH-58D Kiowa Warrior

Covering flight controls, navigation, sensors, weapons and crew coordination.


P-47D Thunderbolt

Learn the P-47D’s cockpit controls, engine management, navigation, weapons and combat flying techniques.

P-51D Mustang

Tutorials covering startup, engine management, take-off, landing, navigation, weapons and combat.


Spitfire LF Mk IX

Learn the Spitfire’s cockpit controls, engine management, flying procedures, weapons and combat techniques.

Su-25 Frogfoot

Guides covering cockpit controls, navigation, weapons and ground-attack procedures in the Su-25 Frogfoot.


Su-25T Frogfoot

Learn the Su-25T’s cockpit controls, navigation, targeting systems, weapons and ground-attack procedures.

Su-27, Su-33, MiG-29, J-11A

Covering the shared controls, navigation, radar, weapons and combat systems of these Flaming Cliffs aircraft.


Supercarrier

Learn carrier deck procedures, taxiing, launching, communications and recovery operations with Supercarrier.

T-1A Hawk

Guides covering the cockpit, controls, navigation, weapons and flying procedures of the T-1A Hawk.


T-45C Goshawk

Learn the cockpit, controls, navigation, carrier procedures and training operations of the community T-45C mod.

UH-1H Huey

Tutorials covering flight controls, navigation, weapons, cargo operations and multicrew flying in the UH-1H Huey.


SA342 Gazelle

Learn the Gazelle’s flight controls, navigation, sensors, weapons and combat procedures.

Yak-52

Guides covering the cockpit familiarisation, startup, basic-flying, navigation and aerobatics in the Yak-52.


Free DCS Mods

Discover free community aircraft and other DCS mods, with guides to installation, setup and use.


General DCS Tutorials and Education

These playlists cover DCS fundamentals, flying skills, combat, mission creation, hardware, updates and subjects that are not tied to one particular aircraft.

DCS Explained

Explanations of DCS systems, features, terminology and gameplay concepts.

Buyer Guides and Reviews

Guides and reviews to help you decide which DCS aircraft, map or module is right for you.


DCS News and Updates

Coverage of important DCS announcements, updates, new modules and developments.

Hardware Product Reviews

Reviews and demonstrations of flight-simulation hardware, controls and accessories.


Aircraft Basics

Learn essential flying skills, control setup, cockpit familiarisation, navigation and other DCS fundamentals.

Elementary Flight

Beginner-friendly, covering the basic principles, core techniques and practical skills needed to fly confidently.


Air-to-Air Combat

Learn radar use, missile employment, dogfighting, aerial tactics and other essential air-to-air combat techniques.

Air-to-Ground Combat

Learn bombing, strafing, guided weapons, targeting systems and practical ground-attack tactics across DCS aircraft.


Combined Arms

Learn how to control ground units, command battles and use the Combined Arms module effectively in DCS.

Mission Editor

Learn to create missions, place units, set coalitions, use triggers and build your own DCS scenarios.


Discussions

In-depth conversations about DCS, military aviation, tactics, modules and the wider flight-simulation community.

Training

Structured lessons and practical guides designed to improve your flying, combat skills and overall understanding of DCS.