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Contents
Installation
Getting Started After Installation
Introduction
Basic Controls
On-Screen Display
Arcade and Physics Mode
How to Fly the Apache
Controller Configurations
Enemy Units
Tricks and Tips

INSTALLATION 1. Insert the Apache Air Assault CD into your CD-Rom Drive and wait 10 seconds. The install screen should appear. 2. Follow the on-screen instructions, starting by clicking the Install button. NOTE: If the autorun feature is disabled or does not work properly, please follow the manual installation method below.

1. Insert the Apache Air Assault CD into your CD-Rom Drive.
2. Click on Start and then click on Run.
3. Type the letter of your CD-Rom drive (usually "D") followed by a colon (:) and the word "Setup". Then click the OK button. (Example: "D:Setup").
4. Follow the on-screen instructions, starting by clicking the Install button.

GETTING STARTED AFTER INSTALLATION

Insert the Apache Air Assault CD into the CD-Rom drive. The autorun screen should appear, with the option to Run Apache. If the autorun feature is disabled or does not work properly, click on Start and then select Programs. Select Apache Air Assault, then the Apache Air Assault logo, to start the game.

INTRODUCTION

In July 2001, an organization known as the "The Solar Martyrs" made public statements about their involvement with worldwide terrorist activities. In response, the American government started a series of recon operations to identify potential threats…

It was discovered that the Martyr forces are hiding in a small country called Banhar, and that their leader is a local sheik named Al-Zahir. Intelligence uncovered that this militant group may have nuclear weapons at their disposal. It was decided that a large-scale attack would prove risky, and so a small group of Special Forces was formed…

Only one machine is fit for such a task...

BASIC CONTROLS

Keyboard Basics (Default)
Note: See the Keyboard section of this manual for a full list of commands. For terminology, refer to the section on How to Fly the Apache on this page.

Start Engines: | Press 'E' twice
Collective Up / Down: | A / Z
Tail Rotor Left / Right: | X / C
Cyclic Movement: | Arrow Keys
Select Weapon: | 1-4
Select Target: | Tab (hellfire missiles only)
Fire Weapon: | Spacebar
Arcade/Physics Mode: | F12

Joystick Basics (Default)
To use a joystick, you will need to first make sure your joystick has been installed and calibrated properly. See the section about Setting up a Joystick for more information.

When you setup your joystick, refer to the options menu for how to control the collective and tail rotor. The following controls will remain true:

Start Engines: | Press 'E' twice
Cyclic Movement: | Joystick XY
Select Weapon: | 1-4
Select Target: | Tab (hellfire missiles only)
Fire Weapon: | Joy 1
Arcade/Physics Mode: | F12

ON-SCREEN DISPLAY

A. Damage meter
B. Engines, Rotor brakes, Wheel brakes, Hover
C. Current weapon
D. Air speed
E. Altitude
F. Compass
G. Radar
H. Vertical Lift
I. RPM, Torque, Collective, Fuel

Damage Meter: This is the Apache's health. Once this has depleted, the helicopter will explode and your game will be over.

Engines: There are two engines on the Apache. If an engine is damaged and ceases to work, the engine light will turn red.

Rotor Brake: The rotor brakes will lock the rotor blades in place.

Wheel Brakes: Locks the wheels while grounded.

Hover: When the light is on, it indicates that the hover command is active. The hover command allows you to maintain a constant altitude and hover in place.

Current Weapon: Displays the currently armed weapon and remaining ammo.

Air Speed: Shows how fast the Apache is moving.
Altitude: Shows your current distance to the ground.

Compass: Available in the cockpit view only. The compass will point towards your closest objective.

Radar: Used to track enemy units and other targets.

Vertical Lift: This shows how much force is being used to lift the helicopter. The center point of the meter means that the helicopter will hover. The higher the meter, the quicker you will ascend. The lower the meter, the quicker you will descend.

RPM: This is your rotor's revolution per minute- showing you how fast your blades are spinning. If your RPM drops, then your helicopter will lose altitude.

Torque: The twisting forces created due to the rotor. Large maneuvers at high speeds will create torque and can cause the helicopter to be out of control.

Collective: This controls the helicopters vertical flight. Increasing the collective will cause the helicopter to go up, while decreasing the collective causes the helicopter to go down.

Fuel: This gauge shows how much fuel is available.

ARCADE AND PHYSICS MODE

You can affect how the Apache helicopter flies by adjusting to either arcade or physics mode. Press F12 on the keyboard to toggle between these two features during game-play.

Arcade Mode: | An easy control system that maintains helicopter altitude while flying forward. This mode is recommended for keyboard control setup.
Physics Mode: | This control scheme is based on real world physics, and is recommended for those who are using a joystick.

HOW TO FLY THE APACHE

Step One: Taking off
To start the Apache from a grounded position, press the 'E' button on the keyboard twice. This will start your engines, and spine the blades to give you lift. Increase the collective to take off. If your wheel brakes are on, they will turn off automatically.

Step Two: Basic Flight
There following concepts will help any pilot master flying the Apache helicopter in no time- collective, rudder control, cyclic movement, and hover. The following refers to keyboard controls only. If you are using a Flight Stick, please see the Basic Controls section for detail.

Collective: | This controls the aircraft's vertical motion. By adjusting the collective up or down, the helicopter will move respectively. Note that your on-screen display shows your collective input. Use the 'A' and 'Z' buttons on the keyboard to control your up and down movement.
| Tip: In straight flight, the Apache can reach a maximum of 140-142 kts, but only when collective is at about 85%. With larger setting you'll fly slower.
Rudder Control: | Using the tail rotor to allow the helicopter to spin or turn is called rudder control. The helicopter can Use the 'X' and 'C' buttons to control the Apache while it turns.
Cyclic Movement: | This allows your helicopter to move forwards, backwards, and side to side. This is also known as pitch and roll. Press the arrow keys on the keyboard to move in the direction you want to go.
Hover: | The hover command is useful when you are trying to stabilize the altitude of the helicopter. Pressing the 'H' key will bring it to a predetermined altitude and allow you to hover in one location without having to control it.

Step Three: Weapons
The Apache is equipped with a variety of weapons to help you accomplish your missions. They are:

30 mm Chain Gun: | This weapon is effective against lightly armored vehicles or ground soldiers. Press the number '1' on the keyboard to arm. Then use your mouse to aim, and the left mouse button to fire the gun.
Hydra Rockets: | This is an unguided rocket, effective against most vehicles at close range. Press the number '2' on the keyboard to arm.
Hellfire Missiles: | This is a radar-guided weapon, effective against all vehicles and targets. The strength of the hellfire missiles is its long range. Press the number '3' to arm. To use this weapon, you must have a target within sight. To select a target, press the TAB key. You can cycle through your targets by continuing to press the tab key.
Zuni Rockets: | These are unguided rockets much like the hydra's, though they carry a much more powerful explosive. Press the number '4' on the keyboard to arm. Note, you will not have this weapon until later in the game.

Step Four: Advanced Flight Tactics
The following information may save your life. If you find yourself in a bad situation, remain calm, and try to remember these things:

Avoiding homing missiles: | If a homing missile has locked on, it is nearly impossible to avoid. The only thing you can do is take evasive action. The best way to avoid a homing missile is to stay out of enemy radar, usually under 400 ft.
Turning and stopping: | Use combined cyclic and rudder controls to make very fast turns. Remember that the helicopter can fly sideways or even backwards- albeit not very fast, because of the aerodynamics and the tailfins. Quickly turning back and increasing the collective is also a perfect way to stop the helicopter (used by real pilots).
Flying fast: | When flying fast, keep collective at about 85-90%. Settings above 90% will make your rotor RPM fall, and severely reduce its effectiveness. In straight flight, if you use the collective correctly, the Apache can reach a maximum of 140-142 kts.
Damaged Engine: | The Apache can still fly with one engine, but you will be unable to make quick maneuvers or fly fast. Do not increase the collective. Instead, adjust the collective so that the RPM of the rotor stays high. If both engines are out, you will see the RPM of the rotor fall rapidly. You still have a chance of survival if you reduce your collective and wait until just before you crash before increasing it. Kinetic energy stored in the rotor as it falls is enough to raise the helicopter 60-100 ft in the air before it depletes. If you use rotor energy wisely, you can even make it to a standstill hover 1 foot above ground, and then touchdown delicately- even with both engines out!
Pulling out of a stall: | If you try and turn aroung too quickly while moving at a high airspeed, you can stall the aircraft. Immediately reduce the collective to get out of the stall and regain rotor RPM.

CONTROLLER CONFIGURATION

Keyboard Configuration
By default, the game is setup to use the keyboard. You can change the keys used to control the Apache, such as pitch, roll, collective, and the tail rotor. To view your keyboard options, select the OPTION button from the main menu, and then select the CONTROL tab.

To change the key configuration, use the arrows next to each item to select from several different presets controls. You can invert each of the controls by clicking on the "inv" option to the right.

Joystick Configuration

Note: You must have your flight stick properly installed and calibrated in Windows before you can setup the joystick in the game. Please refer to your Joystick instruction manual on how to do this.

Apache Air Assault has several different options that allow you to use a variety of joysticks and/or keyboard combinations. To view joystick options: Select the OPTION button from the main menu, and then select the CONTROL tab.

To change the controls: Click on the PRESET option and select the option that fits your need. There will be four different choices:

Keyboard: | For keyboard control only
Joystick: | Joystick without rudder or throttle control
Joystick + T: | Joystick with throttle control but no rudder
Joystick + T + P: | Joystick with rudder and throttle control

Once you select you choice, refer the pitch, roll, collective, and tail rotor controls listed at the top of the page. Unless you change them, these will be your controls once you enter the game. If you do change the default configuration, note that a "C" will appear in the preset option. This indicates that you have selected a custom key configuration. You can reset all controls to their default configuration by clicking on the DEFAULT option.

To change the key configuration, use the arrows next to each item to select from several different presets controls. You can invert each of the controls by clicking on the "inv" option to the right.

ENEMY UNITS

Foot Soldiers
The foot soldiers are lightly armed and vulnerable to any type of attack.

Jeeps
The jeeps are not armed and are vulnerable to any type of attack.
Trucks
Trucks are not armed and very easy to destroy
Armored Vehicles with Cannon
This vehicle is moderately armored and has a cannon that can do light damage.

Armored Vehicles with Rocket Launcher
This vehicle has a long range of attack with its unguided rockets, causing heavy damage to those who are not aware. This vehicle is moderately armored.
Tanks
Tanks are armed with a tank gun that can do heavy damage and are extremely accurate at close to medium ranges. They are heavily armored and resilient to attacks.
Gunboats
At its bow, the gunboats is lightly armored, and armed with a cannon. At its stern, it is heavily armored, and they have a rocket launcher that can inflict heavy damage.

TIPS AND TRICKS

· Enemy units will close in on your position and fire homing missiles if they detect you by radar. Fly at an altitude under 400ft to avoid this. · The Apache is most vulnerable to enemy rockets when hovering in one location or flying in a straight line.

· When you make a close-range attack, make several flyby passes or fly in a circle around the targets. Never stay in one location when you are in range of enemy rockets.

· Hellfire missiles have a long range of attack. Use this to your advantage.

· In straight flight, the Apache can reach a maximum of 140-142 kts, but only when collective is at about 85%. With a larger setting you'll fly slower.

· If you turn around too quickly while flying fast, you can stall the aircraft. Immediately reduce collective to get out of stall and regain rotor RPM.

· Many levels will have more enemy units than you have ammo. Know your primary and secondary objectives and make strategic attacks only on necessary targets.

· Enemy rocket launchers are powerless if you are very close to it (less than 100 ft). Its rockets cannot arm. If no other vehicles are near, you can use this to your advantage.

· Foot soldiers can easily be scared away by shooting a couple rounds of your chain gun or one hydra missile in their vicinity. Even flying a helicopter very close to them will do the trick - try it!

· Your sudden appearance above enemy units often surprises them. You have several precious seconds before they start turning their turrets at you.

· When shooting hellfire missiles at a line of enemy vehicles try to target every second vehicle. Hellfire blast will damage the neighboring vehicles.

· When you have US Forces ground support, you can help them remain alive by drawing fire from enemy units onto you by employing evasive maneuvers and surprise attacks.