How to Fly a Plane in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands (PC)

If you want to cut to the chase and skip all the disastrous trials and errors just trying to figure out which keys to use... well, here you go :)

It's very much like flying a helicopter... and yet so different.

Update 14/8/17: They have made the controls so much easier since beta, but you'll still need plenty of practice. But thankfully, as long as you manage to land anywhere within the vicinity of the airstrip, the supply mission will be completed :)

Controls: (based on the new controls; not the classic ones)

Shift - to take off and to move

A, D keys - to fly left or right - swerving with a plane is very different than turning with a vehicle. You just need to tap it a bit at a time - unless you really need to make a steep turn... which will probably cause you to crash though :P - and always to tip your plane back to its straight form. Remember to check for tall mountains or other airborne units as well.

S - open flaps downwards (note the flaps at the end of the plane) so you can keep your plane in the air. Unless you plan to land, keep the S key pressed so your plane will remain in the air.

W - open flaps upwards.  For when you want to do a slight nose dive... usually when you approach the landing strip. Don't use it too much and crash into the ground, mind you. Balance it out with the S key.

(I'd recommend you try the W and S keys before take off, while you're on land.)

Ctrl - for landing. Very very very important - make sure you use this! If not, the game won't help you land your plane.


Note: The plane can still move while on the ground - this is called "Taxing". it's better to land BEFORE the landing point rather than AFTER it because making a U-turn while on the ground can be a real pain. But of course, you have to stop crashing the plane first for this to work :P

Note 2: A rule of thumb - and this applies for helicopters too - don't exit the vehicle until the mission is complete. There's a weird glitch sometimes that will make your plane or helicopter flip and end up a ball of fiery doom once you exit it.

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Even if you understood theoretically how to use these keys, you will still need to practice in the game, but at least, you won't need THAT many crashes.

Seriously though, why didn't the game add in a short tutorial (an interactive one, mind you) that teaches the player how to fly a friggin plane? - I still feel the same way even after successfully landing multiple planes, one of which I landed perfectly (Got screenshots of the landing too :) - will be putting them up soon)

Have fun flying! It's one of the best ways to travel (via helicopter mainly) in Wildlands IMHO. Helps a lot when scoping out a site that has a drone jammer.

Boys Like Girls - Go

This is a song that I would very much like to dedicate to a girl that I just know who is in a one-sided relationship. Be courageous, stand up, and go... don't hold on in hopes of getting your love reciprocated.

This is also dedicated to those ladies out there who are in toxic/bad relationships.



Lyrics:
Little change of the heart
Little light in the dark
Little hope that you just might find
Your way up out of here
'Cause you've been hiding for days
Wasted and wasting away
But I got a little hope today
You'll face your fears

Yeah, I know it's not easy
I know that it's hard
Follow the lights to the city

Get up and go
Take a chance and be strong
Or you could spend your whole life holding on
Don't look back; just go
Take a breath, move along
Or you could spend your whole life holding on
You could spend your whole life holding on

Believe the tunnel can end
Believe your body can mend
Yeah, I know you can make it through
'Cause I believe in you
So let's go put up a fight
Let's go make everything all right
Go on take a shot
Go give it all you got

Oh, yeah, I know it's not easy
I know that it's hard
No, it's not always pretty

Get up and go
Take a chance and be strong
Or you could spend your whole life holding on
Don't look back; just go
Take a breath, move along
Or you could spend your whole life holding on
You could spend your whole life holding on

Don't wanna wake up to the telephone ring
Are you sitting down?
I need to tell you something
Enough is enough
You can stop waiting to breathe
And don't wait up for me

Get up and go
Take a chance and be strong
Or you could spend your whole life holding on
Don't look back; just go
Take a breath, move along
Or you could spend your whole life holding on

Get up and go
Take a chance and be strong
Or you could spend your whole life holding on
Don't look back; just go
Take a breath, move along
Or you could spend your whole life holding on
You could spend your whole life holding on
Don't spend your whole life holding on


P/S: I know the timing of this post is very unfortunate, but I have just rediscovered this song and thought it was perfect for this girl that I know. Anyway, she'll probably never see this... so what the heck, right?

Intermittent Internet Connection? Here's What You Can Do

Having a bad day because your internet connection seems to disconnect very so often for no reason?

Well, here are some methods you could use to determine where the problem lies (as much as you can anyway) before contacting your ISP in rightful anger.

Please take note that I'm not exactly VERY tech savvy myself but I do have a general idea of how things work, and hence, I've tried writing this guide in the simplest way I know how. Hope you'll find it easy enough to follow!

Before we start

First things first, you need to understand that there are several "devices" that your connection will go through before reaching a website. Here's a (hopefully) helpful flow chart.

*pending*

Try to remember the names of these "devices" because I'll mention about them in the step-by-step guide below.

Also, perform these simple Quick Fixes to see if they help:

1. Restart both router and modem - turn off both your router and your modem (router first and then modem) for 10 seconds and then turn them back on (modem first and then router)
2. Restart your computer with the automatic Windows update on - if there are important updates, your PC will automatically update all the necessary items.
3. Flush your DNS - Guide

Step 1: Check whether the intermittent internet connection problem originated from your laptop/ PC

Here's what you can do:

Using WiFi

- Check the internet connection* on your other devices. You can do so by loading an app that require a stable connection to run properly like a game app or you could run a Pingtest.

*Make sure your devices are all connected to the connection you're having trouble with.

Using an internet cable
- Plug the same cable you're using into another PC and check the connection on Pingtest.
OR
- Replace said cable with a new one (that has been tested at the store, if possible) and check the connection on Pingtest.


Outcome and Solution:

• Using WiFi: Internet is still intermittent on other devices - Problem isn't related to your PC

Solution: Proceed to Step 2

• Using WiFi: Internet is NOT intermittent on other devices - Problem lies with your PC

One more test: 
Try connecting to the internet using an internet cable (a new/ a tested one - you'll need to make sure the cable is not faulty). If the connection is stable, then...
Solution: Update your wireless driver

If not: Perform troubleshooting on the PC you're having internet problems with, and don't forget to scan your PC for any malware and viruses using reliable software like Malwarebytes (for malware), or any of these antivirus programs - Kaspersky, Avast. AVG, McAfee, Avira, etc etc or even Windows Defender

• Using an internet cable: Internet is still intermittent on other PC/ with new cable - Problem isn't related to your PC

Solution: Proceed to Step 2

• Using an internet cable: Internet is NOT intermittent on other PC/ with new cable - Problem lies with your PC/ internet cable

Solution: Replace internet cable, check PC internet settings (Something must be interfering with your connection) and don't forget to scan your PC for any malware and viruses using reliable software like Malwarebytes (for malware), or any of these antivirus programs - Kaspersky, Avast. AVG, McAfee, Avira, etc etc or even Windows Defender

Step 2: Check for packet loss

A brief explanation on the term "packet loss". The data travelling in your internet connection is actually called "packets". If there's a loss during the packet delivery from your PC/device to the server (of the website you're using or connecting to), then the data you send will be incomplete.
More on Packet Loss.

Here's what you do: 
- Connect your PC directly to the modem (not the router) using a working internet cable if possible (To reduce any possible error due to using a WiFi connection)
- Do a packet loss test (Windows 10 guide below)

1. Right click on the Start Menu button and select "Command Prompt"
2. Type the stuff I've underlined in red, letter by letter, space by space: 
   
3. Press Enter and let it run for awhile (maybe around 5 minutes or so). Then, press Ctrl+C to stop the test.
4. If there's a packet loss issue, you will see multiple "Request Timed Out" in between the pings like this
   
   and you should also see this (circled in red) at the end once you've ended the test. 
   
   Ideally, packet loss should be within 1% to 2.5% at most. If the percentage reaches anywhere near 5% and above, you should be worried as the quality of your internet connection will be somewhat disrupted, especially if you play online games which relies on twitch reflexes.
5. Take a screenshot of the results (the end part - with the percentage) of your packet loss test. (Press PrtScrn button, paste the image in Paint and then save the image)

Outcome and Solution:

• There IS an approximately 5% and above packet loss percentage.

Solution: There IS a problem with your internet connection. Proceed to Step 3

• There ISN'T an approximately 5% and above packet loss percentage.

Solution: The problem ISN'T related to your connection, but possibly related to your router, or the connection between your router, modem and the telephone port. Check cable connection between router and modem as well as modem and your telephone port. Perform troubleshoot on router. If the router is provided by your ISP, you can try calling them to get some help.

Step 3: Check where the packet loss occur

Remember the flow chart at the very beginning? Well, we're going to determine where exactly (if possible) the packet loss occurs. However, please note that this method is not foolproof. It might or might not work.
More on Traceroute and How to Use It to Identify Problems.

Here's what you do:
- Run a Traceroute (while still connected via internet cable to the modem)

1. Go back to your opened Command Prompt
2. Type the stuff I've underlined in red, letter by letter, space by space:
   
3. Press Enter to run the Traceroute and wait until you see the text "Trace Complete"
4. Take a screenshot of the results of your test.

Outcome and Solution:

• "Request Timed Out" on the first hop (meaning the first line) - The problem possibly lies with the device your PC is currently directly connected to be it a router or a modem

Solution: Check cable connection between router and modem as well as modem and your telephone port. If you suspect the problem lies with the modem, contact your ISP. 

Note: You may need to disable your Windows Firewall if your Tracert result returns a "Request Timed Out" starting from the first hop (meaning the first line onward).

• "Request Timed Out" on second or third hops - The problem possibly lies with your ISP

Solution: Contact your ISP tell them in detail of your internet problem. Mention about the tests you've run and ask them if they would like to see the results. If so, send them the screenshots you've taken.

• "Request Timed Out" on certain lines but not others

Solution: Sometimes, your traceroute request might be blocked by certain routers/ servers on its way to the google servers. If that's the case, you can try running a traceroute to another reliable server. You can get some choice servers here.

• "Destination Net Unreachable"

Solution: The site you're trying to reach is down/unreachable somehow. You should try unning a traceroute to another reliable server. You can get some choice servers here.

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Right, so I've gotten proof that I'm experiencing packet loss and I'll be contacting my ISP tomorrow. I hope my shoddy guide helps :) If not, feel free to post your questions in the comments and I'll see if I can help. 

Again, please remember that I'm not a network expert or anything and most of the stuff I know/ somewhat know comes from good old Google - I did a LOT of reading.

**All links in this article will redirect you to an ad site for 30 seconds at most. You can easily skip the ad after 15 seconds I think. Thanks for helping me out by clicking the links :)