(C) MicroMart (UK) Ltd, 1989. No material may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. Can you do the 'High Yo Yo' or how about the 'Horizontal Scissors'? Fasten your parachute because we are about to pilot the formidable AH-64A Apache helicopter. This is no ordinary fighting machine - there are thirteen on-board computers with automatic fault detection and the Apache carries eight 100 lb Hellfire missiles guided by laser beams giving them deadly accuracy. Your mission, should you decide to accept the challenge, is to liberate allied forces and their territory from enemy occupation. TOMAHAWK, the only Digital Integration simulation program for the PCW - now available for the PCW9512 as well as the PCW8000 - is well worth the challenge. Prepare for takeoff Full and very detailed instructions are supplied - in three languages - on how to fly your Apache helicopter. The program was made with the technical assistance of McDonnell Douglas and was evaluated and tested with the help of many experienced pilots to make as near life-like a simulation as possible on the PCW. Before starting you set your pilot rating. This ranges from Trainee - for learning to fly - through Squadron, Instructor or even Ace. There are four levels of difficulty to choose from, Flying Training for the novice pilot, then the three 'combat' modes where you come under fire from the enemy. Weather conditions are available 'to order'. Select from clear or cloudy with a cloudbase selectable from 50 to 5000 feet. Crosswinds and turbulence may be selected to add a lifelike feel, likewise you may choose from either day or night flying. Three combat missions are available: the short mission with limited risk, the liberation mission where your task is to rebuff enemy occupation or the strategic battle for occupation of the entire map. In the latter mission the Apache's roll is to support allied ground forces along the front line. All the skills learned in earlier flying training missions are called upon when fighting in these combat modes and whatever happens don't land in enemy territory. By selecting an experienced pilot rating and the strategic battle mission you are assured of a tough time. A map display is available at the press of the M key. This shows your position - and any enemy helicopters - eight beacons to navigate by and which sectors are occupied by enemy forces. Grasp the Joystick - keyboard only controls are acceptable - and prepare for take off. Flying High The screen displays a full range of instruments giving constant readouts of such things as speed - horizontal and vertical -altitude, time to reach destination or target and an artificial horizon. The Doppler navigation compass is a very versatile pilots' aid. This gives a constant readout of the heading, bearing and track plus four modes are available: Beacon Navigation; Landing Pad guidance; Ground Target tracking and an Enemy Helicopter Interception. This is active either independently, giving full details of distance and bearing, or as an addition to the other three modes as an early warning system only. You have a full compliment of controls to operate to get airborne and fly. The throttle, rudder and joystick. A Collective lever is used to 'collectively' vary the pitch of the rotor blades giving vertical lift. Operation of one control usually requires another to be adjusted. Fortunately the Apache is fitted with digital equipment making it easier to fly than many other helicopters. Tomahawk is very lifelike and gives you a realistic airborne 'feel' including transitional lift and the ground cushioning effect. Be prepared to put in a measure of training and read the pilot's notes accompanying the program as you won't be able to switch on and take off at once. When you can get airborne and fly your twin engined 49 foot, 14,694 lb (average gross weight) monstrous mean machine there are plenty of other technicalities to keep you busy like landing safely and learning to navigate. The ambitious will want to progress to aerobatics and the varied air-to-air combat techniques - like dogfighting - that will earn them the envied rating of Ace. These techniques are described in detail with accompanying diagrams to follow. As well as the High Yo Yo and Horizontal Scissors mentioned earlier try your hand at the Side-Flare Quick Stop and the Wing-Over Attack. There is plenty of opportunity for you to perfect your air-to-air combat techniques against the enemy and quickly progress from trainee up through the ranks to Squadron, Instructor then Ace. Bombs Away Once you have mastered the controls and can fly your AH-64A Apache you are ready to take on the enemy. You will certainly be glad the Apache is equipped with a Target Acquisition & Designation System (TADS). This is a complex weapon-aiming and display system that 'locks' onto a target then automatically tracks it. In real life Apache pilots can aim the weapon by looking at the target. Their helmets are mounted with a 'television monocle' and delicate sensors detect the pilots head position and drive the relevant nose cameras. This view is projected in the pilots right eye. An instrument panel display shows the target when TADS has locked onto it. There are eight 100 lb laser-guided supersonic Hellfire missiles to 'fire-and-forget' at distances of up to three miles from enemy helicopters, tanks and field guns. For good measure there are 38 rockets and a 30mm chain gun with 1200 rounds of ammunition. Naturally the enemy fire back with a variety of results, sometimes devastating. The enemy's potency increases with the more experienced pilot rating selected. The Graphics department has 3D real-world display. The only criticism I have of an otherwise excellent simulation is of the terrain graphics which are very simple representations of the real thing. Mountain ranges are shown as a row of pyramid-like shapes ever changing position in line with the Apache. However, on occasions I found Tomahawk to be so life like I'm sure I heard the overhead roar of the engines and pungent cordite fumes filled the cockpit. On at least one occasion, whilst under attack, I was heard shouting orders to my co-pilot: "Fire that cannon, FIRE' FIRE' FIRE'" Overall an excellent flight simulation and an exciting game rolled into one. For those of us unable to afford the real thing, Digital Integration have provided an exhilarating chance to experience the deadly power of the Apache in the heat of the battle, or you can practice your helicopter flying skills in the comfort of your favourite armchair in the non combat modes if you wish. END