What is Black Shark Den?

Black Shark Den is a group of dedicated Digital Combat Simulator milsim oriented helicopter pilots, flying all the DCS helicopter modules in a mix of “Ass-n-Trash” and “Low Level Hell” online missions. We do not fly any fixed wing modules here.
Black Shark Den is international, organized around two regions: NORAM (North America) and EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) We have members all across the world and our common language is English. Events (missions) are organized to suit EMEA and/or NORAM time zones, but a BSD Pilot can choose to fly in any. There is also no limitations in the number of platform you can fly at BSD, assuming you can maintain currency in each of them as defined in the PLATOON STATUS menu.
BSD is about camaraderie and the enjoyment of flying together. We do not fly PvP. We have expectations of skills and competencies, and offer training to new members achieve Readiness Levels for inclusion in missions, both on our own servers and in events with other squadrons.

To become a member of Black Shark Den you must :

  • Be over 18 years old.
  • Have Digital Combat Simulator installed on a PC with at least one DCS Helicopter module (obviously).
  • Have some degree of competence in flying a DCS helicopter (no ab initio).
  • Understand the minimum attendance requirement per month that is required from you (see PLATOON STATUS) and commit to it.
  • Be looking for sociable interaction with other BSD members, in our online environment.
  • Be respectful and tolerant and friendly. While we enjoy some ribald banter, we respect each other.
  • Want to increase and improve your skills through interaction and instruction with BSD members.

Got your attention?

If you are interested in becoming a member, you should:

  1. Register by clicking right here (Please use the callsign you want to use in game for your login name. Avoid chalk numbers like xxx1-1 ) :

  2. Once you are activated and received the Welcome email (this can take up to 24 hours), log in to the BSD Forum:

  3. Make your application by creating a new thread in the RECRUITMENT section of the forum. Please list the following information:
    • your call sign
    • your age (must be over 18 years old)
    • your type of internet connection and speed
    • your timezone
    • your availability during the week and or weekends.
    • your approximate number of flight hours already spent on DCS
    • your knowledge level with the integrated DCS Mission Editor
    • your preferred chopper (you can love them all!)
    • your expectations w.r.t BSD.
  4. After that, during an Introduction Flight, an IP (Instructor Pilot) will evaluate your capabilities. We are usually not taking completely new pilots and we are expecting for this introduction flight a minimum knowledge about the helicopter you chose during the registration process. An explanation of how you will be evaluated can be found in the video hereafter:

  5. All being well, and assuming you enjoyed your first contact with BSD, you will be offered a Trainee position at Black Shark Den.
  6. You will then have access to documentation, missions, training classes with our IPs and extended access to the BSD Discord server.

As a Trainee, you will be assigned a Readiness Level 3. Our IPs will work with you during trainings to advance to Readiness Level 2 where you will be officially recognized as a fully proficient BSD pilot and allowed to fly any combat missions with the other platoons or during multi squadrons events. From there, you can choose to stay RL2 or advance to RL1 if you are seeking to understand helicopters operations outside your cockpit with qualifications such as flight leader, Air mission Commander or Forward Air Controller. Our Readiness Level system is designed to ensure our pilots have the requisite skills and knowledge to perform their allocated tasks in our (and other's) missions.

BSD Members include active and veteran military pilots as well as dedicated amateur sim-jockeys from all walks of life, and is currently organised into 2 Companies (NORAM/EMEA), with Platoons defined by airframe (see Top level Organization):

      • UH-1H “Huey” (platoon Outlaw)
      • Mi-8 “Hip” (platoon Rhino)
      • SA342 “Gazelle” (platoon Shadow)
      • Ka-50 “Black Shark” (platoon Reapers)
      • OH-58D “Kiowa” (platoon Voodoo)
      • Mi-24 “Hind” (platoon Dragon)
      • AH-64A "Apache" (platoon Warlock)
      • CH-47 "Chinook" (platoon Grizzly)
      • BO-105 (not available)

This Platoon structure enables pilots to acquire high levels of skills in their chosen airframe , and be integrated into mission taskings, through robust but enjoyable training sessions with our Instructor Pilots and Unit Trainers. A pilot may still fly other airframes within BSD, assuming he can maintain currency on all of them. RL qualifications can determine suitability for roles within missions, both in-house and with other DCS online organisations and groups.

Black Shark Den offers a Calendar off frequent and regular missions and training events throughout the year, as well as a Persistent Campaign and a Public server on our dedicated server. Training activity can be on a one-on-one basis as well as in larger groups, depending on IP availability and your preferred airframe. Missions often involve more than 20 pilots with multiple tasks, while ad-hoc sessions can be four or five pilots involved in an AMR on the Persistent Campaign.

We are an open and friendly group of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities with one common interest: Flying the ever expanding range of high-fidelity rotary wing modules in Eagle Dynamics’ Digital Combat Simulator. Our common aim is to enjoy the challenges of co-operative and interactive actions in a simulated battlefield environment flying rotary wing airframes.

If you like the sound of Black Shark Den, jump aboard!