Falcon Combat: Air-to-Air Help
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Good day Folks,
I require some help in regards to my A 2 A combat skills, im currently only flying the training missions untill I am skilled to fly campaign, however I always lose in these two matters:
1- In close combat range, I switch on my Dog fight mode, however it tells me “Norad” isnt supposed to be able to pick up the target automatically ?
2- I use my MFD so lock on targets, however if you have more than one its difficult to lock in and out on different targets, any tips ?
3- Do you use Radar or visual sight to see the enemy during close combat ? because I rely on my radar but somehow the enemy sneaks behind me and shoots me down.
4- Do you know any good videos on youtube where they teach you how to handle Air to Air combat with helpful information ?
Please help with tips in regards to these matters.
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Good day Folks,
I require some help in regards to my A 2 A combat skills, im currently only flying the training missions untill I am skilled to fly campaign, however I always lose in these two matters:
1- In close combat range, I switch on my Dog fight mode, however it tells me “Norad” isnt supposed to be able to pick up the target automatically ?
2- I use my MFD so lock on targets, however if you have more than one its difficult to lock in and out on different targets, any tips ?
3- Do you use Radar or visual sight to see the enemy during close combat ? because I rely on my radar but somehow the enemy sneaks behind me and shoots me down.
Please help with tips in regards to these matters.
1. NO RAD means, you don’t have your radar on, sou you have to press tms up or slew your sidewinder seeker over the target
2. Press the pinky switch or the norm on the radar so you get a narrow or normal look on the targets
3. In close combat i mostly use Dogfight mode, unless i know there is someone around here i use my radar on A-A mode, but you can also call the awacs and depends on which enemy fighter, you shoud get a warning on your RWR and be able to see who’s behind you
You can also tell your wingman to clear your six…
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Good day Folks,
I require some help in regards to my A 2 A combat skills, im currently only flying the training missions untill I am skilled to fly campaign, however I always lose in these two matters:
1- In close combat range, I switch on my Dog fight mode, however it tells me “Norad” isnt supposed to be able to pick up the target automatically ?
2- I use my MFD so lock on targets, however if you have more than one its difficult to lock in and out on different targets, any tips ?
3- Do you use Radar or visual sight to see the enemy during close combat ? because I rely on my radar but somehow the enemy sneaks behind me and shoots me down.
4- Do you know any good videos on youtube where they teach you how to handle Air to Air combat with helpful information ?
Please help with tips in regards to these matters.
Here’s what I found helped a lot: Read the manual as it pertains to the using MRM and DGFT Modes (and the RWR etc) and then start using the Instant Action Air. Now Instant Action is unrealistic (in relation to the campaign that is). Lower levels it is way too easy, but you need that to learn. Higher levels can have what seems like 6-10 enemy all shooting at just you, but it helps you sort, prioritize threats and react accordingly, which can be very useful in campaigns. Start at the lowest level (cadet or Rookie or whatever it is). As you become more competent, start working yourself up the levels. You will get shot down a zillion times (or maybe that was just me!), but it helped me hone my use of radar modes and RWR in A-A combat, get familiar with use of the HOTAS and what to push when, as well as knowing how and when to use MRM (primarily radar) vs DGFT (primarily viewing and padlock) and their submodes. Also can use the Dogfight section of BMS to create your own 1 on 1 or 1 on 2 (whatever) against different enemy aircraft specifying whatever weapon and distance parameters you want. Lastly, look to you tube to watch instructional videos created just for BMS. They are great. A fellow named Krause (and there are others too) created many that helped me understand all that I had read about using particular systems, weapons or how to handle certain situations. There is one on A-A combat.
With this sim it takes time. It took me quite a while before I felt competent enough that I would enjoy starting a campaign. Enjoy.
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Watch Krause’s videos on youtube, they are very good for entry level operations, they were made for 4.32 though, but alot of things are common. However i really recommend joining a vfs (virtual fighter squadron). They will train you for good!
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Also check out this video. It talks about the basics as well and is associated to Falcon.
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@Master:
Watch Krause’s videos on youtube, they are very good for entry level operations, they were made for 4.32 though, but alot of things are common. However i really recommend joining a vfs (virtual fighter squadron). They will train you for good!
In all my years of playing SP I never felt I was good enough (nor maybe dedicated enough) to try MP. Gotta let that go someday.
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Well to be honest i haven’t logged in my old squadron (e-haf) for years. That been said, to my knowledge, most squadrons have lots of casual flying activity on top of the more “serious” ops so it doesn’t take to much commitment really. Or you can try veterans gaming server, there is always a campaign running there.
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In all my years of playing SP I never felt I was good enough (nor maybe dedicated enough) to try MP. Gotta let that go someday.
Yes….you have to let it go. Look for a good VFW to join and you will never look back.
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Once you get the hang of the controls, weapons and radar, then study BFM. Pete Bonnani’s Art of the Kill is a good intro into it.
. (oops looks like sarge posted the same thing)It takes some time to understand the concepts and how they look from inside the pit. The easiest way to learn is in a VFS. Most of the people that I have met online have all been friendly and very helpful.
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…grab, and study -
http://www.imagery.vnfawing.com/PDF-Archive/Fighter-Combat-Tactics-and-Maneuvering.pdf
…then study some more.
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Shaw’s is the best that I have read and read and read……
Really good stuff in there.
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Its a pretty great intro, a little dated but an excellent primer.
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…the basics never become dated. The only changes are in how you employ any weapons you have before you get into the phone booth. But once you’re in there…
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…the basics never become dated. The only changes are in how you employ any weapons you have before you get into the phone booth. But once you’re in there…
Thats not entirely true. a lot of things in air combat remain the same. A lot of small things change. It depends on the performance of the platforms. For instance, the original immelman turn (now a hammerhead turn) was once a deadly tactic in air combat. Increasing speeds of fighters have made it pointless (since the 1930s in fact). A lot of exaggerated vertical maneuvers are less significant in their effect on total energy these days due to the advent of E-M theory, as modern aircraft can change their total energy state much faster (high TWR) and depend less upon constant yoyos to maintain airspeed in a turn.
The basics of maneuvering depend heavily upon what you are flying and what the other guy is flying. Core concepts, they essentially have remained the same in over 100 years of flight. But some specifics, even those inside the phone booth, even those inside the TC, have changed as aircraft have changed.
This doesnt invalidate the bible. It does mean it gets supplemented with newer texts.
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As the book points out, there is a difference between tactics and maneuvering - the only difference the performance of the airplanes make is which maneuvers make more sense when…and if you want to live you’ll train to fill your bag with all of the tricks available to you.
…I only read this book because an actual fighter pilot suggested I read it. Not so long ago. And he read it because his IP told him to read it. I still refer to it.
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And you’ll note that the book makes a big deal in the first half about which maneuvers make more sense and when they do - and a number of those judgement calls have different basis now compared to when shaw made them.
Im not criticising the book, Stevie. As I said, its an excellent primer to BFM and ACM training. Its a testament to the work Shaw put into it that its still in use today as a training tool. Im simply pointing out that the bible is not a single source text.
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Wow , thank you all for the amazing responses,
Yeah I will geek myself out and watch that video, as for now Im working on getting my Falcon BMS working first then I will fill you in on more A 2 A combat skills.
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Guys I have a simple question,
When I switch on my Dog mode, isnt supposed to lock on target automatically ? What do I do if the target is right infront of me but for some reason the Dog fight mode is not locking on.
