Weekly Update 00

# Starting new weekly updates on the blog.  This will have tags so that it should be easy to follow along in the conversion.  If we start getting a lot of participation I will make time to move it to my server and add forums and pic galleries for each member, videos, etc.  I just want to make sure that we have enough usage to justify moving the project to that level.  We got 500+ views this month, and seem to be drawing more of a crowd, even though the blog has been largely inactive in the last few years -- so that fills me with a bit of hope.  I am going to be posting the videos on my YouTube channel and monetizing it for the purpose of posting larger videos and in hopes that it will contribute to web hosting costs.

# We are moving to C3 http://www.downloadc3.com/  for in game chat.  We will then most likely be using the in game chat system for recruiting and event communication only.  As we realize that some of our members machines may lag a bit from running both the game and the chat system -- though more than likely it will be just fine--  we will be moving to the new system over time, as to lessen the technical and financial impact on everyone.  If you don't already have at-least an entry level video card (http://guru3d.com/news/nvidia-entry-level-cards-gt-610-620-630/), and a multi-threaded processor (http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/MVGSBG/article.php/3939851/PC-Buyers-Guide-for-EntryLevel-Gaming--April-2012.htm), you are going to want to think about upgrading in the coming year.  This will ultimately make your experience better, no one likes to lag about.  All the information that you need about the system should be on the c3 site and forums.  Google any issues that you have, if you still have issues you can get a hold of me and we can walk through it. 

# In the Main arena we are attempting to fly as many flights as possible in formation.  This has been difficult to do in all circumstances, but those that have been there are doing an excellent job.  The command would like to use missions when ever possible (i.e. we have 8 or so together on the server), this is so no one squad member is caught with their pants down.  We encourage everyone that is interested to start planning missions that you would like to run, so that everyone has info on planes and load-out.  

# I will be starting a Facebook page, Google Plus account, and Twitter account linked with the blog and the web-page so that everyone can keep track of things the way they want to.  You can subscribe to the blog using your choice of feed readers, though I suggest Google Reader.  Today I started a Picasa-Web account connected to this blog so that we can post longer videos, and lots of screenshots without breaking things later if we need to move the blog to another host.

Tactics: Taking the fight vertical in the merge

The Merge is one of the most critical elements in a dog fight.  The cleaner the merge and the more control you have of the aircraft, the better your chances of gaining or retaking the energy advantage in the engagement.  Your understanding of your aircrafts abilities and those of your opponents aircraft are critical in choosing the right technique for the given situation. You can find a more detailed explanation of these techniques and more -- along with videos -- here. 

IMMELMANN(*pictured)  Aircraft enters in straight and level flight, pulls into half an inside loop followed by a half roll to upright.

You should enter the maneuver at 100% throttle if your aircraft has WEP and 75% if it doesn't.  This is to avoid a full power stall if you intend or are forced to take the fight into the vertical,  although this is a dangerious alteration when multiple enemies are present.


In any dog fight being patient will keep you alive; you don't want to force the aircraft into position for the shot, such extreme G's will bleed off precious energy. Turning at a constant speed is a much safer practice. If your flying a plane that does particularly well in the vertical it may enable you may to take the fight into the vertical using a stall turn to exit the climb behind your opponent, this is also refered to as a type of roping techneique. 

(*Picture from :http://cmreel.com/?page_id=220*)

Half Reverse Cuban - Enter the maneuver with 50% throttle (unless already within 10 knots of the aircrafts stall speed.) pulling the nose into a 45 degree climb, after approximately one second perform a half outside roll (against the torque of the engine) while keeping the nose at 45 degrees perform a split-S  immediately after becoming inverted. 

A video of a T67 doing the maneuvers talked about here over South East England. The Hesitation rolls shown here are a great  technique for controlling your energy, and disguising your intentions on the approach to the merge.

You can find a more detailed explanation of these techniques and more -- along with videos -- here. 

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Status update #001

I would like to make use this blog as a Communication and Training tool for the squad, while still keeping it public, so the content needs to stay appropriate and on Topic. Anyone that would like to post is more than welcome, I will be adding permissions this week for all those that want to be involved. Send me an e-mail from the e-mail that you will be using to post including your "Aces High II" Screen Name and I'll add you.

Any and all Training materials that you think would be helpful would be appreciated. The more complete we can make the info the more useful this site can become.

If for whatever reason you need to add or remove something from a post simply email me the post title and the content to be edited. As I get a lot of emails, I would appreciate it if the subject read AeroFighter BLOG EDIT *blog entry title*, or something similar.