Calling all fighter pilots

[JungleJett]

Ok, I am geeking out here but I need some help.

I need some help with some resources on BFM. I have an airplane that is a blast to fly (and very capable) and is a fun dogfighter. Plus it looks like a little WWII piston fighter. I am trying to keep from getting constantly beat up on by guys with more experience. Time to learn the finer points of life after the merge. So, if any of you no $hit fighter guys have some recommendations for reading or resources for the wanna be, I certainly would appreciate it.

If you have some money buring a hole in your pocket and you wanna have some fun..get this airplane.

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraft_genericsearch=Yakovlev%20Yak-50&distinct_entry=true


PS. With all do respect, I really do not need info on weapons such as air-to-air missiles and the use of radar. I need some old school, G pullling, neck straining, flying in the buffet information!

 

[hindsight2020]

I want to yak in a YAK!

Sorry a little unrelated but you know, those darn Yakovlev's are the best kept secret in acro flying. I am amazed at how relatively affordable the Yak-52 (two seater tricycle version of the -50) can be compared to others its size and powerplant. Of course that is assuming you keep it old school and get the russian ones, not the "americanized" versions with western avionics, hydraulic brakes to replace the pneumatic ones, and the other crap that raises the tag to good ol' American economics-of-exclusion standards...probably 1980's models are still somewhat affordable, and by affordable I mean i can still dream about it without being laughed at, as opposed to dreaming about it AND getting laughed at...of course who the hell wants to pay 170K for a new 172 ...or better yet, pay 300K for a T-34 that leaves the girls without a daddy when u pull a little on it. Everything about the design of the Yak is KISS. Wooden prop, landing gear partially exposed after full retraction to aid in wheels up landing damage control (although I've read that the flying quals are simple as well, so you shouldn't get in trouble unless you're a total douchebag) and of course, who doesn't like the big ol M-14P burning holes in the air to taxi around that pesky ol man that's always cheking on ya to see if you dumped gas on the ramp...Old bastard.....

One of these days, when I get a part-time flying gig that at least lets my propeller pipedreams pay for themselves (and WITH my 9-5 job to cover the family of course haha) I'll go talk to some of them folks in Russia (or Romania where they still make the suckers) and import one of them old school bad boys..I figure by then all the ones over this side of the fence would be going for 200K with GPS, glass and freggin air conditioner thanks to FOF's with deep pockets...Ok time to put the communist midget back in the cage....

 

[Wasted]

Get Fighter Combat by Robert Shaw, Naval Institute Press.

 

[JungleJett]

Got that book. Great book and some pretty easy to understand stuff.

The Yak's are a great deal. The Yak-52 is a very capable airplane that can still be bought for less than 70K overhauled to new! They are not as fast as some of the other airplanes in its class, but they are built like tanks! They are simple airplanes with no nasty habits or funny quirks MX wise. The air system works very well and adds to the cool factor.

If you want some "me" time, you just cannot beat the Yak-50. It really is a little fighter! I have spoken to guys that have flown many of the legacy fighters such as the Spit and the P-51, and they all agree the -50 is much more fun to fly. I too have flown the P-51 and enjoyed it for different reasons than most. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the airplane but it was a bit heavy on the controls. It still rocked looking down that long nose and seeing that huge prop being driven by purr of the mighty RR. Most big warbird owners would never think of throwing their airplane around like those of us in the -50. Now, slap a 450 HP engine and three bladed prop and freaking hang on! You will be climbing at over 5000 FPM and will have a ground roll of less than 300 feet. It is a ride.....

 

[AdlerDriver]

I was going to recommend the Shaw book as well. His is pretty good as it keeps the discussion generic and doesn't get into specifics that would be "aircraft unique". You may want to search around for stuff from "Boots" Blesse. He introduced and documented many of the energy maneuverability concepts that are part of jet combat today. Some may still apply to your aircraft.



I’ve never tried to fight in a prop aircraft – I don’t know if any of this will apply but:

If you can get your hands on Ps curves for your aircraft and your adversaries, that may give you some insight on exploiting your strengths and his weaknesses. Even if you can only get them for your aircraft, that will be better than nothing. At least you’ll be able to figure out the best sustained rate airspeed (or range of speeds), best instantaneous turn speed, how best to accelerate the aircraft, etc.

 

[JungleJett]

As to P curves, are you talking about cornering velocity? We usually fight each other (same A/C) which keeps things fair and comes down to the pilot. I have found some equations about corner velocity so I may let me wife (the smart one) figure that out!

Keep it coming!

 

[AdlerDriver]

Yes, corner velocity is one part of it. I guess you could determine it for a particular aircraft from an equation. I can’t claim to be anything close to an aeronautical engineer – I just flew ‘em. At corner you will get the max nose rate and minimum turn radius – but only at that airspeed under max performance. The problem is, most aircraft can’t sustain a max performance turn at corner velocity. They rapidly lose airspeed and corner is no longer an issue. A better airspeed to figure out is your best rate over time. This would be an airspeed that provides the best nose rate while maintaining your energy (airspeed and altitude). Depending on the aircraft, this might be a range of airspeeds.

I’m kind of at a loss to provide much more info. I’ll just be repeating what’s in the Shaw book, maybe just in different words. Some questions that have come to my mind:

What is the airspeed range of your aircraft? How long does is take to accelerate from the lowest speed you can still maintain a turn at to max speed? How close to Vne to you fight? Do you know the turn radius of the aircraft at various speeds? Is there a speed you’ve determined that if you’re below it, you can’t over-G the aircraft?

You could go out and kind of be a test pilot. Fly the aircraft in the altitude range you usually fight in. Time some 360 degree turns at various airspeeds. See which airspeed provides the quickest 360 without losing airspeed. That would at least give you an idea of what airspeed you would wanted to fight a sustained turning fight at.

Hope that helps.

 

[spanky2]

Speed is Life...let's get slow. There are as many techniques an ideas as there are fighter pilots. Know your airplane. Corner speed...minimum over-the-top speed...minimum flying speed...stall speed (for those planes that stall). Take EVERY lead turn advantage that you can. If the adversary gives you turning room at the merge...take it...he may quickly be on the defense. Quick analysis of energy states...can he go over the top ... can I go with him ... think lag if he is aggressive...let him beat himself down on energy but keep on the pressure...throw some bullets at him when he meets in-range, in-plane, lead pursuit criteria. Have fun. Be safe. Many of these fights end up in the phone booth.

 

[WizardPilot]

Fly Hard

I've only had 6 engagments, so I'm pretty much all talk here, but with the 2 circle and the vertical engagements, when you turn out from eachother start a climb and when you turn into him you are higher and can pitch your nose down and have an airspeed advantage on the vertical attack or the circle. Use both against the guy, switch it up, so if you start climbing he doesnt really know what to expect. I flew with the guys of Fighter Combat International and we climbed away and dove towards for a vertical attack on the advisary(happened to be my dad) and i pulled a very agressive vertical maneuver and he was slow to react to it and I got the kill in 8.4 seconds, (FCI Record, previous 14sec) Sure luck has a lot to play with that one, but maybe you can try to confuse him with the different approaches before the Fights on! You should listen to me, I hold the record I'm cool like that... thanks guys