From: knutson@mcc.com (Jim Knutson)
Subject: Re: Falcon questions
Keywords: Falcon
Organization: MCC, Austin, TX
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 17:06:25 GMT

In article <1992Sep4.141139.14066@cbnewse.cb.att.com> hbattera@cbnewse.cb.att.com (Harold Batteram) writes:
>One thing I can't get used to is the padlock view. I'm getting resonably
>good at following a bandit in normal view, but when I use padlock I quickly
>end up staring at my tail most of the time. I just can't figure out which
>screen to focus on during a dogfight. So I'm very curious how the rest of you
>handle the padlock view. Any advice?

Padlock view is a killer to get used to, but it's the best thing since
sliced bread for a flight simulator dogfight.  Here are some tips.

1. Before you take off, set your scale to 4.  Discussion on the net
   says this is a more realistic size based on the HUD, but really it's
   mainly so you can get a better visual picture of what attitude your
   target is in.

2. Don't use padlock view unless you are:

   a) in a furball.

   b) flying escort and need to check your position relative to what
      you are escorting.

   c) checking your six.  Yes, it's a cheat to let padlock find planes
      for you, but I justify it based on having to use a reduced
      resolution display.

3. When you use padlock view, try the following:

   a) Use the main view pretty much for when a target is in front of
      you and for checking on directional changes in your target (e.g.
      reversals).

   b) Use the upper display to for changing your relation to your
      target.  This is important because it gives you the relative
      direction you need to be heading to point at your target.  This
      doesn't necessarily mean you should be going that way though.
      Use the main view to see if the target is coming or going and
      choose your flight path accordingly.

      Also note, there is a large view up vector change as a target
      transitions from front to rear and vice versa while it is high
      relative to your plane.  My assumption is this is your head
      transitioning from looking up to looking back and vice versa.
      Try it and you'll see what I mean.  This is one large reason for
      using the upper view.  There have been too many times when I
      start correcting my position for what I thought was an attitude
      change but was really this view up vector change.

   c) Keep an eye on the attitude indicator, altitude and speed.  It's
      easy to slow down and be easy pickings by following someone high
      or dig a hole by doing a half loop to follow someone under when
      you're at 500 knots and a couple thousand feet AGL.

   d) Wait until you get much better at using this before using the
      main view to decide on manuevers based on a target in your rear
      hemisphere.  The problem is roll control is reversed here because
      you are looking backwards (i.e. to get a clockwise roll on the
      screen you need to roll counterclockwise).  If you fly RC planes,
      you should be familiar with this already.

Don't expect that your target will never be behind you.  Head on passes
are a common place where this occurs.  However, if you plan right, this
will be a short lived experience.  Overshoots are another cause of
having the target end up behind you.  There is no real right answer to
this, but try a hi yo-yo if you think you're going to overshoot.

If you get someone on your tail, you can try a turning battle to get
them back in front.  Keep your airspeed around 450 turning level just
hard enough to keep your airspeed.  You can pull a hi or low yo-yo to
reduce or gain airspeed for this.  Eventually, you should be able to
pull around behind your target.  I don't know how well this works at
the higher experience levels.

>Another thing that bothers me is the use of the radar STT mode. I'm
>using the radar in HFR setting. When I get a blip on the screen I select
>the target with the "z" key and switch to SST mode and press N for IFF.
>I sometimes loose radar lock during the dogfight, but after a few turns
>it usually picks it up again. The question is: will it be the same target
>that I was chasing before I lost the radar lock or has it just picked
>whatever plane was closest? (losing radar lock is why I'd like to master
>the padlock view).

Radar lock can be broken for a variety of reasons including ECM,
terrain, and maneuvering.  There is no guarantee that the next locked
target is an enemy.  The best thing I can suggest is be quick.

Try this sequence:

1. Identify using lock, iff, unlock in rapid sequence.

2. If unfriendly, and range is ok, load up amraams and lock, launch,
   unlock in rapid succession.  If there is an enemy flight, use lock,
   launch, retarget, launch, ... unlock in rapid succession.

If you here the AWACS telling you about enemy ECM activity, close to
visual range, select sidewinders and turn the radar off.  Use padlock
for identifying targets.

-- 
Jim Knutson
knutson@mcc.com
cs.utexas.edu!milano!knutson
Wk: (512) 338-3362