Solo vs
Introduction
One vs. one combat is the most intense form of combat when flying a fighter. Experience is paramount and your ability to engage in psychological games with your enemy will determine your level of success. Be spontaneous is paramount; fluidity and unpredictability will keep you alive. If the enemy sees consistent patterns of behaviour in a one vs. one you will not survive that battle. "The way of war is a way of deception"(1) and in a one vs. one battle deception is the most important skill a pilot can have and the only skill that we cannot completely teach. Creativity and experience are key to developing your own set of psychological tactics. In this article a series of possible ones are suggested as a starting point for you to experiment with and develop on your own.
The most important thing every fighter pilot needs to know and understand is their own ability. Since you most likely will never have fought against the enemy pilot, you do not know them. You do not know how they fight, how they react, and how they engage in psychological games. Given this lack of knowledge, knowing your abilities and the capabilities of your own fighter are paramount as this will always give you a reference in battle and you will never be left questionning whether or not something is possible. Knowing your fighter means understanding its technical components, the tightness of its turning arc, and how it reacts to sudden changes in speed. For the purpose of clarity, this article will deal only with inspace flying (see link for atmospheric flying). Understanding your own abilities means knowing your own skill level and what you are capable of in battle. If you are the best in a turning battle then keep the enemy in front of you. If you over-react with evasive maneouvers in a head on battle then keep your enemy's nose from being in front of you. Knowing your own comfort level is important as you can then use this knowledge to ensure you fight the enemy on your terms rather than his terms.
One final point to make. The one vs. one situation is one of the most thrilling mentally and physically as an individual because it is the one time where nothing else matters but chasing off or destroying the enemy. Flight leaders, squadron commanders, and any pilot in a situation larger than one vs. one does not have the liberty to experience the thrills of a one vs. one because the larger picture matters. You might be responsible for a wingmate, a flight, or an entire squadron in which case staying alive, keeping your wingmate alive, and focusing on the overall target factor into your decisions. In a one vs. one, however, you can let your instinct factor in. Set tactics are important as a reference but if you know or feel your enemy is going to do something then throw tactics to the wind, follow your gut, and react in the best way you know how. Be instinctive without being reckless, gutsy without seeking glory, and confident without being arrogant and you will succeed.
Beginning the Fray
(Shaz's stuff saved for reference temporarily)
he one vs. one dog fighting technique all is based on the flight expierience of the flyer. Your main goal in this type of scenerio is to obtain the rear or 6 o'clock poisition on your enemy. This can be done in various ways from rolls, speed adjustment, and depending on your manuveribility to the other fighters your turning radius. Listed below will be several different situations in where you start from, and how you can try and get to the advantage point.
Head On encounter- This encounter starts off with both fighters in a straight line for each other. This first pass will be a rough one, much like playing chicken. You will fire your weapons and they will fire theirs directly at you. Then when you've almost reached each other you will break off either going left or right. Trying to go opposite way, than your opponent. You will then start to make a full circle. The best way to go is for "high ground" and upper position. From their you can try and launch a direct diving assualt, however if you miss, your opponent shall have the advantage point. Try to mimic the other fighter's moves except for his turns. There try to take sharper turns in which to make a better angle of pursuit on him. Be careful for his adjustments in speed. They
[Blah, in work. Sounds bad, I think. Just woke up..lol]
