Oh poor UAL
I'm sure that you remember that knowing which weapon is the best for the shot - not AT the moment - but 5 seconds BEFORE that moment arrives is what counts. Right?

Fight's on!

USMCFLYR

Btw - I agree with your picks at the end of your post and saw much of it in action on the TACTS replays when I was stashed with MAG-41 (flying F-4Ss) in exercises out of MCAS Yuma against F/A-18s in October of '89. GREAT times and good memories.

 

I forgot to share my favorite CF-18 video. Those Canucks are something else, eh?

Bubbles At C.F.B. Cold Lake, Alberta - Video

And if you would like to interview an old Canadian fighter pilot about his experiences and opinions, I may be able to help you with that, too.

 

I agree with this. But the education board of South Australia has set these limits. The whole subject was introduced this year as part of a change in the educational system in high schools. My year level are the 'guinea pigs', so a lot of it is still a mess around the state. I'd probably write a lot more if I would be able to. I really love fighter jets.

For my essay, I plan on covering modern aircraft fighters, ranging from about 4.5th generation to current aircraft, however since I'm gathering information on combat or flight experience, any pilot can help me
Although I previously mentioned dogfighting, any form of aerial combat is fine, as I understand that most of the technology these days allow for long range battles.

I've emailed the Royal Australian Air Force, but so far I've had no replies, hence I've come to you guys for help

UAL T38 Phlyer, thank you very much for your information!
I'll definitely be able to use this as a primary source

vagabond, that would be a great help! I'll write up the interview questions soon. I'd love to go flying like that guy in the vid hahaha!

 

I saw a recent article stating that fighter pilots have high right brain activity, and I think right brain contains 3D spatial awareness

BBC News - Clue to brain power of fighter pilots

 

IMO, UALT38 provides an excellent summary. I'd tend to lean a little more to the machine than he does. The pilot can make up about a one generation difference if he's far superior to another pilot, but if there's only a slight advantage, I'll bet on the plane. This is particularly important with the ability to "reach out and touch someone" in the forward quarter. While the focus here seems to be on "dogfighting" (I assume you mean turning post-merge), the most important part of the engagement happens with pre-merge weapons employment, and different pilots excel at different phases of the engagement. I've seen pilots who were one vs. one gods, but only average in everything else, and vice versa. Remember, a real engagement doesn't happen one vs. one and a good flight lead can help a weaker pilot a lot in the pre merge phase. The other thing I'd add is it's not always the pilot who's best at max performing the jet who will gain the advantage in a one vs. one, it's frequently the one who has patience and doesn't attempt to create and advantage until the other pilot gets impatient and attempts to redefine the fight.

 

Fighter Pilot University: Fighter Pilot University

 

Completely valid!

On the other hand, this is a great in to go spend some close up time with your country's AF. I flew with the Aussie F-18s in Darwin last year (they were out of Tindal) & can tell you that if you contact the closest F-18 base & ask them, they're likely to set up a visit/tour for you & you can talk to them face to face.

Here's the short list I could find of bases so you can find the closest one...Australia is friggen' huge so hopefully you can drive to one.

No. 1 SQ RAAF Amberley
No. 3 SQ, No. 77 SQ & No. 2 Sq RAAF Williamtown
No. 75 SQ RAAF Tindal (I flew with these guys, & the base still has F-111s to I believe)

Best of luck,

-Kodak

 

Read this...




or this!



Erich Hartmann....352 killls, Shot down 14 times, but one of his proudest accomplishments is that he never lost a wingman.

 

What? What do these terms mean? I don't remember Maverick or Ice Man using this kind of terminology in the movie.

I think the education board of South Australia is going to be blown away by this young man's essay. And it hasn't been written yet!

 

Are there any good books about Col John Boyd that anyone could recommend?

Also, one common trait that I have observed amongst fighter pilots is a very strong work ethic and also a very competitive personality.