Fighter Pilot Skill Research Interview
 

Hi guys,

Sorry if this isn't the right forum to post in for this topic, but I wasn't too sure where it would go.

I'm a 16 year old student in my last year of high school in Australia. As required by the state, each student is expected to complete what is known as a 'Research Project' in order to pass Year 12.

The research project is basically an essay and evaluation on any topic the student likes.

For my research project, I decided to go with "To what extent is the pilot’s skill, a key factor in determining the victor in air to air combat?"

I decided to go with this topic since I've been in love with fighter jets ever since I was three and watched Top Gun, and since then I've always wanted to fly one.

So I was wondering if I would be able to interview some of you guys for my research (also required by the state to have primary sources of information), since I'm sure most of you are experienced pilots who have been in the military.

Many thanks!

Good luck with the project! You should have no problem finding fighter pilots willing to talk to you.

I can not adequately convey the necessary information over the computer because he can see neither my hands moving at weird angles or my big watch. :cool:

USMCFLYR

What might be interesting is if you took historical data from WWI, WWII, Korea etc... and compared how today a technological advantage has perhaps become more important than pilot skill (or maybe it hasn't).

Certainly lots of good info out there on earlier dogfighters; Eddie Rickenbacker, Erich Hartmann, Papa Boyington, Richard Bong etc... who's strategies are pretty well documented. Or anything from the AVG 'Flying Tigers' who were flying somewhat inferior aircraft and had an incredible record.

In the mid-60s this issue was studied by the USN (Ault report) and the USAF (Project Red Baron). They found that there was a steep "learning curve" in a fighter pilot's first ten combat missions. This led to the "Top Gun" and "Red Flag" programs. The article below has some useful links.

Ault Report - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You might try contacting Naval Aero-Medical Institute (NAMI - a four letter word to any Naval Aviator, "NAMI Whammy"). They do all kinds of research into what makes pilots tick. Not sure if any of it can be shared, but worth a try.

Good luck.

The part he'd really miss out on is the smoking watch after it gets splashed! :D (trying to figure out how to post a pic)

That would be quite interesting to research, however my essay is a maximum of 1500 words, and I'm at the stage where I can no longer make changes to my research topic.

Thanks for that information! I'll take a look through it soon :D

If any fighter pilots would be willing to be interviewed, would you please let me know and I'll PM the questions over.

In my topic, I'm looking to investigate what helps fighter pilots come out victorious in dogfights, whether it be the pilot skill that helps the most, or technological advancements, armaments, aircraft design, etc.

Thanks :)

Is your research on the fighter pilot of today with all the modern aircraft or are you referring to the jocks of yesteryear? Fighter aircraft have come a long way from the biplane to my favorite, the Hornet.

Are you able to interview pilots from the Australian military? Surely they have fighter pilots there? Is the training different in different countries?

Do fighter pilots engage in dogfights these days? In another thread, I asked about "sorties" but I don't recall reading that those sorties included dogfights. [But perhaps it's because the Libyan Air Force, when compared to the coalition's fire power, is just a gnat on a horse's behind].

1500 word essay is not very much. I'd like to speak with your teacher about this low threshold!! :)

Lots of Variables
 

Aciesedge:

There are a lot of variables here. A few thoughts, from my experiences, as to who the victor may be:

1. Personality: he has to be willing to take controlled, calculated risks. A pacifist won't do, nor will the guy who takes-on all opponents.

2. Numbers: in training, the fights are usually equal numbers (2 vs 2; 4 vs 4). Real combat? You would like to have overwhelming numbers. Usually, bigger numbers on your side are an advantage.

3. "Skills:" the fighter pilot who can max-perform his aircraft and its systems has an advantage. "Max-perform" means rapidly accelerating or decelerating, turning to g-limit, or aerodynamic limit, to put his aircraft in the best position to both 1) employ weapons, and 2) minimize the opponent's weapons opportunities, has an advantage. There is the "Welcome to Top Gun" scene where Tom Skerrit says "You'll fly faster than before----and more dangerous." That line is ridiculous---fighter flying isn't about faster---it's about smarter. Most traditional "dog fights" are done at relatively low speeds....but the g-load and aerodynamic load are high.

Max-performing the system means being able to rapidly move the switches, knobs, and widgets in the cockpit so as to bring ordnance to bear on the bad-guy in a fleeting moment. It means knowing which weapon is the best for the shot, at that moment.

4. Training. Part of skills. Pilots who get 3-4 sorties a week, in an unscripted environment, have an advantage. Those who fly infrequently and have scripted engagements, or are under close-control from surface radar, generally have a disadvantage.

5. Technology. It may be a great equalizer---or it may be squandered. Usually, a newer jet and/or weapons is an advantage.

6. Experience. Highly experienced pilots generally know their aircraft and its strengths and weaknesses well. They know how to employ to maximize one and minimize the other. That is generally an advantage.

7. Maintenance. A first-world country, with top-rated maintenance, will generally have a better mission-capable aircraft that a third-world country.

8. LUCK. Sometimes, all the advantages in the world don't add up. A lot of the ME-262s shot down in WWII were killed while taking off or landing by Mustangs that had the good fortune of being higher and faster to make diving passes while the ME-262s were low and slow.

9. Environment. The weather and sun makes a difference. He who gets sight first has an advantage.

10. Rules of Engagement. The guy who can shoot at anything that flies has an advantage if the other guy has to visually identify the target first.

That being said, here's how I would bet against even numbers:

A. Experienced pilot/old jet against experienced/new jet: New wins

B. Experienced pilot/old jet against new pilot/new jet: toss-up, but I'd lean towards Old guy

C. New pilot/old jet, against new pilot/new jet: New jet