I start IFF soon, it seems to me that one of the biggest things studs struggle with during BFM is hitting the jetwash and over G-ing. The way to avoid i've learned is to slightly climb while driving to the turn circle then get to the inside of the circle and you'll be fine. Any other tricks? How do experienced guys just know how to avoid it?

Don't sweat the jet wash thing. Your instructors will take good care of you. Jet wash is only a problem if you are hanging out in plane and on the bandits turn circle. The only time you should be exactly in plane with the bandit is when you are trying to gun him, and then you are in lead pursuit, so not on the circle. When you're trying to get to the gun solution, you ought to be using some verticle offset to gain advantage, so you'll either be above or below his circle...anyway, much too involved for friday night forum typing. I need to get a life

you got a long commitment ahead of you if you're in iff and already posting on apc.

cave putorium.

No, actually one of the biggest things students struggle with at IFF is instrument procedures.

That is followed closely by an inability to fly tactical formation.

Both of those are followed by an inability to fly defensive BFM.

I never busted an IFF student for hitting jetwash, but I've definitely busted them for instruments, tac form, and DBFM!! The BFM busts, by the way, were usually for flight discipline things like failing to call blind, regularly smacking the floor, or overflying bingo.

Keep your eye on the appropriate threat. Fly a solid jet with good basic airmanship and flight discipline and you will have the highest chances of success. Flying good BFM is NOT the objective at IFF. The objective is to see if you can still maintain good flying skills underneath the stress and task saturation of learning/executing BFM.

Agree with Magnum, Hacker, NWA F16dude,
This ain't the tanker, you don't want to saddle up with the bandit, lead/lag pursuit and you should have some excess energy and accomplish a lag roll manuever to acquire another shot. If not, you are probably going to end up with someone shooting you. If it is one of those historic 1v1 engagements, you won't be thinkin' of any jetwash crud <g>

The saying is MIRTTB, not MIRTTB's Jet Wash

Maneuver In Relation To The Bandit

At the fights on just point and you'll never have to worry about jet wash. J/K don't do that. Seriously though - as long as you don't end up in a flat spin skulling out to sea you'll do fine. Just fly good formation and don't be a jackass.

Top Gun reference, you owe $5

Jetwash is not a big deal.

If you somehow fly through jetwash and somehow snuff your motor don't worry, you have another one...oh wait...you're talking about the viper...nevermind (jk).

Focus on:

-Be a perfect wingman--quick, safe rndz.
-Perfect comm (on the correct freq)
-Perfect form
-Nail the PADS
-At fights on- work the numbers and sight picture (it takes time)
-For DBFM, you'll lose sight. Don't sweat that, but call it. continue to D and WATCH THE DECK.
-For OBFM, fight your best jet. As a stud, you won't beat your IP. Look to bug if you find yourself neutral (because you'll soon be defensive).

Most important thing is fly SAFE. Watch your altitude, watch your fuel, don't bust bingo, don't bust the deck, and fly perfect form.

Other than that it's all easy...

Plus, when you finish training, you get to deploy and smoke the bad guys. Nothing beats that.

Best of luck!

Cheers,
Tumbleweed
"Afterburner is a great substitute for poor headwork"

No, he's talking about a T-38.