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Enthusiast Joined: Nov 10, 2006 Posts: 37 Status: Offline

A lot of pilots claim that when the F16 flies to the attack window at the offensive perch set up the pilot must set a big climb in order to take advantage of the radial Gs at the lift vector on.What is written in the book is a LEVEL acceleration and a slight climb 2-3 degrees if giong too fast!What do you think????

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Newbie Joined: Jul 21, 2005 Posts: 17 Status: Offline

Standards answer- it depends. In combat a lot depends on the variables. But, I assume you're talking about a training perch set-up.Also, I assume the "book" that you are referring to is the 3-3.f16 (formally knowm as the 3-3.5). It is indeed the ultimate authority in matters like this. If the text says that a 2-3 degree climb is appropriate then it is so- many of the smartest pilots in the wolrd write that text. Unless you are an exceptional pilot and tactician, you'll live longer if you take their suggestions and fly the way they describe.

Those who say you must enter the fight with a steep climb and a lot of vertical turning room must routinely fly against inexperienced opponents. An experienced and aggressive defender will exploit that turning room and turn the fight neutral quickly. An offensive viper in the hands of a competent pilot needs little more than the extra energy, knowledge of the fundamentals of BFM, and experience, to stay offensive and prosecute to a valid guns track.

cmcd highlighted the answer - if you arrive at a BFM turn circle entry with too much vertical turning room (Vtr) then the smart adversary in the newer generation of fighters (Mig-29 & newer) can take away that turning room and neutralize your attack very quickly. However, if the adversary doesn't know how to, or more frequently doesn't recognize, the Vtr then you can arrive in a gun solution very quickly - you're just taking a much higher risk of being neutralized.

Enthusiast Joined: Nov 10, 2006 Posts: 37 Status: Offline

I thought so...Thanks guys!!!!!1

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Forum: F-16 Procedures

Use of vertical room at offensive BFM