Author Topic: Pilot or Plane (Read 1251 times)

o0Stream140o · « **on:** March 28, 2004, 02:09:35 PM »

I was wondering what you guys think on which is more important? In my early days I thought it was the plane that made all the difference, but as of late I have come to see that it is not the plane but the pilot that makes the difference. Whether it be a spit or a F4U. We all have preferances in what we fly, but I think a good virtual pilot is able to adapt to the plane he is in and make it work... Now I don't mean be an ace in it just to get the basic concepts to be able to survive.

I am interested in hearing what you guys think.?

Wilbus · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2004, 02:27:36 PM »

The pilot without doubt. A good pilot will almost always beat the worse pilot unless the worse of the two has all teh advantages on his side, and even then the better pilot will most likely win.

Grits · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2004, 02:30:19 PM »

Its the pilot. A poor pilot in an Uber plane is still a poor pilot. Some planes allow for more margin or error, or more options of how to fly, or what to do when you get in trouble, but you apply the same basic ACM to them all. If you know how to fight properly, those concepts can be used in all planes.

Furball · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2004, 02:38:52 PM »

bit of both, pilot more important tho.

Shane · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2004, 02:51:56 PM »

silly tards!!!

it's the joystick, connection and computer you use that makes all the difference!!

B17Skull12 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2004, 02:52:52 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Furball
bit of both, pilot more important tho.

i agree.

to me it is pilot and plane.

I have read soda's page more than 100 times for each aircraft cause i get bored. I think i've flown Every plane in AH in the MA. I know how to fly a spefic plane well, and then some plabes have surprises for me, and that is why i like the 109's to me they have suprises that can appear on any sortie.

brady · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2004, 02:54:36 PM »

Both, but the plane is ultimatly the most important factor.

Mister Fork · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2004, 03:10:32 PM »

Stream: there are some negating factors that will make an average pilot a better pilot even more when choosing a plane to fly.

Point one: The machine. It’s often said you don’t take a knife to a gun fight. Same goes for the pilot and his weapon choice: the machine. I wouldn’t for example, take a Fw 190A-5 into a turn fight with a Spit unless I thought I could out maneuver him with tactics. I also wouldn’t take a Spitfire into a high-altitude fight with a 109 unless I had a decent energy and altitude advantage. You also have to know the limitations of each and every aircraft you fly. You don’t try to outrun a Tiffie in a C-205 for example, right Arlo? Or HO a Fw-190A5 in a Spit.

Point two: The pilot. Chuck Yeager once said “It’s the man not the machine”. He was capable of winning dog-fights against an F-15 in a MIG 25. The MIG is a much inferior aircraft, but Chuck’s superior energy conservation, situation awareness, and tactics put the piper on the twin tails many a time. Example in point: I remember watching a duel with Drex in the MA. He was in a P-47 engaged with two other Spitfires and a 109. I watch in amazement as he turned his huge machine with a barrel roll around one Spit driver and poofed him in a flash. The second tried to HO a P-47. HOing a P-47 is like HOing a Fw190A8 or a Typhoon: bad idea. The 109 was B&Z Drex but he fish-barreled the 109. How could a big bird like the 47 shoot down three aircraft in 2 minutes? Drex knew the limits of his aircraft, conserved energy, and used superior tactics to kill THREE enemy aircraft. Sure his Jug was a little shot up, but the man MADE that machine move like it was a rocket. Point is, if you pick a plane, know it’s strengths and weaknesses.

Flying a type of aircraft is also like driving high performance cars. A Porsche Boxter is a very forgiving car in driving mistakes. Its also better balanced and better on wet pavement. A Ferrari 355 is not a very forgiving car but is faster and turns harder on dry pavement.

Besides, flying and fighting is a lot like playing poker. As Kenny Rogers once said, You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, Know when to walk away and know when to run.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2004, 03:13:42 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Furball
bit of both, pilot more important tho.

ditto

eskimo

Squire · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2004, 04:09:43 PM »

The super duper fighter wont check 6 for you or tell you to keep a sense of when to time an attack, or make your shots for you.

That being said, the plane enhances the chances to rtb in one peice if its a performer you can take advantage of.

CurtissP-6EHawk · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2004, 04:33:47 PM »

The Better Pilot in the Better Plane will win every time!

Shane · « **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2004, 04:39:11 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by CurtissP-6EHawk
The Better Pilot in the Better Plane will win every time!

*should*

Wilbus · « **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2004, 06:54:51 PM »

Quote

Or HO a Fw-190A5 in a Spit.

Spit got far better armament

Put A8 instead of A5 and I could agree.

simshell · « **Reply #13 on:** March 28, 2004, 10:55:58 PM »

P-40E 24 kills and 5 deaths in air to air combat in 1 tour

now i did not fly it evertime that tour but alot more then i everdid

i used by head and was able to outturn spitfires and boom zoom nik's and leave at the perfect time in this P40

3 of those deaths were to my own greed of HO'ing hey its like a drug

but the PLIOT IS NUMBER 1
and the PLANE IS 2

myelo · « **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2004, 10:31:49 AM »

If I win, it's the pilot.

If I lose, it's the plane.