Barrel Roll vs Snap Roll

[Minotaur]

Embarassingly I should know this, but I got to thinking maybe I don't.

Visually I can tell the difference if I see the manuver of a plane in the air. My question is how specifically do you move the controls to execute each manuver.

Here is the way I thought it to be done for a roll to the right in each case.

Barrel Roll:  Back stick and right rudder.

Snap Roll:  Right stick and right rudder.

Is this correct?

Thanks in advance!    

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Mino
The Wrecking Crew

"Who's next?"
Naso

[wells]

A barrel roll is a low angle of attack maneuver consisting of both roll and pitch control inputs..a little of both..it's a graceful maneuver.

A snap roll is basically a horizontal spin.  Full elevator to stall the wing and rudder either left or right.  Apply recovery action (opposite rudder, down elevator) after about 1/2 way through the maneuver so it ends in about the same attitude as you started.

[Andy Bush]

Mino

Your second example is more likely an 'aileron roll'...a rolling maneuver performed using aileron and a touch of rudder. Usually done fairly rapidly to minimize altitude loss.

A barrel roll as an aerobatic maneuver is as wells describes...a big, lazy rolling maneuver using low G pitch input and variable aileron input to achieve a constant nose track in the sky. When flown as a BFM maneuver, the Barrel Roll is a classic offensive maneuver intended to reduce aspect angle.

A snap roll is an aerobatic maneuver, not BFM. A BFM maneuver known as the High G Roll Underneath/Over the Top is a last ditch guns defense and somewhat resembles a snap roll.

Andy

[Lephturn]

Great descriptions guys.

A barrel roll is also used to reduce closure rate and prevent an overshoot if you are the attacker, or to increase closure and try to force an overshoot while defeating guns solution if you are the defender.

As an attacker, the combination of lowering aspect angle and decreasing closure is why the barrel roll attack is bread and butter to a good BnZ or E fighter.

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Lephturn - Chief Trainer
A member of The Flying Pigs  http://www.flyingpigs.com


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