Guys,
After some discussion in the MA the other night, there appears to be a lot of erroneous information out there about how to handle a situation where you need to glide back to your base. This regularly arises in the MA due to (i) fuel shortage (ii) oil or engine damage and (iii) radiator damage.
Fortunately, the method used to handle each of these emergencies is the same. Before I get into that, let me state my credentials so it's easier to believe what I say. I have a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and have worked for the last eight years as an aircraft design consultant and (more recently) a professional engineer for an airline. Okay, to the theory.
In Aces High, no matter what the emergency, once it arises we cannot do anything in game to fix it. We cannot troubleshoot a problem or even restart an engine once it has been damaged. Thus we do not need to worry about maximising the time we spend gliding once we lose our engine. What we do need to maximise is our range, ie. the amount of ground we cover while gliding.
The maximum range glide speed is the speed at which the lift to drag ratio is at a maximum (ie. maximum lift for minimum drag). This is, coincidently, the same condition for the best climb rate speed. Fortunately this speed is known to us for every aircraft we use in AH. It is the default autopilot speed that we get when we hit alt-x. (Note that this speed does vary with altitude and aircraft weight but not significantly)
Thus what to do if you have an inflight engine emergency...
What to do
BEFORE your engine quits:
1) DISENGAGE. Every second you spend fighting is another second that you aren't heading toward your base. Every second counts! Hopefully you'll have friends nearby to help you, if not, pray...
2) TURN FOR HOME. See above.
3) GRAB AS MUCH ALTITUDE AS POSSIBLE. Just hit alt-x, if you have excess speed, it will automatically zoom climb until your speed is the steady climb speed. Use WEP and just climb, climb, climb.
4) DETERMINE WHEN TO CUT YOUR ENGINE. An engine with an oil hit will not leak when the engine is switched off. Save some oil for your final approach and landing. Kill the engine when the oil meter gets just above zero. If your radiator is hit, don't let the temperature get to maximum! Kill the engine before it reaches the end of the dial. Let it cool into the white range then restart your engine and climb again. [edit] This was true in AH1, still true in AH2? [/edit]
What to do
WHEN your engine quits:
1) HIT ALT-X. If you aren't already climbing on alt-x, hit it when your engine is cut. This sets the best L/D speed and maximises your glide.
2) REDUCE PROP RPM. Hit the - key on the number pad to reduce the prop RPM as far as possible and thus reduce drag. Note that if your radiator is damaged and you are cycling your engine on and off, push the RPM up during your climb phases and down when gliding.
3) DO NOT CHANGE YOUR SPEED HIGHER OR LOWER. Trying to glide at a slower/higher speed or lower descent rate may prolong the time you spend in the air but it will reduce your range. This is true for any speed above or below your best L/D speed, it will only reduce your gliding range!
4) CONSERVE YOUR ALTITUDE. Do not descend until you are above your field. Once you give away your altitude with your engine dead, you can't get it back.
5) PLAN YOUR LANDING. You only get one shot. Plan to land about 1/3 the way down the strip and try not to leave yourself high or low on approach. Practice glide approaches when you finish normal sorties. This is a skill that is difficult to learn but very valuable.
Following these simple steps will help you land your crippled bird. A P51 will glide for almost two sectors from 10,000 ft following these steps. Most fighters can go almost as far.
Hoping this helps.
mako
