Raptor's Idle Rudder

[EsX_Raptor]

Heya guys! Ok, I've been flying the 109G2 for a while already and I can say I'm slowly becoming better at it (at least a little better than before xD) and I've found myself all of the time just using elevators and alierons all the time (sometimes flaps too) but none of rudder, except when taking off and landing, that's the only time I would use them. But then I thought, man... this is not the way top aces do it, not even the way noobs do it! Rudder usage is critical in a fight (for aiming and pulling out maneuvers I've heard?) so I tried using the rudder to help aim but now I don't know if I'm doing it correctly, so I came here to ask you all what's the correct way, if any, to use a rudder successfully in a fight, and if any of you have any tips on using them =]

Thanks!

- Dalgurak

[SAS_KID]

I mostly use rudder input to increase my roll rate especially when slow. Or if you think in a dive you may compress add rudder to create more drag. Which you can also use to stop from overshooting. Or on a straight and level person to pick parts off of them.

[WMDnow]

For shooting, you can use it when your just inside their turn, it will give you another second to fire.

[Roscoroo]

spiral climbs , lining up the shot , quick reversals in some planes , sometimes in scissors or split S's ,controlling a stall /stall turn... I use rudder quite alot ... but then it can be a handicap at times too and steal E when you need it the most .

[SkyRock]

whenever Im in a sortie and I lose use of my rudder, I rtb or auger immediately.  Without it, all my moves and gunnery are lost!:aok

[Schutt]

Actually the rudder causes some e loss and i notice that when i loose rudder in a flight i do pretty good without it. Using to much rudder is verry bad, while certainly for some sitiuations its necessary and other situations suitable using to much rudder input is verry bad.

[LancerVT]

Originally posted by SkyRock
whenever Im in a sortie and I lose use of my rudder, I rtb or auger immediately.  Without it, all my moves and gunnery are lost!:aok

now we know skyrock's weakness.......

[Serenity]

Last night I used HARD left rudder in a Bf-109 G-6 to line up a shot. It gave me a second on the right heading, and I hit the target, but it sent me into a spin immidiately. Recovered without difficulty, but got bounced by a Jug. Moral? Use rudder GENTLY unless absolutely necessary.

[Benny Moore]

Aside from its uses in aiming and assisting roll, keeping the ball centered during most maneuvers (and at all times when not maneuvering) will improve your acceleration, top speed, and just about everything else.

[EsX_Raptor]

Awesome, I already used the rudder in some maneuvers (Specially on yo-yo's) but never to line up shots... and yes serenity you have to use the rudder gently (learned that lesson soon enough lol)

[Serenity]

Originally posted by EsX_Raptor
Awesome, I already used the rudder in some maneuvers (Specially on yo-yo's) but never to line up shots... and yes serenity you have to use the rudder gently (learned that lesson soon enough lol)

lol. Yeah, the Bf-109 isnt too forgiving. Shes yet to take me down with a stall, and I keep slamming the rudder if I have to, but other planes, such as the Typhoon or Jug will probably be even worse than my Messerschmitt. And I KNOW the Schwalbe is a widowmaker on the rudder.

[WMDnow]

use rudders to help in overshoots or if you are above people and looking for prey in a BnZ, roll halfway and use rudder so you dont lose alt, also, use rudder for dive, 109 freezes up fairly quickly.

[DamnedRen]

Interesting thing about rudders....

You can stand on one with almost impunity and use ailerons as long as you don't yank the stick back. Hard rudder/input rapid stick back = guaranteed
snap roll (accelerated stall).

However, you can stand on a rudder, roll the plane in either direction, add back stick gently and make that bird do all sorts of wonderful things.

The issue is "think" pressure more so than "yank". When the stall warning gets to the point you "know" she's gonna snap just "ease" the stick forward a little and she'll still do about anything you want her to do.

Except fly straight up at zero mph or any other regime for that matter. Unless you got her pointed down .

Hope this helps.

[Emu]

I got pedals.  I love my rudder.  Without my rudder I am lost.  At the very list, my gunnery goes out the window.  And, in a 109, when slow, that rudder is critical for maneuvering.