For sure, smooth and fast; that's in my head all the time.
Well the thing is, I was the one with the extra fuel. Before the particular mentioned CV battle, I had 25% fuel which was running out a lot, and that's why I swtiched to 50% later on.
During the 25% fuel runs, I fought him and I was pretty much winning until the CV flak got me. When I fought him with a 50% fuel load, it seemed MUCH easier to extend and zoom up and over him. The CV by now had its guns gone as did the small ships so the fight went uninterrupted. On both occassions, he was flying a 109F on 25% and the distances traveled wasn't too far. not even a sector, really.