There's nothing wrong with teamwork or the wolfack mentality. Squadmate cooperation can be fun, but my opinion is that this mentality is stunting the development of your members as far as individual pilot skills go. I know your veteran members to be fine pilots but I also know them to have limited time on their hands to play and to train new members. Your less accomplished guys should "get their hands dirty" in the MA or spend some time in the TA with some of the very excellent trainers there. You may very well have a group guys who could be lethal killers. YMMV.
I agree with you Steve. As an old /new member I have spent quite a lot of time in the TA to shake the rust.
there are times when I bug too soon. I tend to get defensive and run out of options too soon. If anything I am a bit too aggressive at times and it gets me shot down often. I try to stay in the fight and see my attack through.
I am from the old school that 1000 deaths will be your best teacher in AH. also if you are willing to ask questions and review your films. People do not have to wait for a trainer in the TA. most times I have found that anytime I ask there is someone that is willing to work with you.
A very skilled pilot in the training arena can sometimes overwhelm a newer pilot. sometimes just a couple of dweebs working on a few things at a slower pace will work better in some situations.
I have several squaddies that are willing to go over to the TA and help work things out. I am always willing to do the same for anyone that asks. the more information I gather will eventually work to my advantage. With all things learned I will become a better pilot.
As far as my plane of choice it has a lot of hidden potential that alot of 51 drivers leave on the table. I still think it is a pretty watered down from the 51 that I recall. But, there are some subtle things that are often over looked that make it a very effective killer.
one can not fly the 51 one dimensional. ie, climb to 20k find a target zoom in all the way to the deck and extend 5 miles then come back for the same thing. you know this as well as I know this . you are one of the best sticks in the game and those skills do not happen over night. that stuff is hard earned. LOL I am finding it harder earned this time around. Flying like mentioned above you end up just cleaning up the scraps if that. you have to get your hands dirty and take some calculated risks.
I am more interested in flying with a skilled wingman because just watching a good pilot one of the best lessons in it's self.
If you would ever like to let me tag along on a few sorties as a wingie I would be honored.
