Flaps

[kilo2]

I need some help with flaps. I really dont know where to start with them. Whats the best time to use them? Should they be used at all? Just really anything would be helpful.

[Ghosth]

First off it depends on the plane being flown. As a general rule you'll do best using flaps on US planes.

RAF, Russian planes tend to do better without them.
Ki-84 likes flap use, the Nik's flaps are automatic, they do the work for you.

A notch or 2 going "over the top" will allow you to tighten your turn.
Just remember they cause a lot of drag, so soon as you can get them back up again.

[StokesAk]

When ever i am turning with someone i use as many flaps as i can get.

[Kazaa]

When ever i am turning with someone i use as many flaps as i can get.

+1

[Rattler]

yes, US birds really need em.Planes like the pony rely on them and are very handy when going about 200 and you can deploy a notch just to give you that little help. When it comes to planes like the F4u's don't get too excited and deploy all the flaps you have when trying to get into your enemy's turn because chances are you are gonna turn too much and shoot wayyy ahead of your target.....learned that the hard way.

[Anaxogoras]

When ever i am turning with someone i use as many flaps as i can get.

What do you typically fly?

I can't think of a single aircraft that reaches its maximum sustained turn-rate with full flaps.

[moot]

They'll give you a certain amount of extra lift for a certain amount of extra drag. You have to learn what each notch of flap on each plane plays out in those two terms and what it allows you to do.. They're all different.

[bmwgs]

First off it depends on the plane being flown. As a general rule you'll do best using flaps on US planes.

RAF, Russian planes tend to do better without them.
Ki-84 likes flap use, the Nik's flaps are automatic, they do the work for you.

A notch or 2 going "over the top" will allow you to tighten your turn.
Just remember they cause a lot of drag, so soon as you can get them back up again.

What do you mean the Niki's flaps are automatic?  Do they deploy themselves at low speed?  I don't fly the Niki much, but I have never noticed their flaps automatically deploying.

Wondering

Fred

[DamnedRen]

Ghosth made a great point. Flaps can increase your turn but correspondingly increase drag.

There are many times when I hit them and can "feel" the increase in both. The instant the increase becomes apparant I'm already off the flaps. At some times they may be 1/2 or 3/4 extended and no more. Only use whacha need to get the job done. The more you get used to that better your energy management will get. 

Hope this helps.

Ren
Aces High Training Corps

[StokesAk]

What do you typically fly?

I can't think of a single aircraft that reaches its maximum sustained turn-rate with full flaps.

P38's and 51's

[Anaxogoras]

P38's and 51's

Full flaps will not obtain the maximum sustained turn rate from either of these aircraft.

It's been a while since I tested it, but iirc ~2 notches is best for the P-51D, and 3-4 notches for the P-38J/L.