Control

[BrokenArrow226]

 I notice that in a dog fight, The enemy seems to have faster control response than I do. My 180's seem to take forever While they are zipping al over the sky.
What am I doing wrong?
Are there control functions that I'm not using properly?
It's like in slow notion.
Please help
Thanks
"Death Angel"

[Anaxogoras]

Do you have the stall-limiter turned off?

[BrokenArrow226]

I've beem flying with it on!

[WMLute]

Turn off Stall Limiter A.S.A.P

Then all you have to do is practice for 6 months to a year and you too will zip through the skies like that.

[Anaxogoras]

There should be a sticky at this forum titled "why can't I turn better?"

[moot]

Film..

[trotter]

Film..

He means to record film of your flying by using alt+r keystroke, and then find that film (believe it is AHII/films directory), host it, and post the link here. By watching that film, we will all give you a better idea of what you are doing wrong and how it can be improved upon. But, as Lute said, don't expect instant results. It will take between 3 and 12 months of steady practice, depending on your previous flight sim experience.

[Mace2004]

Turning the stall limiter off will provide slightly improved turn rates but will not result in you suddenly "zipping around the sky."  While I seriously doubt that this is what's giving you the perception that others are, the additional degree or two per second that you can get with the stall limiter off is certainly an advantage so you should definently turn it off and learn to fly without it. 

Regarding what you're seeing (and realizing we have no film to go on) I can make some good educated guesses as to why you're perceiving such a disparity in turn performance.  First, I assume you are probably just putting your lift vector on your opponent and pulling for all you're worth.  If so you're bleeding away your speed and you need to remember that your turn rate and radius varies considerably based on your speed.  Your absolute best turn performance is at corner velocity and it is likely that your opponents are simply flying closer to their corner velocity where their turn rate is maximized while you're probably too slow because you're doing nothing but haulling back on the stick (especially since you fly with stall limiter on). 

Also, remember that using the vertical is essential.  You really want to avoid flat turns which do little but bleed your energy.  If you're turning flat and your opponent is using the vertical he can generate much greater real turn rate than you do due to both geometry and e management.  Think of yourself turning a flat circle while your opponent goes pure vertical in the center of your turn.  You can be turning at your best turn rate but all he has to do is roll to put his lift vector on you and pull down to an offensive position.  His better "turn rate" in this scenario has little to do with turn rate at all, he's just rolling to position his lift vector and this is nothing but a geometry lesson.  The only thing he's using his turn rate for is to get his nose over at the top of his zoom and to fine turn his shot as he dives down on you.  This is how a poorer turning aircraft defeats an aircraft with superior turn rate.

There's another situation related to speed.  If you're too fast, you can't get your flaps down.  Giving up a few MPH to get down a notch or two of maneuvering flaps can significantly increase your turn performance.  Now, combine flaps with a vertical move.  Say you blow by your opponent at 300mph which is way too fast for flaps.  Pull vertical and as you decelerate to flap speed in your climb roll to position your lift vector on or slightly behind your opponent, drop a notch or two of flaps to help you pull the nose over the top then raise your flaps when your nose is pointed down.  That will give the appearance to your opponent that you went up, whipped around on a dime and then dove right back down on the same flight path but in an offensive position...a seemingly "impossible" maneuver to the uninitiated but easy enough to do with practice.

Mace

[moot]

He means to record film of your flying by using alt+r keystroke, and then find that film (believe it is AHII/films directory), host it, and post the link here. By watching that film, we will all give you a better idea of what you are doing wrong and how it can be improved upon. But, as Lute said, don't expect instant results. It will take between 3 and 12 months of steady practice, depending on your previous flight sim experience.

I should have been more clear about that, thanks.

[bmwgs]

Part of your problem could be not understanding how to turn.  I wondered for months how players were out turning me in planes that should not out turn the one I was flying.  After working with a few more experienced players I found I was doing the turns all wrong.  It's a mixture of stick and throttle control as well as using your rudders.  I also found after reviewing films of my fights that the other players were using vertical moves to enhance their ability to turn much better than I was. 

Now I have a basic understanding, and I have found in the last couple of tours my turning performance is much better.  Where I was getting out turned in the first couple of rounds, I now can hang with the better sticks for a few extra rounds.  I did turn my stall limiter off, and that was an improvement, but I think it was more throttle and rudder control while learning when to go vertical in a fight that improved my turns.

Now don't get me wrong, I still die a lot, just not as quick.   

Fred

[BrokenArrow226]

Thanks all!, I have some films and will post soon.

[Happy1]

Hello everyone 

While not being the very best in flight, AH2 games, I tried flying with "Stall Limit" off, & grew very tired of crashing, spinning, & being easy prey for anyone & everyone, let's face it, it's a game, a game is meant to be enjoyed by all whichever way you choose to fly.

I put Stall Limit back on & am enjoying the game immensely, for my short comings I develop means of getting around my handicaps, I'm shooting enemy planes down, flying the kinds of aircraft I choose, & do fairly well in SA, ACM, BFM.

Sure I get shot down a lot by some good pilots (experts) but I learn from them by asking questions & learning from their answers plus filming fites.   I'm all for
leaving the Stall Limit on, but that's my opinion, my way of flying, my enjoyment.  My .02cnts.   Invariably it's all up to YOU!

[HellFire]

Yep ... play the game the way you have fun.. it's for ur pleasure & enjoyment 

[GenMata]

Happy1 have you tried the Nik2 without the stall limiter?

It takes a lot of effort to make it spin and the spins are very gentle with a pull of the yoke you get control back.

Good turner and great guns. The jug isn't spin prone either..


P38 and 51 have hard downward spins and it's work to get control.
If you are on deck it's game over.

[bmwgs]

Hello everyone 

While not being the very best in flight, AH2 games, I tried flying with "Stall Limit" off, & grew very tired of crashing, spinning, & being easy prey for anyone & everyone, let's face it, it's a game, a game is meant to be enjoyed by all whichever way you choose to fly.

I put Stall Limit back on & am enjoying the game immensely, for my short comings I develop means of getting around my handicaps, I'm shooting enemy planes down, flying the kinds of aircraft I choose, & do fairly well in SA, ACM, BFM.

Sure I get shot down a lot by some good pilots (experts) but I learn from them by asking questions & learning from their answers plus filming fites.   I'm all for
leaving the Stall Limit on, but that's my opinion, my way of flying, my enjoyment.  My .02cnts.   Invariably it's all up to YOU!

Like you, when I turned it off I did nothing but crash into the ground.  Most of my fights are low and slow, that where I like them, and the end result usually was me being a lawn dart.

Everyone said give it a week and you will never go back.  Well, I'm not everyone, one week, two weeks, and I was still trying to plow fields with my plane.  After about a half of tour it started to come together.  It really does make a difference, but for some like me, it takes longer to learn than others.  I still screw up, just a few minutes ago I got too low and slow and lawn darted into the ground, and no one was even on my six.  I just chalk it up to the learning experience.

I would say it like learning this game, there is going to be some frustration, but give it some more time, and work with some of the more experienced players.  That has been the biggest help to me.

Fred