Drafting............

[Zoney]

or buffeting when behind another aircraft .

Is it modeled here?  Is there a noticeable advantage from flying close and drafting another aircraft in real life ?

If it is not modeled here would you like to see it done?

I'm curious, in motorcycle roadracing it is a very bid deal.  I have raced on the highbanks of Daytona and there it is everything.

Thank you in advance for your attention and replies.

[cobia38]

 correct me if i am wrong,but wouldent "drafting" in a Aircraft cause the trailing plane to stall 

[Delirium]

It would help to some degree but not directly behind. Much for much the same reasons migratory birds fly in formation to reduce fatigue.

[Karnak]

I've requested propwash be added in the past.

[thndregg]

I've requested propwash be added in the past.

 

One of the reasons for staggered bomber formations. That and defensive coverage.

[Babalonian]

I'm all for it but I don't think most people really comprehend how much of a bi!@# it'll be in our day to day AH-activities.  I do think it would be good to add contrails and/ exhaust trails with such a feature, it will help and not just be eye-candy.  It'll make taking off in groups much more difficult (and griping for a good 30-60 seconds at the heavy B-24s that just tookoff on your runway).  Intercepting and escorting (or formation flying) along with B-29s will be a blast.

Ultimatley I think it's a bad idea because it's another hurdle for a new player to overcome, ontop of the challenge of finally sadling up that first fighter on fighter kill they now might get slaped in the face (by prob wash) during that last ("glorious") moment when they're lining up their first kill shot.... unless you wanted to encourage them to HO more, then maybe...

[Chalenge]

So, you would rather encourage them (noobs) to attack from dead six on bombers?

Great idea! 

[Sunka]

I've requested propwash be added in the past.

This!!! For many reasons.

[homersipes]

well I learned this in groundschool a while back about wingtip vortices
http://cospilot.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/wingtip-vortices-and-wake-turbulence-explained/
kinda same but different

[Busher]

Its called "wake turbulance" and all planes make some.....Bigger the plane.....bigger the wake. Typically only swept wings create measurable wingtip votices.

If it were modelled it would tend to de-stabilize the "on six" aircraft. Suspect most would not like that.

With respect
<S>

[Oldman731]

Typically only swept wings create measurable wingtip votices.

Just out of curiosity, where did you hear this?

- oldman

[Chalenge]

The FAA is usually a very good place to start. Example: http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1020684

[Mongoose]

I've requested propwash be added in the past.

  Why?  Is your prop dirty?   

  (It was just too good to pass up)

[Oldman731]

The FAA is usually a very good place to start. Example: http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1020684

The FAA is where I started, with AIM 7-3-3(a), for example:

"The strength of the vortex is governed by the
weight, speed, and shape of the wing of the generating
aircraft. The vortex characteristics of any given
aircraft can also be changed by extension of flaps or
other wing configuring devices as well as by change
in speed. However, as the basic factor is weight, the
vortex strength increases proportionately. Peak
vortex tangential speeds exceeding 300 feet per
second have been recorded. The greatest vortex
strength occurs when the generating aircraft is
HEAVY, CLEAN, and SLOW."

I've never heard that only swept-wing planes generate measurable vortices, and was just wondering what the source might be.

- oldman

[Wiley]

While in my world more physics=better game, I'd think wake turbulence would be extraordinarily processor heavy to model in any detail.  Love the thought though.

Wiley.