Originally posted by Badboy:
When I have the time I will produce the "Energy Transfer" diagrams for the AH aircraft and post them along with the "Energy Maneuverability" diagrams. When I have that information, I will also revisit my article and bring it up to date. Of course I will take the opportunity to clarify many of the misunderstandings expressed in these threads at that time.
Meanwhile, if you already have that information, perhaps you will post it? If not, I see no point in pursuing this discussion until such time as the actual AH data is available.
Badboy
Badboy,
I just came accross this thread by way of your article, so forgive me for beating the poor old nag.
I didn't read everyone's input here, but I caught most of it, and read all of yours (I think).
The one thing you keep coming back to is that you will chart the AC in Aces High.
When are you going to contact Piper, Beech, Northrop, NASA etc. and get some data on real planes.
This is after all, a simulator of WW2 aircraft, no?
The entire discussion and the accusations that you must have cheated are based on the real feeling that we all get from the science we were taught in school and our experiences in life.
The point to be made here is that Flight Modeling may or may not be correct. If we want Simulated realism, then we have to proof things against real occurrances.
Your P/E diagram is nice, and I understand the thought, but I think there is something missing.
When the plane dives, power and energy are both increased. Easy enough.
Now that the power is at a higher state, the plane can cover more distance in a shorter time. Also easy.
Understanding also that by diving, the distance covered is already greater than that of the plane being persued.
Now what happens and I think what you lose in your theory, is that during the climb, you are adding even more distance, Gravitational effect, and burning off that power that you just gained.
I understand the concept in Jet aircraft because the turbine engine creates more power due to the "Free" compression of gasses that is made by the extra speed. This is one of the basic functions of a turbine engine. The limit of power on any turbine is it's own ability to withstand the mechanical stress.
Piston driven engines however suffer the opposite effect at some point. As you increase RPMs, you will come to a point where the power curve will drop dramatically!
Superchargers and turbochagers can only compress gas and air to a certain point where as mother nature becomes the compressor in the jet.
Hence, at the transition from the dive to the climb, in a piston driven plane, the power consumption would/could be at or beyond it's highest level, and would neggate some of your explination.
I guess the manuver would therefore be highly dependant on the speed at which it is begun.
I would enjoy hearing your thoughts on this, and if you can get some real AC data, I think we would all rest much easier.
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Sky Viper
