Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Slade on June 10, 2014, 05:22:37 PM

Title: How High?
Post by: Slade on June 10, 2014, 05:22:37 PM
Hello,

Some folks feel compelled to be at 25k before engaging in ACM.  Others zip in from 4k.  There are special situations where differing altitudes are appropriate of course.

In the context of your average ACM engagement in AH, at what altitude do you tend to level off at and engage ACM from and why?


Thanks for your comments,

Slade  :salute
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: BuckShot on June 10, 2014, 05:27:15 PM
7k agl to 10k to stay out of base Ack, and because I'm too impatient to climb higher.

If I can dodge the first few passes from  a high alt plane, I feel that I can even the odds.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: scott66 on June 10, 2014, 05:28:18 PM
For me about 5k but it always ends up on the deck and me in the tower :rofl
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Wiley on June 10, 2014, 05:41:26 PM
Depends on the situation.  If I know high alt buff types are in the area, I climb up to them.  If I know a base is getting swarmed by a bunch of low alt stuff, I come in around 7-10k or so quite often.  The longer I am in the air unmolested, the higher I get.  Can't remember who said it originally, but it's kind of true that if you're flying and not climbing, you're wasting time by not storing energy.  Doesn't have to be much.  If I want to get to the big red bardar faster, I'm quite often only climbing 500-1000fpm, but just constantly banking that E, no matter how little at a time.

Wiley.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Oldman731 on June 10, 2014, 09:20:07 PM
In the context of your average ACM engagement in AH, at what altitude do you tend to level off at and engage ACM from and why?


5k.  A hold-over from AW, where 5k seemed to be the standard height you grabbed before entering a fight.

Never did figure out why that was.

- oldman
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: SPKmes on June 10, 2014, 09:42:49 PM
What ever height I manage to get to before encountering a red guy/s.... due to my fascination to defend...not very hahaha

Usual height is 10k that I will level off if undisturbed on a climb out
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Latrobe on June 10, 2014, 10:42:49 PM
If I'm being lazy, I'll come in at 2K or less. If I feel like flying a bit more smart then I'll come in at 6-10K. If I want to mess with the P-51s and 190s at 25K then I'll climb up to their alt and just spend the sortie pushing them all down low and into the furball.  :devil
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Xavier on June 11, 2014, 02:10:08 AM
9K-12K, the latter when possible. That gives me some alt to get they typical 14K bombers staying under the wind, and when I get to the enemy base I can burn some E and drop to 5K to join the furball. 30K when I'm waiting for a dirty radar-dodging red dot headed for our strats.

But nothing beats the fun of dodging trees and flying through hangars at 20ft and 360mph. It's better than landing a sortie!  :old:
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Coalcat1 on June 11, 2014, 05:56:24 AM
45k  :lol but i realy prefer around 10 to 15k so i can have some alt to work with
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: uptown on June 11, 2014, 07:08:38 AM
I am not at the liberty to discuss classified information nor do you have the proper security clearance for said intelligence.  :noid
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Schen on June 11, 2014, 08:03:01 AM
I tend to ussually level at 7k to 9.5k due to most of the reasons above.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: BnZs on June 11, 2014, 09:36:52 AM
There is no point to having 10K on a given bandit. Therefore height is rationally based on the best guess of where the bandits will b

I have taken a P-47N with full fuel and drops as high as it will go and let her cruise around on autopilot in the MA while I did housework or something, just to see if anyone would come up there  :D
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: asterix on June 11, 2014, 09:59:01 AM
Usually 20k, because it isn`t too high to see the icons of the enemies below unless they are flying very low. If high bombers are ib, then I don`t need to climb and chase them for too long. Good altitude for lone hunting, less chance of being ganged.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Muzzy on June 11, 2014, 10:27:01 AM
Above you.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Mongoose on June 11, 2014, 11:01:42 AM
  A lot depends on what tactical situation I am headed in to.  Most often, I level out between 10 and 12K.  In most cases I can get to that alt in my P38, heavy or light, and have a little time to look around for targets.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: DOUG on June 11, 2014, 11:10:45 AM
awwwwww man, this thread is NOT aboot what I thought  :cool:
anything I can get above 6k is used in a dive TO 6k so the pony
can be haulin booty

elfy
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Lusche on June 11, 2014, 11:31:38 AM
Depends fully on situation and mission goal. 10K-35K

- Furball between two bases or at another base and flying a rather maneuverable plane? 10k
- CV defense? 12-15K
- Med Scale Base defense? 15-20k .... someone has to be in position to stop the buffs.
- Large scale base defense, dragging on for a long time and being the main focus of the enemy? - 25k, because at some point high altitude buffs will show up, hoping to shut down the base undisturbed.
- Strat defense outside Komet Koverage: 28-35k. Strat runner's often have the habit of going in as high as possible. 34K B17's or B-29's are more common than rare. If I have reason to suspect them lower (like them having their base close nearby), I will be lower as well.
- Strat defense near HQ: Ground level. Sitting in Oclub and sipping my tea until it's time to ignite the rocket  :devil
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Randy1 on June 11, 2014, 01:09:01 PM
Seems to me a lot of folks climb from takeoff till the radar ring.  Kind of take what you can get.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Slade on June 11, 2014, 06:04:35 PM
A lot of cool answers.  Great stuff.  I learn so much here.

Sure we'd all love to be able to just "pop" in at 25k.  How about if I ask it this way:

In non-Low ENY birds (or perk planes) at what altitude do you feel confident enough, and actually find yourself, flying at when you engage in ACM?  And why?

Thanks.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Lusche on June 11, 2014, 06:13:08 PM
In non-Low ENY birds (or perk planes) at what altitude do you feel confident enough, and actually find yourself, flying at when you engage in ACM?


I'm not sure if I undertsand this question correctly. I don't see the direct connection between altitude and feeling 'confident enough' to engage in ACM.

My initial altitude is a result of mission type (as explained earlier) and combat environment. But in the end, I enage targets at any altitude, from the deck up to 37k (the altitude of my highest dogfight kill)
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Slade on June 11, 2014, 06:36:04 PM
Some random thoughts I have:


EDIT: I noticed Greebo can fly in low and not worry too much about vulchers.  He is so good at turning a vulch attempt on him into a kill for him.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Coalcat1 on June 11, 2014, 09:39:23 PM
Depends fully on situation and mission goal. 10K-35K

- Furball between two bases or at another base and flying a rather maneuverable plane? 10k
- CV defense? 12-15K
- Med Scale Base defense? 15-20k .... someone has to be in position to stop the buffs.
- Large scale base defense, dragging on for a long time and being the main focus of the enemy? - 25k, because at some point high altitude buffs will show up, hoping to shut down the base undisturbed.
- Strat defense outside Komet Koverage: 28-35k. Strat runner's often have the habit of going in as high as possible. 34K B17's or B-29's are more common than rare. If I have reason to suspect them lower (like them having their base close nearby), I will be lower as well.
- Strat defense near HQ: Ground level. Sitting in Oclub and sipping my tea until it's time to ignite the rocket  :devil

What about my NOE lanc missions to the HQ  :devil
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: mthrockmor on June 12, 2014, 12:16:33 AM
15.5k Most level off at 15k. I want the extra 500 feet.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Masherbrum on June 12, 2014, 12:19:18 AM
"Hit me with the powder."
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: BaldEagl on June 12, 2014, 12:39:08 AM
14-17K for me depending on the plane I'm in.  That puts me high enough to climb relatively easily to higher buffs or take on higher fighters but low enough to head to the deck if that's where the fight is.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: MrKrabs on June 16, 2014, 08:19:14 AM
It depends on the situation...

For example...

If you see a bish 38 raid, all you need to do is turn your engine off on the runway and await the 10 proxies from their lawndarts or killing themselves with their own bombs...
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Golden Dragon on June 16, 2014, 09:52:54 AM
Bandit's altitude plus one thousand is high enough for me.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Golden Dragon on June 16, 2014, 09:56:19 AM
It depends on the situation...

For example...

If you see a bish 38 raid, all you need to do is turn your engine off on the runway and await the 10 proxies from their lawndarts or killing themselves with their own bombs...

Lol.  So true.  I was on a rearm pad and got four proxies once that way.  I laughed at the text congratulations for my "ace" sortie.  Do the bish have a special "divine wind" squadron?
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: PanosGR on June 16, 2014, 04:27:48 PM
I am not at the liberty to discuss classified information nor do you have the proper security clearance for said intelligence.  :noid

(http://)(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x39/PanosGR/ef5886f5_zpsc5a9b87e.jpg) (http://s186.photobucket.com/user/PanosGR/media/ef5886f5_zpsc5a9b87e.jpg.html)
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Zoney on June 16, 2014, 04:34:02 PM


My initial altitude is a result of mission type (as explained earlier) and combat environment. But in the end, I enage targets at any altitude, from the deck up to 37k (the altitude of my highest dogfight kill)

Hehehe.  Mine is 41,000 feet in a TA152 killing a P47M.

I killed a B29 at 34,000 feet in a ME262 once also  :bolt:
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Banshee7 on June 17, 2014, 12:33:18 AM
I'm not real sure why, but I always level off at 11k unless I'm winging with the squad or something.  Then they always wanna go higher. :headscratch:

#S#



Josh
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Someguy63 on June 17, 2014, 12:44:26 AM
For me it depends on how long I feel like waiting....so 7-15K



 :old:
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Wiley on June 17, 2014, 12:33:08 PM

I'm not sure if I undertsand this question correctly. I don't see the direct connection between altitude and feeling 'confident enough' to engage in ACM.

My initial altitude is a result of mission type (as explained earlier) and combat environment. But in the end, I enage targets at any altitude, from the deck up to 37k (the altitude of my highest dogfight kill)

Hehehe.  Mine is 41,000 feet in a TA152 killing a P47M.

I killed a B29 at 34,000 feet in a ME262 once also  :bolt:

I consider myself an alt monkey...  You guys are definitely alt apes.  :devil  :bolt:

Wiley.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: morfiend on June 17, 2014, 01:19:13 PM
 I would suggest that a player finds the minimum height they can preform a splitEss in and fly above that!   It seems to me most use the spit Ess to evade,well most the new guys do as I see it.




    :salute
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Zerstorer on June 17, 2014, 01:45:51 PM
Between 1K and 18K, depending on the situation and what kind of fight I wish to have when I take off.  It typically varies throughout the night.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Debrody on June 17, 2014, 05:42:51 PM
headed towards some vulchers in a 262 - 0-3k
intercepting bombers - 5k above them, unless they are at 25k+, then i dont give a damn
looking for a random fight - ~7k
wanna get killed - 2k, half throttle
 :lol
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: kvuo75 on June 17, 2014, 08:09:49 PM
It depends on the situation...

For example...

If you see a 38 raid, all you need to do is turn your engine off on the runway and await the 10 proxies from their lawndarts or killing themselves with their own bombs...

FTFY.


it isn't just bish who can't fly P38's

Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Lusche on June 17, 2014, 11:39:19 PM
intercepting bombers - 5k above them, unless they are at 25k+, then i dont give a damn


But that's where the fun really starts  :x
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: guncrasher on June 17, 2014, 11:40:31 PM
FTFY.


it isn't just bish who can't fly P38's



no but they're the ones diving crashing onto a field 10 at a time.


semp
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: LCADolby on June 17, 2014, 11:41:06 PM
I climb to 10k-12k in most cases, sometimes I go make a cup of tea and end up at 15-18k!

As much as I like an altitude fight I love fighting near or toward the deck, the ground, hills and trees flashing by gives, not only a sense of speed, but also a rush because you never know if a tree is going to catch you. :D
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: scott66 on June 18, 2014, 12:01:11 AM
I climb to 10k-12k in most cases, sometimes I go make a cup of tea and end up at 15-18k!

As much as I like an altitude fight I love fighting near or toward the deck, the ground, hills and trees flashing by gives, not only a sense of speed, but also a rush because you never know if a tree is going to catch you . :D
earl grey for me please:)
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: LCADolby on June 18, 2014, 12:02:05 AM
earl grey for me please:)

Earl Grey is for girly men  :old:
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: VuduVee on June 18, 2014, 12:28:19 PM
If I'm being lazy, I'll come in at 2K or less. If I feel like flying a bit more smart then I'll come in at 6-10K. If I want to mess with the P-51s and 190s at 25K then I'll climb up to their alt and just spend the sortie pushing them all down low and into the furball.  :devil
haha yeah man,climbing to 20k or higher to push the bnz'ers into the grinder is one of my favorite things to do.
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: scott66 on June 18, 2014, 04:11:05 PM
Earl Grey is for girly men  :old:
:rofl :P
Title: Re: How High?
Post by: Slade on June 18, 2014, 06:15:37 PM
I have waffled a bit though on altitude.  Between having the security blanket of more than adequate altitude to wanting to get to a base quicker and just have to deal with the vulch attempts.

I think in flying early war birds in the late war arena I still use the alt security blanket.  I am pushing myself more and more to come in under 10k no matter the situation or plane.