Author Topic: 3/9ths line (Read 318 times)

plumbob · « **on:** June 29, 2002, 10:17:53 PM »

I have heard this term used several times. Yet i havent been able to figure out what it is. So, what is it, what is its importance, and when is it used?

Virage · « **Reply #1 on:** June 29, 2002, 11:07:32 PM »

The 3/9 line is from wingtip to wingtip. A 3/9 overshoot is when you cross the 3/9 line of the plane infront of you. This is not a good thing.

Mino · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2002, 09:23:13 AM »

Staying behind the 3/9 line when attacking is a good thing.

skwrl · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2002, 11:29:41 AM »

refers to clock positions. 12 o'clock being straight ahead of a plane, 6 being directly behind you (as in check six), 3 o'clock being off the right wing, and 9 o'clock being off your left wing. So the 3/9 line runs from wingtip to wingtip, and can be thought of as the line that classifies a plane as either in front of or behind you.

dtango · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2002, 01:02:50 PM »

Adding to what skwrl is saying, the 3/9 line divides the forward and rear hemisphere of an aircraft.

If you are "behind" the 3/9 line of another aircraft relative to yours, it means you are in their rear hemisphere. If you're "infront" of the 3/9 line then you're in their forward hemisphere.

3/9 line is just a term to describe a position of an aircraft relative to another.

There are all sorts of situations where you're working to get and stay behind the 3/9 line of a bogey since being in this position generally means that you have an angular advantage on them if you are behind THEIR 3/9 and they are infront of YOUR 3/9.

Tango, XO
412th FS Braunco Mustangs