Not sure if this has ever been posted before, but how about a new game function to help out buff pilots? (Well mainly buff pilots but it could help fighter pilots as well.) The function I have in mind would be something like .formation , or .formation Beefcake for instance.
What would it do? If typed it would activate an auto pilot that took over steering and throttle control and would bring the plane(s) into a locked formation behind the "target" aircraft. Each person that "locked in" would fall into a pre determined slot behind the leader until all the spots were full or no one is left. In order for the formation to stay together the lead aircraft would always have to throttle back, no magic over speeding buffs, also the leader could not perform any violent maneuvers. Basically like the drones we have now, if the lead plane turned to hard of climbed/dove to steep then it would cause the auto pilot on the formation planes to kick off.
Now the reason why I think this could be useful. First of all, people that fly any kind of buff, especially the B17's and B24s, are basically having to do the jobs of 30 guys, 12 if you have a gunner. I think any buff pilot that has had to hold a formation while they are under attack would tell you that it is very hard. It only takes a few seconds of being off course for you to drift out of the formation, and when you do, you become easy pickins for fighters. Trying to maintain formation and gun can be VERY hard to do. The reason I offer this idea is simple, it would allow the lead buff pilot to concentrate on flying the formation while the wingman concentrate on the enemy. Now the other buff pilots would still have to drop their own bombs, but a formation command would make it easier to reform after the drop.
What do you all think? Anyone have any other ideas or thoughts on this?
