Formations

[33Vortex]

Ok so there is a padlock function in the game after all. What if you could lock on to a friendly a/c and hit a 'formation toggle' key, which would essentially make your a/c a drone to the friendly a/c you locked on to. Basic formation would be a 'finger four' or the classic LW schwarm.

Ok, two ideas on how to form up:
1) When you hit the toggle formation key the AI would calculate which slot is closest to your current position and get you into that slot.
2) The first friendly to form up goes into #2 slot, 2nd to #3 and 3rd to #4.

Prerequisites for the formation lock to activate:
You need to fly the same type of a/c as the one you're forming up on. You'd need to be within distance, say 200 or so.

When formed up on the leading a/c, lead control the whole 4-ship formation much similar to a bomber formation. If he maneuver +30 degrees nose up/down or bank +30 degrees, the formation lock would disengage automatically. Or let's say for simplicity enable the same algorithms used in bomber formations, just that it'd be calculated on the end of the a/c forming up and not lead. Maneuvering by the pilot would also break formation lock, the same way autopilot is disengaged.

Advanced options:
If you'd want to expand on the feature, additional formations to be set by ".formation schwarm" command. So that US bombers can fly in the historical staggered V-shaped formation, and fighters have different tactical formations for use in different situations.

Besides looking plain awesome, I think this feature would be of immeasurable help in FSOs. Perhaps it would stimulate teamwork in the MA too?

Opinions? 

[Ghastly]

I'm scratching my head over why I would ever want to sign into any sim just to let software fly my plane for me...

Flying it is my job, right?

<S>

[33Vortex]

Are you saying you wouldn't want a feature that makes the game more realistic? Obviously, we as virtual pilots can not perform on the same level as real WW2 pilots in formation flight. Why? We lack the perspective, resolution and peripheral vision needed when viewing the world through our small (no matter how big) computer screens.

The feature requested would provide the game with a tool for players to make the game more historically accurate, as a/c in WW2 would typically operate in tight formations before and after combat. It would make it a helluva lot easier for COs during FSO to keep track of their unit. Instead of having a blob spread out over 4-5k there would be a tight (relatively speaking) formation and the CO would know exactly where each 4-ship formation was.

This is just a suggestion to elevate the realism and immersion level of the game. Your statement is moot as you do not actually fly the airplane anyway. You lack some vital engine controls, there is no radio communication with a ground controller, you get a "cheat" tool with the kneepad map which is always up-to-date. So your perception of flying the a/c is limited to the stick and throttle.

This is a game, please realize that. This would be a tool to provide the community with a way to correctly simulate formation and tactically correct unit flights primarily during FSOs.

Is there something about this that you do not understand? 

[Jiblowey]

I like the idea, for fsos and such. It could be set that fighters could form up, that way one guy knows where to go and can keep every one on target. Then you just brake formation once you see enemy planes.

[colmbo]

Are you saying you wouldn't want a feature that makes the game more realistic? Obviously, we as virtual pilots can not perform on the same level as real WW2 pilots in formation flight. Why? We lack the perspective, resolution and peripheral vision needed when viewing the world through our small (no matter how big) computer screens.

All your lacking is practice.  I fly formation all the time online -- while somewhat harder in some ways than r/l formation flight, which I've also done quite a bit of, it ain't all that hard to do.

If we're going to have the computer fly the formation for us it will be about as immersive as watching something on TV.  Immersion is being in there working the stick and throttle to hold position -- not sitting back eating milk and cookies while the box flies your slot.  If you want to make things more historically accurate learn to fly formation, practice to get good at it, teach others to fly realistically.  THAT is immersive and realistic.

The sims do a pretty good job of giving the impression of r/l flying.  Some of those things you mention that we're missing are tiny little parts of r/l flying and add nothing to the simulation.

You use auto-takeoff don't you. <G>

[33Vortex]

colmbo

Obviously you have no idea who you're talking to do you? Can't say I know you either, but please refrain from stupid comments alright? It would serve you better not to make an *** of yourself.

[HighTone]

I like the idea for bombers only. Lets say three pilots took off in bombers, then let them form up the formations on the lead plane/group. Keeping three pilots flying formation with fully loaded bombers is not easy. But for fighter groups....????


 I agree with colmbo on the fighter aspect.

33vortex not the worst idea i've hear though

[33Vortex]

Well...

I just want to see historically accurate flyin during FSOs. Since most AHers are tools and busy being too cool to care they aren't capable of it. Not that anyone playing AH would want to spend the hours required just practicing formation flying to be able to do it. Yeah, did you fly the last FSO? Call that a formation??? Please...

[colmbo]

It would serve you better not to make an *** of yourself.

At least I can fly formation without the computer doing it for me. <G>

[33Vortex]

Good for you!

 



Would you mind revealing your ingame name? 

[Rogue9Volt]

I like the idea, I think it would be a huge help to those of us that haven't quite mastered formations just yet...

[Swatch]

Think of the screenshots man!!!

Part of me wants to agree with 33Vortex, the other wants to agree with colmbo.

To 33Vortex side:  I agree this would be nice for realism, but I feel this is an option that would be especailly useful if collisions (friendly) are enabled.....make it REALLY fun and more realistic.  Also, I am the first to jump at any thought of large well formed buffs.  I also agree that the limitations of view afforded by a 2D screen encourages such a tool.  My final thumbs up for this idea comes from the bomber side.  I think if you could have one bomber in the lead of your group and everyone formed on him, then while he flies toward the target, you can release everyone else to gun, providing a much more engaging experience for all.  In the least I would like more control over my own personal formation of bombers....

To colmbo side:  I also have to agree, this can be done with a bit of practice and at least awareness of other planes around you.   I am a 364th CHawk, and many an FSO, I've been proud of the formations our group has put together, but they wouldn't pass in real life as anything other than a mid-air collision waiting to happen.   Then again, few of us really care about this sort of thing and fewer of us practice it outside of FSO, so they can be done with a small investment of attention.

So I'm torn, but I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt to 33Vortex because if its in the game, it becomes your choice whether to use it or not.  And it doesn't afford a huge tactical advantage, especially when sketched out in the way 33Vortex describes.

[EskimoJoe]

Think of the screenshots man!!!

Me escorting a squaddie with a fuel tank hit


"Morning Run" by USRanger



Just learn to fly formation, it's not to hard. You don't need the game to do it for you.

[EskimoJoe]

would be especailly useful if collisions (friendly) are enabled.....

Think of those missions with 40+ people in them, all taking off at the same time in the same exact place on the runway...

[SD67]

Just learn to fly formation, it's not to hard. You don't need the game to do it for you.

That's about what I was thinking...