Avaliabiltity - Continued
Monday - 3:30 - 10PM*
Tuesday - 3:30 - 10PM*
Wednesday - 3:30 - 10PM*
Thursday - 3:30 - 10PM*
Friday - 3:30 - 10PM*
Saturday - Not avaliable most of the time, but there will be some exceptions.
Sunday - Not avaliable - day to do homework :)

*All Times in Eastern Standard Time

Choosing Your Attack
Speed vs. Altitude

The energy elements of speed and altitude are the core components of aerial combat. Altitude is a measurement of the aircraft's potential energy, which can be converted to speed by diving. Speed is a measure of the aircraft's kinetic energy, which can be turned into potential energy by climbing. Think of Kinetic energy as energy in motion, and potential energy as energy in reserve. At any given instance, an aircraft possesses both a certain amount of kinetic energy (speed) and a certain amount of potential energy (altitude). This energy translates directly into maneuverability. Air Combat Maneuvering, or ACM, is a game of managing energy to maximize maneuverability and defeat the enemy. Finding the balance between speed and altitude requires skill and timing.

Exchanging Energy

Potential and kinetic energy are exchangeable. An aircraft at high altitude and low speed has lots of potential energy, but little kinetic energy. By diving, the aircraft can covert its altitude into speed and increase its kinetic energy. Similarly, the aircraft can convert some kinetic energy back to potential energy by climbing. The aircraft slows down, but its altitude increases.

A cardinal rule of air combat is that an aircraft with energy has maneuvering options; an aircraft without becomes a target. Maneuvering uses energy, and every unnecessary maneuver you make "burns" kinetic energy. When it's gone you cannot easily get it back.Because you want maximum maneuverability from your aircraft at all times, you must ration your energy use, and always maintaining a sufficient supply for whatever maneuvers you might execute. For example, do NOT go into a high-g turn if you can accomplish the same task with a lower-g turn. Before expending energy, determine whether what you get in return (such as a shot opportunity) is worth the loss of energy.

Choosing Your Attack

Unarguably, the first few seconds of a fight are the most important and can often determine the outcome. Most dogfights last less than one minute, meaning that whoever gains the initial advantage usually wins. Ever fight is different, and an aircraft designed for turn fighting may find itself better suited for an energy fight. How do you decide which one to use? First, estimate your turn performance versus your opponent's. Maintaining your corner speed (the optimal balance between turn rate and airspeed) means nothing if the bandit can out-maneuver your best turn. Second, estimate your energy status. If you enter the fight at 200 or 300 mph above your corner speed, don't waste all that energy and decelerate to achieve your aircraft's corner speed. Instead initiate an energy fight and make use of your aircraft's speed advantage. A well-flown energy fight is difficult to beat.

The Energy Fight

In an energy fight, you take advantage of your aircraft's superior speed and avoid unnecessary turning. Ideally, you want to start the fight in an advantageous position; such as directly behind the bandit in his 6 o'clock low blind spot. Most of the time, however that's not an option. You must rely on your advantage and skills to overcome your adversary.

Initiating the Energy Fight

When you choose the energy fight, you basically concede turn performance to the enemy and rely instead on speed. You must keep your airspeed extremely high, minimizing the distance between you and your enemy's aircraft as you make a series of head-on attack. The idea is the strike, then outrun your opponent's weapons range.While the bandit busily executes a high-g turn to enter the fight, you (as the energy fighter) zoom away in a spiral dive or climb. Eventually, you can execute a wide turn (to conserve airspeed) and make another offensive pass. If you execute the initial turn correctly you'll remain outside your enemy's gun range for nearly the entire fight. You choose when and where to engage, always bringing the fight on your terms. Thanks to your speed surplus, you can enter and exit the fight almost at will. The energy fight requires discipline, though, One speed-bleeding turn, and you immediately lose your energy advantage.

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