Learning Nose-To-Nose Dogfights | Intro To High Aspect BFM | DCS | Part 9

Going into a dogfight where neither you or your opponent has an advantage is very different from the BFM topics we've covered so far. In this video we'll go over how you can set up neutral (also called high aspect) BFM exercises. This will be important once we go deeper into the topic later on in the series.
We'll also cover one of the fundamentals of winning a high aspect fight: the lead turn. In addition to dogfights the lead turn is important for doing stern conversions which is the bread and butter of fighters protecting a nation's air space. You'll learn how to master those lead turns as well in this video.
"How Fighter Pilots Talk About BFM". BFM Terminology: • How Fighter Pilots Tal...
BFM Playlist: • Basic Fighter Maneuver...
Extended Trail Exercise: • The Extended Trail Exe...
Intro 00:00
Butterfly Setup 01:46
Lead Turn 04:58
Lag Reposition 13:24
Obligatory disclaimers:
The presence of DOD Visual Information in this video does not constitute endorsement by the DOD or any of its departments. Any views expressed by the presenter are those of the presenter and do not represent the views of the DOD or any of its components.

[@TheOpsCenterByMikeSolyom]

One thing I forgot to mention is that in the Butterfly setup the Bandit should have some limitations (like No Afterburner and/or 4G maximum for turns). Without any limitations it will be really difficult for the Fighter to build enough turning room for the Lead Turn without burning a lot of speed in the process. Limited to just MIL power and/or a 4G limit the Bandit will have a much wider turn radius giving the Fighter some more margin for error. But as you get better the Bandit's limits should gradually be removed. Good luck with your training!

[@DeltaGolfProductions]

I love seeing my F-5 skins in this. Absolutely excellent instruction!

[@TheOpsCenterByMikeSolyom]

They're great looking skins. Awesome work!

[@Pricklyhedgehog72]

Another great explanation on the mysteries of proper ACM.

[@TheOpsCenterByMikeSolyom]

Thanks, PHH!

[@toxickilljoy9037]

Good progress mike keep ‘em coming. I’ve started referring the newbs your way 😁 thanks for another banger.

[@satriyakristantowicaksono1714]

very informative, this way of presentation is the best I ever learnt in KZbin. Just like my FWI

[@asandor83]

These are some of the best videos out there. Excellent job of teaching the basics!

[@Ready.A-10C]

Great!! Thanks for sharing this clear explanation

[@S3NTRY]

Great stuff as always! Thanks!

[@GunniesLetsFlyVFR]

Another awesome video. Lots to take away on the lead turn .. time to go practice. Thanks

[@paulvalente5132]

Amazing vids, thanks ❤

[@bogeydope6183]

Awesome video once again, thanks a lot !

[@OLIV3R_YT]

Thank you very much!

[@jorgeames5214]

Excelente!

[@KhanGirey]

Thanks for the excellent content. Does your channel have a discord?

[@TheOpsCenterByMikeSolyom]

Not at the moment. I may open one in the future though.

[@Alain_Escher]

Hi Mike, thanks for your great videos! May I use the image at 4:41 in one of my missions as part of the briefing material and kneeboard? I would add your logo and a reference to your channel. Thanks. (Edit: forgot to say, I would like to post the mission in the DCS User Files section).

[@TheOpsCenterByMikeSolyom]

That's okay with me. Enjoy!

[@Alain_Escher]

@@TheOpsCenterByMikeSolyom Great, thanks! It is just a small mission ;-)

[@toxickilljoy9037]

Hey mike, so I got a question I was hoping you could maybe cover a little more in depth with a future video. I was in MSFS doing some dogfighting tonight with a friend and something about the vertical just had me all screwed up about the angles. Nothing helped me out. Are there any reposition maneuvers or queues to look for to time your over the top or just general tips on vertical and oblique fights? It’s definitely my Achilles heel at the moment. Take care and always appreciate your videos. Like you say, the skill is very perishable, but your videos help make the shelf life a little longer. Thanks in advance

[@TheOpsCenterByMikeSolyom]

I know a lot of the examples and diagrams I show on this channel are 2-D/on the horizontal plane, but the same exact rules apply for vertical BFM too. When you add the vertical element always keep the EM diagram in mind. You're going to lose speed going uphill and gain it going down (ie negative and positive Ps). So if your game plan is a maximum sustained turn rate, then it might not be a good idea to go up over the top and better to stay where you can maintain speed on that 0 Ps line. Later on in this series we'll cover a situation where you actually do want to lose speed. But I'll leave the details for that video. As a side note, I do remember that during the Vietnam war, F-4 pilots figured out that they had an energy advantage on the older MiGs used by the N. Vietnam AF. Those old MiGs turned much better than the heavier F-4s. One of the first things taught by the then new TOPGUN school was to go into the vertical instead of into a turning fight with a MiG. Just bear in mind that's a specific instance where that was the best call and it may not always work for you.

[@toxickilljoy9037]

@@TheOpsCenterByMikeSolyom I think in the situation that made me question my sanity, I should have opted for more of a single circle fight instead. I was in a live dogfight with a Viggen, unsure which one, and I was in the F5 already below ps 0 mark so I was just trying to use my small radius to deny him a good kill. Coupled with the bandit blunders of the stress, cloud coverage, and everything I was probably early on the turn circle entry queues as well due to the very high LOS change of him being at least 150kts faster. I tried to opt him into my slow fight but he insisted on the vertical so the only valid tracking points I had was roughly at or below the horizon, and being below PS 0 I couldn’t keep the alpha for a shot before he would pull away. He was out of parameters for the sidewinders as well so the missile couldn’t pull the lead either at the aspect I was at. Later in the engagement after about 7 or 8 minutes of maybe single digit gains per minute trying to figure him out, he had a wingman join in a mig 15, in which the fight continued for some 15 minutes total before I ran out of fuel and had to e-land in a nearby field. Gonna have to be more precise and check the gas before an extended dogfight on the deck next time 🤷‍♂️