Tools of the Trade
One of the things I like best about this career is that there will always be something new to learn and I will always be trying to perfect my craft. Here at IFF I am getting a sampling of the different types of dogfighting.
I started out with Offensive BFM (Basic Fighter Maneuvering which is what we call 1v1 dogfights) where I started in an offensive position and worked my way in to shoot the bandit. Then I moved on to Defensive BFM where I started out with the bandit behind me and had to try not to get shot myself. That was pretty crazy because you would start out with a max performance break turn (difficult to execute correctly)while twisted completely around in your seat trying to keep eyes on the other guy and not even looking forward. Then if he got closer you start jinking; which is a very violent type of maneuvering which involves a quick roll out of plane, slamming the stick back into your lap, rolling and repeating until you have hopefully spoiled his gun shot and get a chance to reverse.
Now I've started High-Aspect BFM which is where you start out pointed at each other, merge at over 900kts of closure and then try to maneuver to get behind the other guy. It's awesome to see all this happening so fast and furious, he goes flashing past your canopy and then you end up spiraling down in full AB at 6 G's for 2.5 to 3 full minutes which can be very tiring and you just want to kill him so that you can stop and be able to breathe.
I really love this stuff and even though when I graduate from here in a week or two I will have only scratched the surface of being a fighter pilot I know that it is something I was born to do.
I started out with Offensive BFM (Basic Fighter Maneuvering which is what we call 1v1 dogfights) where I started in an offensive position and worked my way in to shoot the bandit. Then I moved on to Defensive BFM where I started out with the bandit behind me and had to try not to get shot myself. That was pretty crazy because you would start out with a max performance break turn (difficult to execute correctly)while twisted completely around in your seat trying to keep eyes on the other guy and not even looking forward. Then if he got closer you start jinking; which is a very violent type of maneuvering which involves a quick roll out of plane, slamming the stick back into your lap, rolling and repeating until you have hopefully spoiled his gun shot and get a chance to reverse.
Now I've started High-Aspect BFM which is where you start out pointed at each other, merge at over 900kts of closure and then try to maneuver to get behind the other guy. It's awesome to see all this happening so fast and furious, he goes flashing past your canopy and then you end up spiraling down in full AB at 6 G's for 2.5 to 3 full minutes which can be very tiring and you just want to kill him so that you can stop and be able to breathe.
I really love this stuff and even though when I graduate from here in a week or two I will have only scratched the surface of being a fighter pilot I know that it is something I was born to do.
posted by Jonathan Hassell at 19:23
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