Page "Air combat manoeuvring" Paragraph 8

There are five main things which a pilot must remain conscious of when contemplating an aerial engagement, of which, getting and keeping sight is the most important.

In Southeast Asia, over 85 % of all kills are attributed to the attacker spotting and shooting the defender without ever being seen.

Structural limitations of both the attacking and defending fighters must be taken into account, such as thrust-to-weight ratio, wing loading, and the “ corner speed ” ( the maximum / minimum speed at which the aircraft can attain the best turning performance ).

Variable limitations must also be considered, such as turn radius, turn rate, and the specific energy of the aircraft.

Position of aircraft must quickly be assessed, including direction, angle off tail ( the angle between flight paths ), and closing speed.

Also, the pilot must be aware of his wingman ’ s position, and maintain good communication.