![]() ![]() ![]() To turn tail and run was to surrender most, if not all, of the advantages a pilot might have.ģ. This presents the rookie's tail to the veteran's guns, making the rookie an easy kill for his enemy.īoelcke learned that it was far better to stay and continue mixing it up, than to break and run. Rookie pilots will start a fight, but the fear instinct will convince them to break it off and run. Always continue with an attack you have begun. If he could not secure advantages, he would not attack.Ģ. Who is faster, who can turn tighter, who can climb quicker, who has greater firepower, etc.īoelcke argued against foolish acts of 'heroism'. Performance: Knowing the strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities of your own aircraft, and that of your foe, is also critical. A pilot can approach his foe stealthily, using clouds, haze, or the glare of the sun. Most air victories are achieved in the first pass. Surprise: Getting the first shot before one's opponent is prepared to return fire is the 'safest' and preferred method of attack. Altitude is a source of 'potential energy' it can be traded for speed at will, simply by descending. Or, if the enemy has too many advantages of their own (numbers for instance) a pilot could fly away with a good head start. He can dive upon his opponent, gaining a sizable speed advantage for a hit-and-run attack. He is also capable of easily gaining an altitude advantage over his opponent.Īltitude: When at a higher altitude than his opponent, a pilot can control where and how the combat begins. A fast moving aircraft can perform elaborate maneuvers, giving it's pilot many options. The slower aircraft is incapable of chasing down the faster one, is forced to fight defensively, and cannot run away. He can choose to accept or decline the engagement at will. Speed: The pilot with the faster of two machines has control over the combat. Some examples of advantages to be used include the following: Even if he and his squadron would have to shadow the enemy for an extended period before attacking. If possible, keep the sun behind you.īoelke often stressed the importance of securing every available advantage before engaging the enemy. Try to secure the upper hand before attacking. They formed the basis of fighter pilot training in World War One and World War Two, and remained the standard maxims for fighter pilots until the invention of air-to-air missiles temporarily made dogfighting "obsolete".Įach maxim is presented, along with an explanation of its purpose and use.ġ. The following maxims are part of the 'Dicta Boelke', the first codified manual of aerial combat.
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