Flaps

[Ferigno]

I guess I don't have much of an understanding about when to use flaps in combat. I understand the effect that flaps have (changing angle of attack, providing more lift at lower speeds), but I haven't really read anywhere where they talk about using them in combat (other than landing).

I can't fathom using flaps for a BnZ, so people must use them in flat turn fights? The two options seem to be "raised" and "combat", but it seems like "combat" would be using them. Wouldn't that just reduce my speed and energy. Maybe climbing.

Anyone?

[xNikex]

It helps alot in tight turns. The flaps change the amout of lift you get under your wings thus helping you turn easier. But yes, it does kill airspeed.

[haitch40]

I guess I don't have much of an understanding about when to use flaps in combat. I understand the effect that flaps have (changing angle of attack, providing more lift at lower speeds), but I haven't really read anywhere where they talk about using them in combat (other than landing).

I can't fathom using flaps for a BnZ, so people must use them in flat turn fights? The two options seem to be "raised" and "combat", but it seems like "combat" would be using them. Wouldn't that just reduce my speed and energy. Maybe climbing.

Anyone?

ok i know a bit of aerodynamics (im not a total nerd just know the basics)
flaps straight for minimum drag and highest speed
combat settings gives more lift for low speed but not so much your plane has no speed
take-off settings for maximum lift
landing settings for making the plane light but not go up

[Jasta 6]

Are we able to adjust flaps incrementally in BoP, or is there just an up and down setting?

[xNikex]

Are we able to adjust flaps incrementally in BoP, or is there just an up and down setting?

There is only Combat, Landing, Take-off, and Raised positions.

[cocteau4ad]

Flaps give you the advantage to fly your aircraft at lower speed than the ones with the flaps raised. in combat this is very usefull. since you are flying slower the turns can be made more tight yo can use this to make the enemy behind you fly pass you by turning to the left then to the right or using a combo with a manuver called yoyo( high or low). you raise then and retract them at your comviniance. just remember that at low speed you will need more power that normal to keep your airplane flying in turns to avoid stalls. the stall speed in creases during turns( keep in mind that a stall occurs at a specific angle of attack not a a speed although a speed is always use when that aircraft does not have an angle of attack indicators). also use the flaps when attacking ground targets on the dive and raise them on the climb out.

[manintrees]

Flaps give you the advantage to fly your aircraft at lower speed than the ones with the flaps raised. in combat this is very usefull. since you are flying slower the turns can be made more tight yo can use this to make the enemy behind you fly pass you by turning to the left then to the right or using a combo with a manuver called yoyo( high or low). you raise then and retract them at your comviniance. just remember that at low speed you will need more power that normal to keep your airplane flying in turns to avoid stalls. the stall speed in creases during turns( keep in mind that a stall occurs at a specific angle of attack not a a speed although a speed is always use when that aircraft does not have an angle of attack indicators). also use the flaps when attacking ground targets on the dive and raise them on the climb out.

That is some great info. Please tell me why you want to use flaps when diving on grounds targets?

[David603]

That is some great info. Please tell me why you want to use flaps when diving on grounds targets?
Many planes suffer near complete loss of control response at very high speeds, and although it isn't modelled in this game, it is possible to break up you plane when attempting to pull out of such a dive. It also helps with accuracy if you are going slower, and gives you more time to shoot at a target.

[Whiskey Red]

Flaps serve several purposes.

1. They increase lift, and as a result, increase induced drag

2. Because of this, they allow for an increased descent rate on landing without an increase in airspeed.

3. They reduce the stall speed of the aircraft (and this is what makes them effective in combat).

Keep in mind that they affect the airplane in many other ways as well (like moving the center of pressure on the wing rearward, causing a negative change in pitching moment [nose down pitch], etc, etc.) but these first three are the basics that you will need to know to fly effectively in the game.

Flaps are best used when flying scissor maneuvers. If you have a fighter on your tail and you know you can't out run him or out climb him, about your only option is to bring him close and try to out "yank and bank" him. If your plane can fly slower than his, and if you keep your wings at a constant opposite orientation to the fighter behind you, you can easily cause him to either a) stall trying to stay behind you b) eventually fly past your plane, or c) cause him to pull out of the fight entirely.

Scissors and rolling scissors are best on airplanes that can fly slow, and have high roll rates (though they can really be effective at almost any speed). The ability to turn quickly isn't as important in this situation as the ability roll quickly, and the flaps give you just that much extra slow speed performance to keep your opponent close to you (which in this situation is where you want him). The further away he is, the easier he can stay with you and "absorb" your maneuvers. Remember, if he's too far back, then all he has to do is watch as you flail around in the air waisting energy until he's read to move in for the kill!

They do also give the added benefit of enabling your plan to turn tighter without stalling. Remember, flaps do not increase roll rate, but they do give the ability to fly slower without stalling (or turn sharper). It is up to you how you use them. If you do get into a turning fight, this might be what makes the difference.

Again, hope this helps!

[Jasta 6]

I guess I don't have much of an understanding about when to use flaps in combat. I understand the effect that flaps have (changing angle of attack, providing more lift at lower speeds), but I haven't really read anywhere where they talk about using them in combat (other than landing).

I can't fathom using flaps for a BnZ, so people must use them in flat turn fights? The two options seem to be "raised" and "combat", but it seems like "combat" would be using them. Wouldn't that just reduce my speed and energy. Maybe climbing.

Anyone?

http://www.simhq.com/_air/acc_ library.html

Read the articile on flaps. Pretty boring stuff about aerodynamics and how flaps work until you get to Page 3 of the article. There the author describes how and when to use them in combat, as well as takeoff and landing. Pretty interesting if you have the time to read it.

[Whiskey Red]

the stall speed in creases during turns( keep in mind that a stall occurs at a specific angle of attack not a a speed although a speed is always use when that aircraft does not have an angle of attack indicators).

I just wanted to add that this is a very good callout by cocteau4ad. A plane does not stall at a specific speed; so saying that you can "fly slower" with flaps is relative to that same state of flight with flaps. In other words, you will still stall faster in an accelerated stall (as in a turn) than when you are flying straight and level. However, flaps will delay the stall longer in that configuration than if you had no flaps.

Remember, anything that causes an increase in wing loading will also cause an increase in stall speed (such as pulling Gs or flying a loaded aircraft).

[cocteau4ad]

hey Manintrees your question was answer bacickly it give you more time to aim at the target and also to find them, you want to retract them because you need to get aout of there as fast as you can and also they can get damage if you is you fly outside the VFE or white arc basacly the speed that the manufacturer tells you to retract the falps to avoid damage. remember that just doing a manuver like you see it in a book will not necesarily work all the time. in a dog fight you need to adapt to the situation every second, also you need to know what your oponent is capable of. if he can turn tighter that you do not get on a turning fight use another, zoom and boom might be the answer.

[mondo]

That is some great info. Please tell me why you want to use flaps when diving on grounds targets?

No. Flaps have a maximum speed they can be deployed. Usually around 200mph or less. A P47 for example has a 180mph upper limit on flap deployment. Above that you'll break the hydraulics. Combat flaps can be used at higher speeds but your trading lift for speed. Personally thats breaking the golden rules of energy fighting.

Also due to flaps increasing lift you'll be far less accurate when using them.

Most dive bombers had dive breaks. Everyone else had to manage there speed by either shallow dive, reducing RPM and increading pitch and using the prop as a break or opening the radiator to cause drag.

[mondo]

I can't fathom using flaps for a BnZ, so people must use them in flat turn fights? The two options seem to be "raised" and "combat", but it seems like "combat" would be using them. Wouldn't that just reduce my speed and energy. Maybe climbing.



You'll break the hydraulics using them in a high speed manouver. Combat flaps are good for spiral climbs and tight turns but all the time they are deployed you'll burning off energy. Personally the use of combat flaps in a late war environment is just adding a nail to your coffin.