[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!