The problem is that if you fly in No 2 position (leader's wingman) and the leader gets shot down, the rest of the flight (Nos 3 and 4) will formate on you. It happened to me last night. I couldn't communicate with them, and the moment I was about to touch down, they both slammed into the ground.

Some nice thing to implement would be that the leadership of the flight gets transferred when the leader gets shot down. That way the AI can always have a commander (another AI or a human, according to circumstances).I saw this in a 4.09 mod, together with new formations and other stuff, but it was incompatible with newer versions.

Again, I know that it's a massive work, so take it just as a suggestion for future versions of the game.

That mostly happens to me if I "request backup" from base , so they sort of latch onto me (sometimes the lead of the flight too!), maybe some sort of that behavour happens when you send "clear my 6" on the radio, I really dont know:confused:

Hehe! Well, yes, indeed I primarly used AI wingmen only for spotting NMEs for me, cleaning my six, when I have screwed it, irritating the NME while I try to sneak in and as cannon fodder when I need to escape. In fact I usually only abuse AI. :D

Damn, this is something we must improve. While we are at it, what do you think about giving the human player an option to inform his flight about nearby bandits even when he is not flight leader?

I think thats a good idea, you would irl.

Awesome work your doing with the AI, really impressive:grin:

Can I add to this that the AI call bandits when the player is flight leader; currently they just break off and engage leaving the oblivious player unaware of their departure!

Hm? Your AI friends are calling bandits for you and as long as you tell them to fly in formation, they also will not departure if they are not attacked.

It's a great idea. I happens to me sometimes that I end up alone against, say, a flight of enemy bombers and I would like someone to come over and give me a hand. I select command 'Anyone help me', only to get an answer 'You're fine' :rolleyes: Not very helpful. How do they know it anyway if they're nowhere in sight?

Fenrir is right, my AI subordinates quietly break off as soon as they 'spot' enemy. I've learned to listen to the sound of their engines and the moment I hear them fade away in the distance I know they did it again.

All you need to do is use your Wingman/Flight 'Rejoin' command and they will get right back into formation....even if they 'see' nearby enemy planes.

Aviar