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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by Jasta 6

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[Whiskey Red]

Originally Posted by cocteau4ad

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).

[Jasta 6]

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

[mondo]

Originally Posted by Ferigno

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.