Suggestions for AI Improvements in Future Updates

[Furio]

I think that giving “more power to the player” could lessen some of the AI issues. As I see it, there should be the option to pause the game, or briefly hand your plane to autopilot, to take some decision that no AI can take.

Some examples.

In the landing pattern, Number 4 is damaged and should land first, but continues to go around leaving unnecessarily precedence to others until it crashes.
Player should be able to take over control tower and order Number 4 to be the first to land.

During an escort mission, an enemy fighter appears. All your squadron’s pilots chase it, leaving alone the escorted bombers.
Player should be able to order: “Number 5 and 6 go ahead with the chase, all other return to escort position”, or click on the selected planes to obtain the same result.

Player has damaged and enemy bomber, and is turning for the coup de grace. Three more squadron’s AI mates run to finish it, allowing other enemy planes to bomb the target undisturbed.
Player should be able to select a target to be ignored by AI pilots.

The list could go on, but the concept is clear, I think. You pay a little price in immersion, because you need to stop the action and momentarily assume the rank of god, but you avoid that immersion be killed by AI pilots unrealistic actions.

[majorfailure]

Originally Posted by Furio

In the landing pattern, Number 4 is damaged and should land first, but continues to go around leaving unnecessarily precedence to others until it crashes.
Player should be able to take over control tower and order Number 4 to be the first to land.

This should work automatically - with no involvement of the player. Damaged planes lost due to having no priority in the landing pattern are as bad for AI only flights - and player can't watch landing approach of 10+ fights.

Originally Posted by Furio

During an escort mission, an enemy fighter appears. All your squadron’s pilots chase it, leaving alone the escorted bombers.
Player should be able to order: “Number 5 and 6 go ahead with the chase, all other return to escort position”, or click on the selected planes to obtain the same result.

Bomber escort missions are among the most disappointing as it is in this game. Either you don't get your flight to engage the enemy even if the bombers are under attack(!) - or the engage an unimportant enemy plane and don't want to let go.
And they cannot be commanded usfully when in "escort mode" You spot a group of enemy bombers heading for your carriers, and you decide to shoot them down - because a lost carrier is worse than a few lost attack planes -you are on your own. Your wingmen will not engage, they either follow you or go back to escorting the bombers.

Originally Posted by Furio

Player has damaged and enemy bomber, and is turning for the coup de grace. Three more squadron’s AI mates run to finish it, allowing other enemy planes to bomb the target undisturbed.
Player should be able to select a target to be ignored by AI pilots.

This should be automatic, too. Planes with visible crippling damage should be less important targets. And while we are at that: AI (and especially FlaK) should try to shoot at planes with only dead pilots/shot out controls, at least if they are not experienced.