User Guide

TRAINING MISSION 2
Now it’s time for a one-on-one dogfight. After splashing the C-130 a few times, replace the cargo
plane targets with a single opponent. From the startup screen, choose DOGFIGHT , 1, a fighter type
(probably either a MiG-21 or Mirage 2000 to start with), and any altitude.
If you’re looking for an easy start, give yourself a pair of AMRAAMs or maybe Sidewinder -Ms
instead of -Js on your light hardpoints in addition to your wingtip Sidewinders.
Put yourself in a head-to-head engagement and blow him up, if you can. Try not to give up too
much speed or altitude as you execute some basic maneuvers. Maintain an optimal maneuverability
speed of 450 knots indicated airspeed. If you can hold that speed at all times while maneuvering
offensively and defensively, you will probably get him. The F-16 has one of the best thrust to weight
ratios of any plane in the world. Use it! You can fly straight up if you need to. You can turn with and
inside of any aircraft in the world. Look at the aircraft stats in the back of this book and be very
aware of which aircraft you can run away from. The F-16 is one of the best dogfighters in the world,
but the top speed isn’t that hot. An F-15, Su-27 or even a MiG-21 can chase you down without too
much trouble.
TRAINING MISSION 3
In this mission, you familiarize yourself with basic ground attack techniques against various
targets.
Choose SEARCH - AND - DESTROY from the training mission screen. When you are given the opportunity to
load your plane, choose a full load (4) of rocket pods on your medium hardpoints and a full load (12)
of Mk82s on your heavy hardpoints.
When you start out, bring up your nav map, select Halverston, and autopilot there. Make a quick
pass over the city, looking for a skyscraper to level. When you’ve selected a likely target, head out
about 6 to 8 nautical miles, turn around, adjust your altitude to between 1000 and 2000 feet, and
head for your target. Try setting your weapons to Mk82 in CCIP mode at first, to practice precision
bombing.
As you approach, you should be in a shallow dive — about 10 degrees. Keep your speed moderate,
(about 400 knots true) and use your rudder to make final course corrections as you approach your
target. Let the pipper line up on your target, watch for the In Range indicator to light and pull the
trigger — once. If your weapon camera is turned on, you can watch the bombs drop toward the
target and (possibly) a direct hit.
If you miss, turn around and repeat the process. To practice lining up targets, you can drop each of
your bombs on a different building.
Next, it’s time for some tougher practice, using rockets. Autopilot to Mayday Canyon and fly the
canyon. If you see enemy fire, hunt down the source and remove it before it removes you. To use
rockets on a target, line up using the rudder, as before, and wait for the In Range indicator to light.
When it’s lit and your rocket sight is on the base of the target, let ’em fly. With practice, you’ll be a
menace to any ground target. And you have plenty of rockets to practice with, so don’t worry about
wasting ammo now.
When you reach the mesa in the center of the canyon, climb to pick off some targets around the
runway located there. In later training missions, you can load up with Durandals and practice
bombing the runway, too.
For a more challenging mission, take the same loadout and try Roberts Pass. The AA defenses are a
bit more intense there, so you’ll have to be at your best to fly it safely.
When you’ve dropped all your bombs, you can try practice landings at the Strike base. Autopilot
there and try a landing by the book. (see Landing, p. 43) The key to landing, as with all aspects of
jockeying an F-16, is practice.
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