IP-11: Counterturn Fundamentals

INTERCEPT PROCEDURES TEXTBOOK

IP-11: COUNTERTURN FUNDAMENTALS

Drift

During any part of the intercept, there are several types of drift occurring at the same time.

Understanding these different types of drift is crucial to understanding the counterturn. They

are:

(1) Turn Drift: Occurs strictly as a result of turning the fighter. To illustrate, if the fighter

makes a turn 30 degrees to the right, the target will appear to drift to the left by the same amount,

and rate as the turn.

Figure 1

Turn Drift is opposite to the direction of turn,

but equal to the rate and amount of turn

(2) Intercept Drift: Occurs when a bogey is not on collision. This can best be seen when

both bogey and fighter are on a constant heading.

Figure 2