Air Combat Maneuvering
Flight Procedures
However, if you have excessive closure, prevent bleeding excess energy by displacing to a lag position,
on or just outside, the bandit’s flight path. This type of displacement roll is commonly referred to as a
“lag roll,” as in Figure 14, which is executed by flying a slower-than-normal displacement roll.
2
2
1
3
1
3
2
2
1
3
Defender
1
3
Attacker
Figure 14: LAG DISPLACEMENT ROLL
HORIZONTAL SCISSORS
The horizontal scissors, Figure 15, results from an in-close horizontal overshoot. Because you would
never offensively enter a horizontal scissors on purpose, several situations force you to enter one: 1) a
delayed or poorly performed high yo-yo, 2) following a raking guns attempt, or 3) a follow-on from a
rolling scissors. The horizontal scissors is a slow-speed, high-AOA fight where both fighters are
attempting to decrease their down range travel faster than their opponent by continuously crossing each
other’s flight path in a series of weaves. If you reduce your forward vector sooner than the bandit, you
will gain the advantage. Your goal is to remain offensive and to maneuver to your only remaining
weapons opportunity—guns. If this were the real world, you have made a mistake, and a smart bandit is
taking advantage of it. Tactically, because you missed the quick-kill opportunity, your best strategy
might be to disengage as soon as possible.
The flat scissors exercise is begun co-altitude, in combat spread at 250 KIAS. The bandit will call, “In as
the target, maneuvering,” while the fighter calls, “In, as the shooter.” The set is cooperative to the
snapshot opportunity, at which time the bandit will aggressively maneuver to defeat the shot. Hold the
shot to 1,000 ft minimum range and then execute an aggressive nose-high move to control the over-
shoot. The bandit will attempt to force you into his forward quarter by aggressively establishing himself
nose high and repositioning lift vector behind you. You have the added advantage of initiating your one-
circle entry earlier than the bandit and gaining whatever lateral turning room that existed between you
when you began your nose-high maneuver. Sixty to seventy degrees nose high is a good attitude to
begin with, while overbanking to reposition lift vector behind the bandit.
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