Figure 9-16 Turn Circle and Control Point

BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERING (BFM) THEORY

CHAPTER NINE

Figure 9-16 Turn Circle and Control Point

If an attacking aircraft can arrive at this point (point A) and maintain it, it can control the fight,

at least momentarily. Thus, the point, one turn radius behind an aircraft is referred to as the

"control point". It is important to note that if the attacking aircraft wishes to arrive at this point,

it must consider the effects of its own turn circle in addition to the defender's.

917. BFM "POST- BUBBLE" TERMS

We now will expand these basic turn circle principals into what the fighter community refers to

as the "Post and Bubble". An understanding of these basic terms and concepts will enable you to

have a good understanding of why you are executing a particular maneuver and will give you

basics to fall back on when prosecuting a bogey during a fight. First let's define a few terms we

will use extensively in the post and bubble context. Figure 9-17 illustrates the following terms.

1. Bubble (turn circle). The circle scribed by an aircraft's turn as it moves through the sky.

The radius of this turn circle will determine the size of the bubble. The important thing to

understand about the bubble is that it is constantly changing size and/or planes as the target

maneuvers.

2. Attack Window. A three dimensional window, aft of the target. An attacker, who

performs a max performance offensive break turn inside of this window, can arrive in the

defender's control zone with minimal angles-off. The performance of the attacking aircraft will

determine the location of the attack window.

3. Post. The center of a fighter's turn circle. An attacker's position relative to the defender's

post will determine the type of pursuit curve required.

4. Control Zone. The control zone is an area aft of the target. This is where the attacker is

trying to go when it doesn't have a shot so they can keep pressure on and control the fight. The

control zone is a 20-40 degree cone approximately 1500 to 2500 feet aft of the target.

9-21

BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERING (BFM) THEORY