Firts Move Options Matrix

CHAPTER TEN

BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS (BFM)

1012. FIRST MOVE OPTIONS MATRIX

The above fight flows, type fights, and game plans are summarized in the matrix below. Prior to

the first move options exercise or any subsequent neutral 1V1 engagement, the student will be

expected to direct the IP to execute an appropriate game plan at the first merge.

FLOW

TYPE FIGHT

T-2C GAME PLAN

"MAX KNOTS

ONE CIRCLE

TURN RADIUS FIGHT

CLOSE ABOARD

PITCH"

"280

TWO CIRCLE

TURN RATE FIGHT

CLOSE ABOARD

SLICE"

First Move Options Conduct

The first move options exercise will be a cooperative demonstration of the above principles and

game plans. The exercise will consist of two separate engagements in which each of the above

T-2C game plans will be executed against a "dumb bogey" (i.e., an arcing bogey executing the

"wrong" game plan). The first move options exercise will be initiated from a neutral abeam set

up:

1V1 First Move Options PADS:

P - Abeam

A - Lead: 16,000 feet; Wing: 16,000 feet

D - 1-1 1/2 NM

S - 250 KIAS

First Engagement: LEAD PITCH, WING SLICE - ONE CIRCLE FLOW

Prior to initiation of the fight, each student will give their IP the appropriate game plan on the

ICS. For the first engagement, the lead student will direct "Max knots, close aboard, pitch"

while the wing student will direct "280, close aboard, slice". The first engagement will be then

initiated in accordance with the standard 1V1 engagement initiation procedures (detailed earlier

in this chapter). At the first merge, each aircraft will fly their game plan to a natural conclusion.

Because we know a one circle fight is a radius fight, we will expect the lead's game plan to be

more advantageous than the wing's. The fight should resemble the engagement depicted in

(Figure 10-22). In (Figure 10-22), we see the Hornet pitching in a one circle fight with

positional advantage over the MIG slicing.

Second Engagement: LEAD PITCH, WING SLICE - TWO CIRCLE FLOW

Again, prior to the initiation, each student will give their IP the appropriate game plan on the

ICS. We can see the game plans are identical to the first scenario. The flow however will be

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BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS (BFM)