Heads-Up Display Modes 35 - Metaboli

128 Air Combat Basics
hAerial gunnery can be summarized in three steps:
1. Match the target’s wings.
2. Pull lead.
3. Shoot.
Tracking Shots vs. Shots of Opportunity
A tracking shot refers to a relatively slow, methodical approach to the target,
achieving a stabilized firing position, and shooting the target. The shot of
opportunity, on the other hand, refers to the brief moment when a target aircraft
suddenly (and perhaps unpredictably) crosses your nose. You have mere moments
to react, but a quick burst of gunfire is likely to score a hit if fired in time.
Whereas opportunity shots rely primarily on your reflexes, tracking shots require
more finesse. In particular, you generally need to be in the same two-dimensional
plane of motion as the target. This is defined by two vectors, the forward velocity
(or longitudinal axis) and the lift vector (which is perpendicular to the wings).
Although a good deflection shooter, especially equipped with a modern HUD and
Shoot Cues, may be able to achieve the appropriate lead, maneuvering in-plane
with the target aircraft greatly increases your chances of scoring a hit.
How do you maneuver into the target’s plane of motion? By matching the target’s
wings. You can obtain a high-percentage tracking shot by maneuvering behind the
target, matching the bank angle of the target’s wings, then pulling sufficient lead
based on the range to the target. When executed properly, the target should fly
straight into the “bending” stream of your tracers.