new combat

[Ryan Taylor]

my dad and I are thinking about begining combat, and i was wondering if anyone knows of any good ways to learn how to begin with out killing anyone LOL
Thanks,
PB

[Paul Taylor]

Hey Wingman,
Hope you and your younger brother are taken good care of your mom.

Miss you guys,
Dad


Scrappers are in the works. I was hoping to have one done before you guys get back from the beach!

[Bill Little]

What beach would that be

I know there ain't no ocean anywhere NEAR Memphis/Millington, TN!!

  

Bill <><

[Paul Taylor]

Ryan and his little brother took there mom to Destin Fl for fall break.

I had to stay and work.
 

[Bill Little]

Ryan and his little brother took there mom to Destin Fl for fall break.

I had to stay and work.
 

What the dickens is "fall break"??  After all those years of going to school and then 30 odd years of teaching, the only "break" we get, or ever got, in the "fall" is Thanksgiving!  We get out the day before!

 

Bill <><

[Paul Taylor]

I think they tack the week on at the end of the year.

The kids hope for snow days every year. We don't get much snow.
The have not figured it out that they have to make those days up at the end of the year.

 

[Lane Puckett]

my dad and I are thinking about begining combat, and i was wondering if anyone knows of any good ways to learn how to begin with out killing anyone LOL
Thanks,
PB

Not sure where you live but try grabbing an experienced combat guy and work on following each other.  Don't try and get so competitive that you are pushing it.  When the going gets tight back off and fly level laps without combating.

Use the 75 mph to 80 mph airplanes.

Mark out an inner circle and stay in it.

If you don't know anyone locally you can still work it out but it is a bit tougher.  Instead of each of you being agressive have one follow the other and just take small snips of the streamer.  Easier said than done I know but don't go for the kill just aim for the very end of the streamer and not the knot.

Over time the majority of mid airs in my opinion are both pilots flying aggressively and trying to win.  Yes I know that is the object of the game but in practice it helps to relax a bit.  Saves on airplanes.

Lane

[Keith Spriggs]

Old man rambling.     
 Years ago I had a very good friend that I flew slow combat with. One time we were flying over very soggy ground. He hit the ground nose first and it was so wet it didn't damage the plane, however it was stuck in the ground and I said "Now I am going to get a kill" He was still yelling obscenities at me when I got his streamer along with about an inch of the plane.

[dave siegler]

If you are just learning I would suggest just friendly 2 up flying with streamers at first.  One guy flys level, and the other comes over the top for a cut.  At first, it will be a tough to get a cut on an airplane in level flight.  Then move to simple moves, still communicating.  Learn to aim at the tip of the streamer, this will help prevent midairs.  Learn how to track the other guy while keeping your airplane out of the dirt.

Draw a pilot circle, and learn how to stay in it, whitout running into each other.  In the beginning, talk to eachother, this will save airplanes and all will learn quicker.  Learn how to do quick 1/2 outside loops (bunts) toward the ground, that is one of the best escape moves.  Practice lots of 8's both directions, close to the ground.  Practice the S turn maneuver, another good escape move.

Learn how the lines have to be equalized for a cut, otherwise you will cut lines, not the streamer.
Learn how to turn away from a line tangle! 

Don't get too agressive untill you feel safe being 2 up and keeping track of the other airplane. 

Now it is time to fly with someone good.  He will be good enough to stay out of your way, and you will learn something.  Let him know your skill level, and he should help you, fly safely but try to be agressive, but not crazy.  In my experience if you try not to crash, you will be tenative and will crash or mid air.  I learned more from Dave Edwards, Chris Gay and Emil Opfer in matches (after I had given up 2 cuts) than weeks of practice.

next summer in bristol? 

[phil c]

Some Simple Combat Don'ts:

1)  don't hit the ground

2) don't maneuver if you can't see the other plane.

3)  don't do sudden, wild maneuvers.

4)  When attacking the streamer on a plane flying level, ALWAYS come UP through the streamer.  this is just about the hardest cut to get safely.

5)  As the others have said, when practicing, talk talk talk to your opponent so they know what you are doing.  When flying a contest match, talk talk talk to distract him, maybe.