So you have a CH stick, now learn to use it

[BMBM]

Congrats on purchasing a fine piece of hardware! As a long-time CH customer I can assure you that there is no better gear to wring your butt out of trouble than the CH gear <grin>. And I highly recommend getting a full HOTAS setup so as to plunge fully into the pilot fantasy.

Now, with your hardware sorted, how is your software organised? Can you tell a Chandelle from a Lufbery, is a Lag Roll Attack your standard fare or a dark art yet to be learned, can you tell a Thach Weave from a Half Split? And how the blue blazes do you employ a wingman? These and a host of other practical concepts such as Gunnery, Situational Awareness and Psychology, are covered in "In Pursuit: A Pilot's Guide to Online Air Combat" which you can get for FREE as a pdf file here (http://www.pilotpress.shorturl.com), or purchase in an improved and much extended version here (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/9197607703/amzna9-1-20/ref=nosim?dev-t=D26XECQVNV6NDQ%26camp=2025%26link_code=xm2), authored by yours truly.

The book is primarily aimed at the propsim fanatic but I guess jet pukes may find it somewhat worth their while as well.

Happy Landings,
Johan "BMBM" Kylander

[LonelyJoe]

So what does the pay version give me that the free PDF does not? Other than an extra 56 pages? I am not sharpshooting you here because I think that the PDF that you put out is great its just I would need to be sold on something before I paid 21 bucks for an extra 56 pages.

[BMBM]

Thanks Joe :)
I've cleaned up the text somewhat and added *quite a lot* of descriptive text where it was lacking, chiefly in the various ACM and formation tactics chapters, I've corrected some rather embarrassing errors and completely redone the illustrations to appear more instructive, particularly in the gunnery and ACM chapters. I hope that these additions will be worth your investment (and prolong the life of your printer) - if not, be my guest :)

Johan "BMBM" Kylander

[BMBM]

The book is now also available for UK/European residents HERE (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pursuit-Pilots-Guide-Online-Combat/dp/9197607703/sr=11-1/qid=1163153852/ref=sr_11_1/202-1054582-5955821) and for Canadian residents HERE. (http://www.amazon.ca/Pursuit-Pilots-Guide-Online-Combat/dp/9197607703/sr=11-1/qid=1163176177/ref=sr_11_1/701-8177129-0549930)

[BMBM]

Selfish <punt>.
If I were a beginner again, this is what I'd need :D

[snomhf]

Johan,
I purchased your paper version a couple of months back. I am on my second read. I have not enjoyed a book (of this topic) so much since reading Mike Spick's book "Luftwaffe Fighter Aces." I'm taking it nice and slow, savoring every word. I even made me some little airplanes on sticks so I can visualize the various maneuvers (the illustrations in the book are the only negatives I find. They are pretty bad.)

My favorite chapter is the one on psychology. I had never thought about "demoralizing my opponent" before. Now, I'll ping him, get in his blind spot, shoot down his wingman, etc. so as to discourage him. My goal has changed from getting the kill to "getting in his head." This is good stuff!

I knew you were for real when I read in the first chapter (I think) where you talk about the importance of survival. So many guys think only of getting kills and because they can simply replane, they don't consider the importance of not getting killed themselves. I have to admit that I was very reluctant to purchase this book because I've read a lot of articles written by "know-it-alls" who are more interested in what I think of them than actually telling me something useful. I was pleasantly surprised.

So, a big <S> sir!

BTW, this is not just for beginners. I've been at this for over ten years. It is a great read for anyone at any level.

-mark

[Triangle]

I read the freebie and was impressed enough to put it on my Amazon to-buy list. Like the poster above I've been flying virtual tail-draggers for about ten years and I still found it very affirming and useful to see practices that I've worked on are actually correct, as well as quite a few of my bad habits that this work will help me to unlearn.

I gave up the dog-fighting arenas of IL2 quite a while ago. I get bored seeing the accusations of kill-stealing, shoulder-shooting, vulching &c that flick across the text-bar - along with the endless whining about FMs, DMs and the developers' parentage :(

Co-op missions - where a whole side has a target to accomplish - with flights connected by Teamspeak - and most everyone has a common aim to do the job and get home - that's my favourite kind of mission. My wingman & me share any kills that may occur, for what that's worth, but the true glow of success comes from looking out of the pit at each other's planes when we are parked up after a survived mission B)

I look forward to my copy of your book Johan.

:salute:

B

[BMBM]

Thanks for the feedback!
Oh and <punt> for Xmas gifts :D

[BMBM]

Well, the book's still around, both as a free pdf download and as a save-your-printer-and-get-more-omph version. It's too late for Xmas -09, but hey, if all you got was a sweater treat yourself to this :D

[WhistlinggDeath]

Yes Johan, I have referred your mini-book to many would be fighter jocks in both IL2 and LOMAC. You should pop in to Hyperlobby from time to time and fly with some of the better vets. They would look forward to flying with or against you.

S! - WhistlinggDeath