Question: Which viewing system is best?

Answer: The simple answer is easy - the best viewing system is the one that you are most comfortable using. A better answer must consider how effectively that view allows basic fighter maneuvers (BFM) to be flown, as well as ease of use..

Time is the most important element in the effectiveness of BFM. The importance of timely execution cannot be overemphasized. When you maneuver against your opponent, you want to be one step ahead of him, not one step behind.

An excellent example of how time relates to BFM is the concept of the "OODA Loop". The OODA Loop is a four part decision making process: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. The term "loop" means the process repeats itself. First, you observe your opponent's position. Then you orient yourself to his position. The third step is to decide on a course of action. Lastly, you initiate that action. To loop the process, you begin with a follow-up look at your opponent's new position. The significance of the OODA Loop is that the pilot that completes the process quicker than his opponent is the pilot that will usually win the engagement.

Question: OK, but what does this have to do with air combat flight sims?

Answer: The OODA Loop concept requires a viewing system that provides you with the best "big picture" of the BFM situation. The "big picture" means being able to observe the spatial relationship between you and your opponent. You must be able to maintain your orientation. The view must allow you to decide and act. Lastly, the view must allow you to maintain sight of your opponent so that the loop can be continued. Let's look at some viewing systems and how they measure up to the OODA Loop concept.

1. Forward Views: The Heads Up Display (HUD) is the most common forward view. The main advantage of this view is that it lets you see where you are going and easily maintain your orientation. It is also allows easy weapons employment.

The main disadvantage - and the one that severely detracts from its effectiveness - is that your opponent is only visible when in front. If your opponent flys out of sight, you can only turn blindly in his last direction, hoping he will come back into view. As we all know, this is seldom the case!! The forward view is excellent for weapons employment but poor for effective maneuvering.

2. Padlock Views: Padlock views show your opponent as if you were visually following his position without respect to your own flight attitude. Padlock often includes additional cues such as canopy markers or mini-windows intended to assist in orientation. The main advantage of this view is that it maintains the tally on the opponent.

Padlock has two disadvantages. It takes extra time to analyze the additional cues. This analysis must be done or the pilot often loses his orientation and "lawn darts" himself! Secondly, most pilots use padlock to "lift vector" their opponent. Lift vectoring is pure pursuit, two-dimensional maneuvering, and will only work if you have a turn advantage over your opponent. It may get the job done, but it is not good BFM.

3. External Views: The "Player-To-Target" view is the best external view for effective BFM. In this view, you see yourself in the foreground with your opponent in the background. Additional mini-windows may contain flight data such as airspeed and altitude.

This view has two significant advantages. It provides the "big picture"...that all-in-one perspective of you relative to both your opponent and the horizon. This larger view allows you to visualize out-of-plane maneuvers more easily, improving your ability to fly three-dimensional maneuvers. Secondly, it allows you to counter the actions of your opponent more quickly...you can complete the OODA Loop quicker in external than in any other view.

The main disadvantage of this view is that it is disorienting to use, at least initially. Often compared to flying a radio-controlled aircraft, it is very easy to get one's "rights and lefts" confused...the result is a turn in the wrong direction. Additionally, some pilots consider the "outside of the cockpit" perspective to be artificial...not "realistic".

Summary: Each view has its positives and negatives. No single view can stand on its own, but should be seen as one of several "tools" in your BFM bag of tricks. When used to best advantage, each will play its part in the overall success and enjoyment of your BFM game plan.

Andy Bush is a retired USAF pilot. During his AF career, he flew the F-4, F-104, A-10, and T-37. After an F-4 tour in Vietnam, he flew the F-4 and A-10 in stateside and European assignments, and instructed NATO pilots in the F-104 in Arizona.

After graduating from the Fighter Weapons School, he remained in the school as a flight and academic instructor. Andy has flown in Red Flag and USN TOPGUN exercises. Since retirement, he has been a pilot for a major US airline. He continues his life long love of aviation with his contributions to flight sim forums, publications, and developers.