*** Posted by Run ***
[Hi RUN
As you know every fighter has a perfect speed which allow the fighter to make the tightest turn. This speed(corner velocity)for the F16 is between 331-440
kts. And now my question:
When you chase a fighter asuming he is at 20000 ft, how do you manage the speed(corn.vel) ? Keeping the speed close to 440 ? I've said close to 440 kts because at 20000 ft the maximum G force is about 6 to keep the speed constant and at 330 kts is between 4-5 Gs. At 5000 ft you can maintain the speed around 440 at 8 Gs and 330 at 7 Gs.
My tactic is to use the max limit of the corner velocity at high altitudes and the min limit at low altitudes due to smaller turn radius.
Do you agree with my tactic?
The fight is in the horiz. plane .
Thanks John
TIGER ]

No, because you don't fight optimal if you stay in the horiz. plane. You need to use the vertical also to get most bang for the buck.

Its always nice to have a little excess speed to use to snap the nose op for a gunshot, but never go above corner velocity.

RUN