I have been organizing hacked aircraft competition on the West Coast server during the weekends.  If you are looking to improve your flying skills, I advise you to download my plane hacker program and give it a try with other pilots that utilize it.  Once you have flown against other hacked aircraft of the same model, most pilots have found the stock F-22 much easier to fly and kill other skilled pilots.  Be advised that hacked aircraft are generally not accepted by pilots on the East Coast server (shame on you BB1).  The F-22 is not changed but all other aircraft share the same F-22 flight model.  Another method to improve your skills is by reducing your response time needed to switch aircraft settings and viewing modes.  If you don't have one already, I am of the opinion that the MS Sidewinder Precision Pro flight stick to be the best in sensitivity, button layout and programmability.  There is a learning curve because the stick will appear overly sensitive to most folks until you get used to it.  Reprogram your flight stick buttons to handle your most frequent keyboard commands.  There are a few flying techniques I have learned from others but each situation is not applicable to one tactic.  i.e.:  if you are flying RF in close proximity to several potential enemies, you want to maintain maximum speed for continued maneuvers.  If your speed is not maintained, you can ultimately end up in a stall close to the ground.  On the other hand, if you see that there is only 1 or 2 enemies within close proximity on your JTIDS display, you may want to think about adjusting your attack speed for around 525 kts to optimize your turning radius (F-22).  This will usually give you a much higher advantage of bringing your guns to bare first since your attacker will likely be entering the dogfight at 700 kts.  Be quick to kill since your lower initial airspeed will be bled off very quickly during maneuvers.  The quickest way through a turn beyond optimum turning speed is to maintain full rudder and a consistent attitude to the horizon (level).  Once committed to a target, NEVER BREAK unless there is no chance of gaining an attack angle.  If it takes all your skill to stay on the 6 of a very elusive enemy, it is probably fairly safe to assume that other potential attackers will have to execute the same maneuvers as you to position for an attack.  Most pilots in tight combat will not continue to chase difficult targets with easier ones in close proximity.  On the other hand, breaking your pursuit can often wind up in a quick death since you leave yourself open for interpretation by others close to your 6.  So never break unless you are certain your attacker is not in your 3 through 9 o'clock position.  If you find you are loosing critical airspeed during  sustained maximum turns, put the nose down at least 45 degrees while you continue the turn.  In many instances, you will shorten the flight path turning apex enough to gain an angular advantage.  If host setting s are for unlimited ammo, fly with the trigger depressed the whole time (you have nothing to loose).  If host settings have blackouts enabled, don't reduce your flying speed to reduce blackouts, simply avoid them by snap roll 180 degrees and pushing the stick forward until a red out approaches and then cycle back again.  You will be able to turn with the best without loosing your advantage of maintaining critical maneuvering speeds(450+ kts).  Your attacker will eventually loose maneuvering airspeed and you will have him.   Above all, ANTICIPATE, ANTICIPATE, ANTICIPATE.  If you can learn your enemies favorite maneuvers and anticipate them ahead of time, you will always have the advantage.  Combine this with the terrain features and watch him closely in JTIDS.  In unconjested combat, it is fairly easy to sell your opponent into a false sense of security only to have him find you just set him up for an ambush.  Once again, assume that he too will be viewing his JTIDS and other tactical displays so quick violent maneuvers at the right time behind terrain obstacles can easily allude him and put you near his 6.  A favorite is to lead him into a canyon at maximum speed.  Once in the canyon, activate spoilers & flaps to quickly attain maximum maneuvering speeds.  Time it so you are just out of his gun range and let him think he is gaining for a shot.  Retract flaps and spoilers once you have attained maximum maneuvering speeds and wait behind an obstacle and watch your tactical displays.  When he is almost upon you, reverse your direction and split-S for an attack on his 6 as he crests the obstacle.  He will be looking for you so stay as close to the ground as possible.  With a bit of practice, this maneuver is easily learned and you can ad several sneaky variations to this theme.  Use bright plane skins!  Skins are custom paint scheme graphics that others have created to change the appearance of aircraft.  There are many sites on the web you can download them from.  Skins you load on your computer are viewable by only you and not your opponent unless he has downloaded and loaded the same skins.  If you loose radar lock on a close near ground target during violent maneuvers or if your radar gets shot out, its much easier to spot brightly colored aircraft with contrasting colors than it is to see the stock USAF camouflaged ones.   Don't be surprised if people start accusing you of cheating just because you have learned to properly execute actual real-life offensive and defensive aircraft maneuvers and tactics.  This is probably the closest we can come to flying real jet fighters.  The simulation flight model is quite accurate in many regards and has been touted by several professional fighter jocks...... so make use of it.   Don't be afraid to mentor others.  This can only strengthen the game by keeping the available opponent base large and the game interesting by providing an increasing challenge as skill levels increase by all.

Smartbomb