                        HINTS FOR F-16 SIMULATION

1: Learn what the various keys are for the simulation.
   See the text file SHARE.TXT

2: Use a good quality joystick, such as a Gravis. Remember to
   calibrate your joystick the first time you run the simulation.
   Either press the ESC key in flight to activate the pull down
   options menu, or press CTRL C. Although you can use the mouse or 
   keyboard to fly the aircraft, we really recommend that you use
   an analog joystick

3: Practice flying in safe areas untill you can handle the F-16
   Emergency landings in combat, repair damage, and re-arm the plane.

4: Learn to dogfight using the correct 'lead' angle for deflection
   shooting. Remember a jet pulling 6+ G's means that the bullets from
   the gun, appear to curve away from the target. You have to aim ahead of
   a turning fighter to get a gun kill.

5: In Flight Menu (Activated with the ESC key.
   The menu gives you options for the control method, joystick, keyboard 
   or mouse. Blackout on/off, ground crash on/off, plus graphics options
   such as sky shading (turn off to increase frame rate on slower machines.)
   There is the option to save your favourite set up as the default.

Special Keys:

The [P] key is vital in staying alive in air to air combat.
It's the 'Padlock' view on the closest enemy plane. So if an enemy is in
range hitting the P key will have the effect of turning your head to look
at the enemy aircraft. You will only face forward again if the enemy plane
flies out of range or is shot down or crashes. If another enemy plane gets
closer than the first one, the padlock view will lock onto the new target.
There is an old fighter pilot saying that goes, "Lose sight, lose the fight."
Practice untill you can get on a bogies six and stay there.

The padlock view can with practice, be used to determine which direction an
enemy aircraft is heading. Usefull in a turning fight, as the enemy pilots
use the vertical quite a lot. The best way to use the padlock view, is to
hit the P key, try to work out the direction the enemy jet is flying in, and 
then hit P again to return to the front view. Dogfighting with constant padlock
view is near impossible, you will lose orientation and probably fly into the
ground.

Padlock view is also very handy for checking your six in a furrball. So if
your locked onto an enemy jet up front, tapping the P key will show you if
another enemy plane is about to clobber you from the rear.

Situation awareness:
This is the stuff survival is made of. You need to develop a sixth sense, to
survive and win (or stay even!)

Smooth flying:
You will never get a gun kill unless you learn to fly smoothly. This is why
a good joystick is needed. Do not over control the aircraft. Flying the 
simulation is just like the real thing.

Various Damage:
Damage can be caused by enemy fire, mid-air collisions, or dropping bombs when
too low. Damage is progressive. The hydraulics control the landing gear. 
Electrics control radar and HUD info. If the engine goes you are left with
approx 46% power. Catasrophic failure means the airframe fails, and it's time
for the nylon letdown. 

ALT V key combination:
From certain views, this is the only way to get back into the cockpit again.
If you are panning around using the function keys and get mixed up, hit
ALT V to restore the forward view.

Finally do us proud, try not to end up with your body parts flying in close
formation with the remains of your aircraft!

Good hunting gentlemen!

To contact us other than surface mail:
 Compuserve: FSFORUM or E-Mail 100735,3430
 UKFSC BBS 01908 319291 Blue Wave Message To Ray Purvis
