Page 10
MarkShot's STK/EAW Guide
by Mark "MarkShot" Kratzer
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You are Energy Low and Angle Poor
Assume that you are energy low by relatively 40-70mph.
You can see that your opponent is in your rear quarter and that he is pulling lead pursuit (positioning for a shot). You know this from observing that the relative angle state has been changing rapidly in his favor.
You can do a number of things at this point. First, come wrong things to do.
- You could spiral up. You will quickly spin and become dead meat.
- You could remain level and turning. This should give you anywhere from 10-30 seconds of continued survival before you get hammered.
Now for some right things to do.
- The first thing which I would try is a horizontal scissors. This is basically a process of S-ing back and forth. At the point that your opponent has once again settled into a stable turn, you reverse and break the other way. This combines use of padlock to watch your opponent and his maneuver, and snap to forward view to execute perfect snap rolls and break turns. Ideally, since you are slower, your opponent is going to have trouble matching your turns and begin drifting out in front of your nose with each oscillation. There are a number of things which can happen at this point.
- You may get a good snapshot from padlock on the crossing. Even if you do not, a little burst on the passing should help to increase your opponent's stress level. This could encourage him to disengage.
- Your opponent may fail to break off and you may be able to gain such an advantage in the scissors that you can pull onto his six.
- Your opponent might chop his throttle to rectify the worsening situation in the scissors. Assuming you manage to shake him or her, you have a very good chance of achieving a reversal.
- A horizontal scissors is my preferred strategy because of the following reasons.
- Unlike other options, it does not require you to unnecessarily dump energy. You may need that energy in the future.
- It is a progressive strategy. What I mean is that it does not require you to beat your opponent through trickery (because maybe he won't fall for whatever) or by execution of one quick maneuver.
- It is an elegant approach that when you are doing it well clearly demonstrates maneuvering skill and discourages your opponent. You are quite likely to catch a poor to average opponent with this.
- If you are fairly low (1300-2300'), you could attempt a Split-S. Depending on how fast and how low you are, it might be advisable to chop the throttle too. You should have a general sense given the plane you are flying what is the minimum altitude at a given speed which you can perform a Split-S without crashing. A Split-S may accomplish one of three things.
- Your opponent's excess energy may make it impossible for him to clear the ground. Thus, he augers. In my book, that is a kill and still quite satisfying.
- Your opponent realizing that he cannot clear the ground may not try to follow. Thus, he disengages, and you can work on trying to establish yourself in a better position.
- Your opponent realizing that he cannot clear the ground, chops the throttle and slows down to avert auguring. Although you have not shaken him, you have managed to degrade the size of his advantage in a measurable way. In fact, you should quickly check if you now have the energy advantage in case he misjudged how much to slow down.
- You can attempt a low yo-yo and cut across his turning circle. If this works, he will be inclined to descend somewhat in his turn. In which case, you should have gained back some angles in the process.
- If you have a significant amount of altitude (4000 '), you can initiate a tight spiral (cork screw) down. This is particular effective if your opponent is close behind. This move works best if you chop the throttle. You should apply maximum rudder with near maximum back stick and aileron roll. Similar to a scissors, you should be rapidly switching between snap forward view and padlock view. A number of things can happen to your faster opponent if he tries to stay with you.
- Your opponent's excess speed could cause him to black out. This should allow you maneuver into a more equal turning situation with him (regain angles).
- Your lower speed will bring you closer to corner speed and your opponent will be further from it. Thus, you could turn inside him and position for a shot.
- Your opponent may overshoot you and fly by. All of a sudden, you are on his six and have a potential for a shot.
© This STK/EAW Guide is Copyright 2000 Mark Kratzer. All Rights Reserved.
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