When to use combat flaps?

[Snappy]

Hello everyone,

does anyone know (from Pilots/SMEs) in which situations/maneuvres they typically used the combat flaps?

I‘ve some trouble figuring out if/when they are actually helpful during BFM or mostly just add unwanted drag.

If someone has some input or pilot anecdotes, that would be great.

[fausete]

Hi @Snappy,

I'm the developer of the FM of the F1. The combat flaps significantly improve the sustained turn-rate at low speeds (which is easy to test). Obviously, the trade-off is less acceleration at those speeds. In general, in a dogfight in the F1 you want to stay above 400 kt, especially against the DCS F-5 and MiG-21 so ideally you wouldn't enter the combat flap zone of the envelope, but if you do and you can't extend away, then absolutely deploy combat flaps.

This is my feedback as the person that looks at the data, I'll try to ask an irl pilot to give you the point of view of someone that has actually used the aircraft and has been trained on it.

[chichowalker]

Fausete has explained this very weel. Normally we use to deploy combat flaps provided combat was below 300 KTS, especially with nose high looking for flat scissors or trying to overchute the opponent. Good technique, although below 300 KTS with nose down accelerating, is deselecting combat flaps to increase acceleration looking asap to be above 400/450 KTS.

Enviado desde mi SM-G981B mediante Tapatalk

[Snappy]

Hi @fausete& @chichowalker,

Thank you both very much for your quick replies and explanations! It really helped me getting a clearer grasp on the envelope when to deploy the combat flaps and to which purpose.

Kind regards,

 Snappy 

 

Edited May 27, 2024 by Snappy

[lengro]

So to regain speed below 300 kts, it's combat flaps off, nose down and full throttle. However, a youtuber also suggested HYPER off to retract the slats for less resistance.

Does he have a point?

[Bremspropeller]

13 minutes ago, lengro said:

Does he have a point?

Probably not. Unload to 0.5g, which should put you below slat retraction AoA.

[lengro]

22 minutes ago, Bremspropeller said:

Probably not. Unload to 0.5g, which should put you below slat retraction AoA.

Right thanks, so maybe in another scenario, low and slow, it could help a little in a 1G extend?

i haven't tested it yet, but actually I was also more curious if the HYPER switch ever would be used IRL combat maneuvering, which I doubt.

[Bremspropeller]

Low and slow, the last thing I'd want in a high wingloaded aircraft with such a thin wing profile is taking away the slats.

It's just a game'ism for when you can't die for real.