Air Warfare Rules

III. AIR MOVEMENT AND COMBAT IN THREE PHASES

            Aircraft rules are complex enough to reflect the general characteristics of the individual aircraft types, but similar weapons will be grouped together, just with the ground weapons.  Charts, protocols, and procedures mirror the ground rules for ease of play.

            In air combat maneuver is more important than the weapons.  In dogfights, aircraft use speed and maneuver to gain a favorable position and range to shoot down the enemy.  The skill of the crew is also a very important factor and will increase the chance of defeating the enemy.

            A single seat fighter can shoot down even large and powerful aircraft if it is close, in a good position and gets a lucky hit.  A large aircraft with multiple engines will be more difficult to bring down than a small single seat aircraft.

Aircraft Altitude Levels

HIGH ORBIT
Geostationary satellites and other space vehicles fly in high orbit.  High orbit is one inch below the ceiling.

LOW ORBIT

Photo reconnaissance platforms and near Earth space vehicles.  Low orbit is five inches below the ceiling.

EXTREME

Limited reconnaissance aircraft only, no ground attacks.  Extreme is ten inches below the ceiling.
HIGH
Ground attack by level bombers, takes place on the D chart but if the target is illuminated then use the C chart.  High is thirty inches above ground level.

MEDIUM

Ground attack by medium bombers, uses the C chart unless the target is illuminated then use the B chart.  This is the maximum altitude level for open cockpit aircraft.  Medium is twenty inches above ground level.

DIVE BOMBING
Dive bomber aircraft, use the B chart.  Start at Medium Level and move to Low Level to drop the bomb.  Descend one level per phase.  Dive Bombing is considered as a subset of Medium Level.

LOW

Ground attack by any aircraft, B chart unless the target is illuminated, then use the A chart.  Low level is ten inches above Ground Level.

NAP OF THE EARTH
NOE is one inch above ground level.  Modern aircraft and helicopters are the only aircraft that can fly NOE.  Nap of the Earth is considered as a subset of Low Level.  ATGM must be fired from NOE.

GROUND

The ground is the surface of the land, water, trees or buildings.