Flight Sims and Flight Models

Flight Models

First off, Jane's has produced two very distinct types of products. Those relating to what the average consumers would enjoy and those that the hardcore flight simmers enjoy. The softer of the titles often employ multiple aircraft and several theaters of operation and similar, non-distinct flight models. USAF follows this pattern for the most part but with some very welcome changes to the flight models.

F-22	F-15 in Zoom climb

Take the good...

While USAF does indeed have multiple aircraft and several theaters of operation, it also goes a long way in offering the player differing flight models for the aircraft. I would not go as far as to say the flight models are really "accurate" as those you might find on other simulations dedicated to a single aircraft, but the flight models are distinct, unique and different for different planes. For instance, I expect to find the flight model of the F-15C very similar to that of the F-16C simply because on paper, the aircraft seem to have similar flight characteristics. The truth however is that the F-16 is typically much more maneuverable than the F-15C; Jane's USAF reflects this difference! I think this is the first time I really got into a softer style flight-simulation and the unique flight models were the main reason why.

...with the bad

The only other issue I have with the flight model in USAF is the lack of sense of speed. This deficiency takes a lot away from the feeling of streaking over the terrain (below radar detection) in my F-15E at 600 knots and 100 AGL. It seems that games have a hard time simulating sense of speed and USAF is no exception. Some of the deficient sense of speed might be attributed to the apparent lack of weight and drag that Jane's seems to have elected to leave out. I was testing a heavy-laden F-15E and after expending my entire ordinance (20K in bombs), the plane was still accelerating the just as it was when I took off. Something is amiss!