Dogfight Maneuvers with Illustrations

Just like in a chess match, a fighter pilot requires various maneuvers to elude or defeat the enemy:


Barrel Roll Attack - a pilot requires to do a roll and a loop in order to counter a break

Break - this maneuver allows the plane to go behind a speeding enemy fighter

Combat Spread - separation of fighter planes in a formation when engaging enemy fighters

Defensive Spiral - a spiral dive from a defending plane

Defensive Split - a defensive maneuver where fighter planes separate on opposite directions

Flat Scissors - a reverse turning maneuver to go behind the attacking plane

Guns Defense - a maneuver wherein the defending plane shift constantly on different directions

High G Barrel Roll - a the aggressive version of the barrel roll

High-Side Guns Pass - a diving attack performed when the attacking plane is on a higher altitude

High Yoyo - it is use to counter a break maneuver of a defending plane

High Yoyo Defense - the best counter maneuver to a high yoyo tactic


Immelmann - the best defense to a high side guns pass maneuver

Lag Displacement Roll - a tactic that is use to further the distance between fighter planes

Low Yoyo - the opposite version of the high yoyo tactic

Pitchback - the horizontal version of the immelmann maneuver

Rolling Scissors - this maneuver is also known as flat scissor

Scissors - a maneuver that uses a series of reversal turns

Split-S - the opposite version of the immelman maneuver

Unloaded Extension - this is also called the disengagement maneuver