Evading SAMs
In order to successfully evade a SAM, fly directly at it at full speed. If you feel the engagement is not good, then break off. However, do not break off until you have tried at least once. If it works, you will pass over it and any missile fired will miss you. When you pass over the SAM, hit the brakes, turn sharply, and head at it again, but this time fire. Pass the SAM at about 100 feet.
Evading AA gunfire
Barrel roll and you will only get hit with one or two bullets maximum. Note: This trick is especially useful in Ace mode, when a good round of bullets can get you killed.
Losing tough enemies
Use the following tricks when you have a group of enemies on you, or just one that will not give up. Find a very mountainous area and try to lose your enemy in there at full speed. Zigzag in and out until the enemy cannot find you. They will not follow you into this mountain area. If dealing with multiple enemies, disengage, climb to 40,000 feet at full throttle, take a breather, then re-engage and destroy the enemy. Use this technique against the Yellow Squadron in the second part of the Siege Of Farbanti mission.
Watch missile or bomb when fired
While flying any jet, lock on to a target (ground or air) and hold Circle. This will allow you to watch your missile or bomb from the time it leaves the jet until it hits the target. Note: You have to be careful or your jet may crash.
Easy "Yellow" kills
Use the following trick to kill the Yellows during the final missions. First, acquire the SU-37. Then, go into battle with the QAAM (the SU-37's default weapon) equipped. When you engage a Yellow, immediately lock-on and fire a QAAM at him. This weapon will travel to the ends of the earth to hunt down its target. Even if it takes five minutes, the missile is 99% likely to hit the Yellow. With an average of five Yellows a mission (except the last one), they will be easy. This trick also works with other airborne targets. Note: You may not always hear the Yellows say that they have been shot down. Sometimes you will hear AWACS or a friendly say "A Yellows hit and trailing smoke. Whose kill was that?"
Easy kills
The best way to kill is to get in the cockpit view and go to work. When done correctly the kill will happen much faster and you will save missiles. If done in the HUD view or where you can see the entire plane, then chances are you will waste several missiles trying to kill enemies. Also use your bullets wisely to cut off paths of escape; this will assist you further. When on a mission and are "dog-fighting" in air-to-air combat, press Circle(2 ). When you do this, you will fire two missiles at the same time. This destroys your target immediately with two shots, rather than hitting it only once and still having the risk of it shooting you and your allies. While dogfighting in air-to-air combat, switch to the cockpit view. Lock on to your nearest enemy and fire a missile. Immediately after you fire the missile, shoot your guns. However, instead of hitting the enemy fighter, aim for the air in front and around it. The enemy fighter will try to dodge the bullets, thus steering into the missile's path.
Whisky Corridor: Second SR-71
There is a second SR-71 Blackbird on this mission. At any time during the mission, fly to the southwest corner of the map at about 15,000 feet, just north of the RTB line.
Defeating Megalith
Use the following trick to defeat Megalith with an "S" rank. First, destroy all Yellow aircraft possible. Next, fly past Megalith until you see an red-orange triangle. Shoot that aircraft down and return to Megalith. Go through the right tunnel and shoot the generator. Continue to destroy the next generator in the left tunnel. Now, go to the side of Megalith and destroy the last generator. After all generators are gone, destroy the two missiles that appear just ahead. Turn around as fast as possible, as the next two missiles will only remain for a minute after the generators are destroyed. Next, destroy the big missile in the center and do not forget to pull up.
Impossible speed
This trick only works with jets that have high speed and can go over 40,000 feet in altitude (X-02, S-37, Su-37) .Press R2 to go way up holding down over 40,000 feet (near space). Keep going in a circle while R2 is held. Go up and down slightly until the speed reaches 1665, then dive. If done correctly, when you dive the impossible speed should be about 1788 (if fast enough). Actually it will be about 1725. Note: Try practicing this trick in free flight mode.
Dogfighting
When in a dogfight, there are some things you can do to help. First, do not go after the Yellows. Also, choose a plane that does well in air to air attacks. Use the machine gun if the target is close. Do not waste your missiles, as there may be a surprise during the mission (as in the Shattered Skies level). In this level, after the time is up and you have enough points, six B2 bombers appear. Finally, Do not stay too low. You must to learn how to control every aspect of your fighter. One thing you must do is learn how to use your airbrakes. Mastering the use of this will help you swing the tail end of your jet around and get behind your enemy faster. Also, learn how to do is maneuver at high speeds, close to the ground. This not only helps evade missiles (which will crash harmlessly into the ground), but in multi-player mode when your playing someone who is not proficient at flying low. Even in close range, if you have a straight lock, use it. If you definitely know that the enemy will not move in time, taking them down with a missile is faster and more efficient than using guns. Besides, you can reload at any point in the mission. Finally, use your radar to its full advantage, watching for enemies not only behind you, but on your left and right as well. If you know they are coming, then the attacks they send can be easily avoided and have no effect on your fighting. Mastering these things are the main ways to become a top ace at dogfighting.
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