? on pilot skills

[Ormbane]

When I examine the pilots in a particular squad I can see their experience and various skills. Most of these I understand but I do not understand what LowN(29) or LowG(28) or Staf(60) mean. Any ideas?

[HansBolter]

LowN is Low Naval Attack (1000 feet)

LowG is Low Ground Attack (1000 feet)

Straf is good for both ground and naval. Set your mission to ground attack or naval attack and your elevation to 100 feet.

Anytime elevation is 100 feet strafing will occur.

[PeteG662]

Did they change the "low" definition from below 6000 feet to just 1000 feet at some point? Its been a while since I have monitored the boards.

Thanks,

Tallyman

[crsutton]

Low naval and low ground attacks are anything below 6,000 feet. It is just more accurate at 1,000 so that is the most common setting. Bear in mind that any attack bomber set to any height below 6,000 feet will drop down to 100 feet to strafe and bomb. Likewise any fighter set to 1,000 feet will also drop down to 100 feet to attack. Just don't do this vs a hex that has powerful AA. It can hurt.

[jmalter]

LowN / LowG skill is important for Attack Bomber (AB) types. Set their alt at 1000' (Naval or Ground) to Train for this mission - AB airgroups will carry 100% of their bomb-load when assigned to a Strike mission at 1k' alt (1-4k' for a LowGround attack mission). Non-AB bombers carry only 50% ordnance on a low-alt attack.

Further, AB groups bomb their target in pairs or quartets, then Strafe 'to suppress enemy flak'. So they need Staf skill (Train at 100'). Anti-naval AB groups will also benefit from training in NavSearch.

Attack Bombers can put big hurt on their targets, but are v vulnerable to the target's AA strength & enemy CAP. Their LowN/G skill should be at least 65 to have a good effect, & they'll take high losses of airframes & pilots. Don't fly them against high forts or high AA targets. Dedicate some several rear-area groups to train replacement pilots in the necessary skills.

[HansBolter]

AS CR stated you get the Low penalty for non-attack bombers below 6k, but to train Low you have to be set at 1000.

I routinely set 3K for training and it trains regular bombing not Low. You have to set to 1k to train Low.

[jmalter]

you may be right, Hans.

1000' to train LowB / LowN skill, 100' to train Strafe skill.

At 100', I also get good increases in Defensive skill.

[rustysi]

At 100', I also get good increases in Defensive skill.

I've noticed this too, but I'm still not sure if the Defensive skill gain is because of the 100' or if its the fact that's its because its the second skill I'm training. As in after Escort to get Air skill up.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: jmalter

At 100', I also get good increases in Defensive skill.

This is especially true of fighters training sweep at 100 feet.

Once your fighter pilots skills plateau on training Escort, set them to train Sweep at 100 feet and it will spur gains in both Defense and Overall experience again.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

At 100', I also get good increases in Defensive skill.

I've noticed this too, but I'm still not sure if the Defensive skill gain is because of the 100' or if its the fact that's its because its the second skill I'm training. As in after Escort to get Air skill up.

Defence skill gains come from either escort or straffing training. It is a secondary benefit which is provided from either primary training mission.

Alfred