Fixed-wing Aircraft on Pandora

[exostrike]

Fly by sight. They do still teach pilots how to fly aircraft without instrumentation.

I was actually talking about just flying the craft, the eurofighter typhoon for example is incapable of purely mannual flight due to its relaxed stability design. A computer is required to compensate. Errors caused by Pandora's flux while at high speed could send the plane out of control.

[ScottWashburn]

Keep in mind that here on Earth the density of the air varies enormously depending on the altitude and yet aircraft fly without any problem. Changing flight characteristics due to altitude are routine. For Pandora they probably just have to modify the computer routines that control the aircraft and engines.

[Foxhound]

Keep in mind that here on Earth the density of the air varies enormously depending on the altitude and yet aircraft fly without any problem. Changing flight characteristics due to altitude are routine. For Pandora they probably just have to modify the computer routines that control the aircraft and engines.

Supposing the computer works.

[ScottWashburn]

Supposing the computer works.

If the computers don't work then the only things flying are ikrans and Toruk Modern aircraft are all controlled by computers.

[tm20]

looks like the old WWII planes would be better to fly :D flying a zero fighter through the skies of Pandora, sounds pretty fun to me.

[SnowRider]

looks like the old WWII planes would be better to fly :D flying a zero fighter through the skies of Pandora, sounds pretty fun to me.

Until you run out of gas, that is.

[exostrike]

I do wonder if propeller-driven aircraft might have a role on Pandora, since the high air pressure means that the propeller has more to grip, so pulling the aircraft at higher speeds, they will also be able to fly higher than on earth due to the level of air pressure at higher altitude would be higher.

Though personly I would go for the post-ww2 era aircraft, something like the Douglas A-1 Skyraider. But it would be cool to see a B-17 next to the Dragon

[MaverickSawyer]

The AV-8B would be the perfect aircraft for this mission. No complex avionics that are EM-sensitive, as the AV-8 is EMP hardened. Hydraulic flight controls, refueling probe, and lots of practical examples of successful dive bombing/ level bombing missions with unguided ordinance and a relatively high level of accuracy. However, given a landing strip at Hells Gate, which is visible during the arrival of TAV 16, the A-10 Warthog is the best choice. Both are extremely tough, pack tremendous firepower, and are designed for ops in rough environments. I would lean more towards the A-10 myself, since the aircraft is designed for getting down and dirty at relatively low speeds for extended periods of time. The AT-99s still ould be supreme beneath the canopy, though. I wouldn't dare take a fast-mover of any kind down there, and most modern helos are completely out of question due to rotor strike issues.

[exostrike]

Out of the two I'd go for something from the Harrier family. While A-10 is a good aircraft, it is purely a ground attack aircraft and on Pandora where there is limited resources you want an aircraft with versatility.

[MaverickSawyer]

Well, the A-10 does carry a 30mm rotary cannon in the nose that would be excellent against slow-moving aerial targets, and since AIM-9 Sidewinders would be ineffective against ikran or toruk, you're down to guns. Both the A-10 and the AV-8 use 30mm cannons, and they carry that caliber ammo at Hells Gate. The decision becomes, which would be more effective? Both would be able to carry more weapons than on Earth, due to the lighter gravty and the thicker air. They would be slower, but not by much. The A-10 tops out at somewhere around 350 KIAS (knots indicated air speed) whereas the AV-8 can reach about 550 KIAS. In the Hallejuia Mountains, speed is not good. The A-10 would be the boss in such an environment. Either that, or the Scaled Composites Model 151 ARES. Gimme a few minutes to find a video of it...

EDIT: here it is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG9LlHcX8lg