elfin bolt
So I noticed that you can't really get a satisfying cruise going while at altitude. IRL you'd be able to throttle back to around 50-75% throttle and maintain a comfortable cruise, but ingame you are basically at 85% the entire time (or more) to get a decent cruise speed.
In addition, the way range works is a bit silly. A flat increase as you climb isn't really correct. IRL air thins as you get higher, which means a plane experiences less drag, which means you fly faster for less power.
Now, this is coupled with jet engines gaining efficiency as you climb because colder temps and the lower density air offsets the drag of massive engines.
SO I propose the system be changed from a flat range increase to instead be this:
Climbing increases range UP TO 150% instead of 250% more. IN EXCHANGE:
Planes with a service ceiling above 15000 ft now experience more drag at low altitudes. Planes within this category are capped to 75% of their top speed OR 260 knots, whichever is greater while below 5000 ft.
Once passing 5000ft, their top speed will recover back up to 100% at 20,000 ft (or Service ceiling, whichever is smaller) HOWEVER, for planes that are able to climb higher than this, their engines will be able to push them BEYOND 100% speed in level flight (except for fighters). At 30,000 ft planes will be able to fly 25% faster than their rated top speed (Basically orange overspeed) at full throttle. Any higher altitude provides no boost. This does NOT bypass Overspeed limits, and flying faster than 100% speed will trip an overspeed warning.
What this does
Basically, cruising is a thing now. You can throttle back to around 75% throttle and maintain Mmo OR throttle back further and reap the efficiency rewards. It makes the efficiency equation a more interactable part of gameplay, as half the fuel burn equation is now in the hands of the pilot. 85% throttle becomes 60%, which gives ~50% range boost, etc. This is also easier to use reliably.
digital dagger
fierce tartan
proper bobcat
bleak harbor