Welcome to the wild blue skies of Virtual Aerial Combat. The purpose of this book is to help you, the new gamer, with the steep learning curve found in flight simulations. The chapters are designed to help you chose the hardware and the controllers needed to fly and introduce the basic maneuvers and tactics used in aerial combat. This book is not the last word on aerial combat simulations. The genre is changing and expanding too fast for anyone to do that. The subjects covered here are common between all Sims but it is the gamer’s own desire to learn and excel that will propel him to higher plateaus of excellence. Pilots fly these simulations for a wide range of reasons. Some are drawn to the era or the aircraft. Others are attracted to the virtual squadrons. Some recreate the great air battles of history and still others are here for the intense competition of man vs. man combat. The community is composed of people from all walks of life and levels of skill. Most of the players are male but there are ladies flying too - Hint! The women are dangerous. Do not take them for granted. Remember, the most skilled opponent you face started at the same level as you. He had to learn the lessons presented here the hard way. Whatever reason brought you here, welcome.