Ten Rules for Air Fighting

Adolph Gysbert Malan DSO & Bar DFC (24 March 1910 – 17 September 1963), better known as Sailor Malan, was a South African World War II fighter pilot who led No. 74 Squadron RAF during the height of the Battle of Britain. Malan developed a set of simple rules for fighter pilots, which eventually could be found throughout RAF Fighter Command:

"TEN OF MY RULES FOR AIR FIGHTING"


 * 1) Wait until you see the whites of his eyes. Fire short bursts of 1 to 2 seconds and only when your sights are definitely 'ON'.
 * 2) Whilst shooting think of nothing else, brace the whole of the body, have both hands on the stick, concentrate on your ring sight.
 * 3) Always keep a sharp lookout. "Keep your finger out!"
 * 4) Height gives You the initiative.
 * 5) Always turn and face the attack.
 * 6) Make your decisions promptly. It is better to act quickly even though your tactics are not the best.
 * 7) Never fly straight and level for more than 30 seconds in the combat area.
 * 8) When diving to attack always leave a proportion of your formation above to act as top guard.
 * 9) INITIATIVE, AGGRESSION, AIR DISCIPLINE, and TEAM WORK are the words that MEAN something in Air Fighting.
 * 10) Go in quickly - Punch hard - Get out!