Dogfights.....

[Lucky13]

Just a wee question that just popped up in my head. When it comes to dogfights, is the strain the same for the pilot and aircraft if it takes place at low, medium or high altitude, or is there no difference?

 

[timshatz]

For the pilot, it would be worse in an unpressurized aircraft at altitude. More stresses on him (air pressure, temperature, ect). Probably the same problem exist (to some extent) with the aircraft. Not sure the airframe.

 

[twoeagles]

For the aircraft, it is all about load factors. 6 g's at 30k' is the same
as 6 g's at 10k'. As Tim said, for the pilot, the environmental factors
are pressure and temperature. In a modern pressurized fighter, it
would make little difference.