Training Mission vs. Patrol Level

[Zoetermeer]

Hi,

Another dumb newbie question here. What is the difference between the "training" group mission and the "training" patrol level? The latter seems to be available with other group mission types selected (e.g. "naval attack"), but is also available when I have the "training" group mission selected. What does it mean if I choose training as the group mission and then set a 0% training patrol level?

Another related question: if you want to set up a training air group, is it generally better to use the training group mission with a training focus selected, or a group mission with a certain percentage of the group on the training patrol level? What is that percentage of the group that is on training actually training for?

[Oberst_Klink]

First, some guidelines regarding air missions and their coordination in general: tm.asp?m=2382494

Now, here are some extracts from the manual and .PDF from forum members about the air management screen and what the implications of certain settings are:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/562 ... dendum.pdf

The leader matrix for all kinds of task, ground, air and naval:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/562 ... matrix.pdf

And an old but comprehensive forum squeeze:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/562 ... queeze.pdf

That should keep you happy. I posted those because there are various implementations of how to effectively train air groups.

Regards,

Klink, Oberst

[Zoetermeer]

Thank you so much!!

[BBfanboy]

Assigning the squadron training as the mission means that they will only do training.
Assigning another type of mission lets you put some of the squadron on the main mission while having a % of the squadron train in that mission. This is good for front line squadrons which have received replacement pilots who are not quite up-to-snuff.

[Zoetermeer]

As I said thanks for the super-helpful collection of links, there is a lot of good info in there. I'm not sure I see the answer to the specific question of the training group mission vs. other missions with a percentage allocated to training patrol levels (maybe I missed it though)?

[Anthropoid]

ORIGINAL: Oberst_Klink

First, some guidelines regarding air missions and their coordination in general: tm.asp?m=2382494

Now, here are some extracts from the manual and .PDF from forum members about the air management screen and what the implications of certain settings are:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/562 ... dendum.pdf

The leader matrix for all kinds of task, ground, air and naval:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/562 ... matrix.pdf

And an old but comprehensive forum squeeze:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/562 ... queeze.pdf

That should keep you happy. I posted those because there are various implementations of how to effectively train air groups.

Regards,

Klink, Oberst

Fantastic post Colonel!

[dmaramba]

ORIGINAL: Zoetermeer

I'm not sure I see the answer to the specific question of the training group mission vs. other missions with a percentage allocated to training patrol levels (maybe I missed it though)?

I think BBfanboy did give you the answer, but let's go over it again.

A squadron will perform whatever mission you choose under Group Mission. So this Marine squadron, having been assigned a training mission, will train. Specifically, it will train the Ground Attack mission, developing the GrdB pilot skill. All 24 aircraft will participate (because Patrol Levels = 100), flying at the altitude and range specified on the screen.

(To be continued.)

[dmaramba]

ORIGINAL: Zoetermeer

I'm not sure I see the answer to the specific question of the training group mission vs. other missions with a percentage allocated to training patrol levels (maybe I missed it though)?

Now this same squadron has been assigned a Ground Attack mission. Note that under Patrol Levels "Train" has been set to 50%. This means that (under ideal conditions) 12 of the aircraft will fly the ground attack mission, while the other 12 will train the mission. All aircraft will fly at the same altitude. Attacking aircraft will f;y to the target; aircraft reserved for training will not.

(To be continued.)

[dmaramba]

ORIGINAL: Zoetermeer

If you want to set up a training air group, is it generally better to use the training group mission with a training focus selected, or a group mission with a certain percentage of the group on the training patrol level? What is that percentage of the group that is on training actually training for?

So to answer your original question: If you want to train (that is, develop pilots' skills), use the Training mission, 100%, range 0. There is no such thing as a "training air group," if by that you mean a group that can only train. Every air group can be assigned a training mission (and thereby become a "training squadron"), and in 1942 (and even beyond) every air group not actually fighting should be training, 100%. Train train train! Training Mission, 100%. Accept no substitutes.

If you set certain missions available to a given air group, you can hold some planes back from that mission by setting a percentage under Patrol Levels, as I held back half the planes in the Marine squadron in my example. In my experience, and meaning no disrespect to anyone, holding planes back from a mission for the purpose of training is a waste of time.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: dmaramba



... holding planes back from a mission for the purpose of training is a waste of time.

Gotta disagree here. Flying the mission will increase overall Experience factor, but will not boost skills as much as just training. So depending what is needed ...

I typically use the mixed mission/train method for CAP where some of the pilots need to get the Air skill up before they face the enemy, but most of the squadron is needed for the CAP mission. Search mission is another one where putting a few pilots on training will not badly affect the mission.

[Trugrit]

I thought I would point out that unit patch art is available if you want to enhance your graphics.

You can get it here:
https://sites.google.com/site/aewitplan ... -downloads

[drw61]

ORIGINAL: Oberst_Klink

First, some guidelines regarding air missions and their coordination in general: tm.asp?m=2382494

Now, here are some extracts from the manual and .PDF from forum members about the air management screen and what the implications of certain settings are:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/562 ... dendum.pdf

The leader matrix for all kinds of task, ground, air and naval:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/562 ... matrix.pdf

And an old but comprehensive forum squeeze:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/562 ... queeze.pdf

That should keep you happy. I posted those because there are various implementations of how to effectively train air groups.

Regards,

Klink, Oberst

Thanks for the links, I'd forgotten about the forum squeeze.