07.04.2010, 08:01
I can't believe the replies I am seeing here. You *can* turn without rudder but not nearly so well. The reason I cannot believe that nobody here seems to think it that important is that it is so easy to demonstrate the huge difference it makes.
Try it:
Bank your aircraft 45 degrees left and wait a few seconds to see how fast the compass is moving.
Now add left rudder until the nose is tracking across the horizon. You will see your turn rate has increased by 2 or 3 times!
If you just want to make a small adjustment while landing then by all means ignore the rudder but if you want to do a 180 or outturn an enemy you need rudder.
Try it:
Bank your aircraft 45 degrees left and wait a few seconds to see how fast the compass is moving.
Now add left rudder until the nose is tracking across the horizon. You will see your turn rate has increased by 2 or 3 times!
If you just want to make a small adjustment while landing then by all means ignore the rudder but if you want to do a 180 or outturn an enemy you need rudder.