Split-S

The split S is a very simple fighter manuver that you will find useful in MANY different situations.

The Split S is an air combat maneuver mostly used to disengage from combat. To execute a Split S, the pilot half-rolls his aircraft inverted and executes a descending half-loop, resulting in level flight in the exact opposite direction at a lower altitude.

The Split S is taught to be used in dog fighting when the pilot has the opportunity to withdraw from battle. It can be an effective tactic to prevent an enemy behind (between eight o'clock and four o'clock positions) from gaining gun lock while one is disengaging from a fight.

The Split S maneuver is contrasted with the Immelmann turn, which is an ascending half-loop that finishes with a half-roll out, resulting in level flight in the exact opposite direction at a higher altitude. The Split S is also called a reversed Immelmann turn, or can be listed with a hyphen as Split-S.

To perform a split S, simply roll your stick to one side (left or right) and GENTLY pull up on your stick, if you yank, jerk, or add too much elevator/ailron at once, your plane can do some weird things.