Orbit

An Orbit is a circular path that Aircraft follow when waiting or when preparing to perform an action. This path is typically centered on a single position, and its altitude and diameter can be of any value that is comfortable for the orbiting aircraft. All Aircraft in orbit will typically move in the same direction -- either clockwise or counter-clockwise. This significantly reduces the chance of collisions between them.

Orbits are typically assumed when an aircraft is not performing any particular action (such as attacking targets or landing). While in orbit, the aircraft can observe friendly and enemy movement, spot targets, and be ready to instantly switch to a different action when requested. Aircraft may also orbit a position when preparing to start such an action, waiting for the right moment to do so.

Aircraft typically orbit over ground forces, but may also orbit around a particular enemy target or point of interest, to observe it and/or acquire information for an attack/landing.

Some Gunships, as well as some Transport Helicopters, can actually attack ground targets while orbiting using their door-mounted weapons.

When to Orbit
Most Aircraft assume Orbit practically by default, whenever they are above the battlefield but have no orders or imperative to perform an action - or are waiting for the right time to perform an action.

Transport Helicopters typically Orbit over ground forces while waiting for the order to come in and pick them up. Additionally, such helicopters may Orbit while waiting for the chance to land and drop off troops or cargo. When they are not on Approach nor carrying any passengers/cargo, Transport Helicopters typically remain over the battlefield in case the order to land arrives. While they do so, they assume Orbit and serve as an extra pair of eyes in the sky. If no transport duties are expected anytime soon, a Transport Helicopter (especially a Littlebird) may instead land somewhere else in safe territory to avoid wasting fuel.

Attack Helicopters don't generally Orbit during their downtime, instead going off to seek targets deeper behind enemy lines ("Interdiction"). Lighter Attack Helicopters, however, will usually avoid leaving the ground forces and will instead Orbit them while looking for nearby targets. Once a target is identified, an Attack Helicopter may Orbit that target for a while until spotting an opportunity to attack. Again, this is more common with smaller Attack Helicopters, as larger ones will more likely relentlessly attack any target they spot.

Jets generally do not orbit at all in the classical sense of the word, as they are far too fast-moving to create a small circular path over any position. They may still technically orbit the battlefield at a huge distance and altitude above a given area, but this is largely indistinguishable from the normal movement of such aircraft.

Gunships orbit pretty much all the time, if armed with powerful door-mounted weapons like the Minigun. Such aircraft can fire their weapon at enemy targets without breaking Orbit at all; They mostly circle over ground forces repeatedly throughout the mission, attacking any suitable target they detect. A Gunship carrying FFARs or similar rockets does need to break orbit to attack any target with those weapons.

Scout Helicopters (as well as the much-rarer Scout Planes) also Orbit almost constantly, while observing friendly and enemy ground units. However they will often switch to orbit around different positions, to observe enemy movements around various locations such as any objective, potential LZ, or further up a road. They only stop orbiting when moving from one orbit position to another, or when (rarely) landing to pick up passengers.

How to Orbit
Before an aircraft can assume an orbit, the Pilot must determine the following values for the orbital path:


 * 1) Center: The position around which the aircraft will orbit.
 * 2) Diameter: The size of the orbit, based mostly on the type of aircraft involved.
 * 3) Altitude: The height above the ground at which the aircraft will orbit.
 * 4) Direction: Either Clockwise or Counter-Clockwise.

Once these factors have been determined, the aircraft can assume the orbit and keep it for as long as necessary.

Center
Picking the center of the orbit is the easiest and most natural part of the process. The aircraft will orbit around a point-of-interest that is relevant at that point in time.

For the most part, aircraft will orbit around the position of friendly ground forces. This allows the aircraft to observe friendlies and any enemy targets directly threatening them. Transport Helicopters will almost always orbit around friendlies; Scout Helicopters, Gunships and any Attack Helicopters performing CAS tend to do so as well.

Orbiting around enemy positions is more common for Attack Helicopters and Scout Helicopters. This allows them to observe the enemy position to learn where enemies are hiding, or simply to stalk a target until such time that it can be attacked effectively. Orbiting over enemies is more risky, as it presents the aircraft as a target for those enemies, and may expose the aircraft to Anti-Aircraft fire.

Diameter
Since an Orbit is circular, its size called the diameter (or radius). The wider the orbit, the more area the aircraft can observe as it circles around. Scout Helicopters may assume a very wide orbit as they scan the area for enemy presence, while Transport Helicopters may prefer to stick closer to friendly ground troops.

The minimum size of an orbit is determined by the flight characteristics of the aircraft itself. Typically, a helicopter's minimum orbit size is the diameter at which it can maintain a constant shallow turn without losing airspeed. Smaller, more maneuverable aircraft like the Littlebird can perform rather tight orbits with a diameter of about half a kilometer, though there typically is no reason to make such tight orbits.

Altitude
Determining the proper altitude for an orbit is a question of circumstances. The altitude determines how exposed the aircraft will be to enemy ground fire, while at the same time determining how easily the aircraft can spot and track targets on the ground. The higher the orbit, the harder it is for the aircraft to get shot down, while also making it harder to observe ground movements. The pilot must determine the best altitude to balance these out, while leaning towards the altitude that best serves their current activity (observation vs. simply waiting).

Direction
The direction of the orbit is determined either by the type of aircraft involved, or by any other aircraft that are already orbiting the same position.

If the aircraft is the first (or only) aircraft to orbit a given position, they will typically orbit on a direction that matches the pilot's position in the cockpit. For example, if the pilot is sitting on the left side of the cockpit, they will likely orbit counter-clockwise. This allows the pilot the widest field of vision out the window/door of the aircraft. Aircraft where the pilot sits at the center (e.g. in the AH-64 Apache) can choose either direction with equal comfort.

If another aircraft is already orbiting the same position, any aircraft coming in to orbit will orbit in the same direction. This allows multiple aircraft to orbit the position with minimal chance of collisions. Aircraft may then choose different altitudes for their orbits to further reduce that chance, or fly in formation together at the same altitude. Multiple aircraft orbiting at the same altitude without forming up, even if they are orbiting in the same direction, have a higher chance of collisions.