Tips on intercepting AI?

[WebbPA]

I have my nice shiny F-16 equipped with the latest radar devices (Eric Marciano's F-16 HUD) and I want to escort some civilians.

1.  Where are the big boys?  I set my ATC to 100% and sat at Atlanta at 7 am but I can't find anything good.  The best I get is a Learjet at FL300.  I want my 747!

2.  I've escorted a few Lears (seems that's all I can find) but when I get within 1/10 mile I always get a collision.  Do I need to turn collision detection off to get closer?

3.  Any other tips on intercepting and escorting?  For now I'm matching altitude and heading with autopilot, then adjusting speed and heading as I get closer, and finally going to manual everything at 1/2 mile.  It takes about an hour to get really close before I get to 1/10 mile and "collide".

Hints, tips, helps appreciated.

PS - One wierd episode.  I intercepted a Lear at about FL280 and 500Kts groundspeed.  It had its gear down and its speed and altitude was flucutating wildly.

PPS - Why can't I get my Lear to do 500?

[ozzy72]

Hi Jim, okay if you want to get within a couple of layers of paint of another aircraft you need collision detection off!
Right, next you need to be flying out of a major hub to find 747s, e.g. Heathrow, New York, Los Angeles somewhere BIG. Or use TTools and create an AI flight that you can intercept.

Mark

[Ivan]

use ProjectAI for AI traffic, you will get lots of heavies to bugger in the air

[fisharno]

Using TTools is the best way to get a "challanging" target.

I'd like to see a GMAX KC-135 for some virtual re-fueling action.  ;)