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The Immelmann turn is a simple yet very effective maneuver under the proper tactical circumstances. The name is derived from its inventor Max Immelmann, a WWI German Ace who devised the method. In reality, the version of the maneuver most people are familiar with today from air shows is not the maneuver that Max Immelmann found so successful but for our purposes we will describe both versions.
Execute the Immelman Turn by flying level with good energy, pulling back on the stick, and bringing the aircraft into a steep climb. This climbing turn is maintained until the aircraft passes through the vertical and completes a half loop. At the top of the loop the aircraft is inverted and the pilot rolls the aircraft back into the upright position. The aircraft is now at a higher altitude and has changed heading 180 degrees. This maneuver allows for some energy management through altitude gain but there is an obvious speed loss.
"The "air show" Immelmann can be flown in very different ways. If a pilot is in combat, he must be aware that under certain circumstances he is placing himself in a dangerous situation if his adversary has enough energy or performance to follow him up into the loop and fire at him while he is very slow at the top. The reversal can be aggressive, limiting the altitude gain in exchange for maintaining additional speed after completion, or it can be very gradual with completion at a higher than normal altitude but the aircraft at near stall speed. Both have advantages. You can go for the quick guns reversal or do a gentle Immelmann, gaining an altitude advantage, then continue into a full power climb just at the edge of stall speed. If the enemy aircraft went for a more aggressive Immelmann, you are above him headed in the opposite direction. As he passes under you low, if he tries a second Immelmann he will fail and you can do a rudder reversal and drop onto him." "The "air show" version must be used with care and good SA regarding energy states of your enemy." "Max Immelmann's actual "Combat Immelmann" was what most arena players would call a version of the "Boom and Zoom" He would make a high energy pass at his opponent, pulling up into an efficient vertical climb until he was sure he was out of guns range of his enemy, then he would use a rudder reversal to drop back down from a position of advantage and repeat his attack. From my reading this "rudder reversal" would be on the idea of a "Hammerhead" turn but at a better energy state. Rather than stalling out and using rudder to control the nose, start your rudder input a bit earlier and get the nose in the direction you want it a bit quicker and under more control."
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