Cheat mode:
Enter SHPONGLE as a name to unlock all aircraft and levels.
Note: The effects of the code will be disabled if the game is
saved. Use the following trick to get aircraft and be able to save the
game. Enable the "Cheat mode" code. Go directly to the
final mission of Era 3. Complete it and you will get several aircraft.
After the game starts over, insert a memory card and save the
game. It will save the aircraft that you won.


Hint: Aircraft:
On all levels that contain multiple aircraft bogies, the best
solution is to wipe out all aircraft by flying low to the ground,
then pulling up on the stick to get a missile lock to destroy
them. Take one bogie out at a time, then fly back close to the
ground and start the process all over again.


Hint: F-4 Phantom:
Successfully complete the game under any difficulty setting. The
F-4 is a decent fighter with a good firepower rating.

Hint: JSF:
Get at least a "Bronze" rank for every Academy and Warzone
challenge. The JSF's cannon, though a bit on the low side, seems
like it damages enemies more.
Hint: YF-23:
Get at least a "Silver" rank for every Academy and Warzone
challenge. The YF-23's cannon fires very fast, and it is highly
maneuverable. Overall, it is a very decent fighter.


Hint: V-22:
Get a "Gold" rank on all Academy and Warzone challenges.
Though its firepower rating seems like it would only send out
one shot every five seconds, it actually has twin machine guns
that fire as fast as an enemy helicopter or gunboat. It also has
unlimited-use afterburning fuel, and can stop almost completely
if the brakes are applied. It is not very fast, however, even
with the afterburners activated.


Hint: Harrier:
Play all Academy and missions again with the Osprey to unlock
the Harrier.

Hint: Air-to-Ground mode:
Successfully complete all Era 1 Academy missions.

Hint: Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air mode:

Successfully complete all Era 2 Academy missions.

Hint: Free Flight mode:
Successfully complete all Era 3 Academy missions.

Hint: Anti-aircraft guns:
Flying close to the ground causes the anti-aircraft guns to overshoot
your plane. They cannot fire below a certain point due to the
risk of hitting their own men.


Hint: Weapons:
While speed in completing missions, extent of damage
to your jet, and "First Blood" bonuses help, they will
never allow you to gain the points and medals to open new jets.
The key to points is ammunition choice. Try to use only guns for
everything, saving all the missiles and bombs possible. If you
must use missiles, use the self aimed, not the guided. The more
bombs and missiles you return with, the higher the scores. By
doing this it is possible to advance from the normal 300,000 to
400,000 red star success to consistent scores of over 2 million
per mission.


Hint: Leading the target:
Use the following trick to hit enemy planes when you
are above them. If there is a plane flying underneath you and
you are flying down on it, put the pointer slightly in front of
the target and fire your gun, not stopping. Keep the button held.
The plane should fly into the gunfire.

Hint: Flying:
As the missions gain in complexity, every fly over
must be highly efficient. Instead of tight sweeping turns, use
over-the-top turns. This can cut a 10 second turn down to 3 seconds
and place you in a better attack mode to start the next run. This
requires practice.


Hint: Turning:
For easier turning upwards if you are about to crash,
use your throttle to speed up and pull up to get out faster and
for bonus points.


Hint: Destroying tanks, vans and most moving
ground targets:
Use the afterburners when you are close to the ground.
Note: This will not work on BTROs or gunboats (it will just do
damage).


Hint: Destroying gunboats:
When attacking gunboats, climb to an altitude of about
2,000 feet and dive down on them. Quickly fire an air-to-ground
missile (guided or unguided) at them. Then, pull away and use
your afterburners. Using this process should minimize damage.