Eric,

Mid-airs are commonplace in combat. Luckily the planes are built tough (as you've seen!) so it's usally a matter of a 5-minute fix and you're back in the air.

One thing that will make a huge difference is flying the same direction as your opponent. If you make a lot of head-to-head passes, you have a very brief second of opportunity to cut the other guy's streamer. If you try to pursue him from behind, you have a lot longer to line up on his streamer, and mid-airs are at slower closing speeds when you're moving the same direction.

This video is probably zoomed in a little too far for to see the pursuit, but you can kind of see how he tries to turn into the other planes' paths. The best approach is to get behind someone and turn just inside of them. http://www.treneffrc.com/videos/Tim%...ats%202006.wmv

No matter what you do, mid-airs will happen. It's part of the sport, and usally fixable. Get out there and have some fun! [8D]

Alex