"after much research for my US fighter crew, using the search function ftw.

here are the answers

1) only fighter ability matters for fighters, for both attack and defense

2) Attack is capped, defense is not

3) bomber stat help defense for bombers only

4) aircraft is disabled

5) when classed (fighter ->ace -> SQ) fighters crew growth is less at each classing.
When you do the math (see adalberts guide on ability) the extra crew on the
unclassed fighter gives them more true ability than if they were classed. The rule is,
leave fighter if you are going to supervet to 260 vets, otherwise either leave as
fighter or class to ACE .... but never class to Squad leader as you will be worse off.

6) people are easily fooled by a placebo effect. Point 2 could be debatable but the
reality is that micro managing skills play more into dogfights than the differences in
true ability."

Yes except for #4, Aircraft is attack and defense of scout (rookie) pilots

As for #3 you are half right. Bomber is also offense for bombers. NEVER underestimate the
lulz when you shoot down T4s with your DBs.

This thread again?

Just class everything on time, and don't question yourself. You're just going to hurt
your brain by willing to know.

after much research for my US fighter crew, using the search function ftw.

here are the answers

1) only fighter ability matters for fighters, for both attack and defense

2) Attack is capped, defense is not

3) bomber stat help defense for bombers only

4) aircraft is disabled

5) when classed (fighter ->ace -> SQ) fighters crew growth is less at each classing.
When you do the math (see adalberts guide on ability) the extra crew on the
unclassed fighter gives them more true ability than if they were classed. The rule is,
leave fighter if you are going to supervet to 260 vets, otherwise either leave as
fighter or class to ACE .... but never class to Squad leader as you will be worse off.

6) people are easily fooled by a placebo effect. Point 2 could be debatable but the
reality is that micro managing skills play more into dogfights than the differences in
true ability.

NO to all except 8
i have tested both properly classed and fighter only and the diference its pretty minimal,
best micro will win (or USA will win right now)
however bomber stat used to count in dogfighthinh until it got removal, maybe SDE someday
decides to "fix" this "bug" if it can named that way and you will get a completly useless crew
as many ppl with elite bombers as Fighter pilot got in cv patch

he was just listing what he has read and asking for some one who knows what is going
on.

I think it is best for you to check your references before posting information you THINK
is correct, e.g. patchnotes or adalbert's ability guide.

"5. the aircraft stat only affects sightrange -> 7. aircraft ability is inactive"
Makes it a bit hard to take your post seriously.

ok im not sure if it works like this but -

i think your fighters!! bomber stat helps your bombers bomber stat. and your bombers
fighter stat helps your fighters fighter stat.

so it would be a prudent measure perhaps to have fighters with excellent fighter stats and
also as good a bomber stat as you can roll! and vice versa. thats my theory!

all the other stats are obsolete as far as pilots go.

this is my best guess.