The game uses a first-person cockpit perspective. The main objective is to complete combat sorties while preserving the aircraft and meeting mission requirements.

Missions involve takeoff, navigation, interception, air-to-air combat, and attacks against selected targets. The player monitors instruments and radar, manages flight controls, selects weapons, and lands on a carrier or airfield when required. Progression is based on sortie performance and mission completion rather than a character-level system.

Learn the cockpit instruments before entering combat, and keep enough altitude and speed to recover from evasive maneuvers. Use radar information to establish target position before committing to an attack.

Do not waste long-range missiles on uncertain contacts. Confirm the target, launch from a favorable distance, then use speed and positioning to avoid entering an unfavorable close-range engagement. Treat carrier landings as a separate skill and practice the approach whenever the game allows it.