Basic question about aircraft's range

[Robin]

Hi everybody,
I just have a doubt about Aircraft range.
Is it the range from starting zone to target zone, or is it the addition of the number of zones flown to attack and to come back from attack?
I.e, may a range 4 aircraft fly 4 spaces, attack, and then fly back 4 spaces - or is it limited to 2 and 2 (or any other 4 total combination)...
I do hope I made myself clear... :confused:

[Stephen]

You made yourseld very clear, and aircraft range is probably the most difficult concept in the game. The short answer is that its total movement is limited to a total of 4 (for fighters, 6 for bombers, and 6 and 8 respectively for long-range planes). So wherever you fly, you have to have enough movement left to safely land in a territory you controlled from the beginning of your turn.

The one exception to this rule would be fighting in a sea zone where an aircraft carrier is, or plans to legally move during non-combat. In this case, a fighter could use all of its movement points and then stay in the SZ, landing on the carrier. However, if something happens and the AC is destroyed or cannot safely reach the SZ, the fighter would be destroyed.

[V-Disc]

Fighters can move a TOTAL of 4 spaces. Bombers can move a TOTAL of 6 spaces. This applies to both combat and non-combat movement. Think of these planes as having only so much fuel. The range of planes is exhausted after moving so many spaces. They must land safely within that number of spaces.

The exception to this rule is the "Long Range Aircraft" technology; adding 2 spaces to range of your aircraft.

[Robin]

Thanks!
I won't use my Mustangs as Stratoforteresses any more! ;)