Fighter pilot ace

[War Angel]

Ever since they reduced the cost of storm talons, I've been trying to figure out what to do with a spare 50 points. I know that an attack bike or land speeder where both options, but they wouldn't fit with what I wanted to do. I almost wanted to just not play with the points, but then while trying to see what the rule "strafeing run" was, I found a section in death from above about upgrading any pilot to an ace for fifty points.

 

Has any one ever used this? Is it a good deal? And would it be better for any weapon load out in particular?

[pyroknight]

imho, Its not worth it on a Storm Talon, as they are just too frail. 2HP and armor 11 is small frame for a 50pt upgrade. Even upgrading to front armor 12, is not necessarily going to save you.  I've seen storm talons go down to mass firewarrior shots. 

Now on the Storm Raven, its worth considering. I won't tell you its a great deal, but having front armor 13 when you come on table is going to make a joke out of most interceptor fire. 
The other powers seems okay as well as long as you know how to make use of them.

 

Ultimately the real problem with the fighter ace upgrades is that the effect is random. So its a bit difficult to plan your army around a random bonus. 

 

thats just my 2 cents

[The Emperor's Champion]

The Relentless bonus is the most interesting to me. Having the ability to let your Devastator Squads walk around while shooting could be pretty fantastic.
It's the first time I've ever stopped to consider the possibilities of deploying a Devastator Squad from a Drop Pod.
4x Multimelta Devastators escorted by a gunship...not a terrible idea.

[War Angel]

Storm talons cannot escort drop pods sadly...

I feel like storm talons should be the predators of the skies.... While ravens are land raiders....