diff --git a/gradle.properties b/gradle.properties
index 851ac81..a6413fd 100644
--- a/gradle.properties
+++ b/gradle.properties
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ mapping_version=2023.09.03-1.20.1
 mod_id=improved_aerodynamics
 mod_name=VS: Improved Aerodynamics
 mod_license=MIT
-mod_version=0.4.0
+mod_version=0.4.2
 azurelib_version=3.2.7
 mod_group_id=dev.lumareth.improvedaerodynamics
 mod_authors=Lumareth
diff --git a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/Config.java b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/Config.java
index e1ae0e0..c74a93a 100644
--- a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/Config.java
+++ b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/Config.java
@@ -204,6 +204,47 @@ public final class Config {
             .comment("The nozzle gives off light while its afterburner is lit")
             .define("lightEnabled", true);
 
+    static {
+        BUILDER.pop();
+        BUILDER.comment("Cursor aim: the mouse moves a cursor on screen, a virtual pilot flies the control node's craft by it").push("cursor_aim");
+    }
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.BooleanValue CURSOR_AIM_ENABLED = BUILDER.comment("Whether pilots may use cursor aim on this server")
+                .define("enabled", true);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_FULL_DEFLECTION_DEGREES = BUILDER.comment("Angle of the cursor from the gun reticle at which the virtual pilot turns as hard as it can: the maximum bank",
+                        "sideways, the full pitch rate up or down. Closer than that it turns more gently, so the reticle settles onto",
+                        "the cursor. How fast the craft can turn is worked out from the craft itself")
+                .defineInRange("fullDeflectionDegrees", 30.0, 5.0, 90.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_DEADZONE_DEGREES = BUILDER.comment("Radius around the gun reticle in degrees inside which the pilot stops steering towards the cursor. The reticle",
+                        "then settles this far from the cursor. Outside it the command grows from zero, there is no jump at the edge")
+                .defineInRange("deadzoneDegrees", 0.0, 0.0, 15.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_MAX_ROLL_RATE_DEGREES = BUILDER.comment("Fastest roll in degrees per second the pilot asks for when it rolls to a bank angle")
+                .defineInRange("maxRollRateDegrees", 150.0, 10.0, 720.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_MAX_BANK_DEGREES = BUILDER.comment("Bank angle the pilot rolls to when the cursor is at full sideways deflection, at most. Craft whose wings",
+                        "cannot hold that bank in a level turn get less")
+                .defineInRange("maxBankDegrees", 70.0, 10.0, 90.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_BANK_GAIN = BUILDER.comment("Roll rate in rad/s per radian of bank angle error, how eagerly the pilot rolls to the wanted bank and levels the wings")
+                .defineInRange("bankGain", 3.0, 0.2, 20.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_RATE_GAIN = BUILDER.comment("How hard the pilot corrects its turn rate, in angular acceleration per rad/s of rate error. Lower is smoother,",
+                        "higher follows the cursor tighter and can start to oscillate")
+                .defineInRange("rateGain", 5.0, 0.5, 40.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_PUSH_FACTOR = BUILDER.comment("A cursor below the gun reticle pushes the nose down. This is how much of the pull rate that may be, since",
+                        "negative g is harder on the craft and the pilot")
+                .defineInRange("pushFactor", 0.4, 0.0, 1.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_STALLED_PITCH_FACTOR = BUILDER.comment("Multiplier for the pitch rate the pilot asks for while the wings are stalled, so it does not keep pulling")
+                .defineInRange("stalledPitchFactor", 0.3, 0.0, 1.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_MIN_SPEED = BUILDER.comment("Below this speed in blocks per second the pilot does nothing, the surfaces have no effect anyway")
+                .defineInRange("minSpeed", 15.0, 0.0, 200.0);
+
     static {
         BUILDER.pop();
     }
@@ -225,6 +266,40 @@ public final class Config {
                     "fixed 20 degree steps. Needs physicsRateAerodynamics on the server")
             .define("animateControlSurfaces", true);
 
+    static {
+        CLIENT_BUILDER.comment("Cursor aim, client side").push("cursor_aim");
+    }
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_LOOK_AHEAD = CLIENT_BUILDER.comment("How strongly the camera looks into the direction of the turn. 0 never moves it, 1 (100%) turns it quickly",
+                        "to look where the cursor points. In between it follows more slowly")
+                .defineInRange("lookAhead", 0.0, 0.0, 1.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_MOUSE_SENSITIVITY = CLIENT_BUILDER.comment("Multiplier for how far the mouse moves the cursor (or the camera while the free look key is held)")
+                .defineInRange("mouseSensitivity", 1.0, 0.05, 10.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_SPRING_BACK_SECONDS = CLIENT_BUILDER.comment("The cursor drifts to the gun reticle with this time constant in seconds, which ends the turn by itself.",
+                        "0, the default, keeps it where you put it in the world, so the craft turns until the reticle is on it")
+                .defineInRange("springBackSeconds", 0.0, 0.0, 10.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_MAX_ANGLE_DEGREES = CLIENT_BUILDER.comment("Furthest the cursor can go from the gun reticle, 135 is a 270 degree cone")
+                .defineInRange("maxCursorAngleDegrees", 135.0, 10.0, 180.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_ZOOM_STEP = CLIENT_BUILDER.comment("Blocks the camera moves per mouse wheel notch")
+                .defineInRange("zoomStep", 2.0, 0.1, 20.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_ZOOM_MAX = CLIENT_BUILDER.comment("Furthest the camera can be pulled back from its normal distance, in blocks")
+                .defineInRange("zoomMax", 80.0, 0.0, 500.0);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue CURSOR_AIM_MARKER_SIZE = CLIENT_BUILDER.comment("Radius of the cursor ring on screen")
+                .defineInRange("markerSize", 0.04, 0.01, 0.3);
+
+    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.BooleanValue CURSOR_AIM_SHOW_RETICLE = CLIENT_BUILDER.comment("Draw a small cross where the gun reticle points, the zero of the cursor, so you can see it when the camera looks away")
+                .define("showReticle", true);
+
+    static {
+        CLIENT_BUILDER.pop();
+    }
+
     static final ForgeConfigSpec CLIENT_SPEC = CLIENT_BUILDER.build();
 
     private Config() {
diff --git a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/ImprovedAerodynamics.java b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/ImprovedAerodynamics.java
index f984cbb..5ef43ea 100644
--- a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/ImprovedAerodynamics.java
+++ b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/ImprovedAerodynamics.java
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 package dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics;
 
 import com.mojang.logging.LogUtils;
-import dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.client.aim.CursorAimClientConfig;
 import dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.client.pipper.PipperConfig;
 import dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.exhaust.ExhaustSync;
 import dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.exhaust.NozzleContent;
-import dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.flight.CursorAimConfig;
 import dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.flight.PhysicsBridge;
 import dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.network.Network;
 import dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.terrain.LookaheadLoader;
@@ -34,8 +32,6 @@ public class ImprovedAerodynamics {
         ModLoadingContext.get().registerConfig(ModConfig.Type.CLIENT, Config.CLIENT_SPEC);
         // Own file name: the default one is taken by Config.CLIENT_SPEC
         ModLoadingContext.get().registerConfig(ModConfig.Type.CLIENT, PipperConfig.SPEC, "improved_aerodynamics-pipper-client.toml");
-        ModLoadingContext.get().registerConfig(ModConfig.Type.SERVER, CursorAimConfig.SPEC, "improved_aerodynamics-cursor-aim.toml");
-        ModLoadingContext.get().registerConfig(ModConfig.Type.CLIENT, CursorAimClientConfig.SPEC, "improved_aerodynamics-cursor-aim-client.toml");
         NozzleContent.register(FMLJavaModLoadingContext.get().getModEventBus());
         Network.register();
     }
diff --git a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/client/aim/CursorAimClient.java b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/client/aim/CursorAimClient.java
index 2f9b252..02d3e78 100644
--- a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/client/aim/CursorAimClient.java
+++ b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/client/aim/CursorAimClient.java
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 package dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.client.aim;
 
+import dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.Config;
 import com.mojang.blaze3d.systems.RenderSystem;
 import com.mojang.blaze3d.vertex.BufferBuilder;
 import com.mojang.blaze3d.vertex.BufferUploader;
@@ -44,9 +45,10 @@ import java.lang.reflect.Method;
 /**
  * Cursor aim, the client side. While it is on:
  * <ul>
- *   <li>the mouse moves a cursor instead of the camera. The cursor is a direction relative to the gun reticle (the
- *   craft's boresight), at most {@code maxCursorAngleDegrees} away from it, and springs back to it when the mouse
- *   rests. It is sent to the server every tick, where a virtual pilot flies the craft by it;</li>
+ *   <li>the mouse moves a cursor instead of the camera. The cursor is a fixed direction in the world: the craft
+ *   turning does not drag it along, so the virtual pilot on the server steers until the gun reticle (the craft's
+ *   boresight) sits on the cursor again. It is kept at most {@code maxCursorAngleDegrees} from the reticle and, if
+ *   spring back is set, drifts back to it. Every tick it is sent to the server as an offset from the reticle;</li>
  *   <li>the camera is a chase view, looking along the reticle, or, with look ahead, towards the cursor;</li>
  *   <li>holding the free look key moves the camera instead of the cursor, it eases back when released;</li>
  *   <li>the mouse wheel changes how far the camera is behind the craft.</li>
@@ -66,7 +68,9 @@ public final class CursorAimClient {
     private static boolean active;
     // Chosen with /aero controls, told by the server
     private static boolean cursorAimMode;
-    // Cursor as components along the craft's forward (gun reticle), right and up axes
+    // Cursor as a world direction, null until the first frame puts it on the reticle
+    private static Vector3d cursorWorld;
+    // The same cursor as components along the craft's forward (gun reticle), right and up axes, as of the last update
     private static double cf = 1.0;
     private static double cr;
     private static double cu;
@@ -109,9 +113,49 @@ public final class CursorAimClient {
             deactivate(minecraft);
             return;
         }
+        // The craft has turned since the last frame: the cursor stays put in the world, its offset changes
+        Entity seat = AimSeat.seatOf(player);
+        AimBasis basis = minecraft.level != null ? AimBasis.of(minecraft.level, seat.blockPosition()) : null;
+        Quaterniondc rotation = basis != null ? shipRotation(minecraft.level, seat, false) : null;
+        if (rotation != null) {
+            cursorFromWorld(basis, rotation);
+        }
         send(minecraft, true);
     }
 
+    /** Rotation of the ship the seat is on, its render transform when drawing, null if it is not on a ship. */
+    private static Quaterniondc shipRotation(ClientLevel level, Entity seat, boolean render) {
+        Ship ship = VSGameUtilsKt.getLoadedShipManagingPos(level, BlockPos.containing(seat.getX(), seat.getY(), seat.getZ()));
+        if (ship == null) {
+            return null;
+        }
+        return render && ship instanceof ClientShip clientShip
+                ? clientShip.getRenderTransform().getShipToWorldRotation() : ship.getTransform().getShipToWorldRotation();
+    }
+
+    /** Sets the cursor's components from its world direction, putting it on the reticle the first time. */
+    private static void cursorFromWorld(AimBasis basis, Quaterniondc rotation) {
+        if (cursorWorld == null) {
+            double[] forward = basis.forward();
+            cursorWorld = rotation.transform(new Vector3d(forward[0], forward[1], forward[2]));
+        }
+        Vector3d ship = rotation.transformInverse(cursorWorld, new Vector3d());
+        double[] f = basis.forward();
+        double[] r = basis.right();
+        double[] u = basis.up();
+        cf = ship.x * f[0] + ship.y * f[1] + ship.z * f[2];
+        cr = ship.x * r[0] + ship.y * r[1] + ship.z * r[2];
+        cu = ship.x * u[0] + ship.y * u[1] + ship.z * u[2];
+        normalizeCursor();
+        limitCursor();
+    }
+
+    /** Stores the cursor's components back as its world direction. */
+    private static void cursorToWorld(AimBasis basis, Quaterniondc rotation) {
+        double[] ship = basis.toShip(cf, cr, cu);
+        cursorWorld = rotation.transform(new Vector3d(ship[0], ship[1], ship[2]));
+    }
+
     /** Called when the server tells the client how its player flies. */
     public static void setMode(boolean cursorAim) {
         cursorAimMode = cursorAim;
@@ -135,6 +179,7 @@ public final class CursorAimClient {
             return;
         }
         active = true;
+        cursorWorld = null;
         cf = 1.0;
         cr = 0.0;
         cu = 0.0;
@@ -184,7 +229,8 @@ public final class CursorAimClient {
         }
         Entity seat = AimSeat.seatOf(player);
         AimBasis basis = AimBasis.of(level, seat.blockPosition());
-        if (basis == null) {
+        Quaterniondc rotation = basis != null ? shipRotation(level, seat, true) : null;
+        if (basis == null || rotation == null) {
             return;
         }
         if (minecraft.options.getCameraType() != CameraType.THIRD_PERSON_BACK) {
@@ -207,10 +253,11 @@ public final class CursorAimClient {
                 deltaPitch = 0.0;
             }
         }
-        double sensitivity = CursorAimClientConfig.MOUSE_SENSITIVITY.get();
+        double sensitivity = Config.CURSOR_AIM_MOUSE_SENSITIVITY.get();
         boolean freeLook = minecraft.screen == null && AimKeys.FREE_LOOK.isDown();
 
-        double spring = CursorAimClientConfig.SPRING_BACK_SECONDS.get();
+        cursorFromWorld(basis, rotation);
+        double spring = Config.CURSOR_AIM_SPRING_BACK_SECONDS.get();
         if (spring > 0.0) {
             shrinkCursor(Math.exp(-dt / spring));
         }
@@ -223,9 +270,10 @@ public final class CursorAimClient {
             offsetYaw *= decay;
             offsetPitch *= decay;
         }
+        cursorToWorld(basis, rotation);
 
         // Camera: along the reticle, or turned towards the cursor by the look ahead setting
-        double lookAhead = CursorAimClientConfig.LOOK_AHEAD.get();
+        double lookAhead = Config.CURSOR_AIM_LOOK_AHEAD.get();
         double[] forward = basis.forward();
         if (cameraDirection == null || lookAhead <= 0.0) {
             cameraDirection = forward.clone();
@@ -295,7 +343,7 @@ public final class CursorAimClient {
     }
 
     private static void limitCursor() {
-        double limit = Math.toRadians(CursorAimClientConfig.MAX_CURSOR_ANGLE_DEGREES.get());
+        double limit = Math.toRadians(Config.CURSOR_AIM_MAX_ANGLE_DEGREES.get());
         double angle = Math.acos(Mth.clamp(cf, -1.0, 1.0));
         if (angle <= limit) {
             return;
@@ -318,7 +366,7 @@ public final class CursorAimClient {
         if (!active || minecraft.screen != null) {
             return;
         }
-        zoom = Mth.clamp(zoom - event.getScrollDelta() * CursorAimClientConfig.ZOOM_STEP.get(), -3.0, CursorAimClientConfig.ZOOM_MAX.get());
+        zoom = Mth.clamp(zoom - event.getScrollDelta() * Config.CURSOR_AIM_ZOOM_STEP.get(), -3.0, Config.CURSOR_AIM_ZOOM_MAX.get());
         event.setCanceled(true);
     }
 
@@ -354,14 +402,10 @@ public final class CursorAimClient {
         }
         Entity seat = AimSeat.seatOf(player);
         AimBasis basis = AimBasis.of(level, seat.blockPosition());
-        Ship ship = VSGameUtilsKt.getLoadedShipManagingPos(level, BlockPos.containing(seat.getX(), seat.getY(), seat.getZ()));
-        if (basis == null || ship == null) {
+        Quaterniondc rotation = basis != null ? shipRotation(level, seat, true) : null;
+        if (rotation == null || cursorWorld == null) {
             return;
         }
-        Quaterniondc rotation = ship instanceof ClientShip clientShip
-                ? clientShip.getRenderTransform().getShipToWorldRotation() : ship.getTransform().getShipToWorldRotation();
-        double[] cursorShip = basis.toShip(cf, cr, cu);
-        Vector3d cursorWorld = rotation.transform(new Vector3d(cursorShip[0], cursorShip[1], cursorShip[2]));
         double[] forward = basis.forward();
         Vector3d reticleWorld = rotation.transform(new Vector3d(forward[0], forward[1], forward[2]));
 
@@ -375,8 +419,8 @@ public final class CursorAimClient {
         RenderSystem.setShader(GameRenderer::getPositionColorShader);
         builder.begin(VertexFormat.Mode.QUADS, DefaultVertexFormat.POSITION_COLOR);
 
-        float size = (float) (CursorAimClientConfig.MARKER_SIZE.get() * MARKER_DISTANCE);
-        if (CursorAimClientConfig.SHOW_RETICLE.get()) {
+        float size = (float) (Config.CURSOR_AIM_MARKER_SIZE.get() * MARKER_DISTANCE);
+        if (Config.CURSOR_AIM_SHOW_RETICLE.get()) {
             plus(builder, matrix, camera, reticleWorld, size * 0.35F, RETICLE_COLOR);
         }
         ring(builder, matrix, camera, cursorWorld, size, CURSOR_COLOR);
diff --git a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/client/aim/CursorAimClientConfig.java b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/client/aim/CursorAimClientConfig.java
deleted file mode 100644
index 3a92576..0000000
--- a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/client/aim/CursorAimClientConfig.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,45 +0,0 @@
-package dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.client.aim;
-
-import net.minecraftforge.common.ForgeConfigSpec;
-
-/** Client side settings of cursor aim. Lives in improved_aerodynamics-cursor-aim-client.toml. */
-public final class CursorAimClientConfig {
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec SPEC;
-
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue LOOK_AHEAD;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue MOUSE_SENSITIVITY;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue SPRING_BACK_SECONDS;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue MAX_CURSOR_ANGLE_DEGREES;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue ZOOM_STEP;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue ZOOM_MAX;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue MARKER_SIZE;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.BooleanValue SHOW_RETICLE;
-
-    static {
-        ForgeConfigSpec.Builder builder = new ForgeConfigSpec.Builder();
-        builder.comment("Cursor aim, client side").push("cursor_aim");
-        LOOK_AHEAD = builder.comment("How strongly the camera looks into the direction of the turn. 0 never moves it, 1 (100%) turns it quickly",
-                        "to look where the cursor points. In between it follows more slowly")
-                .defineInRange("lookAhead", 0.0, 0.0, 1.0);
-        MOUSE_SENSITIVITY = builder.comment("Multiplier for how far the mouse moves the cursor (or the camera while the free look key is held)")
-                .defineInRange("mouseSensitivity", 1.0, 0.05, 10.0);
-        SPRING_BACK_SECONDS = builder.comment("The cursor returns to the gun reticle with this time constant in seconds when you stop moving the mouse.",
-                        "0 makes it stay where you left it")
-                .defineInRange("springBackSeconds", 1.0, 0.0, 10.0);
-        MAX_CURSOR_ANGLE_DEGREES = builder.comment("Furthest the cursor can go from the gun reticle, 135 is a 270 degree cone")
-                .defineInRange("maxCursorAngleDegrees", 135.0, 10.0, 180.0);
-        ZOOM_STEP = builder.comment("Blocks the camera moves per mouse wheel notch")
-                .defineInRange("zoomStep", 2.0, 0.1, 20.0);
-        ZOOM_MAX = builder.comment("Furthest the camera can be pulled back from its normal distance, in blocks")
-                .defineInRange("zoomMax", 80.0, 0.0, 500.0);
-        MARKER_SIZE = builder.comment("Radius of the cursor ring on screen")
-                .defineInRange("markerSize", 0.04, 0.01, 0.3);
-        SHOW_RETICLE = builder.comment("Draw a small cross where the gun reticle points, the zero of the cursor, so you can see it when the camera looks away")
-                .define("showReticle", true);
-        builder.pop();
-        SPEC = builder.build();
-    }
-
-    private CursorAimClientConfig() {
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/AeroState.java b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/AeroState.java
index 9c08e43..1f1cedb 100644
--- a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/AeroState.java
+++ b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/AeroState.java
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ public final class AeroState implements PhysicsBridge.Publishable {
     private static final double INPUT_RATE_PER_TICK = 0.2;
     private static final double VELOCITY_EPSILON = 0.05;
     private static final double ANGULAR_EPSILON = 0.005;
+    // Time constant of the smoothing of measured control rates
+    private static final double RATE_SMOOTHING_SECONDS = 0.3;
     private static final ControlAxis[] MEASURED_AXES = {ControlAxis.PITCH, ControlAxis.YAW, ControlAxis.ROLL};
 
     private final SubstepClock clock;
@@ -41,6 +43,9 @@ public final class AeroState implements PhysicsBridge.Publishable {
     private Frame current;
     private boolean[] stalled = new boolean[0];
     private boolean wingStalled;
+    // Lift the wings could make at the edge of the stall in the airflow of the last substep, NaN without the improved
+    // flight model, which has no stall
+    private double maxLift = Double.NaN;
     private final Map<Long, NodeState> nodeStates = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
     // Every ship's node states by node position, for the control surface animation on the server thread
     private static final Map<Long, NodeState> ALL_NODE_STATES = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
@@ -71,6 +76,9 @@ public final class AeroState implements PhysicsBridge.Publishable {
         final Vector3d yawResponseBuilding = new Vector3d();
         final Vector3d rollResponse = new Vector3d();
         final Vector3d rollResponseBuilding = new Vector3d();
+        // Fastest steady pitch rate (rad/s) the pitch surfaces can hold against the craft's pitch damping, smoothed,
+        // measured while cursor aim flies the node. NaN until measured
+        double controlRate = Double.NaN;
         final AutoTrim.Targets trimTargets = new AutoTrim.Targets();
         volatile double savedTrim;
 
@@ -155,9 +163,14 @@ public final class AeroState implements PhysicsBridge.Publishable {
         double dt = clock.substepSeconds();
         boolean improved = Config.IMPROVED_FLIGHT_MODEL.get();
         Matrix3dc inertia = ship.getMomentOfInertia();
+        // Same frames and scaling as Warium applies its forces in
+        double scale = transform.getShipToWorldScaling().x();
+        double forceScale = autoScale ? scale * scale * scale : 1.0;
+        double liftAcceleration = maxLift * forceScale / ship.getMass();
 
-        updateNodes(frame, worldVelocity, transform.getPositionInWorld().y(), rotation, inertia, w, dt, improved);
+        updateNodes(frame, worldVelocity, transform.getPositionInWorld().y(), rotation, inertia, w, dt, improved, liftAcceleration);
         evaluate(frame, centerOfMass, v, w, improved, true, wrench);
+        measureControlRates(frame, centerOfMass, v, w, improved, dt);
 
         if (Config.IMPLICIT_DAMPING.get()) {
             // Implicit Euler for the damping part: scale each axis by 1 / (1 + dt * damping / inertia), using the
@@ -184,9 +197,6 @@ public final class AeroState implements PhysicsBridge.Publishable {
             }
         }
 
-        // Same frames and scaling as Warium applies its forces in
-        double scale = transform.getShipToWorldScaling().x();
-        double forceScale = autoScale ? scale * scale * scale : 1.0;
         Vector3d force = new Vector3d(wrench.force[0], wrench.force[1], wrench.force[2]).mul(forceScale);
         Vector3d forceTorque = new Vector3d(wrench.forceTorque[0], wrench.forceTorque[1], wrench.forceTorque[2]).mul(forceScale);
         if (force.isFinite() && forceTorque.isFinite()) {
@@ -239,6 +249,7 @@ public final class AeroState implements PhysicsBridge.Publishable {
         double[] r = new double[3];
         if (commit) {
             wingStalled = false;
+            maxLift = improved ? 0.0 : Double.NaN;
             for (NodeState state : nodeStates.values()) {
                 state.pitchResponseBuilding.zero();
                 state.yawResponseBuilding.zero();
@@ -261,6 +272,9 @@ public final class AeroState implements PhysicsBridge.Publishable {
                 if (commit) {
                     stalled[i] = nowStalled;
                     wingStalled |= nowStalled && s.type() == SurfaceType.WING;
+                    if (s.type() == SurfaceType.WING || s.type() == SurfaceType.CONTROL_SURFACE && s.wingGroup()) {
+                        maxLift += ImprovedAero.maxLift(s, v, w, r, flap, weight, tuning);
+                    }
                 }
             } else {
                 WariumAero.evaluate(s, v, w, r, input, weight, out);
@@ -306,6 +320,37 @@ public final class AeroState implements PhysicsBridge.Publishable {
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * For every node cursor aim flies: the steady pitch rate its pitch surfaces can hold, full deflection torque over
+     * the craft's pitch damping, both measured about the axis the pitch surfaces turn the craft about.
+     */
+    private void measureControlRates(Frame frame, Vector3dc centerOfMass, double[] v, double[] w, boolean improved, double dt) {
+        for (NodeData node : frame.nodes.values()) {
+            NodeState state = nodeStates.get(node.key());
+            if (state == null || !CursorAimRegistry.isActive(node.key())) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            double response = state.pitchResponse.length();
+            if (response < 1.0E-9) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            Vector3d axis = state.pitchResponse.div(response, new Vector3d());
+            double[] turned = {w[0] + ANGULAR_EPSILON * axis.x, w[1] + ANGULAR_EPSILON * axis.y, w[2] + ANGULAR_EPSILON * axis.z};
+            evaluate(frame, centerOfMass, v, turned, improved, false, probe);
+            double damping = 0.0;
+            for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
+                damping -= (probe.totalTorque(i) - wrench.totalTorque(i)) * axis.get(i);
+            }
+            damping /= ANGULAR_EPSILON;
+            if (!(damping > 1.0E-9)) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            double rate = response / damping;
+            state.controlRate = Double.isNaN(state.controlRate) ? rate
+                    : state.controlRate + (rate - state.controlRate) * Math.min(1.0, dt / RATE_SMOOTHING_SECONDS);
+        }
+    }
+
     /** A control surface's input, combined from its two keys and clamped like Warium does. */
     private static double input(AeroSurface s, NodeData node, NodeState state, ControlAxis nudged, double extra) {
         if (node == null || state == null) {
@@ -328,7 +373,7 @@ public final class AeroState implements PhysicsBridge.Publishable {
     }
 
     private void updateNodes(Frame frame, Vector3dc worldVelocity, double altitude, Quaterniondc rotation, Matrix3dc inertia,
-                             double[] w, double dt, boolean improved) {
+                             double[] w, double dt, boolean improved, double liftAcceleration) {
         double step = Config.CONTROL_SMOOTHING.get() ? INPUT_RATE_PER_TICK * clock.weight() : Double.POSITIVE_INFINITY;
         // Torque of the last substep, in ship axes, which the flight computer separates from its own surfaces' share
         double[] torque = {wrench.totalTorque(0), wrench.totalTorque(1), wrench.totalTorque(2)};
@@ -338,7 +383,8 @@ public final class AeroState implements PhysicsBridge.Publishable {
                 continue;
             }
             // Cursor aim, if the pilot has it on, supplies the inputs the pilot is not giving with the keys
-            NodeData effective = CursorPilot.apply(state, node, rotation, inertia, w, worldVelocity.length(), wingStalled);
+            NodeData effective = CursorPilot.apply(state, node, rotation, inertia, w, worldVelocity.length(), wingStalled,
+                    liftAcceleration);
             state.pitch = moveTowards(state.pitch, effective.pitch(), step);
             state.yaw = moveTowards(state.yaw, effective.yaw(), step);
             state.roll = moveTowards(state.roll, effective.roll(), step);
diff --git a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/CursorAimConfig.java b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/CursorAimConfig.java
deleted file mode 100644
index 0efd188..0000000
--- a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/CursorAimConfig.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,56 +0,0 @@
-package dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.flight;
-
-import net.minecraftforge.common.ForgeConfigSpec;
-
-/** Server side settings of the cursor aim virtual pilot. Lives in improved_aerodynamics-cursor-aim.toml. */
-public final class CursorAimConfig {
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec SPEC;
-
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.BooleanValue ENABLED;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue FULL_DEFLECTION_DEGREES;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue DEADZONE_DEGREES;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue MAX_TURN_RATE_DEGREES;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue MAX_ROLL_RATE_DEGREES;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue MAX_BANK_DEGREES;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue BANK_GAIN;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue RATE_GAIN;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue PUSH_FACTOR;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue STALLED_PITCH_FACTOR;
-    public static final ForgeConfigSpec.DoubleValue MIN_SPEED;
-
-    static {
-        ForgeConfigSpec.Builder builder = new ForgeConfigSpec.Builder();
-        builder.comment("Cursor aim: the mouse moves a cursor on screen, a virtual pilot flies the control node's craft by it").push("cursor_aim");
-        ENABLED = builder.comment("Whether pilots may use cursor aim on this server")
-                .define("enabled", true);
-        FULL_DEFLECTION_DEGREES = builder.comment("Angle of the cursor from the gun reticle at which the virtual pilot asks for full deflection: the maximum bank",
-                        "sideways, the full pitch rate up or down")
-                .defineInRange("fullDeflectionDegrees", 30.0, 5.0, 90.0);
-        DEADZONE_DEGREES = builder.comment("Radius around the gun reticle in degrees inside which the cursor commands nothing, so the craft flies straight.",
-                        "Outside it the command grows from zero, there is no jump at the edge")
-                .defineInRange("deadzoneDegrees", 3.0, 0.0, 15.0);
-        MAX_TURN_RATE_DEGREES = builder.comment("Turn rate in degrees per second the pilot asks for at full deflection, both for the turn at maximum bank and for pitching")
-                .defineInRange("maxTurnRateDegrees", 40.0, 5.0, 360.0);
-        MAX_ROLL_RATE_DEGREES = builder.comment("Fastest roll in degrees per second the pilot asks for when it rolls to a bank angle")
-                .defineInRange("maxRollRateDegrees", 150.0, 10.0, 720.0);
-        MAX_BANK_DEGREES = builder.comment("Bank angle the pilot rolls to when the cursor is at full sideways deflection")
-                .defineInRange("maxBankDegrees", 70.0, 10.0, 90.0);
-        BANK_GAIN = builder.comment("Roll rate in rad/s per radian of bank angle error, how eagerly the pilot rolls to the wanted bank and levels the wings")
-                .defineInRange("bankGain", 3.0, 0.2, 20.0);
-        RATE_GAIN = builder.comment("How hard the pilot corrects its turn rate, in angular acceleration per rad/s of rate error. Lower is smoother,",
-                        "higher follows the cursor tighter and can start to oscillate")
-                .defineInRange("rateGain", 5.0, 0.5, 40.0);
-        PUSH_FACTOR = builder.comment("A cursor below the gun reticle pushes the nose down. This is how much of the pull rate that may be, since",
-                        "negative g is harder on the craft and the pilot")
-                .defineInRange("pushFactor", 0.4, 0.0, 1.0);
-        STALLED_PITCH_FACTOR = builder.comment("Multiplier for the pitch rate the pilot asks for while the wings are stalled, so it does not keep pulling")
-                .defineInRange("stalledPitchFactor", 0.3, 0.0, 1.0);
-        MIN_SPEED = builder.comment("Below this speed in blocks per second the pilot does nothing, the surfaces have no effect anyway")
-                .defineInRange("minSpeed", 15.0, 0.0, 200.0);
-        builder.pop();
-        SPEC = builder.build();
-    }
-
-    private CursorAimConfig() {
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/CursorAimServer.java b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/CursorAimServer.java
index 5d715ea..2bdb473 100644
--- a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/CursorAimServer.java
+++ b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/CursorAimServer.java
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 package dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.flight;
 
+import dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.Config;
 import net.mcreator.valkyrienwarium.entity.SeatEntityEntity;
 import net.minecraft.server.level.ServerPlayer;
 import net.minecraft.world.entity.Entity;
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ public final class CursorAimServer {
         }
         long nodeKey = basis.nodePos().asLong();
         double length = Math.sqrt(cf * cf + cr * cr + cu * cu);
-        if (!active || !CursorAimConfig.ENABLED.get() || !(length > 1.0E-6) || !Double.isFinite(length)) {
+        if (!active || !Config.CURSOR_AIM_ENABLED.get() || !(length > 1.0E-6) || !Double.isFinite(length)) {
             CursorAimRegistry.clear(nodeKey);
             return;
         }
diff --git a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/CursorPilot.java b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/CursorPilot.java
index c3c2ab9..c7dec46 100644
--- a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/CursorPilot.java
+++ b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/CursorPilot.java
@@ -1,29 +1,45 @@
 package dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.flight;
 
+import dev.lumareth.improvedAerodynamics.Config;
 import org.joml.Matrix3d;
 import org.joml.Matrix3dc;
 import org.joml.Quaterniondc;
 import org.joml.Vector3d;
 
 /**
- * The virtual pilot of cursor aim. The cursor is a stick that springs back to the gun reticle:
+ * The virtual pilot of cursor aim. The cursor is a direction fixed in the world, and the pilot turns the craft until
+ * the gun reticle sits on it, so the offset it gets shrinks to nothing as the turn completes:
  * <ul>
- *   <li>sideways it commands a bank angle and turn: the further out, the steeper the bank and the harder the pull
- *   that comes with it. Centered it levels the wings, so a centered cursor is straight flight;</li>
- *   <li>up and down it commands a pitch rate;</li>
- *   <li>close to the reticle it steers with yaw and pitch directly instead of banking, so aiming does not rock the
- *   wings.</li>
+ *   <li>it banks towards the cursor, judged with the wings level so the bank does not hide where the cursor is: the
+ *   further the cursor is to the side, the steeper the bank. While banked it pulls as much as a level turn at that
+ *   bank needs, so the craft turns without losing height;</li>
+ *   <li>it pitches towards the cursor as seen from the cockpit, so once banked the cursor is above the nose and the
+ *   pull brings the nose round onto it;</li>
+ *   <li>close to the reticle it levels the wings and puts the reticle on the cursor with rudder and elevator, so
+ *   aiming does not rock the wings.</li>
  * </ul>
  * The wanted rotation is turned into stick inputs by the measured effect of each input on the craft (torque per unit
  * of input, see {@link AeroState}), so it works for any craft however its surfaces are mixed or oriented: angular
  * acceleration wanted times inertia, solved for the three inputs with a little regularization for axes that have no
  * surfaces. Keys the pilot holds win over it, per axis.
+ * <p>
+ * How hard the craft can turn is worked out live, not configured: the lift its wings can make at the edge of the stall
+ * at the current speed and altitude, over its mass and speed, and the steady pitch rate its pitch surfaces can hold
+ * against its pitch damping, whichever is lower. The same lift limit caps the bank to what the craft can hold level, so
+ * a heavy bomber banks gently and turns wide while a light fighter racks into a steep, tight turn.
  */
 final class CursorPilot {
     private static final double FINE_START = Math.toRadians(4.0);
     private static final double FINE_END = Math.toRadians(16.0);
     private static final double MANUAL_OVERRIDE = 0.05;
-    private static final double MAX_PULL_BANK = Math.toRadians(90.0);
+    // Gravity of VS
+    private static final double GRAVITY = 10.0;
+    // Share of the stall limited lift the pilot plans with, so it does not ride the stall
+    private static final double LIFT_MARGIN = 0.85;
+    // Bank the pilot rolls to at full sideways deflection even when the wings cannot hold the turn level
+    private static final double MIN_BANK = Math.toRadians(20.0);
+    // Turn rate when neither limit can be measured, like the first moments of a flight
+    private static final double FALLBACK_TURN_RATE = Math.toRadians(30.0);
 
     private CursorPilot() {
     }
@@ -32,57 +48,83 @@ final class CursorPilot {
      * @return the node with the pilot's wanted inputs in place of the keys, or the node itself if cursor aim is off
      */
     static NodeData apply(AeroState.NodeState state, NodeData node, Quaterniondc rotation, Matrix3dc inertia, double[] w,
-                          double speed, boolean wingStalled) {
-        if (!CursorAimConfig.ENABLED.get()) {
+                          double speed, boolean wingStalled, double liftAcceleration) {
+        if (!Config.CURSOR_AIM_ENABLED.get()) {
             return node;
         }
         CursorAimRegistry.Aim aim = CursorAimRegistry.get(node.key());
-        if (aim == null || speed < CursorAimConfig.MIN_SPEED.get()) {
+        if (aim == null || speed < Config.CURSOR_AIM_MIN_SPEED.get()) {
             return node;
         }
 
-        double fullAngle = Math.toRadians(CursorAimConfig.FULL_DEFLECTION_DEGREES.get());
-        double maxTurn = Math.toRadians(CursorAimConfig.MAX_TURN_RATE_DEGREES.get());
-        double maxRoll = Math.toRadians(CursorAimConfig.MAX_ROLL_RATE_DEGREES.get());
-        double maxBank = Math.toRadians(CursorAimConfig.MAX_BANK_DEGREES.get());
+        double fullAngle = Math.toRadians(Config.CURSOR_AIM_FULL_DEFLECTION_DEGREES.get());
+        double maxRoll = Math.toRadians(Config.CURSOR_AIM_MAX_ROLL_RATE_DEGREES.get());
+        double maxBank = Math.toRadians(Config.CURSOR_AIM_MAX_BANK_DEGREES.get());
+
+        // What this craft can do right now. Lift: pitch rate at the highest usable lift (a = L / m, rate = a / v), and
+        // the bank whose level turn needs that load factor. Without a stall model only the control limit applies
+        double usableLift = LIFT_MARGIN * liftAcceleration;
+        double liftRate = usableLift > 0.0 ? usableLift / speed : Double.POSITIVE_INFINITY;
+        double controlRate = state.controlRate > 0.0 ? state.controlRate : Double.POSITIVE_INFINITY;
+        double maxTurn = Math.min(liftRate, controlRate);
+        if (!Double.isFinite(maxTurn)) {
+            maxTurn = FALLBACK_TURN_RATE;
+        }
+        if (Double.isFinite(liftAcceleration)) {
+            double loadFactor = usableLift / GRAVITY;
+            double levelBank = loadFactor > 1.0 ? Math.acos(1.0 / loadFactor) : 0.0;
+            maxBank = Math.max(Math.min(MIN_BANK, maxBank), Math.min(maxBank, levelBank));
+        }
 
         double[] f = aim.forward();
         double[] r = aim.right();
         double[] u = aim.up();
 
-        // Cursor as angles from the reticle: sideways (positive right) and up, both through any 270 degree cone
-        double sideways = Math.atan2(aim.cr(), aim.cf());
-        double vertical = Math.atan2(aim.cu(), Math.hypot(aim.cf(), aim.cr()));
-        // Deadzone around the reticle: shrink the cursor offset by its radius, direction kept
-        double offset = Math.hypot(sideways, vertical);
-        double deadzone = Math.toRadians(CursorAimConfig.DEADZONE_DEGREES.get());
-        if (offset > 1.0E-9) {
-            double scale = Math.max(0.0, offset - deadzone) / offset;
-            sideways *= scale;
-            vertical *= scale;
-        }
-        double lateral = saturate(sideways / fullAngle);
-        double blend = smoothstep(Math.abs(sideways), FINE_START, FINE_END);
-
         // Bank of the craft: positive when the right wing is down, through upside down
         Vector3d rightWorld = rotation.transform(new Vector3d(r[0], r[1], r[2]));
         Vector3d upWorld = rotation.transform(new Vector3d(u[0], u[1], u[2]));
         double bank = Math.atan2(-rightWorld.y, upWorld.y);
 
-        double bankCommand = maxBank * lateral * blend;
-        double rollRate = clamp(CursorAimConfig.BANK_GAIN.get() * (bankCommand - bank), -maxRoll, maxRoll);
-
-        // Pitch: the stick, plus the pull that carries the turn while banked
-        double pitchStick = saturate(vertical / fullAngle);
-        double pitchRate = maxTurn * (pitchStick >= 0.0 ? pitchStick : pitchStick * CursorAimConfig.PUSH_FACTOR.get());
-        if (Math.abs(bank) < MAX_PULL_BANK) {
-            pitchRate += maxTurn * Math.abs(lateral) * blend * Math.sin(Math.abs(bank));
+        // Deadzone around the reticle: shrink the cursor's offset by its radius, direction kept
+        double cf = aim.cf();
+        double cr = aim.cr();
+        double cu = aim.cu();
+        double deadzone = Math.toRadians(Config.CURSOR_AIM_DEADZONE_DEGREES.get());
+        double offset = Math.acos(clamp(cf, -1.0, 1.0));
+        double across = Math.hypot(cr, cu);
+        if (deadzone > 0.0 && offset > 1.0E-9 && across > 1.0E-9) {
+            double shrunk = Math.max(0.0, offset - deadzone);
+            cf = Math.cos(shrunk);
+            cr *= Math.sin(shrunk) / across;
+            cu *= Math.sin(shrunk) / across;
         }
+        // Cursor as angles from the reticle as seen from the cockpit: sideways (positive right) and up, through any
+        // 270 degree cone
+        double sideways = Math.atan2(cr, cf);
+        double vertical = Math.atan2(cu, Math.hypot(cf, cr));
+        // Sideways as it would be with the wings level, what the bank is chosen by
+        double levelSideways = Math.atan2(cr * Math.cos(bank) + cu * Math.sin(bank), cf);
+        double blend = smoothstep(Math.abs(levelSideways), FINE_START, FINE_END);
+
+        double bankCommand = maxBank * saturate(levelSideways / fullAngle) * blend;
+        double rollRate = clamp(Config.CURSOR_AIM_BANK_GAIN.get() * (bankCommand - bank), -maxRoll, maxRoll);
+
+        // Pitch: the pull of a level turn at the current bank, the turn rate g tan(bank) / v seen about the pitch axis,
+        // plus a pull towards the cursor. Past 90 degrees of bank the level turn pull would only dive, so it is left out
+        double pitchStick = saturate(vertical / fullAngle);
+        double push = Config.CURSOR_AIM_PUSH_FACTOR.get();
+        double pitchRate = maxTurn * (pitchStick >= 0.0 ? pitchStick : pitchStick * push);
+        double cosBank = Math.cos(bank);
+        if (cosBank > 0.0) {
+            double sinBank = Math.sin(bank);
+            pitchRate += GRAVITY * sinBank * sinBank / (speed * Math.max(cosBank, 0.1));
+        }
+        pitchRate = clamp(pitchRate, -maxTurn * push, maxTurn);
         if (wingStalled && pitchRate > 0.0) {
-            pitchRate *= CursorAimConfig.STALLED_PITCH_FACTOR.get();
+            pitchRate *= Config.CURSOR_AIM_STALLED_PITCH_FACTOR.get();
         }
         // Close to the reticle the nose follows the cursor with the rudder
-        double yawRate = maxTurn * lateral * (1.0 - blend);
+        double yawRate = maxTurn * saturate(sideways / fullAngle) * (1.0 - blend);
 
         // Wanted angular velocity in ship axes: roll about forward, pitch about right, yaw (nose right) about -up
         Vector3d wanted = new Vector3d(
@@ -90,7 +132,7 @@ final class CursorPilot {
                 rollRate * f[1] + pitchRate * r[1] - yawRate * u[1],
                 rollRate * f[2] + pitchRate * r[2] - yawRate * u[2]);
         Vector3d error = wanted.sub(w[0], w[1], w[2]);
-        Vector3d acceleration = error.mul(CursorAimConfig.RATE_GAIN.get());
+        Vector3d acceleration = error.mul(Config.CURSOR_AIM_RATE_GAIN.get());
         Vector3d torque = inertia.transform(acceleration, new Vector3d());
 
         double[] inputs = solve(state.pitchResponse, state.yawResponse, state.rollResponse, torque);
diff --git a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/ImprovedAero.java b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/ImprovedAero.java
index 9785f80..1e75540 100644
--- a/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/ImprovedAero.java
+++ b/src/main/java/dev/lumareth/improvedAerodynamics/flight/ImprovedAero.java
@@ -129,11 +129,8 @@ final class ImprovedAero {
 
         // Low aspect ratio wings keep their flow attached longer thanks to leading-edge vortices. Control surfaces
         // in a wing's group stall with the wing instead of before it
-        double vortexFactor = tuning.vortex() && (s.type() == SurfaceType.WING || s.wingGroup() && s.type().controllable)
-                ? VortexLift.factor(s.aspectRatio()) : 0.0;
-        double baseStall = s.slab() ? SurfaceType.SLAB_STALL_ANGLE
-                : s.wingGroup() && s.type().controllable ? SurfaceType.WING.stallAngle : s.type().stallAngle;
-        double critical = Math.toRadians(baseStall) * (1.0 + tuning.vortexStallBonus() * vortexFactor) * tuning.stallAngleScale();
+        double vortexFactor = vortexFactor(s, tuning);
+        double critical = criticalAngle(s, tuning, vortexFactor);
         double absAlpha = Math.abs(alpha);
         if (alpha >= 0.0) {
             critical += FLAP_STALL_GAIN * flapShift;
@@ -149,9 +146,8 @@ final class ImprovedAero {
 
         // Finite wing theory: lift slope and induced drag follow from the wing's aspect ratio
         double aspectRatio = s.aspectRatio();
-        double slope = aspectRatio > 0.0 ? 2.0 * Math.PI / (1.0 + 2.0 / aspectRatio) : LIFT_SLOPE;
         double inducedDrag = aspectRatio > 0.0 ? 1.0 / (Math.PI * EFFICIENCY * aspectRatio) : INDUCED_DRAG;
-        double attachedLift = slope * alpha;
+        double attachedLift = liftSlope(s) * alpha;
         if (s.type() == SurfaceType.WING) {
             attachedLift += VortexLift.liftCoefficient(alpha, vortexFactor, tuning.vortexLiftStrength());
         }
@@ -175,6 +171,44 @@ final class ImprovedAero {
         return stalled;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Lift (along the surface's normal) the surface would make in the airflow it sees now at the highest angle of
+     * attack it can fly without starting to stall, flaps included. Only meaningful for horizontal surfaces.
+     */
+    static double maxLift(AeroSurface s, double[] v, double[] w, double[] r, double flap, double weight, Tuning tuning) {
+        double vx = v[0] + w[1] * r[2] - w[2] * r[1];
+        double vy = v[1] + w[2] * r[0] - w[0] * r[2];
+        double vz = v[2] + w[0] * r[1] - w[1] * r[0];
+        double u = vx * s.facingX() + vz * s.facingZ();
+        double planeSpeedSq = u * u + vy * vy;
+        double vortexFactor = vortexFactor(s, tuning);
+        double flapShift = FLAP_ALPHA_FACTOR * flap;
+        double alpha = criticalAngle(s, tuning, vortexFactor) + FLAP_STALL_GAIN * flapShift - STALL_BLEND;
+        double lift = liftSlope(s) * alpha;
+        if (s.type() == SurfaceType.WING) {
+            lift += VortexLift.liftCoefficient(alpha, vortexFactor, tuning.vortexLiftStrength());
+        }
+        return LIFT_CONSTANT * s.pressure() * weight * s.fluidFactor() * planeSpeedSq * lift * tuning.liftScale();
+    }
+
+    private static double vortexFactor(AeroSurface s, Tuning tuning) {
+        return tuning.vortex() && (s.type() == SurfaceType.WING || s.wingGroup() && s.type().controllable)
+                ? VortexLift.factor(s.aspectRatio()) : 0.0;
+    }
+
+    /** Angle of attack (radians, camber and flaps included) at which the surface starts to stall, without flaps. */
+    private static double criticalAngle(AeroSurface s, Tuning tuning, double vortexFactor) {
+        double baseStall = s.slab() ? SurfaceType.SLAB_STALL_ANGLE
+                : s.wingGroup() && s.type().controllable ? SurfaceType.WING.stallAngle : s.type().stallAngle;
+        return Math.toRadians(baseStall) * (1.0 + tuning.vortexStallBonus() * vortexFactor) * tuning.stallAngleScale();
+    }
+
+    /** Lift slope per radian from finite wing theory, from the wing's aspect ratio. */
+    private static double liftSlope(AeroSurface s) {
+        double aspectRatio = s.aspectRatio();
+        return aspectRatio > 0.0 ? 2.0 * Math.PI / (1.0 + 2.0 / aspectRatio) : LIFT_SLOPE;
+    }
+
     static double smoothstep(double edge0, double edge1, double x) {
         double t = Math.max(0.0, Math.min(1.0, (x - edge0) / (edge1 - edge0)));
         return t * t * (3.0 - 2.0 * t);