QUOTE (Cain @ Nov 29 2011, 07:03 PM)

Dictating to us what should or should not happen in your games, while stating you have no houserules, is dishonest debating.
Here's the problem. You're stuck on one scenario of helicopter vs ground, and one that strictly favors the ground. What about shadowrunners trying to escape in a chopper? Or trying to get away on the ground with an aerial drone after you? Or shadowrunners trying to chase after a helicopter? Or any one of the hundreds of situations the Chase Rules simply cannot model adequately? What happens when one tries to fire at the other? How can a ground vehicle with only forward-mounted weaponry even shoot at a helicopter behind it? Or better yet, how can a car close to Short Range with a helicopter, when short range is defined as "Close enough to jump from one vehicle to another" and the helicopter is five stories up?
Whatever, Cain.
And I am Glad to see that you finally Admitted that Ground Evasion is more favorable against air assets when the Air assets are chasing. It will be reversed if the positions are changed, and the Air assets are the ones trying to escape, and all you have is ground pursuit. Or do you not agree with that either?
Lets look at your above examples, shall we. And remember, We use the CHASE rules, not the Tactical Rules, which we have seen absolutely no use for as of yet. Now, Speed will make a difference in Chase scenes. The faster vehicle will likely outpace the slower very quickly, given the right circumstances.
PC's escaping in a Helicopter. Are they being pursued by air assets? Are they capable of matching the maneuvers of the helicopter. If so, then it will take some time to escape. If not, they will likely escape with ease.
PC's On the ground with an Aerial Drone Chasing. Same Questions. Can the drone match maneuvers? Are the PC's on Foot? Can the Drone get into Building/structures on its own? Some can, and some cannot. If it can, then the chase may take some time. If it cannot, then all the runners need to do is enter a structure that the drone cannot follow them into.
Shadowrunners chasing a Helicopter. If they do not have air assets, the Helicopter will get away. There is really no other option here.
Now, If you try to fire at someone, you take an "action" to do so. As for your example of car with forward mounted weapons shooting a helicopter behind it,
It can't. Why wouldyou think that it could? Now, a Runner sticking his head out a window (or through the sunroof) with an Anit-Air weapon could indeed take a shot (or with a ballistic weapon if the range is close enough; obviously a GM call). By the same token, An Air Vehicle vs. Air vehicle chase may involve a lot of weapons fire. Dependant upon how the vehicles are configured.
AS for closing to "Short Range" on a Helicoppter in a car... You CAN'T, unless the Helicopter is cooperating. Why would you even allow something as stupid as that in the first place?
I think I have identified your problem. You are trying to Make everything fit into the strictest interpretation of the rules, rather than using your innate common sense to say "NO, YOU CANNOT DO THAT." Maybe you should try that sometime. If the action defies common sense, Just say No. Now, that being said. If the PC is trying to get from Helicopter to Car, that is a possibility. If he is trying to go from Car to Helicopter, well, BOTH Vehicles MUST be cooperating to do so, otherwise the PC is road pizza.
The chase rules have worked flawlessly for us. I am sorry that you have less than good results with them. Fortunately, that is not my concern. *Shrug*