diff --git a/src/lib/commands/bomb.c b/src/lib/commands/bomb.c
index 387b3f24..2a8bbeb2 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/bomb.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/bomb.c
@@ -126,10 +126,10 @@ bomb(void)
     /*
      * select planes within range
      */
-    pln_sel(&ni_bomb, &bomb_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
-	    2, P_B | P_T, P_M | P_O);
-    pln_sel(&ni_esc, &esc_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
-	    2, P_ESC | P_F, P_M | P_O);
+    pln_sel(&ni_bomb, &bomb_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target, 2,
+	    P_B | P_T, P_M | P_O);
+    pln_sel(&ni_esc, &esc_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target, 2,
+	    P_ESC | P_F, P_M | P_O);
     /*
      * now arm and equip the bombers, transports, whatever.
      */
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/drop.c b/src/lib/commands/drop.c
index 308fa8e2..3bcf2c79 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/drop.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/drop.c
@@ -99,14 +99,10 @@ drop(void)
     /*
      * select planes within range
      */
-    pln_sel(&ni_bomb, &bomb_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
-	    2, wantflags, P_M | P_O);
-    if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
-	pr("No planes could be equipped for the mission.\n");
-	return RET_FAIL;
-    }
-    pln_sel(&ni_esc, &esc_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
-	    2, P_ESC | P_F, P_M | P_O);
+    pln_sel(&ni_bomb, &bomb_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target, 2,
+	    wantflags, P_M | P_O);
+    pln_sel(&ni_esc, &esc_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target, 2,
+	    P_ESC | P_F, P_M | P_O);
     /*
      * now arm and equip the bombers, transports, whatever.
      */
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/fly.c b/src/lib/commands/fly.c
index 297b3898..0fb78467 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/fly.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/fly.c
@@ -94,14 +94,10 @@ fly(void)
     /*
      * select planes within range
      */
-    pln_sel(&ni_bomb, &bomb_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
-	    1, wantflags, P_M | P_O);
-    if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
-	pr("No planes could be equipped for the mission.\n");
-	return RET_FAIL;
-    }
-    pln_sel(&ni_esc, &esc_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
-	    1, wantflags | P_ESC | P_F, P_M | P_O);
+    pln_sel(&ni_bomb, &bomb_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target, 1,
+	    wantflags, P_M | P_O);
+    pln_sel(&ni_esc, &esc_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target, 1,
+	    wantflags | P_ESC | P_F, P_M | P_O);
     if (cno >= 0 && !pln_oneway_to_carrier_ok(&bomb_list, &esc_list, cno)) {
 	pr("Not enough room on ship #%d!\n", cno);
 	return RET_FAIL;
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/para.c b/src/lib/commands/para.c
index bb2e952d..33faa339 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/para.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/para.c
@@ -85,10 +85,10 @@ para(void)
     /*
      * select planes within range
      */
-    pln_sel(&ni_bomb, &bomb_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
-	    2, P_P | P_C, P_M | P_O);
-    pln_sel(&ni_esc, &esc_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
-	    2, P_ESC | P_F, P_M | P_O);
+    pln_sel(&ni_bomb, &bomb_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target, 2,
+	    P_P | P_C, P_M | P_O);
+    pln_sel(&ni_esc, &esc_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target, 2,
+	    P_ESC | P_F, P_M | P_O);
     /*
      * now arm and equip the bombers, transports, whatever.
      */
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/reco.c b/src/lib/commands/reco.c
index 17163286..3f6b044f 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/reco.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/reco.c
@@ -81,14 +81,11 @@ reco(void)
     /*
      * select planes within range
      */
-    pln_sel(&ni_bomb, &bomb_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
-	    1, wantflags | (mission_flags & PM_S ? P_SWEEP : 0), P_M | P_O);
-    if (QEMPTY(&bomb_list)) {
-	pr("No planes could be equipped for the mission.\n");
-	return RET_FAIL;
-    }
-    pln_sel(&ni_esc, &esc_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target,
-	    1, wantflags | P_ESC | P_F, P_M | P_O);
+    pln_sel(&ni_bomb, &bomb_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target, 1,
+	    wantflags | (mission_flags & PM_S ? P_SWEEP : 0),
+	    P_M | P_O);
+    pln_sel(&ni_esc, &esc_list, &ap_sect, ap_to_target, 1,
+	    wantflags | P_ESC | P_F, P_M | P_O);
     if (cno >= 0 && !pln_oneway_to_carrier_ok(&bomb_list, &esc_list, cno)) {
 	pr("Not enough room on ship #%d!\n", cno);
 	return RET_FAIL;