On collineation groups of translation planes of order \(q^ 4\) (Q1086836)

The authors prove the following theorem. Let \(\pi\) be an affine translation plane of order \(q^ 4\) admitting a nonsolvable group G in its translation complement. Suppose G fixes more than \(q+1\) slopes. (1) If q is odd, then \(8| | G|\) and the 2-rank of \(G\leq 2\). Furthermore, G always contains the kern involution. (2) If q is even, then G contains a normal subgroup N such that \(N\cong L_ 2(2^ s)\), for some s, and G/N is of odd order. Now the Sylow 2-subgroups fix Baer subplanes elementwise. Furthermore, the Baer subplanes share the same points at infinity and so N fixes exactly \(q^ 2+1\) slopes. Corollary: If G is simple, then q is even and \(G=L_ 2(2^ s)\) for some integer \(s\geq 2\).