Pilot: Difference between revisions
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
The pilot's duties and gameplay have evolved as new vehicles are added and more functions created for the [[Helm]] station. The ability to spawn and issue orders to a pilot was added during dev build 0.225.0.109 along with other bridge NPCs. | The pilot's duties and gameplay have evolved as new vehicles are added and more functions created for the [[Helm]] station. The ability to spawn and issue orders to a pilot was added during dev build 0.225.0.109 along with other bridge NPCs. | ||
In current crew rosters, pilots and helm personnel are considered | In current crew rosters, pilots and helm personnel are considered different roles, with documents like the crew complement for the [[Magellan Class]] separating them.[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B1dHXuHzwup_xRHQTtx3oU9G_8zD-Y0BfnTH0t7x-_c/edit?gid=0#gid=0] However, plans are for the two roles to serve the same, with helm operators occasionally placed in charge of shuttles. | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 18:19, 8 March 2026
A pilot (sometimes also called the helm) is a member of crew put in charge of flying starships and shuttles. The role places the officer at the helm or flight control station of the vehicle, using it to steer the direction of travel and control its speed. In the United Nations Space Fleet, pilots hold the rank of crewman and are members of the operations/deck crew department.
Responsibilities
A pilot is often placed at the helm of a starship or driving station of a shuttlecraft. This either is a station at the bridge or in the shuttle's cockpit. Through these stations, the pilot is placed in charge of controlling the travel speed and direction of the vehicle. Their station controls the engines of the vessel, whether it be RCS Thrusters used to control their direction or engines used at the back. Pilots must be familiar with the six degrees of freedom pilot uses controls at the ship to control the engines.
Regardless of their size, the pilot is expected to be placed in responsibility of both navigating the vessel to their intended destination. They are also placed in charge of responding to obstacles and hazards on the route, whether it be asteroid fields or attacks from hostile forces. The pilot must ensure the safety of the vessel. When required, the pilot can activate the autopilot systems to take over operations and turn it off when they wish to take over.
Starships
Whilst at the helm station of a starship, the officer is expected to work with the bridge crew to travel across the galaxy, and respond to orders from either the captain or officer of the watch. They are also expected to work with different departments to meet certain objectives, such as getting in positions for tactical systems or getting close to resources for resupply. Like with shuttles, helm officers are expected to avoid spaceborne hazards and, if unavoidable, reduce damage caused by these threats.
On faster-than-light vessels, the helm is expected to be in control of the method used to provide this, whether it be an Alcubierre Drive or other form. This system is activated from the station and use it when needed. The helm officer is also expected to use the navigation panel to manage locations and targets, whether they be set from other bridge stations or created by them. The helm can also use controls for external systems, such as external lighting.
Shuttles
Whilst controlling shuttles, pilots are expected to work with deck crew to fly shuttles between the ship and the destination. This will include the transportation of personnel and cargo on the shuttle. They are also expected to safely take off and land vehicles in the Shuttle Bay, and ensure the safety of personnel in the bay. Pilots are also expected to ensure the shuttle's condition, including avoiding local threats and preventing crashing.
Primary Location and Access Level
On a Magellan Class vessel, a pilot is expected to operate from the flight control station of the vehicle they are tasked with flying. If tasked at a starship's helm, they will have access to the Bridge and A Deck. If they are placed in charge of a shuttle, they are expected to have access to the Shuttle Bay. As a member of the operations department, they are also expected to report to the deck chief's office. They are also expected to have access to facilities on both D and E Deck and personal quarters on one of these.
Key Interactions
Personnel
The key interactions for pilots is currently unknown. As members of the operations department, they are likely to report to the Deck Chief, Second Chief or Third Chief.
If placed at the helm of a starship, they are expected to take orders from the captain or officer of the watch. These include taking location requests from them, such as travelling to stations selected from the Holo-Display. Their station is set to accept coordinates from other stations, such as the Sensors Station. It is likely they will travel close to celestial bodies selected by the station so the Sensors Specialist can perform a survey on them. It's likely the pilot will recieve further interaction from other stations, such as Tactical and Comms Stations.
Stations and Devices
When assigned to a vehicle, the pilot is expected to use the flight control station to manage its travel. At a starship, this is the Helm station. A pilot is expected to use these to control the ship's speed and direction of travel. They are also expected to use it to interact with ship systems such as the Alcubierre Drive and autopilot. The pilot is also expected to use navigation systems to assist them.
Gameplay Focus
Playing as a pilot is expected to focus more of ship safety and travel. This includes knowledge of flight control systems, understanding of space-based phenomena and concepts such as the six degrees of freedom. Key gameplay elements include:
- Flying the vehicle to requested destinations
- Controlling vehicle speed
- Awareness and avoidance of hazards and obstacles
- Being able to manoeuvre for special objectives, such as for scientific surveys or ship-to-ship combat
- Responding to orders from the Captain or officer of the watch
Development
The pilot's duties and gameplay have evolved as new vehicles are added and more functions created for the Helm station. The ability to spawn and issue orders to a pilot was added during dev build 0.225.0.109 along with other bridge NPCs.
In current crew rosters, pilots and helm personnel are considered different roles, with documents like the crew complement for the Magellan Class separating them.[1] However, plans are for the two roles to serve the same, with helm operators occasionally placed in charge of shuttles.
Notes
- In the real world, a pilot is a person placed in flight control of aircrafts such as airplanes and helicopters. However, the term is sometimes used to describe a person who drives a boat in congested and hazardous waters.
- In science fiction, the person placed in flight control of a larger ship is sometimes called a helmsman (or helm officer). This term originates from a member of crew placed in charge of the steering wheel on certain vessels, notably naval ships and airships.