Ships Tips for getting the real big ships through the airlocks (without getting stuck in the airlock and getting fined for loitering)?

Branithar

Branithar
Tips for getting the real big ships through the airlocks (without getting stuck in the airlock and getting fined for loitering)?

I've been doing a bit of trading with an Anaconda, and a couple times I've gotten fines for loitering in the airlock. And I'll fairly often see the shield light up when I'm trying to squeeze through the airlock. And I've occasionally people getting snagged on the airlock on youtube videos I've seen. What about the Imperial Cutter and the Federal Corvette ('cause they're even bigger).
 

JetsonRING

JetsonRING
Branithar said:
I've been doing a bit of trading with an Anaconda, and a couple times I've gotten fines for loitering in the airlock. And I'll fairly often see the shield light up when I'm trying to squeeze through the airlock. And I've occasionally people getting snagged on the airlock on youtube videos I've seen. What about the Imperial Cutter and the Federal Corvette ('cause they're even bigger).
Click to expand...

[noob] Transitioning into the larger, bridge-on-top ships can be challenging for some CMDRs. Temporarily fit the Automatic Docking Computer (ADC) and let it fly you through the slot a couple of times to show you how and where to line up, then exchange the ADC for a more useful module and practice docking. The ADC can be a great tool for showing a CMDR transitioning into the larger ships (especially the Anaconda) where and how high to line up going through the mail-slot so the CMDR can avoid the loitering fee and more importantly, that big rebuy when the station decides you have "loitered" long enough and blows up your shiny new Annie!

A couple of notes on getting the Anaconda thru the slot:

If you do not instinctively duck your head as your ship passes thru the mail-slot, then you are still too low! REALLY scrape your head going thru the slot in an Anaconda!
Also, it is not as big as you think. Three (3) Anacondas can go thru the mail slot side-by-side. Go right of center and STAY HIGH.
Do not continue to use the ADC, or use it like an autopilot as it will crash your ship about 10-15% of the time. Keep an eye on it and be prepared at any time to grab back the controls!

The Corvette and Cutter both go thru the slot in the center. The Corvette lined up higher because of its bridge-on-top design but in the Cutter you can just aim for the middle or just below the middle. o7
 
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Doookie Shoes

Doookie Shoes
My Annocanda and Cutter I use docking computer.
Can I land it? Yes, with my Cutter valued around 700 million I shouldn't have to! Lol
There should be a valet to take the ship into dock while I'm shuttled with Champagne and a nice food spread for this money.
 
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Iskariot

Iskariot
Branithar said:
I've been doing a bit of trading with an Anaconda, and a couple times I've gotten fines for loitering in the airlock. And I'll fairly often see the shield light up when I'm trying to squeeze through the airlock. And I've occasionally people getting snagged on the airlock on youtube videos I've seen. What about the Imperial Cutter and the Federal Corvette ('cause they're even bigger).
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Don't worry.
Docking these ships is not much of a problem.
It is all about experience and that will come quickly after you dock a few times.

Anaconda cockpit is on top. When flying through the slot stay close to the ceiling.
You will get the hang of it. It will become second nature.

With the Cutter I stay in the middle of the slot and it has never been a problem.
The only thing you will have to keep in mind is that you should not boost towards the slot if you are quite close.
The Cutter has very powerful thrusters and it needs a mile to break at least :).
If you take it easy with the Cutter then you will be fine.

Corvette is a bit like the Annie. She is much more maneuverable than the Cutter and easy to handle.

Personally I would not recommend using docking computers at all.
I think docking is very cool to do manually. Especially with a big ship like the cutter it is very satisfying to set her on the deck smoothly.
I feel the Docking computer is a waste of a perfectly good slot.
 
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wrmiller

W
Never got comfortable with the Anaconda. Bought and sold it three times.

My Corvette on the other hand is like my Python's big brother. Very maneuverable and if anything I aim just slightly above center as I boost through the mail slot. :)

It may help to enable that mouse dot thingie in setup that points where you are actually going instead of where your nose is pointing with the Anaconda and Corvette.
 

Arry

Arry
Branithar said:
I've been doing a bit of trading with an Anaconda, and a couple times I've gotten fines for loitering in the airlock. And I'll fairly often see the shield light up when I'm trying to squeeze through the airlock. And I've occasionally people getting snagged on the airlock on youtube videos I've seen. What about the Imperial Cutter and the Federal Corvette ('cause they're even bigger).
Click to expand...
Just pull in behind a ship of the same type and follow it in and make notes.
 

CMDR Corlas

CMDR Corlas
Don't go in through the center, that's just rude to people trying to leave. Stick to your green lane and there's still plenty of room.

As others have said, try to scrape the top in the Anaconda and Corvette. In the T-9 and Beluga, it's nearly the opposite. Been a while since I flew a Cutter, so I don't remember there.

The issue with the big ships isn't that they are so big they have to squeeze in - they really don't, the slot is huge - the issue is just that they have volume in places you don't expect. Learn where your cockpit is in relation to your hull, and docking's a breeze.
 

Happy Hippy

Banned
Happy Hippy
1. Buy all Ship Kits and make it as big as you can.

2. Use a Docking Computer and observe

3. Practise exiting slowly and learn where the sides of your Ship are by slight thrusters to all areas but use Exit to Menu if you get stuck

4. Remove Ship Kit and try again

(the Kit is a joke as it doesn't make any difference)
 

FredReynolds

F
Happy Hippy said:
1. Buy all Ship Kits and make it as big as you can.

2. Use a Docking Computer and observe

3. Practise exiting slowly and learn where the sides of your Ship are by slight thrusters to all areas but use Exit to Menu if you get stuck

4. Remove Ship Kit and try again

(the Kit is a joke as it doesn't make any difference)
Click to expand...

Ship kits are purely cosmetic and have no hitbox nor actually have any change on the flight model or real size of the ship.
 

Cmdr. Numa

Cmdr. Numa
FredReynolds said:
If you think docking the 'conda is hard, try the Beluga :) With the fins, I take the ENTIRE slot, lol.
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This. Once you've learned how to boost your Beluga through the slot without touching anything, then you can land everything. Until the Panther comes. Probably. If it ever comes.
 

Caramel Clown

Caramel Clown
You're not squeezing really, especially in Anaconda. If aligned properly I'm sure you could fit a couple of eagles above and below with Anaconda hovering in a slot. It's just a matter of practice. Some people find mouse widget useful for better feel of where center is exactly.
 

Arry

Arry
Caramel Clown said:
You're not squeezing really, especially in Anaconda. If aligned properly I'm sure you could fit a couple of eagles above and below with Anaconda hovering in a slot. It's just a matter of practice. Some people find mouse widget useful for better feel of where center is exactly.
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I played with an Anaconda in Beta once and found that if you go through the mail slot a bit too slow, the rotation on the slot damages the ship if you are not rolling with it. I tend to make good use of the radar and with that you can line yourself up nicely to be TDC and then go in or out as fast as you like; but anything under about 30ms, in an Anaconda is risky.
 

Ozram

Ozram
With the Conda, if it looks like you are close to scraping your head on the roof of the slot, you're doing it right.
 

Arry

Arry
Ozram said:
With the Conda, if it looks like you are close to scraping your head on the roof of the slot, you're doing it right.
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When I use the radar to line up; I have found that the cockpit location does not matter. In the FDL, I feel that I am too high, but after a couple of times boosting out of the slot, I get used to it.
 

Caramel Clown

Caramel Clown
Arry said:
I played with an Anaconda in Beta once and found that if you go through the mail slot a bit too slow, the rotation on the slot damages the ship if you are not rolling with it. I tend to make good use of the radar and with that you can line yourself up nicely to be TDC and then go in or out as fast as you like; but anything under about 30ms, in an Anaconda is risky.
Click to expand...

30? Oo You must be joking? I'm usually doing way over 150 if there's low traffic, and just under 100 in heavy traffic area to avoid fines.
 
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