The Docking Computer thread.

Elric

E
If you played elite 2 /3 you know not to trust the docking computer at all......

The music ( Blue Danube by Strauss Jr ) is classic elite music its been in all the games when you dock.

But yeh....... I only use the computer for the sentiment and the lols ALWAYS with one eye on the screen always waiting for that wth moment.

Happy times xD
 

Damoc

D
I always had the "clock" on full speed in FE2 when using docking computer. Never failed. ;) Its ok that the docking computer muck up now and then, but not in 75-100% of the time. And what is the rationale behond the station opening fire anyways?
 

Bloom

Bloom
pulpDocking_zps02c26bb6.jpg
 

bamber

B
Ticketed as 20502

Everytime I dock an anaconda with the docking computer it is too high in the slot and runs along the roof

Just shows because you have tried it once and not liked it - its worth trying with other ships as well
 

Lochnagar

Lochnagar
Been using the Docking Computer with the Ana for a while now and whilst it takes far longer than docking manually its become a habit to let it dock for me as I know it works with a few bumps and scrapes but you don't get rammed by NPC ships while dockin... So its position the ship looking down the slot as straight as possible - request docking - then its time to go grab a coffee or whatever while its doing its thing....

The blue danube brings back fond memories every time I hear it....
 

bamber

B
Lochnagar said:
Been using the Docking Computer with the Ana for a while now and whilst it takes far longer than docking manually its become a habit to let it dock for me as I know it works with a few bumps and scrapes but you don't get rammed by NPC ships while docking and its time to go grab a coffee or whatever while its slowly plugging away...

The blue danube brings back fond memories every time I hear it....
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are you getting it running along the roof of the docking port as well?

Ana needs to be in the lower half but this docking computer takes you too high

Wasn't a big fan with small ships but even with its problems it is starting to come into its own with the bigger ships
 

Lochnagar

Lochnagar
are you getting it running along the roof of the docking port as well?
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Yup... had the "crash landing" symptom on the Lakon 9 which caused me to scrap the DC, but the Ana merely scrapes along the top and doesn't dent the shields... I like to read the "keep clear" on the flashing light above the entrance... kinda cool...
 

Nervous Energy

N
I like it, reminds me of old times, but why 33rd century space ship has such terrible sound quality is beyond me :)

As for the docking computer, sometimes i dont, sometimes i do, and either go for a bio (which i have been holding for the past 5mins or more, just one more jump etc etc) or grab a brew.
 

Blix

B
I got the Hauler and have yet to see the docking computer do anything.
Bought the unit, looked and it's on, what else do I need to do to get it to work?

I got the hauler and the only thing I see is the warning to slow down for docking, yet not auto steering or any thing.
 

NotFragile

N
I installed a DC in a Type 6...and promptly sold it, as the docking AI uses so much roll axis that it almost made me decorate my keyboard with my supper...

...I do like it in the Type 9 and the Anaconda, though. Works almost perfectly with the -9 and while the Ana does scrape the top, that's what shields are for.
 

Darkwolf

D
NotFragile said:
.I do like it in the Type 9 and the Anaconda, though. Works almost perfectly with the -9 and while the Ana does scrape the top, that's what shields are for.
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Don't activate it on a Type-9 when you're at an extreme angle from the docking port. It'll get you stuck sideways hung up on the bits sticking out from the port.

It's fine if you activate it while you're some distance away and nearly in line with the rotational axis of the station though.
 

StellarHoax

StellarHoax
FoxTwo said:
Well if someone wants a docking computer and be brain-dead while docking, why not?

It's better to have it and not needing it, than to need it and not having it.

If you don't feel that docking computers are good, then don't use them. Let them be available for people who aren't as skilled at flying.

I read that in real world today, planes have autopilot, even to the extent of landing the plane by itself - pilots just don't use them cuz of ego and pride. I don't know this first hand by the way - I read some military article somewhere some years back and saw this interesting bit of info.
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Pilot here, we do have autopilot on commercial airliners to assist us with flying accurately through the busy skies all over the world. Plus, it would be tedious to hand fly the darn thing all the way to your destination. To put it into EDs perspective, imagine you're flying your ship through a busy network of highways in the sky where flying in a straight line isn't the most efficient way to travel (thanks Earth, for being an oblate spheroid). Considering that plus the traffic in the air at any given time, autopilot was constructed to aid the pilot in maintaining a safe and accurate route throughout the journey.
They can land the plane as well if conditions deem necessary. This is done more so because of adverse weather conditions where it isn't possible for the pilots to actually see the runway until they're very close. The autopilot works in tandem with a lot of other systems to bring the aircraft down safely to the runway without much pilot 'interdiction'. Most pilots don't use this system if the conditions don't require it as there are also requirements where the pilot be able to well...pilot the aircraft with what we call 'hands on time' to be current with their license.
In conclusion, its all in place for safety more than anything else but I won't deny that a bit of pride and ego isn't involved as well ;)
 

Sandmann

Sandmann
KrazyK said:
Pilot here, we do have autopilot on commercial airliners to assist us with flying accurately through the busy skies all over the world. Plus, it would be tedious to hand fly the darn thing all the way to your destination. To put it into EDs perspective, imagine you're flying your ship through a busy network of highways in the sky where flying in a straight line isn't the most efficient way to travel (thanks Earth, for being an oblate spheroid). Considering that plus the traffic in the air at any given time, autopilot was constructed to aid the pilot in maintaining a safe and accurate route throughout the journey.
They can land the plane as well if conditions deem necessary. This is done more so because of adverse weather conditions where it isn't possible for the pilots to actually see the runway until they're very close. The autopilot works in tandem with a lot of other systems to bring the aircraft down safely to the runway without much pilot 'interdiction'. Most pilots don't use this system if the conditions don't require it as there are also requirements where the pilot be able to well...pilot the aircraft with what we call 'hands on time' to be current with their license.
In conclusion, its all in place for safety more than anything else but I won't deny that a bit of pride and ego isn't involved as well ;)
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Great answer... rep added. So if I understand correctly, basically in modern commercial aircraft the autopilot is there for convenience but the importance is placed on being able to do it "by hand".
 

StellarHoax

StellarHoax
Sandmann said:
Great answer... rep added. So if I understand correctly, basically in modern commercial aircraft the autopilot is there for convenience but the importance is placed on being able to do it "by hand".
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Thank you, sir, for your kind words and the rep! I owe you a galactic ethanol concoction.
To answer your question, it is definitely there for convenience and the importance is placed on being able to pilot the aircraft by hand for critical phases of the flight such as departure/arrival (in other words while you're flying relatively close to the ground). Regulatory agencies require us to pass such examinations (taken around every 6 months and goes by the name of a 'currency check') in a full motion simulator so it always helps to feel the aircraft and the earthly aerodynamics at play while you're out and about transporting happy passengers to their destinations, provided the visual conditions match the scenario, otherwise you have no choice but to let John (pilot lingo for Autopilot) bring us down safely.
 

Sandmann

Sandmann
KrazyK said:
Thank you, sir, for your kind words and the rep! I owe you a galactic ethanol concoction.
To answer your question, it is definitely there for convenience and the importance is placed on being able to pilot the aircraft by hand for critical phases of the flight such as departure/arrival (in other words while you're flying relatively close to the ground). Regulatory agencies require us to pass such examinations (taken around every 6 months and goes by the name of a 'currency check') in a full motion simulator so it always helps to feel the aircraft and the earthly aerodynamics at play while you're out and about transporting happy passengers to their destinations, provided the visual conditions match the scenario, otherwise you have no choice but to let John (pilot lingo for Autopilot) bring us down safely.
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Yah I kinda figured that was the case. I've always loved flight, I've worn out practically every flight sim software I can find, bought the control yoke, throttle quadrants, pedals etc for my PC, I fly & build RC airplanes and choppers, and I even took a few lessons in a cessna which I really enjoyed (and found very easy) but I think I left my run at getting a pilot's licence a couple of decades too long. I'm the sort of passenger who always tries to get a window seat just behind the wings so I can see what the pilot's actually doing, since they get a bit excited if I try to come up the front and see for myself these days. :D Oh well.

Hey on a completely unrelated topic, perhaps you can answer a question for me that came up in another thread? I know you've got a million check lists, operating manuals, and so on that you must abide by but if you one day were to decide that they were all wrong and that it was a much better idea to start a jet's engines with the throttles advanced, would the plane let you attempt it, or would it sound alarms and refuse to try to start until they were zeroed?
 
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