I'm just going to get right down to it, there should be a base rank, and a *boost* rank.
Combat: Use a formula that calculates HP damage potential and shield strength, and have that formulate your boost rank. Say you have a fully kitted out for combat vulture, and let's say it ranks at 2. So if you're rank 8 combat, while you're flying this ship, you're practically Elite and can accept elite ranked combat missions.
Trade: Cargo Space... every 100T gives a boost rank for example.
Exploration: Unladen Jump Range.
Now for the reason I want this, immersion. That's it. I get a greenhorn is still a greenhorn regardless of his ship, but sometimes you don't need more skill if you have bigger guns. So if I'm in a fully combat kitted Anaconda, I find it silly that I'm not entrusted to kill a couple of pirates because I'm only an "expert." It's just ridiculous.
Combat: Use a formula that calculates HP damage potential and shield strength, and have that formulate your boost rank. Say you have a fully kitted out for combat vulture, and let's say it ranks at 2. So if you're rank 8 combat, while you're flying this ship, you're practically Elite and can accept elite ranked combat missions.
Trade: Cargo Space... every 100T gives a boost rank for example.
Exploration: Unladen Jump Range.
Now for the reason I want this, immersion. That's it. I get a greenhorn is still a greenhorn regardless of his ship, but sometimes you don't need more skill if you have bigger guns. So if I'm in a fully combat kitted Anaconda, I find it silly that I'm not entrusted to kill a couple of pirates because I'm only an "expert." It's just ridiculous.