Pilot Skills

[Cpt Balu]

Hello guys!

I'd have a rather complex yet still considerable suggestion to the skillings of the KSP, focused on pilots abilities.

The idea came out from airplane hangar where I suffered a lot with my planes. Tried to get some help from my little kompanions, but noticed that their piloting skills gained in space are not so helpful. So, here is my solution (points can be accepted independently):

1. If possible, diverting space astronauts from airborne pilots, creating two different discipline. Of course, already existing pilots should be handled properly.

2. Skills for airborne pilots could give different assistance for driving the aircrafts. An example: Level 1 gives ability for level flight, Level 2 maintains heading, Level 3 Auto throttle for speed, Level 4 Navigation, Level 5 Auto-landing ability

3. The above point considers a similar but slightly different navigation system as used for space navigation. Flight planning shall really mean what it tells, inspired by real life air traffic solutions :-)

These so far in general, just a canvas for creating the mid-air career for the kerbals, can be refined in many ways.

PS.: I know there already exist many solutions for autopiloting (MechJeb etc.), but I can imagine these features embedded in the vanilla too, at least on the mentioned way.

[Snark]

Moving to Suggestions forum.

[Alshain]

It's really a space game.  Planes are mostly in the game because of space shuttles and theoretical SSTOs.  Plus IRL a lot of astronauts were airborne pilots.  Finally, and most importantly, the Kerbal class system sucks.  It should be removed, not expanded.

[eddiew]

I wouldn't mind the option for "fly level" - but I think it needs to be quite early in the ranks, or even a starter, for it to be useful.

The Strategia mod offers the ability for pilots to improve fuel efficiency, maybe that's something that could be available at 5-stars?

[pandaman]

Yes, a maintain current altitude and pitch (relative to ground) function would certainly be welcome 

[Sereneti]

The Skill system sucks.

you had to fly to another planet, that the kerbals are usefull.

A pilot are more useless: you can use a drone -core and had all the things that a level 5 pilot can do. with less money.