Proposal and Request for Input Regarding a Pre-Flight / Flight Checklist

[Arrun Dihsar]

I don't think any of us wants to get too bogged down in technical writing, especially for a fictional setting with sci-fi tech. However, I like to think a little technical, inspired from real life, can inform writing in-character and veer us a little less from techno-babble and stay somewhat comprehensible. Now, there has to be, for sake of narrative time, a lot of hand-waving in some of the particulars of precisely what our characters are doing moment to moment -not like the actors of the shows were expected to hit this button and not THAT button all the time. However, I have to admit a fascination with technical checklists and the lead-up to actual action. So, in my idle wonderings one night, I wrote up a list.

Now, in my case, I wrote up a list of things I think my pilot does every time he is about to take control of the Conn and get the ship underway (assuming he isn't already in transit or in the midst of being shot at.)

I'm taking a little inspiration from aviation flight check lists; avoiding the nitty gritty bits. Mainly because I think that might be a little tedious to write out every time. Heck, even the stuff I will list below I abbrivate in my posts as "doing pre-flight" or something. But, I like to have an idea of what stuff my pilot is checking for, what might (reasonably) come up at the Conn station. A wary pilot might even verify some of the checklist with other departments (they aren't flying the ship alone after all).

Note that this is not an exhaustive list...just a list of things that would be narratively important if it WEREN'T done. Or if there was a Plot-Error at any of these stages. Though kudos to the one who makes a mission out of the lights on the left side of the ship not shining out into space.

So, after writing this out...I suppose I'm not calling for everyone to adhere to this. Just more a suggestion or guideline for current and future pilots in Shadow Fleet. For those who actually ARE pilots professional or hobbyist: apologies for butchering the jargon. Though, I am open to input on stuff I should take out; rewording; things I should add IN...from anyone.

Thanks for your interest and patience!

So, here is a proposed "Pre-Flight / Flight" list:

• Primary Power -- ON

• Secondary Power -- ON

  • Nav-Sensors -- ON

  • Verify Sensors with Master -- DONE

    • Nav-Computer -- ON

    • Verify Computer with Master -- DONE

      • Instrument Check -- DONE

      • CONN HAS CONTROL OF STARSHIP

        • Conn has Control -- YES

        • Maneauvering Thrusters -- ACTIVE

          • Impulse Engines -- ACTIVE

          • Warp Drive -- ACTIVE

            • STARSHIP READY TO MOVE

            • Starship Ready to Move -- YES

              • Verify Current Position -- DONE

              • Enter Course Plot -- DONE

                • Enter Intended Speed -- DONE

                • COURSE PLOTTED AND READY TO GO ON MARK

                  • Mark - CALLED

                  • ENGAGE!

                    • Verify Bearing and Heading - DONE

                    • Speed Check - DONE

                      • SHIP UNDERWAY

[Kinley Garrison]

That is quite lovely. I've  mentioned pre flight checklists, but it's kinda nice having something to go off of should the plot call for it

[Rayek trLhoell]

Nice!  Two-thumbs up!

[Naira]

Nice checklist. I'll have to keep this in mind if/when I reactivate my pilot.

[Dylan Torngate]

I love this! I have no idea what else is "good" for something like this so I'll just continue by throwing into the mix another checklist that I have found from another scifi universe, that of Battlestar Galactica.

No idea if this is useful or not...

[Kirok]

Interestimg

[Mondo'li Nari]

It is nice that you have made this resource available for people to refer to when making their posts, should they feel inspired to use it.

Cheers!

[Alexander Wu]

Nice! I'd suggest adding a portion for armament/shields (for shuttlecraft or smaller ships where there wouldn't necessarily be a tactical officer or station), deflectors (since moving without it activated would potentially cause the ship's destruction), and maybe a flight system Level 5 diagnostic check (automated rapid check done by the computer).

[Felicity Ellis]

I love this. Any and all technical detail that can be used instead of techno-babble is a win for me. Great stuff!

[Arrun Dihsar]

Dylan Torngate: Actually, yeah I think I can pull stuff from there. The Raptor list, with modification, could add in, I'll noodle on it.

Glad people liked it so far, I'll keep chipping at it.

Alexander Wu: Agreed on all counts, gonna add them into the revised list.

So...added in suggestions from Torngate & Wu. Also, noting that the list is attempting to be somewhat general and usable in station docking, landing, ship-to-ship docking, etc. There would be additional steps in each scenario. In stardock, for example, you would also perform comms check with the station flight control, play "are you ok?" tag with them, make sure the bay doors are open, etc. If on planet checking on nearby weather, etc.

Checklist V2.0:

• External Check -- DONE

• Fuel Check -- DONE

  • Primary Power -- ON

  • Secondary Power -- ON

    • Nav-Sensors -- ON

    • Verify Sensors with Master -- DONE

      • Nav-Computer -- ON

      • Verify Computer with Master -- DONE

        • Instruments Check -- DONE

        • CONN HAS CONTROL OF STARSHIP

          • Conn has Control -- YES

          • Maneauvering Thrusters -- ACTIVE

            • Impulse Engines -- ACTIVE

            • Warp Drive -- ACTIVE

              • Deflectors -- ACTIVE

              • Flight System Level 5 Diagnostic -- DONE

                • Area of Departure -- CLEAR

                • STARSHIP READY TO MOVE

                  • Starship Ready to Move -- YES
                    ((Weapons and Defenses Check ONLY IF no Tactical officer or Station on Craft; otherwise skip to Verify Current Position))

                  • Weapon Systems -- READY

                    • Shield System -- READY

                    • Tractor System -- READY

                      • WEAPONS AND DEFENSES READY

                      • Weapons and Defenses -- READY

                        • Verify Current Position -- DONE

                        • Enter Course Plot -- DONE

                          • Enter Intended Speed -- DONE

                          • COURSE PLOTTED AND READY TO GO ON MARK

                            • Mark - CALLED

                            • ENGAGE!

                              • Verify Bearing and Heading - DONE

                              • Speed Check - DONE

                                • SHIP UNDERWAY

[Kinley Garrison]

I'm not sure if it's in there (if it is, just disregard this) but perhaps if you were at a very busy station or Starbase, you'd have to get clearance from the air traffic control station or at the least scan the area so no smaller craft are in the way.

[Arrun Dihsar]

I'm not sure if it's in there (if it is, just disregard this) but perhaps if you were at a very busy station or Starbase, you'd have to get clearance from the air traffic control station or at the least scan the area so no smaller craft are in the way.

That would be "Area of Departure -- CLEAR"

That's a sensor/visual check of the area around the ship before you start moving. If you have contact with a dock Flight Controller you would check with them since they have better sensor suite than a starship normally does.

[Kirok]

It is really cool to see all the interest in this.

I was never big into the technical aspects of Trek, but I can see how others might be!

[Malik Grippen]

I've used this preflight checklist in my latest post. Found it really useful and adds some authenticity. So thank you.

[Arrun Dihsar]

Oh! I'm very glad it helped!