Frontiers Reach – Pilots Manual 1 - gameplaylists.com

This manual is for new pilots to learn how to fly a Frontiers Reach Starfighter. It will be regularly updated.

Introduction

Hello, and welcome to Frontiers Reach.

I like to think that as the game's developer, I don't have any illusions about what I created. This is even though it is so different from other space games. Many of these games are excellent, but they tend not to play the identical with different aesthetics.

Frontiers Reach represents my attempt to create something fresh and interesting in space games. I have gone back to my space game roots, playing with combat and using physics to accomplish this. However, this modern space game is quite different than the others. This guide is designed to make it easy for both new players and veterans of space games.

I'm not lying, there is a lot to do when you're in the cockpit with one of these starfighters. This is intentional. The game is heavily influenced by Cold War Era fighter jet, which required immense training and knowledge to fly.

Consider this guide Day 1 for starfighter flying school.

What's inside a Starfighter

A starfighter is a type of flying vehicle that can take flight from a planet, fly up and down the atmosphere, and then cruise to another planet. It can then land on another planet to refuel and begin a new journey. Spacefighters are also mentioned in lore. However, they are incapable of atmospheric flight and are considered older technology in the year 2330.

The RCS system is the starfighter technology's most important feature. This system is something you should be familiar with. Or Rotation Control System. This should not confused with a translation control system which will regulate lateral movement. But you should also be aware of other systems such as countermeasures.

Cockpit Training

As I said, many things are going on in this cockpit. Each of the instruments has information that will be useful at certain points during a flight. Let's get down and business.

1 – Aim Ring/Gravitational Drop Indicator. This is a clustering instrument that works in unison. The Aim Ring contains the largest element. A smaller ring, the Target Lead indicators, is attached to it. A second indicator is smaller and shows how much your cannon balls have dropped relative to the local gravity field. This indicator is visible over a distance 2km.

2 – Multifunction Displays – These displays only warn of approaching missiles.

3 – Fuel Gauge-Rather than a hard limit, fuel is tracked. () can be used for refueling and rearming.

4 – The Thermals Gauge is used to monitor the thermal conditions of the entire fighter. The computer will alert the user if it detects that your fighter is being overheated. If your fighter remains in an overheated position, it can cause some minor damage.

5 – The pod – Each fighter receives a pod. It's essentially a camera that tracks the current target. This will enable the pod to predict bomb locations so that bombs can be placed from the cockpit more easily.

6 – Angle of AttackIndicator. The Angle of AttackIndicator (or AoA gauge) shows the vehicle’s current direction of travel relative to the direction the vehicle is facing.

7 – Hull Integrity Symbol – This indicator shows the vehicle's overall hull integrity. If integrity is low, the icon blinks.

8 – Mission Info Panel (Mission Objective Information) – This Multi-Function Display is only for mission objectives information. (We will soon implement). This will make it easier to read on smaller resolution screens.

9 – Countermeasures. There is a variety of countermeasures. Flares (Chaff), EM Field, and EM Field. Flares cover the sky with missile disruption spheres. Chaff creates missile disruption clouds behind your fighter. The EM Field forms a bubble around your craft.

10 – Wayfinder: This arrow instrument will help you find the way to your mission goals. The Wayfinder will turn from orange into red if you lock on to a target and track your target instead.

11 – RCS, True Speed, & Throttle. These instruments can sometimes be found together or separately. The RCS indicator is simple and is nothing more than an indicator. The True speed readout shows you the current speed in meters per sec. The Throttle indicator lets you know at what percentage your throttle is currently at.

12 – Radar The radar sends an update to the globe's view. It does this by sending out a ping. If the entity has an Identity Tag that the radar is able to read, it will display them. This refreshes at a rate of once every three seconds, so it is important to keep this in mind when you fly.

13 – Weapons Information Panel. The cluster of gauges shows the currently selected weapon from your inner, light, or heavy weapons as well an indication of its current state.

14 – Attitude indicator – These lines that have numbers trailing down and up are the attitude indicators. This is a fairly good indicator of your attitude relative a the surface of the planet or if it is in space relative to where you launched from.

5 – The Heading Indiator – This indicates the current heading in North, South East East, West, East and West directions.

Understanding the Indicators

Although each indicator is unique in its purpose, all indicators use the same method of indicating the current state and status to the pilot.

The Countermeasures Indicator (the first indicator) is what we'll be focusing on.

Countermeasures Index

The countermeasures are available in this state when the indicator light goes blue.

The yellow indicator light indicates that the countermeasures are not being used.

After the countermeasures are finished, they will go into cooling down and the light will change to orange. In this state, countermeasures cease to be active and cannot now be used.