🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <D1u8p...@world.std.com>,
pbre...@world.std.com (Patrick M Brennan) wrote:
> Re : "banking" while turning in DESCENT :

> Banking does NOT add to the realism of the game.  Aircraft bank while
> turning to use part of the lift generated by the wings as a turning
> force.  The aircraft must be moving forward at all times to generate
> the required lifting force.  There must also be significant gravity
> and drag.
> 
> Spacecraft do not have either lifting or control surfaces, and turning
> is accomplished either by thrusters or by flywheels/gyros.  In
> DESCENT, the ship is not always moving forward, and there is no
> gravity (although there is apprently some drag).  The ship generates
> no lift while moving forward.  Presumably, it is a spacecraft.  
> Therefore, there is no reason or
> rationale for the ship banking in order to turn.  The appearance of

I hate to be a nitpicker, but I can see a rationale. Even in zero
gravity, a pilot would experience centrifugal force when executing a
turn. Banking into that turn will push him into his seat rather than
out the side window. At slower speeds, banking wouldn't be necessary,
but at higher speeds such as those represented in Descent, it most
definitely is necessary if there is an on-board pilot involved. It has
nothing to do with lift and drag of course, just acceleration.
Personally, I like the banking.

Val

--
Val Dodge | Toronto, Ontario | Finger me and discover the meaning of pain.