Helm (Duty Post): Difference between revisions

Because of the criticality of Flight Control in spacecraft operations, particularly during crisis situations, Conn is connected to a dedicated backup flight operations subprocessor to provide for manual flight control. This equipment package includes emergency navigations sensors.

*'''Navigational referrence/course plotting:''' The Flight Control console displays readings from navigational and tactical sensors, overlaying them on current positional and course projections. Conn has the option of accessing data feeds from secondary navigation and science sensors for verification of primary sensor data. Such cross-checks are automatically performed at each change-of-shift and upon activation of Alert status.

*'''Manual flight operations:''' The actual execution of flight instructions is generally left to computer control, but Conn has the option of exercising manual control over helm and navigational functions. In full manual mode, Conn can actually steer the ship under keypad control. Some vessels are also equipped with a joystick helm control device.

Conn also serves as a liaison to the Engineering department in that he/she is responsible for monitoring propulsion system status and providing systems status reports to the commanding officer in the absence of an engineering officer's presence on the bridge.

There are five standard input modes available for specification of spacecraft flight plans. Any of these options may be entered either by keyboard or by vocal command. In each case, Flight Control software will automatically determine an optimal flight path conforming to Starfleet flight and safety rules. Conn then has the option of executing this flight plan or modifying any parameters to meet specific mission needs. Normal input modes include:

*'''Destination planet or star system:''' Any celestial object within the navigational database is acceptable as a destination, although the system will inform Conn in the event that a destination exceeds the operating range of the spacecraft. Specific facilities (such as orbital space stations) within the database are also acceptable destinations.

*'''Galactic Coordinates:''' Standard galactic XYZ coordinates are also acceptable as a valid input, although most ship's personnel find this combersome.

* The [[Intrepid Conn Station|helm station]] of an [[ma:Intrepid class|Intrepid]] Class vessel.

[[Category:HCO Duty Post]]