Re: Helms

On Tue, 13 Sep 1994 Skreyn@???.com wrote:

> Logan "What time is it?" Midnight/Ken "Don't give me any" Lipka wrote:
> >Actually, normal crewmen ("the expendables") already control the
> >ship's direction.
>
> No, the helmsman can control (roughly) the direction and maneuverability
> of the ship.  Else, how could the Viper and Flitter move?  Those, officially,
> have only 1 crew member, yes?
>
	These ships are so small, that they can do the "fighter pilot" routine
with a rudder stick directly in front of the helm.  Also, remember that
while these ships may require 1 man to FLY, the flitter has no weapons and
the Viper has too many weapons for one man to sit in a chair and use.

> >If they didn't, why the need for navigators and people to
> >work the rigging?
>
>  [discussion of the crew as power steering snipped]

	I can agree with this, nearly.  It is jsut a more helpful version
of my views.  It does make some sense, tho'.
	I guess that I'm just a traditionalist - if it's a ship, it needs
wind.

	Ken Lipka
	lipkakr@????.????.com