Pilot Questions

[Kull]

I have a number of questions with respect to pilots. I'm using the editor and looking at Scenario 2:

1) Renaming an existing pilot and changing his stats is pretty simple and straightforward. But if you want to add pilots to existing units, there appears to be only one open slot before you run into the next air unit. For example, the 1st Sentai unit name takes up ID 001, and there are named pilots in 002 thru 007, and one blank slot (008), and then you reach the 4th Sentai in 009:
- If I put a new pilot in 008, will he belong to the 1st Sentai?
- Is it possible to insert new rows?
- If not, is there any way to add more named pilots to the 1st Sentai? (or any other unit, for that matter)

2) How does one go about adding random pilot names to the scenario? When you look at the editor, every pilot is listed with an "x", yet it's obvious from loading a game that there are many more pilots assigned to the unit than those listed in the editor:
- Where is the database that contains the names of the "unlisted" pilots?
- Do these names come with stats or are those randomly assigned based on the type of air unit?
- Can this file be edited?

3) ID 6681 is called "UNASSIGNED===========":
- If pilots are created and slotted into any of the subsequent ID numbers (6682-19999, all of which are currently blank) how does the game select them for use?
- Are they treated the same as the random pilots mentioned above?
- What is the impact (if any) of making them Active (x) versus non-active (blank).

[Herrbear]

ORIGINAL: Kull

I have a number of questions with respect to pilots. I'm using the editor and looking at Scenario 2:

1) Renaming an existing pilot and changing his stats is pretty simple and straightforward. But if you want to add pilots to existing units, there appears to be only one open slot before you run into the next air unit. For example, the 1st Sentai unit name takes up ID 001, and there are named pilots in 002 thru 007, and one blank slot (008), and then you reach the 4th Sentai in 009:
- If I put a new pilot in 008, will he belong to the 1st Sentai?
- Is it possible to insert new rows?
- If not, is there any way to add more named pilots to the 1st Sentai? (or any other unit, for that matter)

2) How does one go about adding random pilot names to the scenario? When you look at the editor, every pilot is listed with an "x", yet it's obvious from loading a game that there are many more pilots assigned to the unit than those listed in the editor:
- Where is the database that contains the names of the "unlisted" pilots?
- Do these names come with stats or are those randomly assigned based on the type of air unit?
- Can this file be edited?

3) ID 6681 is called "UNASSIGNED===========":
- If pilots are created and slotted into any of the subsequent ID numbers (6682-19999, all of which are currently blank) how does the game select them for use?
- Are they treated the same as the random pilots mentioned above?
- What is the impact (if any) of making them Active (x) versus non-active (blank).

I created pilots for different units starting at 7000. I don't know if that impacts the "UNASSIGNED" spaces or not. Those created pilots as long as you complete what squadron they belong to will appear in the list of pilots for that squadron and/or will appear in the group reserve. I know I have seen them in the list of pilots for that group, I am not sure if I saw them in the Reserve. You can then click on them to assign them to the Reserve. Having them assigned to a squadron activates the "X" in the active column. The one example I did that did not include a squadron assigned, appeared in TRACOM when I loaded the game to see where they went. This pilot was named Cooke(no comma)space J.C. I have not tried assigning a pilot without a squadron spelling it like Cooke, J.C.

[TheElf]

just a suggestion, but for those of you interested in individual pilots, perhaps a mod of sorts to be made available to all scenarios would be a list of real world pilots with more accurately researched stats based on historical record. The files could be added to any scenario as part of a mod.

Just a thought.

[chesmart]

Nice Elf Thinking about such an idea myself 

[timtom]

ORIGINAL: Kull

I have a number of questions with respect to pilots. I'm using the editor and looking at Scenario 2:

1) Renaming an existing pilot and changing his stats is pretty simple and straightforward. But if you want to add pilots to existing units, there appears to be only one open slot before you run into the next air unit. For example, the 1st Sentai unit name takes up ID 001, and there are named pilots in 002 thru 007, and one blank slot (008), and then you reach the 4th Sentai in 009:
- If I put a new pilot in 008, will he belong to the 1st Sentai?
- Is it possible to insert new rows?
- If not, is there any way to add more named pilots to the 1st Sentai? (or any other unit, for that matter)

1.No.
2.Yes, pressing Tools/Sort Pilots will auto-organise pilots display by unit if desired.
3. Yes, but the exact slot doesn't matter - it's the value entered in the "Air Group" field which determines unit assignment regardless of slot.

ORIGINAL: Kull

2) How does one go about adding random pilot names to the scenario? When you look at the editor, every pilot is listed with an "x", yet it's obvious from loading a game that there are many more pilots assigned to the unit than those listed in the editor:
- Where is the database that contains the names of the "unlisted" pilots?
- Do these names come with stats or are those randomly assigned based on the type of air unit?
- Can this file be edited?

1.They're generated randomly.
2.The latter.
3.No.

3) ID 6681 is called "UNASSIGNED===========":
- If pilots are created and slotted into any of the subsequent ID numbers (6682-19999, all of which are currently blank) how does the game select them for use?
- Are they treated the same as the random pilots mentioned above?
- What is the impact (if any) of making them Active (x) versus non-active (blank).
[/quote]

1. Yes. "Unassigned" is were the "sort pilots" tool sticks pilots without a valid "air group" value.
2. No. Goes to TRACOM, IIRC.
3. In order to (x), pilot must be assigned air group.