TVM - Revision history

codex: Add E-10/E-11 F8 descent wikitable with nominal ceilings and labeled E-10 braking-limited example

2026-10-31T16:46:49Z

Add E-10/E-11 F8 descent wikitable with nominal ceilings and labeled E-10 braking-limited example

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 * Release either key to request hover again. Hover means zero vertical velocity relative to the ground reference, not a selected altitude or position hold. Allow for the aircraft's response and remaining momentum.
-'''E-10/E-11:''' the nominal descent ceiling is '''1 m/s at or below 10 m AGL''', increasing to 15 m/s at 50 m and 25 m/s at 100 m, then increasing to a maximum of 100 m/s higher up. The controller reduces these ceilings using available braking thrust, loading, attitude, engine/nozzle response and a forecast of current downward motion. It begins braking automatically while F8 remains held. At '''1 m AGL the command is still 1 m/s down'''. Briefly releasing F8 requests hover and can be used to descend more slowly; allow enough height for the existing descent to stop.
+'''E-10/E-11:''' the table shows the shared nominal descent ceilings and an example of how braking limits reduce the command. All rates are '''downward metres per second'''; heights are '''radio height above ground (AGL)''', not altitude above sea level. The controller reduces the ceilings using available braking thrust, loading, attitude, engine/nozzle response and a forecast of current downward motion. It begins braking automatically while F8 remains held.
 '''A-4/W-6:''' the nominal schedule remains 1 m/s at or below 25 m AGL, rising to 10 m/s at 50 m, holding 10 m/s through 100 m and allowing faster descent above that. Braking limits can select lower rates. These vehicles retain their total-airflow allowance of 81 m/s or less; the W-6 also retains its door-pressure limit based on local air density.

codex: Describe forward thrust selection at aircraft touchdown and manual reverse afterward

2026-10-30T21:12:39Z

Describe forward thrust selection at aircraft touchdown and manual reverse afterward

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:12, 30 October 2026
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	Hold '''F9''' for the normal upward-thrust request. Once airborne, TVM begins its normal control automatically; you do not need to press K again. With the ground-reference BCL controls described below, the indication changes to '''ASC''' on the compact PFD or '''CLIMB''' on the wide FMA while F9 remains held. Release F9 to request hover. Loading, engine condition, attitude and the vehicle's [[VTOL#Operating envelope\|VTOL limits]] still determine whether it can lift off and hover.		Hold '''F9''' for the normal upward-thrust request. Once airborne, TVM begins its normal control automatically; you do not need to press K again. With the ground-reference BCL controls described below, the indication changes to '''ASC''' on the compact PFD or '''CLIMB''' on the wide FMA while F9 remains held. Release F9 to request hover. Loading, engine condition, attitude and the vehicle's [[VTOL#Operating envelope\|VTOL limits]] still determine whether it can lift off and hover.

	While on the ground, switching away from WAYPT, clearing the selected waypoint or leaving no valid waypoint selected disengages TVM. A selected vehicle or station cannot provide ground standby. Select a valid waypoint and press K again to re-engage; restoring the selection alone does not re-arm it. Pressing K again also cancels standby. TVM ~~still~~ disengages ~~on touchdown~~.		While on the ground, switching away from WAYPT, clearing the selected waypoint or leaving no valid waypoint selected disengages TVM. A selected vehicle or station cannot provide ground standby. Select a valid waypoint and press K again to re-engage; restoring the selection alone does not re-arm it. Pressing K again also cancels standby. On aircraft touchdown, TVM disengages and the engines are commanded back to forward thrust once. You can select reverse manually afterward; continued ground contact does not cancel that selection.

	===Vertical Landings===		===Vertical Landings===
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	Leveling is strongest below 90% of the computed stall speed and fades to zero at the stall speed. It also fades from Mach 0.8 to Mach 1, using the full airflow speed, so low IAS during fast ascent or re-entry does not command a landing attitude. It does not apply to airborne or orbital targets, while docked or on the ground, during flight freeze, or without valid stall-speed data and available rotational thrust. It becomes available again automatically when those conditions permit, while TVM remains selected. Available thrust, vehicle mass, damage and wear limit how quickly the aircraft can level.		Leveling is strongest below 90% of the computed stall speed and fades to zero at the stall speed. It also fades from Mach 0.8 to Mach 1, using the full airflow speed, so low IAS during fast ascent or re-entry does not command a landing attitude. It does not apply to airborne or orbital targets, while docked or on the ground, during flight freeze, or without valid stall-speed data and available rotational thrust. It becomes available again automatically when those conditions permit, while TVM remains selected. Available thrust, vehicle mass, damage and wear limit how quickly the aircraft can level.

	Monitor attitude, vertical speed, height above ground and the landing area throughout the descent. Selecting a ground waypoint supplies the velocity reference; it does not steer the vehicle to that waypoint's position or provide terrain avoidance or an automatic flare. TVM ~~disengages on touchdown~~. See [[Autoflyte#Special Modes\|Autoflyte special modes]] for the relationship between TVM and ordinary flight guidance.		Monitor attitude, vertical speed, height above ground and the landing area throughout the descent. Selecting a ground waypoint supplies the velocity reference; it does not steer the vehicle to that waypoint's position or provide terrain avoidance or an automatic flare. Aircraft touchdown disengages TVM and selects forward thrust once. You can select reverse manually after landing. The thrust-lever settings and normal engine/reverser response remain in effect. See [[Autoflyte#Special Modes\|Autoflyte special modes]] for the relationship between TVM and ordinary flight guidance.

	===Wide FMA indications===		===Wide FMA indications===

codex: Use SBY for compact PFD ground standby; retain wide STDBY and ASC climb

2026-10-30T14:49:25Z

Use SBY for compact PFD ground standby; retain wide STDBY and ASC climb

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:49, 30 October 2026
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	===Ground standby and takeoff===		===Ground standby and takeoff===
	Select a valid entry in the [[Waypoint Management\|waypoint manager]], select '''WAYPT''' as the target, then press '''K''' to engage TVM while on the ground. The source indication shows '''TVM''' and the A/T area shows '''~~STDBY~~''' on ~~both~~ the compact PFD ~~and~~ wide FMA. Standby keeps TVM selected while its automatic translation and leveling wait for liftoff.		Select a valid entry in the [[Waypoint Management\|waypoint manager]], select '''WAYPT''' as the target, then press '''K''' to engage TVM while on the ground. The source indication shows '''TVM''' and the A/T area shows '''SBY''' on the compact PFD or '''STDBY''' on the wide FMA. Standby keeps TVM selected while its automatic translation and leveling wait for liftoff.

	Hold '''F9''' for the normal upward-thrust request. Once airborne, TVM begins its normal control automatically; you do not need to press K again. With the ground-reference BCL controls described below, the indication changes to '''ASC''' on the compact PFD or '''CLIMB''' on the wide FMA while F9 remains held. Release F9 to request hover. Loading, engine condition, attitude and the vehicle's [[VTOL#Operating envelope\|VTOL limits]] still determine whether it can lift off and hover.		Hold '''F9''' for the normal upward-thrust request. Once airborne, TVM begins its normal control automatically; you do not need to press K again. With the ground-reference BCL controls described below, the indication changes to '''ASC''' on the compact PFD or '''CLIMB''' on the wide FMA while F9 remains held. Release F9 to request hover. Loading, engine condition, attitude and the vehicle's [[VTOL#Operating envelope\|VTOL limits]] still determine whether it can lift off and hover.
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	The E-10 and A-4 show '''TVM''' at the upper left of the PFD attitude indicator. The right-aligned upper-right indication shows standby or the current translation command:		The E-10 and A-4 show '''TVM''' at the upper left of the PFD attitude indicator. The right-aligned upper-right indication shows standby or the current translation command:

	* '''~~STDBY~~''' — valid WAYPT ground standby, awaiting liftoff.		* '''SBY''' — valid WAYPT ground standby, awaiting liftoff.
	* '''HOV''' — ground-reference BCL hover command, with F8/F9 released.		* '''HOV''' — ground-reference BCL hover command, with F8/F9 released.
	* '''ASC''' — commanded climb/upward thrust with F9.		* '''ASC''' — commanded climb/upward thrust with F9.

codex: Document E-10/E-11 predictive F8 descent and 1 m/s final 10 m; retain A-4/W-6 limits

2026-10-30T04:42:48Z

Document E-10/E-11 predictive F8 descent and 1 m/s final 10 m; retain A-4/W-6 limits

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:42, 30 October 2026
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	* Hold '''F9''' to request maximum upward thrust. Engine condition, loading, attitude and the [[VTOL#Operating envelope\|VTOL operating limits]] still constrain the delivered lift.		* Hold '''F9''' to request maximum upward thrust. Engine condition, loading, attitude and the [[VTOL#Operating envelope\|VTOL operating limits]] still constrain the delivered lift.
	* Hold '''F8''' to select a descent rate based on radio height above ground~~. The nominal schedule allows faster descent above 100 m AGL, reduces toward 10 m/s by 100 m,~~ and ~~slows toward 1 m/~~s ~~near the landing surface~~. ~~The controller begins slowing sooner when available braking thrust and engine response require it~~; ~~rates can therefore be lower than these nominal values~~.		* Hold '''F8''' to select a descent rate based on radio height above ground and the vehicle's descent schedule below. Keep monitoring actual vertical speed; a selected rate is not a guarantee of the achieved sink rate.
	* Release either key to request hover again. Hover means zero vertical velocity relative to the ground reference, not a selected altitude or position hold. Allow for the aircraft's response and remaining momentum.		* Release either key to request hover again. Hover means zero vertical velocity relative to the ground reference, not a selected altitude or position hold. Allow for the aircraft's response and remaining momentum.

	The descent ~~selection retains its~~ airflow-~~speed margin. The Manx~~ also ~~observes~~ its door-pressure limit~~, which depends~~ on local air density. A heavy or damaged aircraft may not have enough lift to arrest a descent or hover.		'''E-10/E-11:''' the nominal descent ceiling is '''1 m/s at or below 10 m AGL''', increasing to 15 m/s at 50 m and 25 m/s at 100 m, then increasing to a maximum of 100 m/s higher up. The controller reduces these ceilings using available braking thrust, loading, attitude, engine/nozzle response and a forecast of current downward motion. It begins braking automatically while F8 remains held. At '''1 m AGL the command is still 1 m/s down'''. Briefly releasing F8 requests hover and can be used to descend more slowly; allow enough height for the existing descent to stop.

			'''A-4/W-6:''' the nominal schedule remains 1 m/s at or below 25 m AGL, rising to 10 m/s at 50 m, holding 10 m/s through 100 m and allowing faster descent above that. Braking limits can select lower rates. These vehicles retain their total-airflow allowance of 81 m/s or less; the W-6 also retains its door-pressure limit based on local air density.

			A heavy or damaged aircraft may not have enough lift to arrest a descent or hover. The schedules do not add thrust or guarantee clearance from terrain.

	In this BCL ground-reference mode the closing-speed setting controls the horizontal component along the nose direction; F8/F9 control the vertical request separately. Other references, ACL operation and the P-13/T-19 retain their usual TVM and translation behavior. On the E-10, E-11 and A-4, upward main-engine vectoring remains available at any altitude, including vacuum. The Manx keeps its atmospheric door envelope and uses vertical RCS outside it. See [[VTOL#Operating envelope\|VTOL operating limits]].		In this BCL ground-reference mode the closing-speed setting controls the horizontal component along the nose direction; F8/F9 control the vertical request separately. Other references, ACL operation and the P-13/T-19 retain their usual TVM and translation behavior. On the E-10, E-11 and A-4, upward main-engine vectoring remains available at any altitude, including vacuum. The Manx keeps its atmospheric door envelope and uses vertical RCS outside it. See [[VTOL#Operating envelope\|VTOL operating limits]].

codex: Document WAYPT ground standby, F9 takeoff and STDBY on both FMAs

2026-10-30T04:00:59Z

Document WAYPT ground standby, F9 takeoff and STDBY on both FMAs

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:00, 30 October 2026
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	If you adjust the desired to a negative number you will be moved parallel to the target minus the closure speed and direction you are aiming. Your direction the nose is point and the desired closure speed is subtracted from the target's [[Vector\|vector]].		If you adjust the desired to a negative number you will be moved parallel to the target minus the closure speed and direction you are aiming. Your direction the nose is point and the desired closure speed is subtracted from the target's [[Vector\|vector]].

			===Ground standby and takeoff===
			Select a valid entry in the [[Waypoint Management\|waypoint manager]], select '''WAYPT''' as the target, then press '''K''' to engage TVM while on the ground. The source indication shows '''TVM''' and the A/T area shows '''STDBY''' on both the compact PFD and wide FMA. Standby keeps TVM selected while its automatic translation and leveling wait for liftoff.

			Hold '''F9''' for the normal upward-thrust request. Once airborne, TVM begins its normal control automatically; you do not need to press K again. With the ground-reference BCL controls described below, the indication changes to '''ASC''' on the compact PFD or '''CLIMB''' on the wide FMA while F9 remains held. Release F9 to request hover. Loading, engine condition, attitude and the vehicle's [[VTOL#Operating envelope\|VTOL limits]] still determine whether it can lift off and hover.

			While on the ground, switching away from WAYPT, clearing the selected waypoint or leaving no valid waypoint selected disengages TVM. A selected vehicle or station cannot provide ground standby. Select a valid waypoint and press K again to re-engage; restoring the selection alone does not re-arm it. Pressing K again also cancels standby. TVM still disengages on touchdown.

	===Vertical Landings===		===Vertical Landings===
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	===Wide FMA indications===		===Wide FMA indications===
	The wide [[Autoflyte#Wide FMA indications\|Flight Mode Annunciator]] used by the E-11 and W-6 shows '''TVM''' in its upper source cell. The cell immediately below, normally used for A/T, shows the active translation command:		The wide [[Autoflyte#Wide FMA indications\|Flight Mode Annunciator]] used by the E-11 and W-6 shows '''TVM''' in its upper source cell. The cell immediately below, normally used for A/T, shows standby or the active translation command:

			* '''STDBY''' — valid WAYPT ground standby, awaiting liftoff.
	* '''HOVER''' — ground-reference BCL vertical hold, with F8/F9 released.		* '''HOVER''' — ground-reference BCL vertical hold, with F8/F9 released.
	* '''CLIMB''' — F9 maximum upward-thrust request in that mode.		* '''CLIMB''' — F9 maximum upward-thrust request in that mode.
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	===Compact FMA indications===		===Compact FMA indications===
	The E-10 and A-4 show '''TVM''' at the upper left of the PFD attitude indicator. The right-aligned upper-right indication shows the current translation command:		The E-10 and A-4 show '''TVM''' at the upper left of the PFD attitude indicator. The right-aligned upper-right indication shows standby or the current translation command:

			* '''STDBY''' — valid WAYPT ground standby, awaiting liftoff.
	* '''HOV''' — ground-reference BCL hover command, with F8/F9 released.		* '''HOV''' — ground-reference BCL hover command, with F8/F9 released.
	* '''ASC''' — commanded climb/upward thrust with F9.		* '''ASC''' — commanded climb/upward thrust with F9.

codex: Document original PFD source and TVM thrust indications and steady compact FMA commands

2026-10-29T14:55:05Z

Document original PFD source and TVM thrust indications and steady compact FMA commands

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:55, 29 October 2026
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	===Compact FMA indications===		===Compact FMA indications===
	The E-10 and A-4 ~~use~~ the ~~compact two~~-~~column FMA. While TVM owns control, its active~~-~~mode boxes alternate labels, showing each for two seconds~~:		The E-10 and A-4 show '''TVM''' at the upper left of the PFD attitude indicator. The right-aligned upper-right indication shows the current translation command:

	* '''~~Lateral: TVM / LEVEL~~''' ~~while TVM owns roll leveling~~. ~~With roll leveling unavailable or manually overridden, this box remains~~ '''~~TVM~~'''~~. This LEVEL indication describes roll assistance; it is not a separate indication of pitch ownership~~.		* '''HOV''' — ground-reference BCL hover command, with F8/F9 released.
	* '''~~Vertical: TVM / HOVER~~''', '''~~TVM / CLIMB~~''' ~~or '''TVM / DES''' for the ground-reference BCL commands above. Other~~ target-relative velocity ~~control uses '''TVM / MATCH'''~~.		* '''ASC''' — commanded climb/upward thrust with F9.
			* '''DES''' — commanded descent with F8.
			* '''MATCH''' — ordinary target-relative velocity matching.

	~~If current controller status~~ is ~~unavailable or frozen, the boxes retain~~ '''~~TVM~~''' ~~without a~~ stale command or LEVEL ~~label~~. DOR or ordinary Autoflyte ~~replaces TVM~~ when it takes control. Armed LOC/G/S remain in ~~their~~ upper row~~. A command or control-ownership change receives the~~ normal three-second ~~green~~ highlight~~; merely alternating the labels does not restart it~~.		These are commanded modes, not confirmation of achieved vertical speed. For example, ASC can be displayed while upward thrust is still arresting a descent.

			The compact FMA shows steady '''LEVEL''' independently in the lateral and vertical active-mode cells while TVM owns roll or pitch leveling. Manual input releases that axis and blanks its cell; the other axis can remain LEVEL. Assistance reappears when the control is released and leveling is available. Source and command labels do not alternate.

			Unavailable, stale or frozen controller status removes the TVM command and LEVEL labels; engaged TVM still shows its source and A/T status on the PFD. DOR or ordinary Autoflyte takes display precedence when it takes control. Armed LOC/G/S remain in the upper FMA row, and active guidance changes retain their normal three-second highlight.

	The compact and wide displays describe the same TVM controls. Neither display adds altitude/position capture or guarantees that the aircraft has enough thrust and attitude authority to hover.		The compact and wide displays describe the same TVM controls. Neither display adds altitude/position capture or guarantees that the aircraft has enough thrust and attitude authority to hover.

codex: Clarify E-series/A-4 vertical thrust in space and bounded RCS stopping authority

2026-10-28T22:39:10Z

Clarify E-series/A-4 vertical thrust in space and bounded RCS stopping authority

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:39, 28 October 2026
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	Select TVM with '''K''' and use '''0.000 km/s''' commanded closing speed to damp motion relative to the selected reference. On the [[E-10]], [[E-11 Saint\|E-11]], [[A-4]] and [[W-6]], ground-referenced TVM in '''BCL''' provides these vertical controls:		Select TVM with '''K''' and use '''0.000 km/s''' commanded closing speed to damp motion relative to the selected reference. On the [[E-10]], [[E-11 Saint\|E-11]], [[A-4]] and [[W-6]], ground-referenced TVM in '''BCL''' provides these vertical controls:

	* Hold '''F9''' to request maximum upward thrust. Engine condition, loading, attitude and the [[VTOL#~~Atmospheric operating~~ envelope\|VTOL operating limits]] still constrain the delivered lift.		* Hold '''F9''' to request maximum upward thrust. Engine condition, loading, attitude and the [[VTOL#Operating envelope\|VTOL operating limits]] still constrain the delivered lift.
	* Hold '''F8''' to select a descent rate based on radio height above ground. The nominal schedule allows faster descent above 100 m AGL, reduces toward 10 m/s by 100 m, and slows toward 1 m/s near the landing surface. The controller begins slowing sooner when available braking thrust and engine response require it; rates can therefore be lower than these nominal values.		* Hold '''F8''' to select a descent rate based on radio height above ground. The nominal schedule allows faster descent above 100 m AGL, reduces toward 10 m/s by 100 m, and slows toward 1 m/s near the landing surface. The controller begins slowing sooner when available braking thrust and engine response require it; rates can therefore be lower than these nominal values.
	* Release either key to request hover again. Hover means zero vertical velocity relative to the ground reference, not a selected altitude or position hold. Allow for the aircraft's response and remaining momentum.		* Release either key to request hover again. Hover means zero vertical velocity relative to the ground reference, not a selected altitude or position hold. Allow for the aircraft's response and remaining momentum.

	The descent selection ~~preserves~~ margin ~~below the VTOL airflow limits~~. The Manx also observes its door-pressure limit, which depends on local air density. A heavy or damaged aircraft may not have enough lift to arrest a descent or hover.		The descent selection retains its airflow-speed margin. The Manx also observes its door-pressure limit, which depends on local air density. A heavy or damaged aircraft may not have enough lift to arrest a descent or hover.

	In this BCL ground-reference mode the closing-speed setting controls the horizontal component along the nose direction; F8/F9 control the vertical request separately. Other references, ACL operation and the P-13/T-19 retain their usual TVM and translation behavior. ~~Main~~-engine ~~VTOL~~ remains atmospheric; RCS ~~supplies vertical translation~~ outside ~~its~~ operating ~~envelope~~.		In this BCL ground-reference mode the closing-speed setting controls the horizontal component along the nose direction; F8/F9 control the vertical request separately. Other references, ACL operation and the P-13/T-19 retain their usual TVM and translation behavior. On the E-10, E-11 and A-4, upward main-engine vectoring remains available at any altitude, including vacuum. The Manx keeps its atmospheric door envelope and uses vertical RCS outside it. See [[VTOL#Operating envelope\|VTOL operating limits]].

			Near a station, use short manual translation inputs and monitor relative velocity. E-series/A-4 F9 can now command much stronger main-engine upward thrust, while stopping upward drift still relies on weaker downward RCS. TVM continues to request braking after release, but engine rundown and available opposite thrust limit how quickly it can stop.

	'''Below-stall leveling:''' while matching a ground waypoint or grounded vehicle in subsonic flight, TVM uses thrust augmentation to bring the nose and wings level with the local horizon. Keep thrust augmentation enabled and serviceable, with cockpit power available. Leveling controls pitch and roll; you retain yaw control. Holding a pitch or roll key overrides leveling on that axis; releasing it resumes the assistance. With a joystick, deflecting the stick overrides that axis and centering it resumes leveling. This automatic key-release behavior applies only while below-stall ground-reference leveling is available; ordinary keyboard controls retain their normal behavior elsewhere. The default Numpad 5 (Null Rates) control also centers retained manual inputs.		'''Below-stall leveling:''' while matching a ground waypoint or grounded vehicle in subsonic flight, TVM uses thrust augmentation to bring the nose and wings level with the local horizon. Keep thrust augmentation enabled and serviceable, with cockpit power available. Leveling controls pitch and roll; you retain yaw control. Holding a pitch or roll key overrides leveling on that axis; releasing it resumes the assistance. With a joystick, deflecting the stick overrides that axis and centering it resumes leveling. This automatic key-release behavior applies only while below-stall ground-reference leveling is available; ordinary keyboard controls retain their normal behavior elsewhere. The default Numpad 5 (Null Rates) control also centers retained manual inputs.

codex: Describe compact E-10/A-4 TVM mode alternation and clarify commanded modes

2026-10-28T15:17:21Z

Describe compact E-10/A-4 TVM mode alternation and clarify commanded modes

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:17, 28 October 2026
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	===Wide FMA indications===		===Wide FMA indications===
	The wide [[Autoflyte#Wide FMA indications\|Flight Mode Annunciator]] shows '''TVM''' in its upper source cell. The cell immediately below, normally used for A/T, shows the active translation command:		The wide [[Autoflyte#Wide FMA indications\|Flight Mode Annunciator]] used by the E-11 and W-6 shows '''TVM''' in its upper source cell. The cell immediately below, normally used for A/T, shows the active translation command:

	* '''HOVER''' — ground-reference BCL vertical hold, with F8/F9 released.		* '''HOVER''' — ground-reference BCL vertical hold, with F8/F9 released.
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	'''LEVEL''' appears in the lower pitch/vertical cell while TVM owns nose leveling and in the lower lateral cell while it owns wings leveling. It remains visible while holding an already level attitude. Holding a pitch or roll key, or deflecting a joystick, removes LEVEL from that axis. Releasing the key or centering the stick restores the indication when leveling is available. The two axes can therefore show LEVEL independently.		'''LEVEL''' appears in the lower pitch/vertical cell while TVM owns nose leveling and in the lower lateral cell while it owns wings leveling. It remains visible while holding an already level attitude. Holding a pitch or roll key, or deflecting a joystick, removes LEVEL from that axis. Releasing the key or centering the stick restores the indication when leveling is available. The two axes can therefore show LEVEL independently.

	The active indications clear when their control is unavailable, frozen or no longer updating. DOR or ordinary Autoflyte handoffs show the new controller's indications. Armed LOC/G/S remain in the upper row. The compact two-column FMA ~~retains~~ its ~~existing presentation~~.		The active indications clear when their control is unavailable, frozen or no longer updating. DOR or ordinary Autoflyte handoffs show the new controller's indications. Armed LOC/G/S remain in the upper row.

			===Compact FMA indications===
			The E-10 and A-4 use the compact two-column FMA. While TVM owns control, its active-mode boxes alternate labels, showing each for two seconds:

			* '''Lateral: TVM / LEVEL''' while TVM owns roll leveling. With roll leveling unavailable or manually overridden, this box remains '''TVM'''. This LEVEL indication describes roll assistance; it is not a separate indication of pitch ownership.
			* '''Vertical: TVM / HOVER''', '''TVM / CLIMB''' or '''TVM / DES''' for the ground-reference BCL commands above. Other target-relative velocity control uses '''TVM / MATCH'''.

			If current controller status is unavailable or frozen, the boxes retain '''TVM''' without a stale command or LEVEL label. DOR or ordinary Autoflyte replaces TVM when it takes control. Armed LOC/G/S remain in their upper row. A command or control-ownership change receives the normal three-second green highlight; merely alternating the labels does not restart it.

			The compact and wide displays describe the same TVM controls. Neither display adds altitude/position capture or guarantees that the aircraft has enough thrust and attitude authority to hover.

	=== Using TVM to approach a Space Station ===		=== Using TVM to approach a Space Station ===

codex: Keep player guidance in-world; preserve development dates, implementation notes and original wording at Talk:TVM.

2026-10-27T17:10:03Z

Keep player guidance in-world; preserve development dates, implementation notes and original wording at Talk:TVM.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:10, 27 October 2026
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	TVM evaluates the velocity of a selected target and uses the ship thrust to match both it's speed and direction.		TVM evaluates the velocity of a selected target and uses the ship thrust to match both it's speed and direction.

	'''Orbital rendezvous:''' ~~Clients with the new full-page~~ [[Orbit]] instrument can plan a transfer to a future point approximately 5 km behind a station or spacecraft and execute it with DOR. See [[Orbit#Rendezvous with a station or spacecraft\|the Orbit rendezvous procedure]] for planning, warnings and execution. TVM is a separate target-relative velocity control; selecting a TVM closure speed does not calculate an orbital transfer. The manual TVM approach procedure below remains separate from the Orbit planner.		'''Orbital rendezvous:''' The [[Orbit]] instrument can plan a transfer to a future point approximately 5 km behind a station or spacecraft and execute it with DOR. See [[Orbit#Rendezvous with a station or spacecraft\|the Orbit rendezvous procedure]] for planning, warnings and execution. TVM is a separate target-relative velocity control; selecting a TVM closure speed does not calculate an orbital transfer. The manual TVM approach procedure below remains separate from the Orbit planner.

	'''DOR rendezvous handoff:''' When DOR successfully completes a rendezvous, it automatically engages TVM with '''TVM SET 0.000 km/s''' and keeps the selected station or spacecraft. The Autoflyte disconnect sound plays once as DOR switches off. Manual cancellation and automatic aborts do not trigger this handoff. You can also select TVM manually while DOR is active; this disengages DOR and resets the TVM closing speed to zero. See [[Orbit#Rendezvous completion and TVM\|rendezvous completion and TVM]].		'''DOR rendezvous handoff:''' When DOR successfully completes a rendezvous, it automatically engages TVM with '''TVM SET 0.000 km/s''' and keeps the selected station or spacecraft. The Autoflyte disconnect sound plays once as DOR switches off. Manual cancellation and automatic aborts do not trigger this handoff. You can also select TVM manually while DOR is active; this disengages DOR and resets the TVM closing speed to zero. See [[Orbit#Rendezvous completion and TVM\|rendezvous completion and TVM]].

	'''Surface journeys (planning-only ~~revision, pending client rebuild~~):''' The [[Orbit#Surface journey planning\|Orbit surface planner]] compares AUTO / ATM / SUB / ORB profiles at a chosen PASS deadline. PLAN ONLY / ATM HANDOFF does not automatically select TVM or another Autoflyte mode and does not command atmospheric flight or landing. The pilot remains responsible for selecting and operating suitable controls.		'''Surface journeys (planning only):''' The [[Orbit#Surface journey planning\|Orbit surface planner]] compares AUTO / ATM / SUB / ORB profiles at a chosen PASS deadline. PLAN ONLY / ATM HANDOFF does not automatically select TVM or another Autoflyte mode and does not command atmospheric flight or landing. The pilot remains responsible for selecting and operating suitable controls.

	===Closure Rate===		===Closure Rate===

codex: Clarify keyboard release and joystick override during TVM hover leveling

2026-10-27T16:21:55Z

Clarify keyboard release and joystick override during TVM hover leveling

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:21, 27 October 2026
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	In this BCL ground-reference mode the closing-speed setting controls the horizontal component along the nose direction; F8/F9 control the vertical request separately. Other references, ACL operation and the P-13/T-19 retain their usual TVM and translation behavior. Main-engine VTOL remains atmospheric; RCS supplies vertical translation outside its operating envelope.		In this BCL ground-reference mode the closing-speed setting controls the horizontal component along the nose direction; F8/F9 control the vertical request separately. Other references, ACL operation and the P-13/T-19 retain their usual TVM and translation behavior. Main-engine VTOL remains atmospheric; RCS supplies vertical translation outside its operating envelope.

	'''Below-stall leveling:''' while matching a ground waypoint or grounded vehicle in subsonic flight, TVM uses thrust augmentation to bring the nose and wings level with the local horizon. Keep thrust augmentation enabled and serviceable, with cockpit power available. Leveling controls pitch and roll; you retain yaw control. ~~Moving the~~ pitch or roll ~~control~~ overrides leveling on that axis, and centering it resumes ~~the assistance~~.		'''Below-stall leveling:''' while matching a ground waypoint or grounded vehicle in subsonic flight, TVM uses thrust augmentation to bring the nose and wings level with the local horizon. Keep thrust augmentation enabled and serviceable, with cockpit power available. Leveling controls pitch and roll; you retain yaw control. Holding a pitch or roll key overrides leveling on that axis; releasing it resumes the assistance. With a joystick, deflecting the stick overrides that axis and centering it resumes leveling. This automatic key-release behavior applies only while below-stall ground-reference leveling is available; ordinary keyboard controls retain their normal behavior elsewhere. The default Numpad 5 (Null Rates) control also centers retained manual inputs.

	Leveling is strongest below 90% of the computed stall speed and fades to zero at the stall speed. It also fades from Mach 0.8 to Mach 1, using the full airflow speed, so low IAS during fast ascent or re-entry does not command a landing attitude. It does not apply to airborne or orbital targets, while docked or on the ground, during flight freeze, or without valid stall-speed data and available rotational thrust. It becomes available again automatically when those conditions permit, while TVM remains selected. Available thrust, vehicle mass, damage and wear limit how quickly the aircraft can level.		Leveling is strongest below 90% of the computed stall speed and fades to zero at the stall speed. It also fades from Mach 0.8 to Mach 1, using the full airflow speed, so low IAS during fast ascent or re-entry does not command a landing attitude. It does not apply to airborne or orbital targets, while docked or on the ground, during flight freeze, or without valid stall-speed data and available rotational thrust. It becomes available again automatically when those conditions permit, while TVM remains selected. Available thrust, vehicle mass, damage and wear limit how quickly the aircraft can level.
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	HOVER, CLIMB and DES apply to the ground-reference BCL controls described above for the E-10, E-11, A-4 and W-6. These labels identify the commanded mode, not the achieved vertical speed or a guarantee of sufficient lift.		HOVER, CLIMB and DES apply to the ground-reference BCL controls described above for the E-10, E-11, A-4 and W-6. These labels identify the commanded mode, not the achieved vertical speed or a guarantee of sufficient lift.

	'''LEVEL''' appears in the lower pitch/vertical cell while TVM owns nose leveling and in the lower lateral cell while it owns wings leveling. It remains visible while holding an already level attitude. ~~Moving the~~ pitch or roll ~~control~~ removes LEVEL from that axis; centering it restores the indication when leveling is available. The two axes can therefore show LEVEL independently.		'''LEVEL''' appears in the lower pitch/vertical cell while TVM owns nose leveling and in the lower lateral cell while it owns wings leveling. It remains visible while holding an already level attitude. Holding a pitch or roll key, or deflecting a joystick, removes LEVEL from that axis. Releasing the key or centering the stick restores the indication when leveling is available. The two axes can therefore show LEVEL independently.

	The active indications clear when their control is unavailable, frozen or no longer updating. DOR or ordinary Autoflyte handoffs show the new controller's indications. Armed LOC/G/S remain in the upper row. The compact two-column FMA retains its existing presentation.		The active indications clear when their control is unavailable, frozen or no longer updating. DOR or ordinary Autoflyte handoffs show the new controller's indications. Armed LOC/G/S remain in the upper row. The compact two-column FMA retains its existing presentation.