Shadowrun

Shadowrun Play => Gamemasters' Lounge => Topic started by: toad on <02-29-12/2220:34>

Title: Player aircraft and the authorities?
Post by: toad on <02-29-12/2220:34>
How do you handle players with their own aircraft?

Seattle 2072 says that flight plans must be filed, and assuming aircraft and pilot licensed, etc., or else they're intercepted by KE.

I'd like them to be able to use their aircraft for runs, but not sure how to gauge the difficulty and attention it brings from authorities. Especially considering the extraterritoriality issues.
Title: Re: Player aircraft and the authorities?
Post by: CanRay on <02-29-12/2259:52>
Forgery rules, electronic warfare, and flying under radar.  ;D
Title: Re: Player aircraft and the authorities?
Post by: JustADude on <02-29-12/2329:35>
Forgery rules, electronic warfare, and flying under radar.  ;D

Don't forget the sensor-dampening mods. ;)
Title: Re: Player aircraft and the authorities?
Post by: CanRay on <02-29-12/2333:34>
Forgery rules, electronic warfare, and flying under radar.  ;D
Don't forget the sensor-dampening mods. ;)
Wouldn't that fall under EW?
Title: Re: Player aircraft and the authorities?
Post by: Mirikon on <03-01-12/0635:47>
Depends on the type of aircraft. Certain types don't have to file flight plans if they are below a certain altitude, though they need to have transponders and such things
Title: Re: Player aircraft and the authorities?
Post by: CitizenJoe on <03-01-12/0851:13>
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) require that you file flight plans.  Visual Flight Rules (VFR) are allowed in some areas (certainly NOT downtown).  In order to use VFR, there needs to be a certain level of visibility.  They STILL recommend filing flight plans with VFR in case there are problems so that rescue can be sent.  VFR heavily uses a Sectional Chart.  These look a bit like an inverted layer cake where airports control the airspace.  There are some areas in the Seattle Metroplex where you can legally fly VFR without flight plans when the weather permits.  Some of those areas are very narrow bands. 

The big issue is take off and landing.  If you're leaving from an airport or returning to an airport, you've got to get permission to enter that airspace. 

The whole thing is very complex.  If you've got a player willing to go through all those rules and plot out routes and such, then I'd yield to his legwork and let it work.  If he doesn't, then KE is gonna send interceptors.   I'm actually using a character that is designed around the whole airspace legality issues and loopholes.  As a final note, KE needs clearance through controlled airspace just like runners.  An inbound suborbital doesn't care if you're chasing a rogue helicopter, you have to stay out of the flight path.
Title: Re: Player aircraft and the authorities?
Post by: Mirikon on <03-01-12/1301:45>
But helicopters don't need to file flight plans in advance when going in the city, right? All those air taxis, corporate shuttles, news choppers, police assets, etc.
Title: Re: Player aircraft and the authorities?
Post by: ArkangelWinter on <03-01-12/1356:50>
But helicopters don't need to file flight plans in advance when going in the city, right? All those air taxis, corporate shuttles, news choppers, police assets, etc.

From my personal experience, a lot of news companies follow the "easier to ask forgivenesd than peemission" philosophy when covering major events via chopper.
Title: Re: Player aircraft and the authorities?
Post by: CitizenJoe on <03-01-12/1625:28>
Helicopters do need to file flight plans.  However, those in town commuter flights have specific lanes they travel within.  Filing flight plans can also be relatively automated.   If you're using a pre-approved flight plan, adding individual flights is easy.  You still need to await take off and landing approvals though.  Approvals come from the ground control, not the ATC.

Title: Re: Player aircraft and the authorities?
Post by: Red on <03-07-12/0103:24>
Don't forget the utility of having a contact who can get you authorizations on the spot. A rigger (especially one who dabbles in long-distance travel and/or smuggling) is going to have some great contacts to smooth our bureaucratic and jurisdictional wrinkles. From there, the occasional bribe can only help.