Dockin Guide
Manual Docking
The best and most common method of docking is to fly your ship in manually. This might seem like a big hassle to a new pilot accustomed to games that automize the process, but most veterans will tell you that it's the fastest and most efficient way of getting into a station. However, most new pilots fail their first few attempts, so we recommend practicing in the simulator before venturing out into "real space". Events in the simulator won't affect your pilot stats, while a large number of "real space" crashes may ruin your insurance rating down the road.
The first step is to target the station you wish to dock at, and approach it. When you are within 6k distance, a funnel-shaped series of green rings will appear, tapering towards the docking tube. Point your ship towards these rings, and continue your approach. Do not aim directly at any part of the station, or you will risk crashing if you make a mistake. Shortly before your ship enters the rings, cut your engines and turn your ship around 180º. Use the orange arrow at the top of your heads-up display as a reference; it always points in the direction you are moving. Once you are facing backwards, you can use your main engines to slow you down. Set your throttle to full and keep it there until your speed is down to about 10-20v. Now you can turn your engines off and use the braking thrusters to cancel out the remaining motion. This is what is commonly referred to as the "Turn and Burn" technique. It is much faster than simply holding down the brakes until you stop, and consumes very little fuel.
Now that you have stopped your ship, check to make sure that you are within the green rings. These rings mark the area from which you can safely enter the docking tube. Move your ship if necessary, but come to a complete stop afterwards and watch out for other ships trying to dock. A collision will nudge both ships off course, and loaded cargo vessels often can't compensate before crashing. Once you are within the rings and the area is clear, you are ready for your final approach. Point your ship directly at the station's docking tube, and give yourself a short boost from your engines. Be careful when doing this, as attempting to dock at speeds over 100v will cause you to crash. Just use your momentum to coast all the way in. When you hit the yellow circle at the end, your ship will be loaded into the docking bay and you will be transferred to the station interface.
Docking Computers
Some players need a little extra time to get used to docking and flying, and an automatic docking computer is available to help ease them into the game. Don't get too comfortable with it, though. You no longer automatically receive a Docking Computer after level 5, and while some players manufacture and distribute them to major stations, you may often need to travel somewhere else to get one. They do not work with player-owned stations, and in rare cases they malfunction. Trying to dock automatically in a purple storm is suicide, as the computer does not compensate for the added drift. You should also keep in mind that a manual dock is often much faster, and does not require the use of a valuable equipment slot. Docking Computers are best used as a learning aid during your early levels, and all new players should learn manual docking as soon as possible.
Docking Computers have one major advantage for high level players, however. Manually docking a fully loaded tow or freighter is a long and dangerous process due to the extreme masses involved, and pilots looking to cut corners will often make use of the Docking Computer's ability to instantly stop any ship, no matter how heavy, once it has entered the docking beacon. Smart pilots will turn it off during the final approach, to eliminate the risk of a costly malfunction.
Using the Docking Computer is quite simple. Whenever you have one equipped, you will be able to target an invisible beacon just beyond the docking rings. If you fly your ship into this beacon while it is targeted, your ship will automatically be stopped, guided into position, and gently pushed towards the docking tube. Manual controls are locked out to prevent accidents, but you can regain control at any time by switching targets or typing "/dockoff" in any communications channel.
Speed Docking
You will likely hear the many combat pilots use the term "speed docking". This simply refers to an extremely fast manual dock, usually done while several people are trying to kill you. The goal in speed docking is to time your "Turn and Burn" so your ship comes to a stop just outside the docking tube, allowing you to quickly scoot in without being an easy target for nearby enemies. There's no easy way to learn this. It requires an enormous amount of practice, and your timing can be thrown off by something as simple as a new gun configuration, or a heavy missile still attached to your racks.
The rewards of perfecting this art are enormous for the combat pilot. In any battle, speed is life and slowing down to dock makes you an easy target. When you learn to minimize the amount of time you spend lining up, you'll have a much better chance of survival. Being able to dock during a large battle means coming back at top efficiency when your enemies may have run out of precious fuel and Flashfires. If you're thinking of getting involved in squad or factional conflicts, you may find speed docking to be an essential skill.
