Zeppelin NT - Ground crew operations are not implemented

Bug Reporting Hub Aircraft & Systems
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ISSUE DESCRIPTION

Description of the issue:

Ground crew operations are not implemented.

Expected behavior (real aircraft):

Ground crew support is an essential part of Zeppelin NT operations. Unlike traditional blimps, which often require large crews to catch handling lines and manually control the airship during landing and mooring, the Zeppelin NT is designed to operate with a relatively small ground crew of 3-5 people.

Ground handling is a coordinated procedure between the pilot and the ground crew. Communication is carried out using standard hand signals or radio.

Typical ground crew tasks include:

  • Masting and un-masting
  • Taxiing the airship on the ground
  • Opening the cabin door and positioning the passenger stairs
  • Supervising passenger boarding and disembarkation
  • Adjusting ballast as required after passenger changes, changes in fuel or superheat

Masting and un-masting are particularly important - and arguably among the most exciting - parts of Zeppelin NT operations. They require precise control inputs from the pilot, careful use of the thrust vectoring system, and close coordination with the ground crew. The winching equipment must be operated carefully to safely connect or disconnect the airship from the mast.

Another characteristic operation is the hangar-in procedure. After on-masting, the aft landing gear is attached to a dedicated towing vehicle, which guides the airship into the hangar while the ground crew coordinates the maneuver. This is one of the most unique aspects of modern airship operations and would be a valuable feature to simulate.

Current behavior in the simulator:

There is currently no implementation of ground crew operations.

As a result, essential parts of real-world Zeppelin NT operations - including masting, un-masting, ground taxiing, passenger handling, ballast adjustment, and hangar operations - cannot be performed.

FREQUENCY OF ISSUE

Every time on sim load

REPRODUCTION STEPS

Please list clear steps you took in order to help our test team reproduce the same issue:

  1. Load Zeppelin NT

  2. Observe that there is no crew in front of the airship

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