Pilots - What's the deal?

[Mattman]

Hey guys, late comer to the game, but loving it. Even more so than the previous X games.

I got a complex or two and I'm sending ships all over the place supplying my stations and selling my wares (they're going to be mostly self sufficient soon). Have yet to do any of the story missions, other than the flight school...

But what is the deal with pilots? I've seen a few threads that talk about training them, even paying them a salary.

But I haven't seen anything about where to hire them, or if they just come with your ships. Can you change them out. I haven't dealt with the space marines for boarding ships yet...are they pilots too?

Or is it all talking about me? That would be funny if I got all confused over the wording like that...

If so, do I have to pay myself a salary once I hit a certain rank?

Personally, the glory of my trading empire will be thanks enough for my hard work...but whatever.

[Mattman]

Maybe I should mention that I've added the bonus package (5.1.0.0) but have yet to use it.

[T-Bone Biggins]

Trade Software Mk3 has a skill system attached to it. Traders will only stay in one system until they make so much profit then level up. At a certain level they can become universal traders which trade from one system to another and generally make tons more profit. Lots of people talk about the best places to 'train' the 'pilots' of the Trade Software Mk3 and I'm sure this is what you picked up on.

[Mattman]

So the Trade Software Mk3 assigns you an AI pilot that levels up the more time he spends flying or the more profit he makes or something?

[Set-115689]

cls and cag pilots from the bonus pack get paid and trained also.

[CTHOMP]

Yes, if you install Mk3 you will have a pilot included along with it. Start them in like Empires Edge (if that is the system right below Paranid Prime) and start sector trading. Once they are higher level (like level 10?) you can switch them to universal traders. Make sure the ship they are on has max shields and a jump drive and make sure they are set to be allowed to jump drive.

For more information on CLS/CAG make sure to watch CDRDave's tutorial videos on youtube. He does a great job of explaining the basics and his work is very helpful.

[Mattman]

Thanks everyone!

[BoltsFAN]

You need CLS Mk1 to handle moving the goods between your own factories that are not connected together...Mk2 for buying and selling from NPC factories to your own or other NPC factories.

[mmmcheesywaffles]

Take a look at the link below. Smakkz Guide is a step by step ~Guide to learning about the trading options in the CLS script.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=154459316

[Mattman]

Thanks for the responses. Great info! I might finally learn it all before Rebirth comes out! :)

[Min]

Hi I am playing X4 right now and I have played X3 TC in the past. I do like the whole hiring pilots thing in X4 and also their skill system like combat pilots gain skills if they fight often and survive. Is there a system like that in X3 AP? I remember in X3 TC all my pilots were AI, there was no actual pilots that I hired so basically my fleet is a bunch of AI which is kind of non immersive. I am hoping for X4 style pilot and crew management but with X3 AP style of ships which I love. Is there mods to do this or is this already a feature in X3 AP?