[1.21] On Proper Equipment

The secret of Conlan's success as an airship racer has long been a favorite topic among sports commentators. Any number of opinions exist on the matter, ranging from the possible to ideas that Graham might come up with (and very well might have - nothing gives Graham more joy than feeding rumors into online airsports forums). They've cited his wealth, his age, his diet, his mechanics, alleged communion with eldritch beings, possible immortality, and the fact that his love life is one of the biggest media mysteries of the current century. They have even considered the possibility that he wins by cosmic intervention.

However, if there was ever a single secret, one paramount source of Conlan Sterling's unmatched skill in an airship, it would have to be none other than his choice of seating.

You see, the standard captain's seat in an airship is much the same as you've likely imagined it - as something like a car seat or a seat in a standard airplane. The pilot sits in it and all the controls are positioned in front of him. He is strapped in or not, depending on circumstances, and from then on it is the vehicle doing most of the maneuvering, not him.

Very early on, Conlan took issue with this arrangement. He had always been extremely in-tune with ships while he was flying them - able to feel them out almost as though they were an extension of himself. And when in a situation of stress or one that required dynamic piloting, he found the typical arrangement restricting. He felt it necessary for the ship to move just as he directed it - to move with him.

Which brings us back to the 3rd Division of the Lotearan secret service, for a technology update.

See, Conlan liked the seats in their combat mechs. You know - the humanoid-shaped giants of steel that speed around and kill things with extreme precision? Those are also piloted by ace flyers - however, their seating of course needs to be much more dynamic. The seats are positioned so the pilot leans forward, as though on a motorbike, and the controls are positioned similarly so that every move made by the pilot moves the vehicle accordingly. Push the left steering rod down and lean left - that's where the vehicle moves. No steering wheel for these fine men.

Conlan liked the concept. Such a steering console would not fit in a standard airship. Airship controls are supposed to be stationary.

Supposed to be.

But Conlan had the money to improvise.