The pilot core class might include some things like this:
Rogue like hit dice with reflex save good. I think that sticking with the concept of a fighter ace, a fighter's set of attack bonuses might be cool.
As for pilot powers, I'd say a "favored vehicle" system that gives you a +1 bonus to piloting checks in a vehicle of your choice. every time you get that class feature again you chose another favored vehicle getting a +1 bonus in that vehicle and a increasing all other favored vehicles by 1. Basicaly like the ranger favored enemey for piloting skill. maybe it should also be a +1 bonus to armor class (insight bonus type transfers to vehicles if the pilot has it)
Bonus feats everyone once in a while is a good idea. limited feat list that would include the feats for aircraft prof, skill focus, dodge, and a bunch of feats we still need to write, but not the classic fighter list. Maybe the rogue powers for reflex saves too, as those are great for a pilot to have. The key here is to give him powers that SOME of which work outside the aircraft, making him a "weak fighter" outside a vehicle, and deadly in one. We should avoid Supernatural and magic powers so that the class works in tech settings. No casting or using fly or featherfall etc.
As far as PrCs:
We should have a "Sky pirate" kind of class. among its class powers we should include an extended sneak attack to the first range incriment on a vehicle weapon instead of the standard 30' range limit. (i'm of the feeling that sneak attacks should work on vehicles because they have all that technical gear in there, not solid stone like a golem, so its possible to have a critical, sneak attack, or ranger favored enemy bonus [vehicle, not construct].)
some one once mentioned a Sky general kind of class. not sure what they wanted inthere power wise though.
A fighter Ace class is a cool idea. For characters willing to take a combat class that only has benefits when your in a vehicle, maybe even a spicific vehicle type or even a bonded vehicle.
The concept of a wizard/sorcerer riding their flying familar is a great idea for a PrC. a requirement would be a familar that can fly (generaly bat, raven, owl... but we might have a feat that causes any familar to grow wings... imagine a winged frog) and at first level of this PrC you learn to make your familar grow to one size larger then you (it can be shrunk down again too.) Every level you get some special binding powers with it kinda like a paladin has with their mount, as well as normal familar enhancing powers. maybe spellcasting level increases every other level.
A spellcaster prc that is designed for using a vehicle as a focus for spells. As you increase in levels you can extend your power over larger and larger vehicles. Invisiblity on a fighter-bomber... blink a helicopter, mage armor on a star-speeder.
Feats:
... kinda at a blank.
feat for ramming interesting (not my idea)
vehicle spealization (increase/better the handling modifier)
feats for improved vehicle construction with a sytle or theme + bonus to the vehicles made.
Spells(& psionics are OGC too!):
some new flying magic type spells. a version of fly that is weaker than fly (much slower and less manuverable... maybe Glide only) but lower in level. A greater flight spell is cool too.
an arcane object repairing spells. Kinda like cure spells, but only works on objects and constructs.
magic to supply "power" to a vehicle, magic to increase speed temporarily, magic to increase manuvering for a while (at lower levels spells to increase turning limits or amounts, at higher levels we are talking a full manuvering catagory increase)
spells to survive vacume.
spells to provide air/clean air and otherwise deal with life support.
Rogue like hit dice with reflex save good. I think that sticking with the concept of a fighter ace, a fighter's set of attack bonuses might be cool.
As for pilot powers, I'd say a "favored vehicle" system that gives you a +1 bonus to piloting checks in a vehicle of your choice. every time you get that class feature again you chose another favored vehicle getting a +1 bonus in that vehicle and a increasing all other favored vehicles by 1. Basicaly like the ranger favored enemey for piloting skill. maybe it should also be a +1 bonus to armor class (insight bonus type transfers to vehicles if the pilot has it)
Bonus feats everyone once in a while is a good idea. limited feat list that would include the feats for aircraft prof, skill focus, dodge, and a bunch of feats we still need to write, but not the classic fighter list. Maybe the rogue powers for reflex saves too, as those are great for a pilot to have. The key here is to give him powers that SOME of which work outside the aircraft, making him a "weak fighter" outside a vehicle, and deadly in one. We should avoid Supernatural and magic powers so that the class works in tech settings. No casting or using fly or featherfall etc.
As far as PrCs:
We should have a "Sky pirate" kind of class. among its class powers we should include an extended sneak attack to the first range incriment on a vehicle weapon instead of the standard 30' range limit. (i'm of the feeling that sneak attacks should work on vehicles because they have all that technical gear in there, not solid stone like a golem, so its possible to have a critical, sneak attack, or ranger favored enemy bonus [vehicle, not construct].)
some one once mentioned a Sky general kind of class. not sure what they wanted inthere power wise though.
A fighter Ace class is a cool idea. For characters willing to take a combat class that only has benefits when your in a vehicle, maybe even a spicific vehicle type or even a bonded vehicle.
The concept of a wizard/sorcerer riding their flying familar is a great idea for a PrC. a requirement would be a familar that can fly (generaly bat, raven, owl... but we might have a feat that causes any familar to grow wings... imagine a winged frog) and at first level of this PrC you learn to make your familar grow to one size larger then you (it can be shrunk down again too.) Every level you get some special binding powers with it kinda like a paladin has with their mount, as well as normal familar enhancing powers. maybe spellcasting level increases every other level.
A spellcaster prc that is designed for using a vehicle as a focus for spells. As you increase in levels you can extend your power over larger and larger vehicles. Invisiblity on a fighter-bomber... blink a helicopter, mage armor on a star-speeder.
Feats:
... kinda at a blank.
feat for ramming interesting (not my idea)
vehicle spealization (increase/better the handling modifier)
feats for improved vehicle construction with a sytle or theme + bonus to the vehicles made.
Spells(& psionics are OGC too!):
some new flying magic type spells. a version of fly that is weaker than fly (much slower and less manuverable... maybe Glide only) but lower in level. A greater flight spell is cool too.
an arcane object repairing spells. Kinda like cure spells, but only works on objects and constructs.
magic to supply "power" to a vehicle, magic to increase speed temporarily, magic to increase manuvering for a while (at lower levels spells to increase turning limits or amounts, at higher levels we are talking a full manuvering catagory increase)
spells to survive vacume.
spells to provide air/clean air and otherwise deal with life support.
