Here's a method I use. First hit the "L" key to level the craft to the horizon. Look for the "+" and center that in your HUD. Now about a kilometer or less above the ground hit the "A" key (hold altitude). As soon as the hold altitude is stable hit the "A" key again to turn off the hold altitude AP. Your hover thrust should stay on at a constant setting although you may sink or rise slightly. Now press the "." key (reduce hover) by a very small amount.
The idea is to stabilize the hold altitude then cut hover thrust a very small amount. Now watch the big "+" and while in translation mode keep that on the pad. Watch your descent rate on your surface MFD. If you are descending too fast add a little hover thrust Numpad "0". If you are rising hit the "." key. Use mostly translation thrust to lower yourself onto the pad.
As you get closer to the pad you will need to slow your forward momentum. As you slow down you will descend a little faster so you will need to add hover thrust to compensate. Just keep your descent rate and forward momentum controllable and slide down to the pad. You may still be carrying some forward momentum when you touch down so set your brakes before contacting the ground so that when your wheels hit you will kill the forward momentum. Don't forget to kill hover thrust "." and turn off all APs.
IF you do it right and don't carry too much forward or vertical speed you can hover down and land just like a helicopter. The trick is to watch the "+". That shows where you are going. If it's to the right of the pad translate left. If it's left translate right. Keep the pad in front of you until the last few meters.
The idea is to stabilize the hold altitude then cut hover thrust a very small amount. Now watch the big "+" and while in translation mode keep that on the pad. Watch your descent rate on your surface MFD. If you are descending too fast add a little hover thrust Numpad "0". If you are rising hit the "." key. Use mostly translation thrust to lower yourself onto the pad.
As you get closer to the pad you will need to slow your forward momentum. As you slow down you will descend a little faster so you will need to add hover thrust to compensate. Just keep your descent rate and forward momentum controllable and slide down to the pad. You may still be carrying some forward momentum when you touch down so set your brakes before contacting the ground so that when your wheels hit you will kill the forward momentum. Don't forget to kill hover thrust "." and turn off all APs.
IF you do it right and don't carry too much forward or vertical speed you can hover down and land just like a helicopter. The trick is to watch the "+". That shows where you are going. If it's to the right of the pad translate left. If it's left translate right. Keep the pad in front of you until the last few meters.
