Take a ground vehicle with you

Retrieve at a ground-vehicle-capable terminal

At a location that supports your vehicle, interact with its retrieval terminal and select that vehicle. Read the assigned pad or garage before going outside.

Expected result: The vehicle is retrieved to an identified location you can reach.

If it did not work: A ship-only terminal is not a universal ground-vehicle spawn point. Check the location's supported retrieval service.

Retrieve at a ground-vehicle-capable terminal

At a location that supports your vehicle, interact with its retrieval terminal and select that vehicle. Read the assigned pad or garage before going outside.

Expected result: The vehicle is retrieved to an identified location you can reach.

If it did not work: A ship-only terminal is not a universal ground-vehicle spawn point. Check the location's supported retrieval service.

Record the exact vehicle and carrier variants

SC Nomads practice checkpoint

Identify the retrieved vehicle and the intended carrier, then record the assigned retrieval place and how the vehicle will reach the carrier. Keep the first test unloaded.

Expected result: The learner names the actual pair and a usable meeting point.

If it did not work: A ship-only service, inaccessible exit or an advertised cargo capacity cannot establish a working route. Reposition the plan before moving valuable equipment.

Name the driver, pilot and spotter tasks

SC Nomads practice checkpoint

Decide who remains with each vehicle and who watches clearance. A solo operator parks securely before changing seats and repeats the external access check after each change.

Expected result: No essential vehicle or exit is left unattended by assumption.

If it did not work: If the tasks cannot be covered, reduce the exercise to a local loading test. More seats do not supply more operators.

Check both physical fit and crew access

Open the carrier ramp, approach slowly and load the empty vehicle first. Leave its seat and test the walk to the pilot seat and exit before closing the ramp.

Expected result: The carrier can close and both the vehicle and ship remain accessible.

If it did not work: If the vehicle fits but blocks the only exit, change its position or carrier. Do not use published SCU as a substitute for this test.

Check both physical fit and crew access

Open the carrier ramp, approach slowly and load the empty vehicle first. Leave its seat and test the walk to the pilot seat and exit before closing the ramp.

Expected result: The carrier can close and both the vehicle and ship remain accessible.

If it did not work: If the vehicle fits but blocks the only exit, change its position or carrier. Do not use published SCU as a substitute for this test.

Walk the route after the vehicle is parked

SC Nomads practice checkpoint

After the existing slow loading card, exit the driver seat and walk to the carrier controls and exit. Check the ramp can close without blocking the return path.

Expected result: Both machines remain accessible and the route can be reversed.

If it did not work: If something catches, blocks a door or leaves no turning room, stop and unload or reposition. Do not force a fit because another variant once worked.

Unloading is part of the fit test

SC Nomads practice checkpoint

Open again and reverse the loading path at the same safe location. Record the successful parked position and any visibility limitation before loading for the real trip.

Expected result: The pair has completed both directions without valuable cargo aboard.

If it did not work: A successful entry alone is not a completed fit test. Keep a driver exit and a walking path instead of filling every apparent gap.

Unload onto a route you can drive back

Land on appropriate terrain, stop the ship safely and open the ramp. Inspect the ground immediately below it, then unload slowly and record the ship location.

Expected result: The vehicle reaches stable ground and has a clear return route to the carrier.

If it did not work: If the ramp is too steep or above an obstruction, reposition the carrier before driving. Do not drop the vehicle to solve a bad landing.

Finish with a recovery check

Return before supplies or conditions prevent loading. Repeat the ramp approach, park the vehicle and confirm all crew and cargo are aboard.

Expected result: The activity ends with the vehicle recovered rather than only the driver returned.

If it did not work: If the carrier moved or is unavailable, agree a recovery plan before abandoning valuable gear.

Finish with a recovery check

Return before supplies or conditions prevent loading. Repeat the ramp approach, park the vehicle and confirm all crew and cargo are aboard.

Expected result: The activity ends with the vehicle recovered rather than only the driver returned.

If it did not work: If the carrier moved or is unavailable, agree a recovery plan before abandoning valuable gear.

Choose an unloading point you can use again

SC Nomads practice checkpoint

Stop safely, inspect the ramp-to-ground transition and identify a drivable return path before unloading. Record the carrier location and agree whether the pilot will remain there.

Expected result: The driver has stable ground and a named pickup location.

If it did not work: A steep drop or obstacle calls for carrier repositioning, not dropping the vehicle. If the carrier moves, agree a new reachable pickup before separating.

Count occupants and recover before supplies run out

SC Nomads practice checkpoint

Return while the route and equipment remain usable. Repeat the proven loading path, then count people and carried items before the ship leaves.

Expected result: The exercise ends with the intended people and vehicle accounted for.

If it did not work: A lost carrier or blocked route needs an explicit recover-or-abandon decision. Do not claim bed logging, respawning or a claim terminal preserves the load.