Bug or Undocumented Feature?

[ffutures]

I noticed recently that if I hold down the fuel injector button after engaging jump drive and keep it held down the result is that when I hit mass lock the ship initially travels like a bat out of hell, at least 2-3 times the normal fuel injector speed. It only lasts a couple of seconds, but that can be enough time to make a big difference at the start of a combat, or get within spitting distance of a station in much less than the usual time.

I can't recall seeing this mentioned anywhere, is it something weird about my configuration or has Oolite always done this and I'm too thick to previously notice?

[Norby]

It is a feature for me and a double edged sword: a help in approaching stations but could be dangerous out there if you slide too near to an enemy. Use wisely and you can enjoy it.

[hoqllnq]

I use it too and consider it a feature.
It is a nice way to blast past convoys on my way to laser fire in the distance. I don't want to be late for the party.

Also, it seems correct. With the accepted (citation needed?) theories/explanations on how engines, thrusters, injectors, torus drive, witch drive, etc.. work, where the injectors are newtonian and use propellant and have to actually overcome the normal engines which grip on space-time, when starting from a very high initial speed, it makes sense that injectors make it take longer to slow down to the equilibrium speed between injectors and engines.

If anything, the bug/exploit/whatever might be that 1) it takes zero time for the injectors to fire up to full thrust, and 2) you don't lose fuel while torus driving, and you should have one or the other but not both. I'm sure this can be explained away, so that we have to feel no guilt or shame.

[Cody]

... you don't lose fuel while torus driving...

Injectors not burning fuel whilst on Torus drive seems a trifle dodgy to me. No doubt it's handwavable, but I don't use them that way.

[ffutures]

I'd go with there being a safety device - the injectors automatically switch off at the start of jump, if the button is held down as jump ends the injectors are immediately switched on. It's not like they take a lot of time to start up normally...