Just picked up the game and I'm using a 360 pad.
I'm having an experiment with docking before I jump into the game proper. I've been asked to proceed to a landing pad, which I've done, I've matched up the ship on that landing radar that pops up as well - should it automatically land when I'm close enough? Or is there a specific button to press once you're in range and matched up?
You have to bring it down to the pad completely, make sure you've deployed your landing gear and that your ship is facing forward on the landing indicator.