Island Air Zero

[Pds314]

The goal of this challenge is to fly a plane to the Island runway at the start of a new career mode.

No facility upgrades.
No techs/science upgrades.
No contracts.
No strategies.
No cheats.
No mods that give an advantage.

Your takeoff and landing must be horizontal. The goal is to get as close as you can to the Island runway.
 

Edited September 7, 2019 by Pds314

[Pds314]

My attempt (failure)

[Andetch]

So you can get science upgrades or no?

[Pds314]

9 minutes ago, Andetch said:

So you can get science upgrades or no?

no

[Andetch]

Interesting. So 0 science meaning incredibly limited part choices. Interesting.

When ksp installs on my brand new laptop I just got home with I may have to try this. 

[Pds314]

3 minutes ago, Andetch said:

Interesting. So 0 science meaning incredibly limited part choices. Interesting.

When ksp installs on my brand new laptop I just got home with I may have to try this. 

Yes. There are SIX whole parts (7 if you have MakingHistory but why anyone would use the Soviet capsule for this purpose is beyond me). None of which are wheels, decouplers, control surfaces, or liquid engines.

Edited September 7, 2019 by Pds314

[Andetch]

So launching horizontally - I note your images don't show the craft on the runway... How did you get over the fact you have no wheels?

Okay, got over that by using goo containers as skids. But now I am coming to the conclusion that this may not be possible...

Edited September 7, 2019 by Andetch

[Pds314]

55 minutes ago, Andetch said:

So launching horizontally - I note your images don't show the craft on the runway... How did you get over the fact you have no wheels?

Okay, got over that by using goo containers as skids. But now I am coming to the conclusion that this may not be possible...

No I used the Girder segments as skis. 80 m/s crash tolerance.

Hangar pic

[Pds314]

I managed to do this using a multistage aircraft... xD The problem is it stalled trying to do a go-around.

Edited September 7, 2019 by Pds314

[Pds314]

Any landing you can walk away from???

Well, it turns out I don't have screens of the launch, so maybe this is just inspirational. Proof it can be done. At least if you use more than one stage. I tailstruck quite badly due to underspeed.

Edited September 7, 2019 by Pds314

[AHHans]

3 hours ago, Pds314 said:

Any landing you can walk away from???

Yes, how much of the craft has to survive the landing? Just the capsule?

And what is your definition of "horizontal landing"? Any landing without the help of parachutes? Is it allowed to use a parachute to slow down, if it is ditched before landing?

[Pds314]

6 hours ago, AHHans said:

Yes, how much of the craft has to survive the landing? Just the capsule?

And what is your definition of "horizontal landing"? Any landing without the help of parachutes? Is it allowed to use a parachute to slow down, if it is ditched before landing?

Yes, although "ditching" a parachute could be fairly difficult considering you have no decouplers. You might have to cut it. I didn't specify in the OP any part survival requirements though so if your capsule survives horizintal runway landing I guess that counts.

Edited September 7, 2019 by Pds314

[swjr-swis]

Something like this?

KSP 1.3.1, starting tech only (parts and facilities), 30 parts, under 2.9t, single engine.

Pitching up as soon as rotation is possible to gain altitude - goal is around 5 km.

Final approach as level as possible to slow down to safe speeds for landing.

Jeb is happy to report a safe landing at the island airfield, plane fully intact.

 

 

Craft file: https://kerbalx.com/swjr-swis/T1-plane-A3b

 

[Pds314]

On 9/11/2019 at 12:06 PM, swjr-swis said:

Something like this?

KSP 1.3.1, starting tech only (parts and facilities), 30 parts, under 2.9t, single engine.

Pitching up as soon as rotation is possible to gain altitude - goal is around 5 km.

Final approach as level as possible to slow down to safe speeds for landing.

Jeb is happy to report a safe landing at the island airfield, plane fully intact.

 

 

Craft file: https://kerbalx.com/swjr-swis/T1-plane-A3b

 

Wow nice. I had no idea it could be done that elegantly.