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Everything posted by Hotel26
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Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
Leg 8 [prev] [next] [progress] [click & arrows] Departed: -1.14/-133.24 @ 3.160.5.38 Airborne: 26m Heading: 245 Distance: 126.0 km Altitude: 3.1 km Arrival: -6.53/-144.03 The majority of the terrain on this leg was flat but flying a helicopter is never boring. We felt like we were being wafted along by thermals, as the machine climbed easily and the airspeed was generally 'hovering' around 95 m/s. In truth, Dick has become adept at tuning the flight controls. He even feels he might get that 170 km endurance the support crew had predicted. (First shot above: a glimpse of the Temple in the left distance. Fourth shot: "finding a parking place". "Las Vegas", as the pilots call it, is one of the busiest airports, with multiple Air-Sea Rescue crews operating out of here.) A big relief and a lot of satisfaction making this first, major milestone. -
This thread saved my life. I wish everybody knew about it. Good on you, Klesh.
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Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
Yes, it's good because the important thing is that you did it. Just register your start point and then continue on. (Did you start at KSC?) Be mindful of visiting the antipode (opposite point of the globe) and then return to the start point (by any route) and you will have conducted a good circumnavigation. Please keep us updated and good luck!! There is some way to get the coords of a landed craft without a probe core. I believe you can do it maybe in the Map View. Yes, hover over a landed/splashed target in Map View and its coords will be displayed. Welcome to the Expedition!! (Very impressive machine you have there, too!) -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
Welcome, Bold Adventurers! And, my, what an interesting route you have planned; we're quite envious, I don't mind admitting. Looks like your Opposite Point is (approx) 6.30N, 38.33E and that should be easy for you to incorporate in your route. The Very Best of Luck to you and your team!! -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
Disclaimer: I am not a graphics artist, but something along the lines of this for a badge? It's got the globe, the four compass points and the blades. Open for comments (and better attempts)... UPDATE: More compact -- and "the 6 compass points"...? hmm. Oh well. -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
A really superb job! And, thank you for participating! My leg posts include a [progress] link which points to the updated map, here: I, personally, am having a ball doing this expedition, so I share your hope others will join. (I have a rover about half way around that has been stalled for a year or two, so this has worked out much better.) No luck as yet with the signatures. -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
Sir Ralan Boyle, Master Aviator, Expert Shipbuilder, First Circumnavigator. All Hail!! A very professional and entertaining video, too. Well done, sir! (I guess we need to make a badge now!? I will get on it...) -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
Leg 6 [prev] [next] [progress] [click & arrows] Departed: 6.43/-114.76 @ 3.158.1.25 Airborne: 15m Heading: 260 Distance: 62.1 km Altitude: 1.9 km Arrival: 5.44/-120.63 A short and routine flight to the edge of the next large bay. Leg 7 [click & arrows] Departed: 5.44/-120.63 @ 3.159.5.33 Airborne: 34m Heading: 245 Distance: 148.4 km Altitude: 1.9 km Arrival: -1.14/-133.24 Pushed hard on Leg 7, knowing that the Dessert Strip is within striking range on Leg 8. Nevertheless, 148 km appears to be very close to the limit of the machine and a descending approach was used to expedite the landing, made with less than a kallon of fuel remaining on board. With this reduced range, whether tomorrow's first leg takes us over the mountains to the Strip may very well require one of those KSP lucky tail winds. -
I am currently using (5.08, -61.56), alt 5682 (mountain top). I use wide-base landers so am not too troubled by slope, but flat is good. If you are mining and boosting fuel to orbit, you might like this tip: with a target reference on the surface, boost a reference vehicle straight "up" (SAS Radial Out) and bring it to a Target-relative standstill at 42.14 km. Your orbital period should be 1d 1h 50m 55s and you will be geostationary; not directly above the surface target, but not far from it. This assumes an equatorial surface site, or close to it. You will get some "wobble", if not, which is not necessarily bad. you can now boost a tanker from surface to orbit reference and vice versa as a "straight shot" -- aim at the target, accelerate, coast, decelerate, land/dock. A bit like a space elevator. I find this makes mining on Gilly quite enjoyable!
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Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
Leg 5 [prev] [next] [progress] [click & arrows] Departed: 8.37/-111.36 @ 3.158 0.26 Airborne: 10m Heading: 250 Distance: 41.1 km Altitude: 3.0 km Arrival: 6.43/-114.76 Some excitement in the Dick Smith camp as news came in that Dick's trusty Chippewa had suffered a flame-out crossing the mountains. Fortunately, Dick had just crossed the last ridge marking the exit from those mountains and was able to land on battery power with 3% charge remaining. After ascertaining that Dick was unhurt, and the equipment unscathed, KSC Support scrambled a rescue mission, employing an ancient Pterodactyl[1] flat-bed transporter to ferry a Gryphon III fuel truck out to the crash landing site. [click & arrows] On a sombre note, engineer Kendo Kerman was untimely ripped from his Gryphon EVA seat some time during the rescue flight, which certainly exceeded Mach 3... "What was he thinking...?" Requiescat in pace, Kendo; you will be missed. A subsequent audit revealed that Dick had inadvertently skipped the very first flight preparation item on the lengthy check-list: "refuel". The audit also added the 41.1 km covered before the mishap to the previous leg's 129.5 km to conclude that Chippewa endurance is, at least, 170 km. Good news for the team. [1] credit to @Brikoleurfor his original Pelican, since my Pterodactyl is an unabashed reverse-engineered knock-off. -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
Will amend the rules! Easterly, Westerly, Northerly, Southerly headings will be accepted as non-stop when the pilot elects/specifies this intention. Good luck, brave pilot! The first 4 images are showing as a European "no entry" sign. The first URL is https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/... I would say that it is an upload sharing permissions problem or similar...? I've caused the same problems with Google Drive. Might be simple to rectify by going to the hosting site and fiddling with the permissions menu(s). But it could also be an issue between kerbalspaceprogram and googleusercontent (one rejecting the other). Your 5th image (imgur.com) shows just fine. UPDATE: hmm, rules do not appear to state specifically that one must land at that opposite point; just that you fly over it. You're all set, Ralan. -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
The bookmakers have you odds-on to be the First Recipient of the Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation Badge... (Be advised: unable to view the video recording and note also that 4 of your signature icons are barred.) Can't wait to see your helo! (P.S. just a reminder. You should plan a landing at the opposite side of the globe with a screenshot just to comply with the stipulations for this "any route" circumnavigation. (I myself wouldn't object to a non-stop, but if someone else did...) If you feel strongly about it, let me know, and it's not too late at this time to make an alteration that will cater to the "speed set". It is a level playing field as it is, though. -
I have designed at least a couple of kinds of vehicles (Mercy) whose purpose is to intercept and adorn such vehicles with 10m heat shield and numerous parachutes as well as sufficient boost power to deorbit and decelerate. This is OK when the vehicles in question are already in orbit around Kerbin. Otherwise, it's not likely worth the effort bringing them back. In which case termination *is* the most economical solution.
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Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
Leg 3 [prev] [next] [progress] [click & arrows] Departed: 10.65/-88.93 @ 3.156 5.26 Airborne: 27m Heading: 260 Distance: 103.1 km Altitude: 1.2 km Arrival: 9.50/-98.90 Crossing the Western Channel. Leg 4 [click & arrows] Departed: 9.50/-98.90 @ 3.157 0.36 Airborne: 30m Heading: 263 Distance: 129.5 km Altitude: 3.1 km Arrival: 8.37/-111.36 Took a calculated risk and flew long into mountains to keep the scenic quotient high. Landed with 20% fuel remaining. -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
Yes, all good. Thanks for the video! -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
I think (personal view) the most meaningful speed record attempts would be ones designed as "classic" helicopters: rotor power only and no wings. Do you have any estimate of how fast that might be, in KSP? Nevertheless, the @Pds314 and @chadgaskermandesigns look very interesting. -
totm dec 2019 Threads of the Month December 2020
Hotel26 replied to Gargamel's topic in Threads of the Month
Have just seen this re the Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation challenge: my gratitude to the Moderation Team and particularly also to any/all Nominators!! I hope a lot of participants and spectators get a lot of fun out of this "hike"! If you fly "choppers", please come and join in and share the fun! -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
So busy playing with helicopters I didn't notice this meant a TOTM pin. (Yes, I'm very slow on the "collective", you could say!) Very thrilled and, even more so, grateful to the Moderation Team and nominators. Thank you and my fervent hope is that many other helo afficianados will join in and make this a swarm. The "routine" is starting to become addictive and I know I am going to be a much better chopper pilot at the end. (I should work on becoming a better chopper designer, though!) -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
Leg 2 [prev] [next] [progress] [click & arrows] Departed: 4.08/-82.2 @ ~3y156d 0h0m? Airborne: ~25m Heading: 325 Distance: 98.5 km Altitude: 1.5 km Arrival: 10.65/-88.93 Clever Dick has discovered that the cockpit can be manually set to "Up" ref which vastly simplifies hovering. Now that the initial "butterflies" have settled, this is quite enjoyable and not too taxing. At 2 legs per day, this mission might be completed by Christmas, or during 2020, anyway. -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
Dick has flown back to the KSC to view a demonstration of the new Chippewa 2, incorporating "quality-of-life" changes he has requested. The new machine will be flown out over the same Leg 1, shortly. Later that day (5h32m), Kendo Kerman ferried in the replacement Chippewa 2 and landed. Dick took the controls and mounted the Euler for fuel resupply... [click & arrows] -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
Leg 1 [prev] [next] [progress] [click + arrows] Departed: KSC @ 3y155d 4h28m Airborne: 25m50s Heading: 305 Distance: 87 km Altitude: 3 km Arrival: 4.08/-82.29 One very shaken Dick Smith, tunic drenched in sweat, disembarked to be greeted by a small throng of reporters. Asked about the flight, the only words he could manage were, "grueling" and "harrowing". Nevertheless, the wide grin expressed jubilation (and/or relief)! -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
The Dick Smith Kerbin Heli-Circumnavigation Attempt Progress Map: [Leg 1] I have assembled my team and equipment. The helo is a Chippewa and the refueler/support vehicle is an Euler. Pilots are Dick Smith (left) and Amelia Kerman (right). Wish them luck! We'll be departing the KSC, heading westward ho. The Euler will survey/plot the route in advance. The Chippewa endurance is a measly 100-120 km, so we'll be taking it easy on legs until we get a good grip on what she can do. The mission will be conducted in my Orbit (production) world, which means that advance planning to keep 30m of daylight every day, clear of other operations, will be required. The team will be flying only during daylight hours. [Leg 1] -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
(I'd not been getting updates on this topic, causing me to "tune out" a bit. I'm glad to see preparations are moving forward!!) I did consult one of the forum's Premier Helicopter Consultants on this subject and he stated the following (reproduced without permission): My reply: And his final: I'm not adverse to some competitive entries, as some great tech will come out of it. Think of a helicopter (for our purposes here) as a "slightly faster rover with a considerably better view". I have just this evening finally finished commissioning my new, 64GB memory machine to run KSP. And I have built a service vehicle specifically for this challenge: I will launch my adventure tomorrow and plan to take between 1-3 months to complete it. Look forward to seeing everyone else's progress, too!! -
Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation
Hotel26 replied to Hotel26's topic in KSP1 Challenges & Mission ideas
And very nice it is, too! And a badge for you, if you do! -
Recently, I built my first chopper and called it Chippewa: I'm so excited about it that I am going to enter it into the upcoming Kerbin Helicopter Circumnavigation fly-fest, which will be announced shortly and I believe will kick off on December 1st. So tonight, I built a fuel service vehicle I've dubbed Euler: The concept is that you land your chopper on Euler's upper deck and refuel your helo for its next leg... Like this: