Pete-

Due to recent events, Kerbin has a major engine manufacturing problem. So new regulations are in place, limiting the number of engines of any space craft to only one. Of course, the space program must continue, so here's where you come in: Get a manned spacecraft into stable orbit with the most DV left The craft can only have one engine on it. Stock parts only Mods that give information about the dv you have left allowed. The score will be the dv you have left in orbit. Bonus kudos if you manage to land on the mun, minmus, or another planet and safely get back to Kerbin. If you do so, you can use RCS thrusters for landing stability control only. My simple first attempt at 2959 m/s left, in a bit suboptimal orbit.

35 seconds as well. And with 1400 m/s left. I could get even more acceleration by putting a bit less fuel in the tanks, but below say 20.000 m more acceleration means exploding rockets due to overheating

So, I made a simplistic plane with a view. It lands upside down, just because it can. It's rather stable without SAS, does mach 0.96 at sea level. I got it to 650 m/s in a dive from 20 KM up and did not crash into the ocean. Steering is very slow but easy. Unfortunately, it cannot take off on its wheels, so I could not get it back to the KSP base. http://imgur.com/a/Nv3iO