[Atmospheric Rescue Craft]

I\'ve been on a SVTOL kick lately. So far they basically perform like clunky helicopters minus the true hover capability. 50-80m/s in level flight and landing speeds as low as 11m/s. The hardest part is the balancing issues. I\'m not sure what kind of range I can get out of these, and since some of the fuel tanks have been placed for balance, I\'m not sure how they will handle after those tanks run dry.

My stock SAR plane: Heavy on the controls but it can get around. Restricted to land operations. A flat ramp in the back for many Kerbals, although they do appear to affect performance based on how many and where they are on the ramp. Originally I had ladders back there but I can\'t seem to switch from controlling a Kerbal if he is holding onto a ladder, so I found if they lie down (jump against the wall and fall), they stay put. It can cruise with two sets of vertical engines and the pusher engines engaged.

Modded (with floats, skids, and empty crew pods, rest of plane is stock) seaplane SAR: This one is much lighter and more balanced than the stock. It can cruise with only the middle vertical engines and the pusher engines engaged, although it takes time to get around. Very decent low-speed handling when full of fuel. I\'m not sure how that will change once the forward tanks run dry. Capacity for six stranded Kerbonauts.

[Show off your awesome KSP Pictures]

Oh no! The crew of a test rocket has landed nearly two kilometers from the space center! It\'s dark outside!

Luckily, the brave pilots of the Amospheric Crew Recovery AirPlane were on standby and are ready to roll.

Captain Donsy fires up the main vertical engines and the aircraft strains into the sky!

With standard flight engines engaged, the ACRAP is on the way!

Following a short landing, the stranded crew look on as the ACRAP taxis near.

After climbing aboard and laying down in the first-class passenger area, the formerly stranded crew await a near-vertical takeoff and safe return to KSC.

Coming in for a safe landing.

And the formerly stranded crew disembark, thankful for the capabilities of the ACRAP!