stoicastronomy

You just need the slightest amount of forward momentum to keep the aircraft under control. So in a sense you can call it a STOL, but it would be a very very short take off and landing. Alternatively, if you want a true VTOL take off, then you can turn on RCS thrusters, and you can take off with just VTOL engines in a true VTOL fashion. Just use RCS to pitch the nose down to accelerate forward once you are in the air so the plane doesn't do a extreme nose-up -> lose control. Once you have the forward momentum, you can turn off RCS and use the ailerons and the elevators to pitch up and down.

This is a vertical take off and landing capable flying wing airplane. It has good flight characteristics, and the VTOL capability allows it to take off, land, and hover like a helicopter. The file: http://www./download/otxdts6slycaeu1/VTOL_v1.zip Extract and copy to your SPH folder. How to take off: I use numpad 1, 2, 3, etc. to control custom action groups. Bind the 3x rear jet engines, the 2x VTOL thrusters, and the 1x turbojet into separate "toggle-able" action groups. -First stage: Turn the 2x VTOL thrusters on at 100% thrust. -Second stage: Turn the 3x rear-facing jet engines to accelerate your aircraft forward. You can turn these 3 off after your aircraft has some forward momentum. Now, reduce the VTOL thrust to about 50~60%. Your plane will be gently hovering in the air. You can nose down slightly to accelerate forward with the VTOL thrusters, and nose up to slow down. But NEVER lose forward momentum or the aircraft will nose-up and you'll lose control. Don't worry, the plane has excellent hovering characteristics, and you can hover at very low speeds just so long as you have forward momentum (and you can perform landings like this: ) -Third stage: the turbo jets are there for extra speed. You don't really need this turned on (as it just burns up a lot of fuel). But it's there if you want to get to places faster. -Fourth stage: the 2x parachutes are there to save the poor pilot... just in case. Vertical Take off tutorial with images: -2x VTOL thrusters on. -3x Rear thrusters on, accelerating forward. -Forward momentum gained, 3x rear thrusters off. -Rising up. -With just VTOL thrusters, nose down slightly to accelerate forward. Landing on the island airstrip (image heavy): Happy flying/launching! edit: seems like the ' ' is not working/available...

I believe you can attach the smaller SRBs (not separatrons) to the delta-wing tips (decoupler + SRB) and still maintain good flying characteristics. I have successfully flied a short take-off (using SRBs to assist in take-off) variant in that configuration, but I haven't tried using them as "missiles". Go try them yourself!

Here is a flying wing design that is very maneuverable and easy to fly (using keyboard). It is also one of the easiest to land on the airstrip thanks to its high lift wings. And if you really want the easiest landing possible for planes in KSP, the flying wing comes with a pair of parachutes that allows the craft to practically hover in place while retaining full controls over the flight. Download: http://www./download/lvvzb5do2ixffgt/Flying_Wing_v2.zip How to install: Unzip and copy the .craft file to your SPH folder (not VAB). Go to your spaceplane hangar (and not Vehicle Assembly Building) to load the plane and to take off from the airstrip. To take off, just start off the two jet engines at max throttle, and keep the flying wing running straight down the run way. Don't worry if you can't take off before you run out of the run way, as long as you are pressing down on your button to 'pull up' (S key for me), the plane will take off into the air just after it runs out of runway. Gears up, and let the flying begin! note: The LV-T45 rocket engine is there for those that want speed boost or orbital flights. You will have to add a couple of parts to get it into orbit first. I've done orbital flights by adding a decoupler to the LV-T45 engine and then building a bottom stage that can get the entire craft to orbit. I'd recommend that you do this in VAB instead of SPH. Re-entry into atmosphere seems to make the flying wing to spin. Let the altitude drop to 10~km then start your jet engines and use controls (not SAS) to counteract the spin and you'll regain control of the plane. The craft comes with two pairs of parachutes. The stage 0 parachutes are for one of those "O CRAP" moments, to save the poor pilot. The stage 1 parachutes are for hover-landing. To do hover-landing, align your plane with the airstrip, approach it at 300~500m altitude. When you are about to land, reduce throttle to 50%, deploy the two parachutes. It'll bring the plane to near stop (17~20 m/s), but you are still flying and you still have full control over the flight, so use throttles and controls accordingly to make one of the easiest plane landing ever in KSP. SPH view: Taking off at night (in external command seat): Barrel roll right after take off: Parachute assisted landing: Happy launching/flying!