The AIAA Student Design/Build/Fly in KSP

[DrBurst]

Hey guys,

I\'m on the Columbia University AIAA DBF team. The AIAA BDF is the coolest thing I have done in my life. The challenges are interesting I learn tons about aerospace. Because I love the AIAA DBF so much, I have modified the rules from each year to work for KSP. Learn more about the AIAA DBF at http://www.aiaadbf.org/

-1997 Contest

For the 1996/97 contest year aircraft will be designed to provide the maximum range for a given fuel weight. Range will be determined from the maximum number of complete laps made over the specified flight course (see below).

Each aircraft must

Complete a take-off before the runway ends

Complete as many laps of the flight course as possible with the available fuel.

Land on the runway.

Partial laps do not count.

To encourage people to accurately predict the available range of their entry, a one lap penalty will be added for aircraft which land on the runway but not within the 90 meter landing zone. Aircraft which land off of the resized runway will receive no score for that flight.

You only get one jet fuel tank.

You must carry 4 kg of dead mass. This mass can\'t do anything. Can\'t provide structure, can\'t provide crew, can\'t provide lift.

No components may be dropped from the aircraft at any time during the flight.

Stock Parts are only allowed

-1998 Contest

Aircraft will be judged on the maximum number of complete laps over the specified flight course completed within the 7 minute period. The course consists of:

The craft must make an un-assisted takeoff, your plane must be higher then 20 meters before the end of the runway.

No components may be dropped from the aircraft at any time during the flight.

The craft will then complete one pace lap before timing begins. The pace lap ends at the beginning of the runway.

After completing as many laps as passible in 7 mins the aircraft must land on the runway. Any run that fails to make the runway will not count.

If the craft suffers any damage during a run it will be invalid.

You must carry 4 kg of dead mass. This mass can\'t do anything. Can\'t provide structure, can\'t provide crew, can\'t provide lift.

Stock parts only.

I\'ll add the other years if you guys like these.

[zombiphylax]

What kind of dead weight will you accept? I only ask because stock parts usually perform a function...

[Tim_Barrett]

(Har, that\'s very neat! My mom works there ;P )

I do remember someone making a pylon racing part that you put on the launch tower as a first stage, and 'builds' the track around that point. It goes up, around, and in between certain parts of the track the the launch tower/ water tower itself. Maybe someone could make their own for this purpose.

[DrBurst]

What kind of dead weight will you accept? I only ask because stock parts usually perform a function...

hmm, how about deactivated fuel tanks.

[DrBurst]

(Har, that\'s very neat! My mom works there ;P )

I do remember someone making a pylon racing part that you put on the launch tower as a first stage, and 'builds' the track around that point. It goes up, around, and in between certain parts of the track the the launch tower/ water tower itself. Maybe someone could make their own for this purpose.

Once KSC modding is allowed I\'m going to make an air racetrack so people know the course better.