VTOL plane : Vertix MK3 and Auto-Pilot kOS script

[MaverickWoe]

Hi all !

Since the last patch modified the thrust of turbines, I had to rework my very simple VTOL plane concept plane to a bigger one.

I came with this MK3 version of it that takes-off, cruise and land with very simple interfaces up to around 4500m where there is no much space to do so.

This is a very convenient plane to go and see Kerbin's anomalies or fetch some research points from specific areas as it got a rover with loads of instruments and a drill + refinery attached to it.

Here is a demo on Youtube https://youtu.be/gtz2OaYXijk

comments in French in the Vid, sorry !

I'm sure those VTOL lovers will like that project.

Features:

- Runway takeoff (bad)

- runway landing (bad)

- vertical takeoff

- vertical landing

- navigation with set heading and ground clearance.

- Showing the landing target on the ground and adjustable through plane inputs.

- Drill and Refinery

- Deployable and recoverable rover loaded with sensors

- Auto pilot Script including these features

- Suggestion of fuel balance to optimize landing at the limit of the plane (4500m and higher)

Runs with:

- KSP 1.05

- kOS mod

- MechJeb (but useless in fact)

- Infernal Robotics

Known issues:

- A few governors can be tweaked better

- Could be faster to land and takeoff

- Would like to use the turbines to rotate the plane toward the desired heading on takeoff.

- Yaw input from pilot disturbs everything despite being locked in the script (kOS issue ?)

- No detection of landing, meaning you ll have to deactivate everything by yourself.

Feedbacks and comments are welcome

Instructions:

open kOs in ring on the nose of the plane. Type "Switch to 0. run auto."

Use A and D (keys for Yaw) to modify heading.

Use W ans S (keys for Pitch) to modify Ground clearance.

Use Abort Button to land at the target.

Use again A,D, Z and S to move the target to the exact landing location you want.

Button 1 activates and deactivates all engines

Button 3 deploys parachutes

Button 4 deploys cockpit ladder and opens hatch

Button 5 open Cargo hold, solar panels and all extra ladders

Button 6 deploys drill (but you have to manually run it)

script and plane here:

http://awalrave.free.fr/AP_VErtixMK3_0.90.zip

Edited October 25, 2015 by MaverickWoe
links, pictures and more details + instructions

[Red Dwarf]

Welcome to the forums, Maverick! It's always good to see new members here. Just a heads up, your probably gonna hear "no pics, no clicks" a couple times, because us nerds like to see the cool designs. This thread will probably be helpful to you.

That aside, that's a pretty slick craft you've got there. I'm amazed it can fly with the wings so far forward. You might be able to clean up your runway takeoff/landings by moving the wings further back.

[MaverickWoe]

Thanks for the Welcome Word Red Dwarf ! I'll surely improve the post with your advice and more a bit later.

Yeah, the wings are quite in front probably because the Center of Mass of the plane is a bit too but yeah it flies well even without auto-pilot so I guess that is Ok.

The main problem for the take off are the gears on the very rear of the plane. I could probably activate a mode that retracts rear gears for take off but then the tail would hit the runway often. So I guess I'll leave the designa s mainly done for VTOL.

[MaverickWoe]

Updated the 1st post with instructions, image, link to ship and script.

Enjoy !