Kerbal Express Airlines - Regional Jet Challenge

[Kerbinchaser]

Oh, yes. I love regional aircraft. I think I'll build something sorta like a Dash 8 Q series. 

[qzgy]

No one's in the turboprop section... yet.

Kramer 50-100 'Avery'

Technical Specifications

Parts: 49
Range: 1,320 km
Cruising Speed: 160-165 m/s
Cruising Altitude: 1,500m
Takeoff Speed: Between 50 ad 60 m/s
Price:$16,010,000
Kerbal Capacity: 24 passengers, 2 crew

Download:https://kerbalx.com/qzgy/Kramer-50-100-Avery

The Avery is the first aircraft produced here. With a design somewhat reminiscent of the Fokker 50, the little bird absolutely sips fuel at 0.05 units per second. The version here has also a cargo bay, which can fit at least 2 additional kerbals, 4 if you really want to push it. Or it can hold small luggage. Your pick. Landing and takeoff is a bit tricky due to the placement of the landing gear so far forward of the tail. However, this allows relatively slow takeoff speeds. An "accidental" ditching by one of our test pilots has also shown the cabin to be relatively durable at 30 m/s water impacts, with the only loss being the tail and a couple bits of the wing. Like this, it can also double as a "boat", cruising comfortably at 30 m/s.

50-150 'Avery +' Variant

Technical Specifications

Parts: 71
Range: 2200 km
Cruising Speed: 160-165 m/s
Cruising Altitude: 1,500m
Takeoff Speed: Between 60 ad 70 m/s
Price:$20,180,000
Kerbal Capacity: 32 passengers, 2 crew

https://kerbalx.com/qzgy/Kramer-50-150-Avery+

Much the same as the normal Avery, the Avery+ has an extra passenger section! This means more passengers and more profits! It also has an increased cargo bay size and increased wingspan, to help deal with the increased load. The fuel capacity has also been more than doubled, from 400 kallons on the normal Avery to 950 kallons on the Avery+. It handles much the same and looks almost identical to the original, reducing training costs for both pilots and ground crew, good when stepping up to the Avery+ from the Avery.

Edited June 30, 2017 by qzgy

[keptin]

Updated the review of the Bluebell A+ here, 

 

[qzgy]

More aircraft.... This time a medium regional "jet"

Kramer 150-100 'Baltimore'

Technical Specifications

Parts: 53
Range: 1900 km
Cruising Speed: 240 to 245 m/s
Cruising Altitude: 3,500m
Takeoff Speed: Between 70-80 m/s
Price:$116,033,000
Kerbal Capacity: 96 passengers, 2 crew

https://kerbalx.com/crafts/30643/edit

The 'Baltmore' is a based off of a Cold War era plans some bright young engineer found lying around. Accidentally, it carries an additional 24 passengers over the 72 required. and has a cargo bay at the back to maybe facilitate all of the nonexistent luggage that the 96 kerbals might need. More passengers, more profits. Landing and takeoff is a bit hairy at near 80m/s, but it should respond well to controls. Don't expect superior maneuverability, its big and slow. The air frame carries 3160 kallons of fuel, which, when sipped at 0.4 kallons per second while cruising, allows an impressive range. Also has a door which just about reaches the ground.

Kramer 150-150 'Baltimore-ER'

Technical Specifications

Parts: 69
Range: 2700 km
Cruising Speed: 240 to 245m/s
Cruising Altitude: 3,500m
Takeoff Speed: 80 m/s
Price:$121,433,000
Kerbal Capacity: 96 passengers, 2 crew

https://kerbalx.com/qzgy/Kramer-150-200-Baltimore-ER

An extended range version of the original Baltimore. By this, the engineers mean they chucked more fuel onto, now having a capacity of 5880 kallons of fuel. Still based off the yet-to-be-award-winning, this turboprop should be competitive with other aircraft, or at least somewhat fuel efficient. It's almost exactly the same as the non-extended range version, apart from the new FuelBulge^{(patent pending)}, so re-training should be simple.

Edited July 2, 2017 by qzgy

[ScaryTerry]

On 29.6.2017 at 2:16 AM, keptin said:

Test Pilot Review: ScarsTarsProducts - Vulture-01

Figures as tested:

• Fuel: 620/1200 kal
• Cruising speed: 308 m/s
• Cruising altitude: 4000m
• Fuel burn rate: 0.15 kal/s
• Mass: 15.298t

Review Notes: We really enjoyed our experience with the Vulture-01. Firstly, it's a beautiful aircraft. The under-wing engine layout reduces cabin noise--that'll make our passengers happy. And the conventional design with 54 parts will be relatively easy to maintain and integrate into our existing fleet. Having the room for 1200 kallons of fuel gives the Vulture-01 great versatility for longer range, although few of our regional short-haul routes require ranges above 1200km. For our tests we filled her with 620 kallons of fuel for a range of roughly 1120km. The Vulture-01 handles well when half-fueled, although she wants to nose down hard when you let off the stick. We suspect her center of mass is a bit too far forward of the center of lift. Cruising speed is a peppy 308 m/s @ 4000m. She's a tad heavy for a 32-passenger aircraft, which might contribute to her underwhelming fuel efficiency at 0.17 kallons/second at the tested speed and altitude. Though, its recommended low-altitude at 4000m is likely to blame. We tested her at her ceiling altitude of 9000m, but still had trouble getting the fuel efficiency below 0.15 kallons/second. ScarsTarsProduct's offering of a cargo variant, as well as the available passenger-cargo conversion kit gives the model great flexibility, allowing us to sell or lease the aircraft to a wider range of airlines should our passenger needs on short-haul routes decline.

Our verdict: If ScarsTarsProducts can improve the fuel efficiency of the Vulture-01 into the 0.08-0.10 range, they might have a hit on their hands.

@ScaryTerry

Thanks for the review. It has been taken note of and ScarsTars hopes our plane soon will be as desired.

[ScaryTerry]

Hello Kerbal Express

Our engineers lately have been working on the problems that make our plane really unefficient, we think we have found a solution to the problems, we've changed the engines, sadly the fuel capacity has been put down from 1200 to 700, but at an altitude of 8km we've reached an efficency of 0,1 @3/4 of thrust. Also at full fuel we could take off with only about 40m/s. It's your decision wether you want the efficency or the fuel capacity. We wait for your respond.

ScarsTarsProductions

https://gyazo.com/363d78185a54545e16456b1e407355cc

Edited July 1, 2017 by ScaryTerry

[aerodis]

I was wondering, can it be a seaplane?

[ScaryTerry]

Hello lovely followers

We're happy to confirm that the Vulture-02 has been finished and is now free on the market.
It can be bought for 22,062,000 and is a little bit cheaper than its older brother the 01.

We hope you enjoy
ScarsTarsProductions

https://kerbalx.com/ScaryTerry/Vulture-02

51 minutes ago, aerodis said:

I was wondering, can it be a seaplane?

I'm pretty sure yes!

[Andiron]

On 29/06/2017 at 3:15 AM, keptin said:

Both, oddly, still seemed to have the dangerous rear-steer sidestep issue, causing the aircraft to drift dangerously on the ground, but we see this as a minor lethal flaw, as disabling the system as before seems to solve this issue.

Hello !

Can you tell me what system you disable, because I don't have the problem on my side. Thanks

[zolotiyeruki]

Presenting...The Kembraer ZO-135.  With only 19 parts, and massing just a hair over 9.7 tons, this is the jet for an airline on a budget.  Purchase price is just $12.5 million kerbobucks.  The regional airline business is one of slim margins, and we've done everything to minimize purchase and maintenance costs, and maximize fuel efficiency.  Ladders are expensive, so when you're ready to board your passengers, just raise the landing gear and open the hatch.  Two engines have twice as much maintenance as one, so we only used one engine.  No need for flaps here--this baby can land at speeds as low as 30m/s.  Besides, removing the flaps means fewer heavy, expensive systems to maintain! Due to the built-in incidence on the wings, be careful of high-speed taxiing, as this craft will become airborne at 80 m/s without any control inputs. 

Your first-class passengers up front will appreciate the separation from the hoi polloi in the back, along with the noise isolation provided by the mid-mounted fuel tank.

Cruise speed is about 310m/s at an altitude of 11,000m.  Just level off (pitch = 0) at 10,000m, and let the laws of physics do the rest.  Range at that speed and altitude is about 1,100 km, or about 900km plus takeoff/landing in real world testing.

The ZO-135ER model adds eight passengers in coach class, and replaces the integrated intake and fuel tank with a dedicated fuel tank and inlet, to double the fuel capacity.  Cruise speed is about the same, but at an altitude of about 10,500m, with a range of 1600+ km.  Weight goes up to 11.8 tons, and cost also increases, up to $13.1 million.

[Guest]

Airborne Technologies presents the URJ-101 Small Regional Jet.

https://kerbalx.com/dundun92/URJ-101

2 pilots

36 passengers

6500m cruising altitude

250 m/s cruise speed

21,702,000$

[Skylon]

Could tweakscale be allowed?

[Andiron]

Quote

• TweakScale is allowed, just please don't ruin the spirit of the challenge with it.

@Skylon It is. Last rule of the challenge

Edited July 2, 2017 by Andiron

[322997am]

Somewhere in my save I have a dirt cheap plane with 2 or 3 mk1 passenger cabins. It has only 120km of range so I'll have to modify it

[keptin]

Some amazing entries! The test pilots can't wait to give them a spin!

Seaplanes are allowed, but they probably won't be competitive since that's not what Kerbal Express Airlines is looking for.

[Skylon]

SRJ-400 Passenger Aircraft
The Skyla Regional Jet series can provide services for large and small numbers of passengers. The SRJ-400 can take up to 32 passengers over 2,000km, landing softly at the destination using flaps and engine-mounted airbrakes. This landing can be done at under 60m/s. A larger variant is planned for more passengers and an extended range.

It includes landing lights, front mounted lights and red and green port/starboard lights, to avoid collisions with other aircraft. For boarding there is a ramp at the front. It if you use the rear flaps when fully fuelled (AG 4) it will fly pretty straight

https://kerbalx.com/Skylon/SRJ-400
Price: £18,991,239 ($24,738,000)
Cruising Altitude: 8,000-10,000m
Cruising Speed: 180-200m/s
Weight: 15,450kg
Range: Over 2,000km

SRJ-400 Passenger Aircraft

Extended version, designed for 40 passengers to fly in comfort, with added fuel tanks to accommodate extra weight.

https://kerbalx.com/Skylon/SRJ-450 
Price: $26,038,000
Cruising Altitude: 8,000-10,000m
Cruising Speed: 185-190m/s
Weight: 17.07t
Range: Over 2000km

Edited July 5, 2017 by Skylon

[Thor Wotansen]

The Bedouin P

The Bedouin P is the all new passenger version of the ubiquitous Bedouin cargo plane built by Asgard Aerospace. Designed for the medium range routes, the Bedouin P can carry 72* passengers and 4 crew on routes up to 21,000km at a cruising speed of 260m/s or around 0.78 mach. The Bedouin P also sports an all new wing designed for low takeoff and landing speeds, not exceeding 70m/s. Further versions are expected with greater range.

Price:  $136,614,000

Cruising altitude:  8,000m

Cruising speed:  260m/s

Weight:  60t

Range:  2,100km

*by this challenges rules

Edited July 3, 2017 by Thor Wotansen

[Guest]

Is there a winner for this competition?

[keptin]

Not yet, it's still ongoing. I've been busy this weekend, so will probably get to reviews during the week.

[Thor Wotansen]

The Nomad

The Nomad is a brand new small passenger jet designed for the short haul routes with fewer customers. With its rugged undercarriage, high wing, and STOL capabilities, the Nomad is catching the eye of smaller airlines looking to offer service to hitherto untapped markets, as well as larger airlines looking to expand services. As said previously, the Nomad is an STOL design, capable of takeoff rolls of less than 100m and landing speeds of 40m/s. This is thanks, in part, to its two powerful Wheesley turbofan engines which give the Nomad a thrust to weight ratio greater than 1:1 at sea level. This abundance of power also gives the Nomad a truly mind boggling climb rate, able to reach its cruising altitude of 11,000m in less than five minutes.

Price:  $25,815,000

Cruising altitude:  11,000m

Cruising speed:  280m/s

Weight:  18t

[keptin]

Test Pilot Review: Kerbolde Supersonic Jet - AAA072-1

Figures as tested:

• Fuel: 600/1000 kal
• Cruising speed: 970 m/s
• Cruising altitude: 15000m
• Fuel burn rate: 0.18 kal/s
• Mass: 15.0t

Review Notes: The Kerbolde AAA072-1 is hands down one of the best performing aircraft we've had the joy of flying. It's turbo ramjet engines let it cruise at 970m/s at 15,000m, while sipping fuel at 0.18 kal/s. She handles well at both supersonic and sub-sonic speeds, is relatively easy to land, and has staggering climb performance. The AAA072-1 is also surprisingly affordable to purchase at $22,996,000. Unfortunately, KAA regulations limit supersonic aircraft over populated areas, meaning that the AAA072-1 could only be operated across the poles and ocean. Training may be an issue, as each of our pilots would have to be specially trained to operate it at supersonic speeds. It's turbo ramjet engines also show some concerning maintenance costs, both in training and part sourcing, along with needing to be frequently serviced due to the extreme temperature fluctuations the engines face during each flight. That all being said, its performance is unprecedented, and short international travel times will interest our Platinum Class customers. We're interested in leasing five aircraft on a five-year lease, with potential for an additional five after a 1-yr service trial.

Our verdict: The Kerbolde AAA072-1 has unprecedented performance for an aircraft of its price and fuel efficiency, but it's speed is also a cost concern for training and maintenance costs, and its limited route use given KAA regulations of supersonic aircraft mean that we may not be able to use it in any large numbers.

 

Edited July 3, 2017 by keptin

[keptin]

Test Pilot Review: One More Booster Co. - Kerb Ferry 72

Figures as tested:

• Price: $138,480,000
• Fuel: 1500/1500 kal
• Cruising speed: 256 m/s
• Cruising altitude: 7000m
• Fuel burn rate: 0.35 kal/s
• Mass: 45.9t

Review Notes: The thing that impressed us most with One More Booster Co's Kerb Ferry 72 is its hardiness. It's a sturdy bird, and it's airframe would undoubtedly last for decades of heavy service, but this structural integrity comes at a price: weight. At nearly 20 tons heavier than the comparable medium-haul aircraft, it burns extra fuel. It's four-engines give it additional redundancy during an emergency, but also contribute to higher maintenance costs.  It's extremely spacious, and with its rear cargo door, our inspection engineers guessed that it may be a converted cargo aircraft for passenger use. It certainly has the durability of a heavy cargo transport, but we're afraid that its high fuel burn rate would cut too deeply intro profits. Lastly, it's terribly expensive. At $138,480,000, it's over twice the price of competing aircraft.

Our verdict: The One More Booster Co. Kerb Ferry 72 is a durable and rugged aircraft, perhaps ideal for cargo transport, but its high fuel burn rate and price make it expensive for commercial passenger use.

 

Edited July 6, 2017 by keptin

[Bob_Saget54]

Saget Aerospace Industries Proudly Presents...

THE SAI VULTURE Mk. I

The perfect aircraft for airlines looking to intimidate eliminate the competition.

With a luxurious cabin fitting 40 passengers in quite stylish comfort, everyone is treated equal on this craft with first class accommodations for all.

Unfortunately, this slightly impacts the aircraft's cost, bringing the grand total for this plane up to $39,020,000 Kerbo-Bucks per machine.

This aircraft uses the bent wing technology and a tail-wheel design to improve landing and take off characteristics from short and unpaved runways, and the suspension ensures that the passengers and pilots don't feel a thing! The aircraft's wing design, along with the fuel storage tanks situated right off of the aircraft's passenger bays result in an almost unprecedented range from the stock variant of the aircraft, with the range being well over 25,000 Kerbo-Meters while at its optimal cruise speed and altitude.

Specifications:

• 74 Parts
• New UnTested Wing Design
• Tail-Wheel design for shorter take offs and landings
• Ladder
• Quite responsive on most control surfaces
• Plush interiors leave customers happy and satisfied
• Unprecedented range for a light aircraft of it's class (25,000 Kerbo-Meters)
• Space for 40 Passengers/1 Pilot
• Weight of 32 Tons
• Cruising Altitude of ~8000 Km
• Cruising Speed of 230-240 m/s
• Take off speed of ~70 m/s without flaps deployed
• Price Tag of $39,020,000 Kerbo-Bucks

Known Issues:

• Do Not deploy flaps on landing or for long periods of time after take off without sufficient Pitch Control

Variants:

• Due to the aircraft's stock model meeting and exceeding all requirements set in the class, we at SAI believe that variant models are not needed, however, we are able and willing to construct one should the need arive

While the aircraft's price tag may turn off potential buyers, the aircraft's sleek style, performance, and cruising range make it a strong contender for multiple Airlines throughout Kerbin.

Purchasing Link: https://kerbalx.com/Bob_Saget54/SAI-Vulture-Mk-I

Edited July 3, 2017 by Bob_Saget54

[Skylon]

@keptin maybe set a deadline that people will have to submit crafts by, so you can cope with the submissions.

I will release the SRJ-450 variant soon.

[keptin]

Test Pilot Review: Kramer - 50-100/150 Avery

Figures as tested:

• Fuel: 450/450 kal
• Cruising speed: 164 m/s
• Cruising altitude: 1500m
• Fuel burn rate: 0.05 kal/s
• Mass: 8.66t

Review Notes: The Kramer 50 series offers everything we're looking for in a turboprop aircraft. It's high wing design makes it stable and easy to fly, reducing training costs. It's offered in both 24 and 32 passenger variants, giving the model flexibility. It's well balanced and easy to control at all speeds, even when fully fueled. Landing is a breeze; its flap system sufficiently lowers its landing speed, and its landing gear gives it plenty of clearance. We determined the range of the 50-100 to be 1450, which is more than sufficient for short-haul routes. Range could even be reduced in trade for weight reduction and higher fuel efficiency. The Kramer 50-100 is very light at 8.66t, and quite affordable at the listed $16,010,000 per aircraft. While just over $20M, the Kramer 50-150's 32 passenger load will allow us to cover our busier short-haul routes, especially between island. Overall, we're very impressed with the Kramer 50 series and expect them to perform competitively against the competition. We intend to purchase 50 immediately for our Kerbal Express Air Islands subsidiary, with a flex contract for an additional 20 after a 1 year service trial.

Our verdict: The Kramer 50 is a versatile and economical turboprob. We're very satisfied with its performance and ease of piloting. It's a strong first entry in the turboprop category.