Air Brakes

[PolecatEZ]

Just a quick question to anyone knowledgeable about the base modules for the game. Is there any way (part or module), besides parachutes, I can make a toggle air brake using only base game modules. My VTOL's keep wanting to drift 5-10 m/s and I need a handy way to lock them down.

[The Destroyer]

B9 has one. Idk how it works, though.

[Splode]

Check out how the landing gear does it: Their drag value changes depending on whether they're deployed or not, so you could use that method to make an airbrake.

[Mihara]

Check out how the landing gear does it: Their drag value changes depending on whether they're deployed or not, so you could use that method to make an airbrake.

Does it? Really? I've been keeping an eye on the drag coefficient and drag speed losses calculated by MechJeb with gear out and without to make sure of exactly that. I have not noticed any difference whatsoever. Does MechJeb get it wrong, or do the gears really change drag when open and closed?

There's also this issue of drag in KSP being dependent on mass. Gears have mass while in VAB, but actually do not count towards ship's mass when in flight. Can they affect drag at all this way?

[Tex_NL]

Mihara is right. I too have never noticed any negative effect, or positive for that matter, of 'forgetting' to raise my landing gear. Forgetting the B9 or FireSpitter airbrakes will seriously affect your flight but that's exactly what they are designed for.

Both the B9 and Firespitter airbrakes have variable drag. The further the flap is opened the higher the drag value. (Place them behind your CoG or you will flip your plane!) Placing them in the brakes action group allows you to intuitively hit to brake both in the air and on the ground.

Back to the OP question:

I don't think airbrakes will help you to stop your VTOL from drifting. Instead you might be better helped with either stock RCS or B9 airnozles.

[PolecatEZ]

There we go, I'll add an RCS block and make it run on air and see what happens.

The whole goal of this project is to make it from completely stock modules and part combos. I already have about 6 other very well strung together combo parts, I was just needing some kind of velocity stabilizer for the VTOLs for the project.

And yes, using InfiniteDice's or Firespitter's airbrake code/parts helps a lot combating drift for VTOL landings, as most of your "drift" is solely in the forward direction. Dampening or zeroing this gives you a lot more precision. Unfortunately, this is outside the scope.

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Air-fueled RCS blocks work fairly well, and give you good taxi power to boot, but still no dampening effect. If you want fine control, you need to use the translation keys in addition to piloting the jet with the normal keys. Still, I just did a 10-X bullseye precision landing on the VAB roof.

Edited August 24, 2013 by PolecatEZ