New jet plane missions

[Philip86]

Hi,

I dont know if it had been suggested before but i saw that there will be new plane parts in the first beta version, so i think it would be great to have more jet plane missions.

Like in the beginning there wont be any rocket parts so you can only build planes (first you have to build planes for height and speed records etc)

And then later in the game you should have to complete plane missions to be able to upgrade your tech tree.

For example you have to flight a cargo plane to an airport on Kerbin and then return to KSC with resources or something like this.

Of course there have to be more airport all across Kerbin where planes can be refueled.

Excuse me for my english:)

[MKI]

There will be new contracts thats can be fufilled with planes in .90

They techincally can be completed by anything, but having a plane would allow for fine control over altitude and possible landing all effeciently.

KSP is a space game, and building planes is much more complex than building a rocket (the kerbal way) So making the game have planes first makes sense, but for gameplay it would be a step back from a space oriented game.

[TKO]

Agreed with MKI: KSP is a space game first. Not all players are going to be interested in the plane aspects of the game, so they shouldn't be forced to work through that. Rocketry should always be the focus.

Don't get me wrong: I do love the plane aspects myself. That's all I've been building lately. ..And I do have fond memories of when a runway was finally added to the game because some players kept building plane-like things and launching those off the launchpad. I wouldn't object to a few more (optional) missions around flight.

[Capt Snuggler]

people often talk about jet engines and plane parts being available earlier on in the game. I tend to agree, but I think instead the techtree should be changed to allow players to follow aircraft research before rocket research.

the available contracts should depend on the parts you have unlocked (or will soon unlock).

to clarify: by changing the tech tree as described, the player could/should choose weather to follow rocket research branch or the space plane research branch or both.

then contacts could be based off the tech branches you are following.

Edited December 8, 2014 by Capt Snuggler
needed clarification.

[prophet_01]

Planes are way too complicated for most new players that don't know anything about that subject yet. Most people, including me, had to leran those things by failing a lot and watch youtube tutorials.

I would still like to have planes earlier in the tech tree. Not as a 'you have to use planes first!' kind of thing, but as an option for those who prefer to do the first couple of milestones with suborbital hops. It's probably more nostalgia talking right now, but c'mon it's a valid part of the game to build iconic concepts of spaceflight

I think it's a good option, but I'm against anything that forces people to progress in a specific way. Planes are not for everyone and they don't have to be. KSP is still a sandbox, career is an aspect that's build around it

[Philip86]

Jet planes and rockets use the same porpulsion mechanics. So they are "almost" identical.

I think if you know how to build a good plane then building a rocket is much more simplier for you. So it can help to learn the basics.

Bytheway am i the only one who loved the Crossfield vs Yeager parts of "The right stuff" just as much as the space flying parts.