How do you make an action group to shut down all jet engines at once on a SSTO plane?

[Burt Raynodes]

I've fiddled with the action groups tab in the SPH, but I can't figure out what anything does! The only effect I've been able to make happen was preventing my engines from igniting at all. Apparently there are supposed to be custom action groups possible?

EDIT:

Thank you guys! Your helpful answers have solved my problem.

Edited January 10, 2015 by Burt Raynodes

[WanderingKid]

If you're in career mode, they don't open up until you've significantly upgraded your SPH/VAB. On the top, where you see the hook and the Kerbal, a third button will appear to the right of that when you can use action groups.

[Pecan]

1. Select action groups.
   
2. Select group to use, eg; Custom01.
   
3. Click part to use
   
4. Click action
   
5. Repeat from three for each part
   

If you chose the 'stage' action group to shutdown all the engines then as soon as you ...

*Stage to start

You fire the action group ...

*Stage - to shutdown

For jet-launched vehicles I usually use Custom01 to toggle jets, Custom02 for intakes and Custom03 for rockets

[StrandedonEarth]

When you're on the action groups tab, click a part on your rocket. The possible actions for your rocket will appear on the right. Choose the button on the left you want to use to trigger an action, then pick the action you want from the right. The actions assigned to that button will appear in the middle. You can assign multiple parts and actions to the same button. Parts placed using symmetry will all trigger, no need to click each one (you may need to reassign the actions if you move the part, however).

The tier 2 VAB/SPH only has basic action groups, but you can assign other functions to them, like activating solar panels under 'abort,' for instance. Tier 3 lets you assign the 0-9 buttons to actions as well.