New Aerodynamics -> New parachutes please

[KerikBalm]

So, word is that the new aerodynamics allows planes to fly much faster, they probably slow down much slower too.

Now seems like a good time to do some things with parachutes.

#1) I think it would be absolutely great if the auto-cut parameters were tweakable -> ie let us toggle the cut on contact with the ground, or tweak the auto-cut speed (currently 0.5 m/s default)

#2) Stock radial parachutes.... oh please please please......

Anyone else agree that now is the time to do some more work on parachutes?

Any other suggestions or comments?

[Motokid600]

Parachutes need a complete overhaul. Stock chutes are a joke. RealChutes would be perfect. But I doubt we'll get that.

[NecroBones]

Maxmaps hinted that they're taking another look at parachutes, which I think is great, since presumably they need to be reworked to function as intended with the new drag model. But also, I've always hated the "brick wall" effect that we get with them now. RealChutes works much more nicely.

There are radial chutes in stock already (unless you meant inline/stackable chutes, like in RealChutes). Though I'd love to have larger versions as well.

[Guest]

We don't even really need RealChutes-level functionality, just a gentler opening would be fine. Seems like Squad got the message.

[Alshain]

I doubt we will get the complexity of RealChutes, but it would be nice to have:

1. Gradual Opening (prevent excessive G-forces of the "rip your craft apart" variety)

2. Drag Chutes (pull behind the craft instead of above and do not cut on touchdown)

3. Some kind of intelligence preventing them from opening in the wrong direction or too high (granted this one is debatable, you could say that is part of the game so learn not to do it)

4. Stack chutes would certainly be nice.

Edited February 10, 2015 by Alshain

[Robotengineer]

Definitely need to redo the chutes code. Your Kerbals shouldn't pull 15+g's when the chutes deploy. If the new aero is similar to FAR, drag chutes might be necessary for large space planes.

[Alshain]

If the new aero is similar to FAR, drag chutes might be necessary for large space planes.

Especially since they aren't giving us flaps and spoilers. (I'm holding a small hope that they reconsider that.)

[pincushionman]

…#2) Stock radial parachutes.... oh please please please...

Ummm…you mean these?

Or do you mean

…#2) Better radial parachutes.... oh please please please...

…?

[Alshain]

Ummm…you mean these?

Or do you mean…?

I think he meant stack chutes. Right now all we have in stock is radial and nose cone.

Edited February 10, 2015 by Alshain

[RainDreamer]

I would be very happy if realchute, or a variation of it becomes stock.

[Jakoman7]

This is one of the biggest things. Current parachutes are awful, and even to land on, let's say, Duna, I need 9 Radials and one drag, and it still breaks stuff!

[Red Iron Crown]

This is really a Suggestion, moving to the appropriate forum.

I'll echo the request for gentler opening, as well as for larger chutes (a 2.5m chute?). Parts have gotten much larger and more massive but the chutes ahve remained the same.

[FleetAdmiralJ]

I doubt we will get the complexity of RealChutes, but it would be nice to have:

1. Gradual Opening (prevent excessive G-forces of the "rip your craft apart" variety)

2. Drag Chutes (pull behind the craft instead of above and do not cut on touchdown)

3. Some kind of intelligence preventing them from opening in the wrong direction or too high (granted this one is debatable, you could say that is part of the game so learn not to do it)

4. Stack chutes would certainly be nice.

These would all be nice, although I might disagree on point #3. There are times where one almost has to test chutes going up with some of the contracts you get. (it's also one reason I generally avoid parachute testing contracts )

[LethalDose]

So, word is that the new aerodynamics allows planes to fly much faster, they probably slow down much slower too.

Well, if FAR is any indication, yes, aircraft won't decelerate as quickly as they do now in stock. There are ways around this, though, including flaring during landing and serpentine maneuvers prior to landing. For ~ 90% of situations, landing drogues are more of a kludge than a good solution.

Anyone else agree that now is the time to do some more work on parachutes?

Any other suggestions or comments?

I agree that adding a bunch more tweakable options would be awesome, and not just for 'chutes.

I would be very happy if realchute, or a variation of it becomes stock.

I would be all for including this mod in stock under one condition: There's an option in the config that allows me set the "RealchutesDrama" parameter to 0.

[FleetAdmiralJ]

I think he meant stack chutes. Right now all we have in stock is radial and nose cone.

http://cloud-4.steamusercontent.com/ugc/39740407683778109/45AABEB6555440CF12DEFA7348C203EFF7230CEF/

One of the reasons I use RealChutes (almost more than the more gentle opening of chutes) is to get that stack chute. I don't know how many designs I've had to almost scrap because I wanted to put a chute and a docking port on the same node

[r_rolo1]

I'm with regex in here. Things would be far better regarding chutes if they didn't opened in cold snaps that makes high g spikes on the ships. And if nothing is done, with the promised higher speeds in atmo due to change of aero model, those cold snaps would even be worse for the integrity of the ships ...

Oh and as we are throwing suggestions, how about chutes that don't despawn as soon as you get to the ground? Would be useful for shuttles ...

[NoMrBond]

The code to support this is already in the game, you can alter it by adding/changing the deploymentSpeed characteristic, all that needs to happen (for existing chutes) is adjusting this to spread the deployment force out a bit. [Or get this MM patch].

Agree with wanting to see larger (size=2/3) chutes and braking drogues which don't disappear on contact with the ground

Braking chutes could be done by adding a toggle for the chute autocut feature which switches it between vertical speed (default behaviour) and horizontal speed (for landing planes, or stopping dragracers )

While we're wishlisting, maybe an airbrake part as well please

[frizzank]

There have been more than a few discussions on how parachutes could be improved and a couple of mods do this already.

I wanted to know how the new aerodynamic system was going to effect parachutes in general..

[klgraham1013]

I'm not sure if we know anything as of yet. I'd love to hear from Squad about this.

[Master Tao]

Duplicate threads merged. Carry on.

[CaLVin-K]

I doubt we will get the complexity of RealChutes, but it would be nice to have:

1. Gradual Opening (prevent excessive G-forces of the "rip your craft apart" variety)

2. Drag Chutes (pull behind the craft instead of above and do not cut on touchdown)

3. Some kind of intelligence preventing them from opening in the wrong direction or too high (granted this one is debatable, you could say that is part of the game so learn not to do it)

4. Stack chutes would certainly be nice.

To point number two, no matter what the chutes should always point in the opposite direction the airflow, which will generally be the negative of your velocity vector, but the rest I agree with. I will say however that drag chutes should be much lighter than the main chutes and create more drag in the upper atmosphere than main cutes by virtue of the fact that there wouldn't be enough air flow to fully open the big heavy main chute, while the lighter drag chute would work just fine. Also radial drag chutes would be nice, maybe with the same texture as the current one but with orange stripes instead of blue, this might even save a bit of memory, but I'm not sure.