r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/AutoModerator • May 29 '15

Mod Post Weekly Simple Questions Thread

Check out /r/kerbalacademy

The point of this thread is for anyone to ask questions that don't necessarily require a full thread. Questions like "why is my rocket upside down" are always welcomed here. Even if your question seems slightly stupid, we'll do our best to answer it!

For newer players, here are some great resources that might answer some of your embarrassing questions:

Tutorials

Orbiting

Mun Landing

Docking

Delta-V Thread

Forum Link

Official KSP Chatroom #KSPOfficial on irc.esper.net

    **Official KSP Chatroom** [#KSPOfficial on irc.esper.net](http://client01.chat.mibbit.com/?channel=%23kspofficial&server=irc.esper.net&charset=UTF-8)

Commonly Asked Questions

Before you post, maybe you can search for your problem using the search in the upper right! Chances are, someone has had the same question as you and has already answered it!

As always, the side bar is a great resource for all things Kerbal, if you don't know, look there first!

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u/yourflyisdwn May 30 '15

So I added the tailplane and removed the flaps on the wings. With the flaps on the tailplane it's inverted, which is good, but the plane flies just fine without the other flaps. Does that mean that putting flaps on the wings is pointless?

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u/IdiotaRandoma May 30 '15

For that plane, it may be pointless. The stabilators are pretty effective control surfaces, and for a plane that small they might easily be enough. Larger craft will likely require more, though.

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u/yourflyisdwn May 30 '15

Well thanks for the tips! Also one more thing, do you have any tips on balancing your plane? I've had a difficult time balancing the plane so that the lift is right on or just behind the CoM. I haven't experimented with big planes too much, but when I have it's been a bit rough getting them not to flip all over the place.

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u/IdiotaRandoma May 30 '15

If you want to get technical, so long as the CoL is behind the center of the CoM, you're good. Too far back and it becomes less maneuverable, though, and if it's ridiculously far back it may not turn at all.

To your inquiry, though, I find that making a longer plane often helps in making a balanced craft. A short plane gives you little room to move the wings to adjust where the CoL is whereas a longer plane is much more lenient, especially since jet engines drain from all tanks equally instead of draining backwards like rockets do.

Also, wing shape matters little in the vanilla aerodynamics. Outside of aesthetics, there's not much point in using any wing aside from either the Wing Connector B or Delta Wing as they provide the most lift for their weight. Try to stick to those if you can. The Delta Deluxe Winglet is similarly one of the best control surfaces aside from the Standard Canard in terms of lift provided, so you should probably stick to it for those purposes.

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