Sleek, Smooth and Coordinated

Details

• Type: SPH
• Class: aircraft
• Part Count: 37
• Pure Stock
• KSP: 1.12.5

KSP Aircraft Design Taken (a little) Too Seriously

Overview:

The DLA Aerospace XF-114 was an attempt to combine important factors into aircraft design. I used my own design method when creating this aircraft I called SimPerA (SIMplicity, PERformance, Aesthetics) or just SPA. This involves balancing the simplicity of an aircraft, followed by the performance, which is followed by the aesthetics. Following this relatively simple method results in simpler, better performing aircraft that look incredible for being so minimalistic.

Simplicity

At just 37 parts, this airplane is very low in part count, but maximizes the aesthetic and performance potential as well as having negligible impact on how the game runs.

Quoting Frank D. Robinson, Aeronautical Engineer: Keep it as simple as you can. Simplicity keeps the cost down and reliability up.

gotta love quotes to prove a point.

Performance

Even with a single engine, tight turns and high-G maneuvers are where this aircraft shines, as it’s built light and efficient. The control surfaces should be tuned to your liking (The Authority Limiter is set to 25 degrees on the elevators, 15 degrees on the outboard ailerons, 12 degrees on the inboard ailerons and 20 degrees for all rudder surfaces on mine). The top speed near sea level is around Mach 1 and Mach 2.8 at altitude,

Aesthetics

For a KSP plane, the looks are pretty basic, but with some careful part placement and adjustment the lines of the plane flow smoothly and gracefully, more so than any other simple KSP aircraft.

Concluding thoughts:

This plane flies great and is very maneuverable, as well as looking nice. I would shamelessly call this one of my most successful designs, and flying it is extremely addictive.

Have Fun!

A stock aircraft called DLA Aerospace XF-114. Built with 37 of the finest parts, its root part is Mark2Cockpit.

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.12.5.

Picture Gallery