UTEM 271: Propellers and Spinny Things!

An advanced builder's guide to installing the propellers and rotors that were introduced in the 1.7.3 Breaking Ground DLC.

Propeller and Rotor Installation Guide

On a recent visit to the HQ of Untied Technolgies, I noticed this manual wedged under a table leg in the cafeteria... It seemed interesting.

Follow this link for the full PDF doc: UTEM 271 Propellers and Spinny Things! [xl-logic.com]


Follow XLjedi on KerbalX for craft updates![kerbalx.com]

Changes to Gameplay since 1.7

KSP 1.8 Update
I noticed the 1.8 update introduced a few changes to propellers and rotors but nothing too drastic:
• The 1.8 upgrade introduced new mapping for rotor blade pitch (see below bullets)
• The function of Authority Limiter was changed and Deploy Angle was added for pitch control
• In 1.7.3 the range of motion was -150 to +150 and the new range is -22.5 to +22.5 or exactly 15% of the prior values
• The ECM (KAL-1000) just needs to be reprogrammed to use Deploy Angle instead of Authority Limiter and changing the values to be 15% of the previous values

KSP 1.9 Update
The rotors now have cyclic control. In the process they also inverted the thrust pitch vectors for clockwise rotation blades and props. So in the section of the manual where I talk about inverting the KAL-1000 mapping for CW and CCW rotation; that is no longer required. The blade pitch mapping works the same now for both.

Sample Craft

My collection of craft on KerbalX:
https://kerbalx.com/XLjedi

In my design notes for the various craft noted below, I go into rather exhaustive detail on changes I had to make to each craft over time with regard to updates that Squad has introduced since their original 1.7 rotor/propeller release. All craft are up to date and will fly reliably in the latest 1.9 environment.

Coaxial Jet Helos (aka: Gyrodynes or Compound Helos)
https://kerbalx.com/XLjedi/AH-11-Dragonfly
https://kerbalx.com/XLjedi/MH-45-Cyclone-III

Single Engine Prop
https://kerbalx.com/XLjedi/F5U-Crusader
https://kerbalx.com/XLjedi/P-53-Bronco

Multi-Engine Prop
https://kerbalx.com/XLjedi/P-39-Scorpion

A few Jet Designs that are Suitable for Conversion to Propeller Craft

Single Engine Biplane Airframe
https://kerbalx.com/XLjedi/Boing-Barnstormer

Single Engine Low Wing Airframe
https://kerbalx.com/XLjedi/J-17-Skyjinks

Multi-Engine Airframe
https://kerbalx.com/XLjedi/A-22-Inquisitor

Multi-Engine Pusher Airframe
https://kerbalx.com/XLjedi/HU-26-Guardian

[XLjedi]

If you have specific questions or want clarification, feel free to leave a comment and I will try to respond with a video or manual update.

[XLjedi]

As for whether or not I'm wrong... I will post some links to sample craft that you can fly in the latest version of 1.9 and you can judge for yourself whether or not I know what I'm talking about.

[XLjedi]

@Hallogenic, the date of the tutorial is relevant. Squad was absolutely terrible about thinking through the implementation of propellers and rotors AND STICKING TO THEIR ORIGINAL PARAMETERS!

Following the release of this manual (which is mostly still valid) they changed the input parameters at least twice. I have not posted an addendum to the manual for their subsequent changes, as I'm afraid now that as soon as I do... they will tack on yet another update and change the rules again. It's particularly aggravating for someone that spent several hours teaching people how to use the system they provide no tutorials for, and then they pull the rug out from under you.

I have added a page to the tutorial above to note the variances introduced in later versions. I may provide an update to the manual at some point, when I feel like Squad is done changing the rules.

[Bunnies&Cherris]

Either I'm dumb, or the very basics of how prop engines work were changed, or maybe even that you're just wrong. While I doubt it's the last one, the fact is is that I can't get literally even just 0.1 m/s out of three engines spinning with propellers installed.

[ryansw989]

Excellent, informative guide. Thankyou so much, very useful and learnt quite alot in both KSP and Props & Rotors.

[Racerexia]

This guide is a must for anyone messing with prop stuff in KSP!

[Arcaniz1]

Very nice guide. I notice however the engine does not start under any circumstance... I'm not sure what is going on and why you can't just "turn it on"

[AoD_lexandro]

Excellent guide. Highly recommended.

[★➽AminoAcids➽★]

wow