Captain Jebediah and Commander Valentina make the trip from Kravass to Sheltered Rock to continue the Deuce’s tour and attempt to set a new altitude record along the way
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Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
C7 Aerospace says plans are finalized to break ground in Oct for surface airports @ Sheltered Rock & Ockr, due to be completed in 3 months
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
it's great to see the fixed-wing aviation industry growing so fast. Like Kravass General Airport, these will be small with room to grow
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
construction remains on track for Jan 2018 completion of airports at Sheltered Rock and Ockr for fixed-wing aircraft. Jeb and Val both can't wait to pay them a visit - hopefully in the Deuce!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Sheltered Rock General Airport (SRG) was officially opened today. Civvies meant for customers there will begin to get ferried over from KGA as early as this weekend. The last new airport, at Ockr, is preparing for its own opening ceremony next week
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
with a successful end to initial flight trials C7 will spend weeks pouring over reams of test data, but results are so promising they've already scheduled it for a Public Relations tour starting next week to also gather additional data
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the lack of a rocket launch has made this past week no less exciting, that's for sure. Catch up on all that happened along with additional information via bit.ly/OpsSummary1-15…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
several VIPs were given flights in the Deuce today and the comments were... okay. Everyone enjoyed the experience but lamented the thought of extended trips with loud engine noise, poor views out the windows and little room to get up and move around
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Jeb & Val have been waiting all day to get out of KGA and head for SRG but weather has remained against them - Kravass field frequently gets fogged in when cool air descends from the mountain. Can reduce visibility to <1m!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Jeb & Val will be heading for Sheltered Rock later today after 3rd sunrise. Not making it out before the weekend, the decision was made to give anyone unable to make it to the surface during the week a chance to check out the Deuce parked at KGA
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the Deuce has taken off from Rwy19 and is heading for SRG. It's basically the same distance from KSC-KGA so knowing the fuel needs Jeb & Val are traveling with almost 900kg less mass and look to set a new altitude record along the way. Jeb is in command
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
past the Lonely Mountain, Val has signed off with Kravass as they fall below the horizon. Current altitude is 8.2km and they are going to try to get up to 8.5km. Climb rate is <1m/s and throttles are at full to burn off fuel as fast as possible
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Sheltered Rock's comm tower has already picked up Deuce's transmissions. Jeb mentions that the aircraft is feeling a bit slippery up in the thin air. C7 engineers will no doubt love getting the data being recorded on this flight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Jeb has cut throttle to begin their descent just under 100km from SRG - they came close but only reached 8.447km ASL, still nearly halfway to the upper atmosphere and a new flying record
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
approaching 30km out and both pilots working to get their bearings. Some surveying was done but Jeb will mainly be flying his first approach by the seat of his pants with some tips from Mungee & Helta from their Civvie ferry flights
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
9km out and Jeb has finally radioed field is in sight - he's almost scraping his belly flying a few hundred meters over the terrain and making a tight turn onto final while descending fast - no room for a nice leisurely 3° glide slope
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Touchdown and rollout! Thankfully Jeb was able to stop without running off the runway given that this one literally ends in a mountainside. They only traveled 13km less than their flight from KSC-KGA but they burned 24% less fuel by flying higher. They'll head to Ockr on Monday
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
photo from Val looking towards the massive dome of Sheltered Rock Mountain. The approach corridor is designated with an arrow, which takes you around to a recess in the mountain which holds the airfield. Similar approach from the west and that's it. Quite the challenge
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
more VIPs given rides in the Deuce out of Sheltered Rock, pretty much the same reaction as Kravass - airships still preferential for passenger flights. A few cargo and delivery companies from both cities have approached with interest however
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a look at the approaches/departure made for SRG on top and OKG on the bottom - Val & Jeb used to think landing at Kravass was challenging! Each airport offers unique challenges, while KSC is just a cakewalk in comparison
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
time to chillax and enjoy the weekend! Head over to bit.ly/OpSummary1-29-… (link verified! Sorry about last week) to check out details on this week's Deuce PR tour and the latest news from the Progenitor team on the Mk6
