Alright, let me address the elephant in the room. No, this is not just a cube with a smiley face on it. It has a lot of cool FT technology and you can do some really unique things with this little cube that, to my knowledge, I don't think you can do with anything else in SP. So without further adieu, let's get started.

Intro

Project KEWB is basically spectator mode for SimplePlanes. It allows you to move in ways that things like planes, helicopters, drones, or really anything could accomplish. It's intended purpose is mainly to take photos and videos of both stationary and moving subjects, and has the ability to semi-autonomously track flying objects very close even if they are moving fast or maneuvering in complex ways. Additionally, the KEWB is a great resource to learn more about the game- I personally learned a lot about things like the game AI and many of the game's easter eggs, due to the KEWB's ability to maneuver in tight spaces or get very close to fast things. Lastly, the KEWB is a simply lot of fun to fly due to it's unique flight characteristics.

Controls

Default Mode (AG8 On)

• Throttle, Pitch, Roll, Yaw function like an airplane (sort of)

  • NOTE: Yaw is now the best way to steer!! Forget yank and bank!! Also it never stalls so you can fly as fast or slow as you want, even stationary!

• VTOL: Small speed adjustments forward/back, also only way to go backwards in this mode.

• Trim: Extends a boom out in front of the KEWB. Mounted to this is a camera called the Observer, which you can rotate freely. This is the camera you want to use to take your photos and videos. This is also the only way you can get shots of the front of aircraft since the KEWB itself cannot go in front of a moving plane.

• AG1: High speed mode. Up to around 1700mph. Becomes unstable above these speeds.

• AG2: Target lock mode. Simply have a target selected, and press 2 to position the KEWB to face towards that target. This is a great way to approach targets, as throttling with AG2 active will take you directly to the target.

  • Pitch and Yaw: These controls are repurposed to adjust your position relative to a target once you have approached it (meaning you should generally have AG3 active while using these controls). They work differently than their normal counterparts in kind of a cool way that lets you get sweet angles on your subjects. The only rule is that you cannot get in front of your subject as this will mess up the tracking. If you want to reset your position, just deactivate and reactivate AG2.

• AG3: Speed matching mode. This will make the KEWB attempt to keep the same distance away from the target- and yes, this will push you backwards sometimes, but should make you end up right behind the target. Throttle and VTOL speed controls still work conveniently to accurately settle your position relative to the target.

  • Note: Having AG1, AG3 active and full throttle is dangerous and unstable, as the KEWB can go beyond its speed threshold and start wobbling. In general, try and keep the speed under 1500 mph.

  • Note 2: Deactivating AG2 while AG3 is still active and throttle is set to zero will let the KEWB to maintain its speed and direction without using information from the target. This is useful for a shot such as a plane flying away from the camera, but can't be done for long as the speed of the plane will fluctuate while the KEWB's speed will stay constant.

Translational Mode (Deactivate AG8)

VTOL: Up and down
- PC users can also use space/FireGuns (up) and control/Brake (down) for snappier, key-based controls

Pitch: Forward/back (AG1 still works for high speed)
Roll: Left/right
Yaw: Turn

• NOTE: If you switch from Default Mode to Translational Mode, it will maintain the pitch and roll angles the KEWB is at when the mode switch occurs, so if you want to get a specific angle on a shot, you can switch to Default Mode to set the angles then change to Translational Mode to position for the shot, like Wii Bowling. Translational controls will always be relative to the ground, so it will always be up down left right etc. no matter what angle you are at.

• NOTE 2: Don't activate 2 or 3 in Translational Mode. Just don't. It won't even do anything fun like explode, it will just be a miserable mess to deal with.

That was probably the longest controls section for an airplane that I have ever written. Yes, I understand the controls are rather complicated, but you really don't have to understand all of it unless you are using this for the one specific thing that one control is useful for. It's not really that hard just to get off the ground and have a little fun.

Final Note

For anyone who is curious how this thing works, I would more than love to talk all day about all the wonky ways this thing is programmed, and depending on my availability I may make an extended post breaking down the FT expressions and what they all do like I did for Project AURORA. Lastly, I really, really hope that someone finds this useful and uses it for photos, videos, or whatever because in reality, I believe the true potential of this project is released when two people collaborate, with one flying the KEWB and one flying the target aircraft- filming one of the game AI's doing whatever they do doesn't always cut it. I am totally willing to help with any projects people have. My Discord tag is IronBeagle#2868 if you want to contact me for any reason.

Enjoy Simpleplanesing!
-Ultimate