Kiiikiii's J70 after I spent a day flying and tweaking its VTOL characteristics. On the outside the only thing I changed is a double tail for a better pitch response. Oh, yes. I also added a tail hook for carrier landings ( Activate1 ).. because .. why not

However for the moving parts, I completely changed the coding in order to give the plane not just easy and pleasant flying characteristics but also full VTOL capabilities. Also I changed the input to my favorite configuration of VTOL slider down: deploy flaps, VTOL slider up: VTOL nozzles rotate vertical for VTOL/STOL takeoffs and landings. VTOL slider on top: Nozzles slightly forwards for braking / flying backwards. Also a gyroscope is available for stabilized VTOL mode (Activate7 , automatically switches off when VTOL slider neutral or down).

To explain everything would break the scope of this preview, so just fly around and test for yourself. If you have any specific questions, hit me up in the comments section below or send me a message on the SimplePlanes discord server. ( My username there is the same as here. )

Flying is pretty straightforward even in VTOL mode and users who have already downloaded some of my planes here, here or here will be familiar with the layout and takeoff/landing. procedures.

For anyone else, here is again a quick primer:
- Standard takeoff: Pull VTOL slider all the way down to swing out wings and deploy flaps, line up with runway and throttle up. Airplane will rise by itself at about 200 mph. Once in the air, slide VTOL up a bit to retract flaps. Continue to climb to desired height, then slide VTOL to neutral to swing wings inwards
- Standard landing: Decrease power to about 50% and line up with runway. Continue to decrease power whine pulling VTOL slider back to swing out wings and deploy flaps. Just before start of runway, kill Throttle completely and let plane glide onto runway by itself. Just before touchdown apply brakes. Once landed, release brake and taxy to destination.
- STOL Jet assist takeoff: Push VTOL slider about halfway up, apply full throttle, use Pitch to keep craft level until desired height, then slowly pull VTOL slider to neutral to enter normal flying mode.
- STOL Jet assist landing : line up with runway at about 50% power, push VTOL slider halfway up, decrease power to 35% as you make shallow dive towards runway. Just before runway, push VTOL all the way up to brake. Keep craft level as you descend to runway. Kill power/brake as soon as you touch down.
- VTOL takeoff: Push VTOL slider about 3/4 up to rotate nozzles down. Optional push Activate7 to enable VTOL gyro stabilization. Slowly increase power, if necessary move VTOL slightly up or down to stop craft rolling for-or backwards. Craft will rise at about 2/3 power (65-70%). Use Pitch and Roll to keep craft level as you slowly pull VTOL slider back to move to standard flight
- VTOL landing : Again line up with runway at about 50% power. Slowly move VTOL slider all the way up and watch airspeed drop. Move VTOL back to 3/4 or even further when airspeed drops too much. Repeat until you are over landing pad, then level at 3/4 up (nozzles straight down) and decrease power to about 35-45 %. Keep craft level as automatic descent control slowly lowers it onto landing pad. VTOL gyroscope ( Activate7 ) optional, but steering is easier when activated.

Again, the original J50 was built by Kiiikiii and he deserves most of the credit for it. I deliberately choose not to change more than necessary on the plane, and just concentrate on the coding of the moving parts. Nothing says however you can't change anything yourself or use Kiiikiii's or my build as a starting point for your own designs.

(Again, if you have questions about how a particular piece works and why it does so, ask me in the comments below or hit me up on the discord server.

Happy landings