Overview
The airship is the primary means of transportation in Solarpunk. Players use it to travel between the floating islands that make up the game world. The airship is powered by a solar sail, fitting the game's renewable energy theme. As the official description puts it, players "solar sail your way through the skies."
Solar sail propulsion
The airship's solar sail captures sunlight and converts it into thrust. This means flight performance can be affected by the Weather System, including cloud cover and storms. The solar sail is not purely decorative; it is the core propulsion mechanism that determines how the airship moves.
Upgrades
Airship upgrades are performed at the Fabricator, which is located near the merchant platform. The Fabricator must be repaired before it becomes functional (see Crafting for details on the Fabricator). Upgrades improve the airship's speed, handling, and capabilities for reaching distant locations.
The Improved Airship Dock
The Improved Airship Dock is an upgraded version of the basic dock. When powered through the Energy System, it unlocks a targeting feature: players can select a distant location and activate a boost to reach it faster. This effectively is a fast-travel mechanic for covering long distances between islands.
Docking works automatically. When the airship is near a dock, pressing the docking button initiates the docking sequence without requiring manual precision flying.
Wind and flight
The Weather System includes a wind mechanic that directly affects airship flight. Wind can push the airship off course, and the strength and direction change over time. The system was reworked during development to reduce turbulence near islands, allowing for more precise landings.
For players who prefer a simpler experience, an optional simplified flight mode is available. When enabled, wind no longer affects the airship at all, removing the need to compensate for gusts and crosswinds. This setting can be toggled on or off at any time.
Community feedback
During playtests, the airship received significant community attention. Testers reported that the steering sensitivity needed adjustment, making it difficult to navigate precisely in some conditions. The community also requested an autopilot feature for long trips between distant islands, where manual flying can become repetitive. The developers have acknowledged this feedback as part of ongoing improvements to the flight system.