[exDM69]

In vanilla KSP1 with a reasonable orbital launcher, fly up to 1000m altitude and tap D on your keyboard 1 to 10 times. Then hands off until 2nd stage and then throttle down to avoid overshooting the apoapsis.

Finding the correct number of key taps to get the right pitch angle is the key. The throttle can only help so much.

[dotancohen]

Will do, thanks. 1000 m is in fact much lower than I usually pitch. Off the pad I've been giving just a touch of pitch to ensure that the rocket is on the right trajectory, but didn't start the gravity turn until maybe 5000 m or so to get out of the thick atmosphere sooner. Yes, I would have quite the AoA for a little while.

Thank you. Though I don't expect to open KSP any time in the near future, I love to know how the real rockets do it.

[exDM69]

1000m is much higher than real rockets pitch over, but good for KSP with forgiving aerodynamic stress. It's just a convenient round number and gives a few seconds of breathing room to make sure the fiery end of the rocket points to the ground before start of maneuvering.

[dotancohen]

I do remember the Shuttle pitch and roll real early, though I thought that was to point the antennas (K-band was it?) at the receivers.

[exDM69]

The roll is to change the orbital inclination, the pitch is to set ascent trajectory.

[dotancohen]

Got it, great. Much appreciated!