VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior Project

The VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved

A highly Realistic Simulation of the
Junkers A50 Junior

Only for X-PLANE 12

MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS FOR X-PLANE 12

Disk Space: 25GB
CPU: Intel Core i3, i5, i7, or i9 CPU with 4 or more cores, or AMD Ryzen 3, 5, 7 or 9.
(Those with other CPUs should try the demo before purchasing.)
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Video Card: a Vulkan 1.3-capable video card from NVIDIA or AMD with at least 2 GB VRAM
Note: Intel GPUs are not supported by X-Plane 12.

The VSKYLABS development of the Junkers A50 Junior project for X-Plane flight simulator was approved by ‘JUNKERS Aircraft GmbH’. However, it is an independent VSKYLABS project which is not affiliated with ‘JUNKERS Aircraft GmbH’.

Project Introduction

THE JUNKERS A50 JUNIOR:
The Junkers A50 Junior was the world’s first sport aircraft. It flew for the first time in 1929. Nowadays, a new version of the Junkers A50 Junior is being made. It's an ultralight aircraft made by hand with modern technology and design adaptations that make it fit for today's times.

On November 25th, 2022, the Junkers A50 Junior was certified by the German Ultralight Flight Association. Then, on February 28th, the A50 Junior received its Special LSA approval from the FAA. The WACO Aircraft Corporation produces the aircraft for American customers.

The original 1929 aircraft was powered by an 80-hp, 5-cylinder radial engine, while the new Junkers A50 Junior is powered by the fuel-injected, 100-hp Rotax 912iS engine. It is equipped with the Galaxy GRS 600 ballistic parachute for safe recovery in case of emergency. 

Avionics: The new Junkers A50 Junior features a high-tech cockpit interface that blends elegantly into the retro design. The back seat (the main cockpit used for flying the aircraft) is equipped with a Garmin G3X Touch 10", while the front cockpit can host the Garmin G3X Touch 7" or GI 275 / Winter altimeter / Winter airspeed indicators.

* The VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': Junkers A50 Junior is equipped with full-scale and fully-featured X-Plane 12 G1000 avionics in both cockpits. The display configuration consists of a single screen/dual display bundle, which allows 'flicking' of PFD/MFD on during flight and on the fly.

The (new) Junkers A50 Junior cruises at ~76 knots while consuming ~4 US gal/h. It stalls at ~46 knots and handles 15 knots crosswind on takeoff and landing. The recommended maximum airspeed is 112 knots. With a maximum fuel capacity of 27 gallons, it covers ~680 miles.

Project Highlights

• VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Project.
• Superb Flight Dynamics: The VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior simulation is a highly engineered, robust tail-dragger S-LSA simulation model that makes use of X-Plane 12's sophisticated flight dynamics and physics simulation, pushing it to its limits.
• Simulated Systems: The VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior features X-Plane 12's latest native features, systems, and physics. This ensures 'high airworthiness' in X-Plane throughout its update process. Some systems may be restricted to X-Plane's default systems algorithms.
• General Cockpit Configuration: Equipped with a full-scale and fully-featured X-Plane 12 G1000 in a single-screen/dual-display configuration to allow maximum usability.
• Equipped with Alpha Systems AOA 'Eagle' indicator replica.
• Passenger Leaning-Aside Feature: For better takeoff and landing forward visibility (by demand via interaction/assignment).
• Built for VR: Development was tailored specifically for VR and optimized for 2D usage.
• Perfect Fit for Beginner and Expert Pilots: The aircraft is designed to be flown from the back-seat cockpit. This configuration requires higher piloting skills, and it will make you a better pilot! The front-seat cockpit is fully functional as well, with the limitations derived from the real-world Junkers A50 Junior front-seat operations.
• Wonderful FMOD sound package that includes authentic Rotax 912 engine recordings and an interactive set of dynamic sound layers that will "wrap" your open-cockpit flying experience, setting a whole new level of immersion!
• Autoupdater based on the SkunkCrafts autoupdater (XP12 only) - all updates are pushed smoothly without the need to re-download the entire base package (the base package will be updated every once in a while to minimize the gap).
• Highly Responsive VSKYLABS Support Forums: VSKYLABS offers continuous professional support, from aircraft-related aspects (operating and flying) to X-Plane technical support.

Cockpit Builders Heaver Layer

The project includes the 'VSKYLABS Cockpit-Builders Heaven’ layer, which allows assigning all aircraft switches, knobs, levers, and interactions in a designated, uncluttered section in the X-Plane 12 assignment screen.

To use it for key/button assignments, simply type the name of the aircraft in the search bar and select your assignment. A sample screenshot is attached below:

Pilot's Operating Handbook

<Included in the package>

Update Log
VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved

XP12 - v1.1c - (2nd November 2024):

• Minor fix: False aileron animation when trying to use flaps command (the aircraft is not equipped with flaps, but there was a bug showing movements in ailerons).

XP12 - v1.1a - (30th October 2024):

• Tail-wheel self-locking mechanism threshold was reduced, allowing reasonable slack for the tail-wheel during the locking state. This allows smoother taxiing. 
• Passenger head gesture interaction change: no longer using the default 'g' assignment. Use the on-screen manipulator or assign a key/button using the X-Plane 12 assignment system (search for 'junkers' or 'junkers head' and you'll fine it).
• Manual/POH update rev.002

XP12 - v1.1 (28th October 2024): 

• Flight dynamics:
  • Auto-lock mechanism was implemented. Like in the real aircraft, when the tail-wheel is aligned with the aircraft axis, it gets locked automatically. Then, only excessive force will get it unlocked. Once it is unlocked - like in the real aircraft, it becomes totally unlocked. This improves the feel of the tail-wheel mechanism and also the control especially in straight lines.
  • Landing gears friction and pressure tuneups.
  • Various tune-ups to fall in line with the latest X-Plane 12 flight dynamics and systems features.
• Interaction:
  • VSKYLABS 'Cockpit-Builders-Heaven' was implemented, allowing to assign all aircraft switches, knobs, levers and interactions in a designated, uncluttered section in the X-Plane 12 assignment screen.
  • Interaction with brakes (non differential) is now possible with 'notches' in the press/release key/button assignment. This is extremely useful for users without pedals or without braking feature in their pedal equipment.
• Graphics/Animations:
  • Fuel tank selector operation has changed to 'right/left' step based operation.
• Bug-fixes:
  • Differential braking coupling with rudder (for users who does not use toe-braking equipment) was re-tuned to allow more fluent and gradual differential braking with rudder input.
  • Analog engine display (overlay) in the G1000 PFD is now 'waiting' for the G1000 'Enter' push during its wake-up process.
  • Front cockpit 3-d manipulators are not accessible when flying in the back-seat, to avoid overlapping interaction.
  • Stall warning - 'wheels on ground' threshold increased to eliminate aural warning in some situations.

XP12 - v1.0c (31th March 2024): 

• Main wheels ground-friction refinements.
• Minor tuneup for the free castoring tail-wheel to emulate the centering springs a bit more aggressively.

XP12 - v1.0a (30th March 2024): 

• Fix to Toe-brakes animation coupling with the rudder.

XP12 - v1.0 (29th March 2024): Initial version release.