VSKYLABS Polaris AM-FIB Project

The VSKYLABS Polaris New FIB Project

JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved

Separate native products for X-PLANE 12 and X-PLANE 11, for your selection.

Autoupdater based on the SkunkCrafts autoupdater (XP12 only) - all updates are being pushed smoothly without the need to re-download the entire base package (base package will be updated every once in a while to minimize the gap).

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.

Polaris AM-FIB history and VSKYLABS development note:

The 'Polaris FIB' ("Flying Inflatable Boat") is an Italian flying boat ultralight trike, which was designed and produced by 'Polaris Motor' in the mid-1980's. In the early 2000's, 'Polaris Motor' developed the Polaris AM-FIB, an Amphibious ultralight trike. 

Back in 2017, VSKYLABS was in contact with 'Polaris Motor' company and got their permission to develop the AM-FIB for X-Plane. 'Polaris Motor' provided countless 1st hand references, photos and relevant information which served as the solid ground for the development of the VSKYLABS AM-FIB Project.

At the present (as for 2024), the company who is behind the 'AM-FIB' trike is 'New Polaris FIB' (https://newpolaris2020.com/web/f-i-b/).

Last year (2023), VSKYLABS contacted the 'New Polaris FIB' company and got their permission to orient the existing 'Polaris AM-FIB' project to become the 'NewPolaris FIB' project.

Although approved by the 'New Polaris FIB' company, it is an independent VSKYLABS project which is not affiliated with 'New Polaris FIB'.

New Polaris FIB: A flying boat ultralight trike

The FIB is a flying boat ultralight trike, designed and produced by 'Polaris Motor' of Italy. The aircraft was introduced in the mid-1980s and remained in production. The FIB can be used on rivers, lakes, swamps and in open sea. It is equipped with retractable landing gears, and can be operated from land or water.

What is an ultralight trike aircraft: also known as a flex-wing trike, weight-shift-control aircraft, microlight trike, deltatrike or motorized deltaplane, is a type of powered hang glider using a high-performance Rogallo wing coupled to a propeller-driven three-wheeled undercarriage. While many powered aircraft have three-wheeled landing gear, the term "trike" refers specifically to the form of aircraft described above.

Flight control in a trike is made by weight-shifting; the undercarriage structure is connected to the wing at a hinge-point, and the wing can be tilted in both X and Y axes. While on the ground (takeoff for example), pushing the wing control bar raises the angle of attack of the wing and lift is produced. As the aircraft is airborne, moving the control bar of the wing causes the undercarriage to swift both sideways or back and forth, and a weight-shifting control is achieved.

A brief explanation of the options (accessories) regarding the landing gears (wheels) available for the real-world FIB:

1. AM-FIB ( Amphibious Flying Inflatable Boat ): Manually operated retractable landing gear that allows for the FIB to take off and land. This is the configuration that is being used in the VSKYLABS AM-FIB Project.
2. Kit of wheels / trike conversion: A simple conversion kit allows removal of the inflatable hull and turns the FIB into a land based trike. For example, if during the winter, the FIB is to be used on land only, then this conversion kit is recommended.
3. For landing on snow: skis are available on the trike version only (the trike without being attached to the inflatable boat).
4. The AM-FIB system can be removed and installed at necessity easily when not needed.

*The VSKYLABS New Polaris FIB is set with the AM-FIB configuration.

Project Main Features:

• VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Project: designed for use with X-Plane cutting edge flight model environment, features superb flight dynamics with authentic performance and flight handling characteristics.
• VSKYLABS development for X-Plane approved by 'New Polaris FIB' company (however, it is an independent VSKYLABS project, not affiliated with 'New Polaris FIB').
• Real-Physics, incorporating weight shifting and wing simulation of a hang-glider trike. Unique trike flying aspects are being simulated: stalls, slips, spins and tumbling.
• Designed with the focus on control and handling characteristics, excellent for basic and advanced hang glider trike training / conversion from fixed wing aircraft.
• Additional passenger which can be removed, to simulate light vs heavy trike operations.
• Amphibian aircraft - operation in water/land and snow/ice.
• Built for VR: development was tailored specifically for VR, and optimized for 2D usage.
• Autoupdater based on the SkunkCrafts autoupdater (XP12 only) - all updates are being pushed smoothly without the need to re-download the entire base package (base package will be updated every once in a while to minimize the gap).
• Highly responsive VSKYLABS support forums: VSKYLABS is offering continuous professional support from aircraft related aspects (operating and flying) to X-Plane technical support.

Pilot's Operating Handbook

<included in the package>

Update Log 

VSKYLABS Polaris Motor AM-FIB Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved
 

XP12 - v4.0 (7th June 2024):

(Major Update Release)

• Flight dynamics: Completely Re-engineered to comply with the latest X-Plane 12 flight model.
• Graphics: Thorough PBR adjustments for X-Plane 12.0.9/12.1.0.
• Sounds: Enhanced FMOD 2.0 sound package, including improved engine and prop sounds, wind sounds and improvements in overall sounds experience.

XP12 - v3.2 (4th December 2022):

• Interior lighting system reset and retuned to comply with the modified X-Plane 12.00r1+ lighting engine.

XP12 - v3.1 (23th November 2022):

• Updater software replaced - from STMA to SkunkCrafts. 

XP12 - v3.0 (September 2022):

• X-Plane 12 initial version released.

XP11 - v2.0 (20th May 2020):

• General:
  • STMA Autoupdater plugin was added to the project.
• Flight dynamics:
  • re-designed and tuned for X-Plane 11 Experimental flight model environment.
  • Ground and water handing tuneup.
• Internal Engineering:
  • Project internal architecture was updated to allow future updates within the project's development road-map.
• 3D modeling:
  • Improved PBR textures all around.
• Systems, Interactivity and VR:
  • Pilot figure conversion for VR operations (no-head operations).
  • Passenger was added (visuals + physical weight), including on-the-fly loading/unloading of the passenger (by clicking on her seat in VR/3D cockpit mode).
  • Parking brakes added to allow comfortable operation on inclined surfaces. Parking brakes interaction zones are the left portion of the boat, and/or the Brakes icon on the Smartphone.
  • Manual throttle was added, located in-front and on-top of the pilot's head, allowing manual throttle operation with VR touch controllers.
  • Control bar control using VR touch controllers was added.
  • GNS 530 was removed.

XP11 - v1.0 (12th December 2017): Initial version released.