VSKYLABS Robinson R44 Raven II Project

The VSKYLABS Robinson R44 Raven II Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2025 All Rights Reserved

A High Definition Robinson R44 Raven II Helicopter Simulation

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

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 Robinson R44 project for X-Plane flight simulator was acknowledged by the Robinson Helicopter Company. However, it is an independent VSKYLABS project which is not affiliated with the Robinson Helicopter Company.

Project Introduction:

The Robinson R44 Raven II is a high performing, four-seat aircraft. It has been the world’s best-selling GA helicopter for more than two decades. The R44’s aerodynamic fuselage optimizes airspeed and fuel economy. It is powered by Lycoming IO-540 fuel injected engine and it cruises at 110 knots and can fly 300 nautical miles and up to 14,000 feet.

This project is part of the VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Series, developed specifically to take full advantage of X-Plane’s cutting-edge flight dynamics engine. The VSKYLABS Robinson R44 Raven II sets a new standard in high-fidelity helicopter simulation, delivering a highly detailed and accurate representation of the R44 Raven II with full Virtual Reality compatibility—pushing the capabilities of the X-Plane platform to its limits.

Project Main Features:

• Advanced Flight Dynamics: Precisely engineered flight model based on the powerful native X-Plane physics engine, delivering a robust and highly defined simulation of the Robinson R44 Raven II.
• High-Fidelity 3D Model: Accurately detailed visual representation of the R44 Raven II, developed with close attention to realism and scale.
• Authentic Empennage Configurations: Includes the latest symmetrical horizontal stabilizer design, modeled both visually and aerodynamically, with an optional legacy right-hand stabilizer configuration available on the fly.
• Realistic Autorotation Capability: Fully modeled autorotation behavior for accurate emergency and training scenarios.
• Comprehensive Systems Simulation: Systems behavior is designed to follow the real-world R44 Raven II Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) as closely as possible within X-Plane’s limitations.
• Fully Functional VR Integration: Complete support for Virtual Reality, featuring an interactive cockpit with operable switches, guards, levers, a modular cyclic, a 3D checklist viewer, and more.
• Classic Robinson Instrument Panel: Equipped with the iconic 7-hole analog panel layout.
• Auxiliary Fuel System: Includes functional R44 auxiliary fuel tank configuration.
• Removable Doors: Optional door removal for enhanced realism and mission-specific setups.
• Integrated LR GNS-430: Fully functional Garmin GNS-430 navigation system.
• Built-in AviTab Support: Native AviTab integration (AviTab plugin required separately).
• Multi-Layer FMOD Sound Pack: Immersive audio environment with layered sounds to reflect engine states, rotor dynamics, and cockpit ambiance.
• Ongoing Development: The project is continuously evolving, with a planned roadmap including further flight model tuning, deeper systems modeling, new liveries, and other enhancements.
• SkunkCrafts Auto-Updater (XP12 only): Seamless updates without the need to re-download the full package. The base package is periodically updated to minimize version gaps.
• Active Developer Support: Direct access to support via the highly responsive VSKYLABS support forums.
• Cockpit Builders Heaven: Assign all aircraft switches, knobs, and interactions via a dedicated X-Plane 12 assignment layer:

Pilot's Operating Handbook

 <Included in the package>

Update Log

VSKYLABS Robinson R44 Raven II Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2025 All Rights Reserved

XP12 - v4.0.1 (30th March 2025):

• VSKYLABS 'Cockpit-Builders-Heaven' layer:
  • Added commands for separate on/off switches state (in addition to 'toggle' mechanism).

XP12 - v4.0 (27th March 2025):

• Major update release.
• Flight dynamics:
  • Airfoils update.
  • Power-train deep refinements to allow increased precision of rotor RPM during autorotation and shutdown.
  • Engine - Refined engine power gradients to allow increased precision of hovering, climb and cruise performance.
  • Re-engineering of all flying surfaces.
  • Implementing the new Robinson R44 Empennage as the default aerodynamic configuration. (This configuration is a recent Robinson key improvement that enhances safety and performance, especially improving roll stability during high speed flights. Additionally, the symmetrical stabilizer reduces the right-rolling tendency when the helicopter is operated outside the approved flight envelope).
  • Option to switch back to the 'old' horizontal stabilizer configuration, on-the-go.
• Systems/Interaction:
  • VSKYLABS 'Cockpit-Builders-Heaven' layer: Re-wiring of all systems switches/cb's/knobs and interactions in the cockpit with the new custom-commands VSKYLABS 'Cockpit-Builders-Heaven' layer, allowing easy Joystick/Keys assignments in X-Plane 12 built-in assignments system.
  • Artificial horizon: Added missing bank pointer-indicator.
• Graphics:
  • Interiors textures overhaul with various enhancements to inner-shell, seats, doors, front panel, instrument gauges.
  • Updated Paint-Kit (v4.x).
  • Additional default liveries (default, all-metal).
• General:
  • Updated POH/Manual.

XP12 - v3.0c (10th January 2024):

• Tuneups to the main rotor system to *hit the numbers* (MP, power, RRPM, hover power, cruise power, autorotation performance).

XP12 - v3.0a (6th January 2024):

• Fix to manifold pressure gradient bug.
• Fix to windshield blurry contours (artistic).

XP12 - v3.0 (5th January 2024):

• Flight model - complete update to X-Plane 12.0.8:
  • Improved rotor blades simulation.
  • Improved throttle governor.
  • Improved engine power gradient to fall in line with MP limitations more accurately.
  • Landing skids physics tuneups.
  • Autorotation regime tune-ups.
• Sounds:
  • Implemented physics-based blade-slap sounds.
  • FMOD pack converted to v2.0x
• Graphics:
  • All-around PBR new setup to match the latest X-Plane 12 rendering engine.
  • New/additional default liveries.

XP12 - v2.2a (19th January 2023):

• Fixes to passenger 3-d model (back seat, RH side).

XP12 - v2.2 (4th December 2022):

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

XP12 - v2.1 (23th November 2022):

• Updater software replaced - from STMA to SkunkCrafts. 

XP12 - v2.01 (12th September 2022):

• Propulsion system (engine, rotors, transmissions) tuneups to allow higher power for a given MP, to comply with the R44 performance, and to allow optimum RPM management of the throttle governor.
• Maximum allowable weight per passenger was reduced to fit into reasonable maximum passenger loading weight (maximum threshold exceeded the maximum 300 lbs per seat).
• Throttle governor/internal FADEC refinements.
• Placard update for correct MP limits.

XP12 - v2.0 (September 2022):

• X-Plane 12 initial version release.

XP11 - v1.1e (28th November 2020):

• Low/High RPM alarms fix - Now they *will* stop in a situation where after being initiated (as during test before engine start), and while being active, loss of electrical power (or switching the battery to OFF)  would not turn them off.

XP11 - v1.1c (9th November 2020):

• Systems:
  • New radios layout (single GNS530 was removed):
  • 1x KX155 (COM1/NAV1).
  • 1x GNS 430 (COM2/NAV2).
• Interactivity update:
  • Dual-system Altimeter setup (InHg/MB): New Altimeter was incorporated into the cockpit, replacing the older one, allowing to set the Altimeter with both systems.
  • Hide-Cyclic option was added: To allow comfortable view and access to the radios panel when needed, especially in on-VR usage.
• Manual POH / Essential PDF's:
  • Updated with the recent information.

XP11 - v1.0f6 (4th November 2020):

• Interactivity update:
  • Ignition key - while is working intuitively in VR, is can now be assigned with hardware switches to allow OFF, L, R, BOTH, PRIME action with a single assignment of 'Flaps up/down a notch). With this arrangement, it can be fully manipulated with the simple key/knob assignments.
  • Key interaction zone was extended to allow more comfortable reach for moues operations.
• Manual POH / Essential PDF's:
  • Updated with the new key/axis assignment information.

XP11 - v1.0f5 (2nd November 2020):

• Animations/engineering:
  • Cyclic roll axis has an additional axis now, which is the relative "hand grip", so that cyclic motion sideways is more realistic, representing real-life motion where the pilot holds the cyclic grip while moving it left/right, and the cyclic remains parallel to the ground.

XP11 - v1.0f4 (31 October 2020):

• Interactivity enhancement:
  • Rotor brake - can now be assigned with the standard X-Plane key/button assignment rather that direct dataref.
  • Rotor braking power was set to follow POH-related braking limitations.

XP11 - v1.0f (27th October 2020):

• Package verification update, new build v1.0f was uploaded to the stores server:
  • The v1.0e update had some update/server related issues, which resulted in mismatch of file versions causing various odd bugs to pop out right after the release of v1.0 to v1.0e. During the 26th of October, the whole package was remastered, verified and re-packed for the autoupdater server. In addition, the stores version was updated with the latest version build v1.0f.
  • It is highly recommended to re-download the new project package build v1.0f from the stores, as it will guarantee a bug-free installation.

XP11 - v1.0e (26th October 2020):

• Manual POH / Essential PDF files updated to include Governor assignment specification.
• Minor fix to beacon/strobe lights internal wiring.
• Minor fix to cyclic response during autorotation when throttle is dropped down aggressively during flight at high airspeed (>90 knots), to allow more pitch-up authority until the helicopter stables into the autorotative condition.
  Note: Additional autorotation handling refinements are planned as part of the continuous development road-map.
• High-Rotor rpm warning audio alert was implemented into the VSKYLABS R44.  A warble tone indicates rotor rpm is approaching 108%. Full correlation of rotor rpm needle (above red-line) was set as well.
• Minor refinements to textures.

XP11 - v1.0 (24th October 2020):

• X-Plane 11 - Initial version release.