VSKYLABS Test-Pilot 902X-NTR Project

The VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': 902X-NTR Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2025 All Rights Reserved

***Early Access Version***

A highly engineered, highly realistic NTR (No Tail Rotor) simulation model for X-Plane flight simulator.

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Only for X-PLANE 12

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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.

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Special Development Notice:

The VSKYLABS 902X-NTR simulation add-on for X-Plane flight simulator is an independent VSKYLABS development effort which is not related nor affiliated with 'MD Helicopters' or any other company or entity.

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What exactly is the VSKYLABS '902X-NTR'?

The VSKYLABS 902X-NTR was developed as part of VSKYLABS' educational, experimental, and engineering initiatives. This project aims to deliver a highly engineered, physics-based simulation of a twin-turbine No Tail Rotor helicopter test-bed.

To create a plausible NTR helicopter simulation, VSKYLABS focused on the MD-902 as a general reference, leveraging its technical aspects and system architecture as a baseline for a typical twin-turbine No-Tail-Rotor helicopter design.

While the VSKYLABS 902X-NTR is inspired by and derived from the MD-902's real-world specifications, it is not an exact replica nor an official simulation of the MD-902.

In line with the project’s goals and inherent development constraints, the VSKYLABS 902X-NTR features several differences from the MD-902. These may include variations in performance, subsystems, and other design elements.

The project includes two separate variants:

• VSL 902X-NTR - Standard.
• VSL 902eX-NTR - Extended Range variant.

The Extended-Range variant includes two external fixed pressurized fuel tanks, extending range to up to ~800 NM.

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 'Early Access Version' - What Does This Mean?

The VSKYLABS Early Access program allows for the release of a fully flyable, bug-free aircraft within a reasonable development timeframe—typically for products/projects which are complex requires a very long development period.

Why Early Access?

• Fly Sooner: No need to wait years for a 'final release'—start flying while development progresses.
• Shape the Future: Real-time feedback from users, while the project is still a 'work-in-progress' helps refine features and fine-tune the aircraft’s design, streamlining development through X-Plane’s evolving ecosystem.

To note that all VSKYLABS products evolve continuously—there are no 'final versions', and updates are always free. Early Access aircraft receive the most intensive development in their first year after release.

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Documentation:

The official POH/manual is still a WIP. To allow easy operation of the helicopter, an abbreviated checklist is provided within the package.

Additional instructions/reference materials will be pushed into the package with continuous updates, in the very near future.

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Project Highlights

Early Access Version: The project is in active development, with ongoing refinements and additional features planned for future updates. However, the following features are already included:

✅ VSKYLABS ‘Test-Pilot’ Project – A fully operational No-Tail-Rotor helicopter simulation with functional main systems.

✅ Engine Control Modes – Operate engines in OFF, IDLE, FLY, and TRAIN modes (auto throttle mode applies in Early Access).

✅ Advanced, Physics-Based No-Tail-Rotor System:

• Dedicated NTR Fan Simulation – Dynamic thrust response.
• Tail-Boom Thrust Vectoring Nozzle.
• Coanda Effect Simulation – Dynamically modeled to reflect real-world behavior (takes over ~60% of the anti-torque forces in hover).
• VSCS (Vertical Stabilizers Control System) – Yaw-damping stabilization in cruise.

✅ Cockpit Configuration:

• Fully featured LR G1000 with a custom digital annunciation panel.
• IIDS (Integrated Instrument Display System) – digital cockpit for enhanced situational awareness (Simplified version).
• VSCS Indicators.
• Essential Analog Instruments – Airspeed, Altitude, VSI, Radar-Alt (with aural warning), and a clock.
• VSKYLABS ‘Digi-Slip’ LED Indicator for enhanced yaw monitoring.

✅ Flight Deck Enhancements:

• 3D HUD – Optimized for VR & 2D, with accurate velocity vector references.
• Avitab Compatibility – Integrated for additional functionality.

✅ Full VR Ready  – Designed for an immersive experience.

✅ Ideal for beginners & experts:

• The 902X-NTR is easy to operate, has a straight forward engine start-up and engine-control system. It is docile and predictable, allowing beginner helicopter sim-pilots to fly and operate it with reasonable effort.

✅ Multi-layer FMOD Sound Package.

✅ Auto-Updater (SkunkCrafts, XP12).

✅ Comprehensive Support:

• VSKYLABS Support Forums - Professional assistance for aircraft operation and X-Plane technical support.
  

✅ Cockpit Builders Heaven:

• Assign all aircraft switches, knobs, and interactions via a dedicated X-Plane 12 assignment layer.

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Pilot's Operating Handbook

The official POH/manual is still a WIP. To allow easy operation of the helicopter, an abbreviated checklist is provided within the package.

Additional instructions/reference materials will be pushed into the package with continuous updates, in the very near future.

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Update Log

VSKYLABS 902X-NTR Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2025 All Rights Reserved

 

v1.09c Early-Access release (11th March 2025)

• VSL 902eX-NTR:
  • A new variant was added to the product. The VSL 902eX-NTR is equipped with long-range external fuel tanks (more information can be found in the included manual).
• Paint-Kit:
  • Paint-Kit was updated to include the base external fuel tanks paints.
• Graphics optimizations:
  • More conservative approach to textures pre-sets: Textures quality feature in X-Plane 12 graphics settings screen are now affecting non-essential aircraft textures, allowing to save more VRAM in lower-end GPU configuration.

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v1.09 Early-Access release (5th March 2025)

• Flight dynamics:
  • PW207E Turbine engine envelope rating and power gradients refinements for high altitude operations.

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v1.08 --> 1.08c Early-Access release (3rd March 2025)

• Manual was added to the INSTRUCTIONS-MANUAL-POH folder.
• Flight dynamics:
  • Airfoils update for horizontal and vertical stabs.
  • Refinements for cyclic natural trim position at cruise speed.
  • NTR fan and directional nozzle envelope opening for cruise flight.
  • Powertrain temperature envelope refinements.
  • Powertrain power gradients refinements.
• Systems:
  • Fuel shutoff system update.
  • Rotor brake system tuneup (reduced intensity).
• Interactions:
  • COMM/NAV volume manipulators on G1000 fixed.
• Graphics:
  • Fixed 3-d rendering issue in back-wall of the cabin.
  • Typo fix in switch label.

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v1.06a --> 1.07 - Early-Access release (1st March 2025)

• v1.07 - Power train gradients refinements (affecting performance tuneups, cruise speeds).
• v1.06a - FMOD sound - minor bug fixes.

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v1.05 --> 1.06 - Early-Access release (28th February 2025)

• Flight Dynamics:
  • Coanda effect management (NTR fan operation):
    • v1.06 - Refined NTR fan 'pressure' provided by the fan due varying main-transmission RPM.
    • v1.06 - Refined NTR fan anticipation due increase of torque.
    • v1.05 - Refined NTR Coanda effect management in low power settings/ conditions (ground operations).

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v1.04 - Early-Access release (27th February 2025)

• Flight Dynamics:
  • Coanda effect forces reduces a bit (trying to hit ~60% of required anti-torque forces, with a slight added slack in this update).
  • NTR systems component interactive balance tuneup to reduce banking angle in high-speed/high power flight.
• Systems:
  • Autopilot tune-ups.
• Graphics and effects:
  • Added heat-blur and engine exhaust effects.
  • Fixed VSCS indicator LIT textures misalignment.

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v1.01/1.02/1.03 - Early-Access release (26th February 2025)

• Various power-train tuneups to provide fluent power in high-torque/high-speed regimes.
• Autopilot tuneups - reducing/smoothing pitch corrections in high-speed cruise.
• Paint-Kit v1.0 was added.
• Default liveries have been replaced with new ones.
• Various fixes to electrical system.

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v1.0 - Early-Access release (23rd February 2025)