VSKYLABS Test-Pilot 902X-NTR Project

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

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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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

✅ 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)