VSKYLABS Test-Pilot: ICON-A5 Project

The VSKYLABS Test-Pilot: ICON-A5 Project

JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved

The VSKYLABS Test-Pilot: ICON-A5 project is an independent VSKYLABS project and initiative and it is not affiliated with any entity.

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.

Project Introduction

This project is part of the VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' series, designed specifically for use with X-Plane's cutting-edge flight model.

The ICON-A5 is an American light sport aircraft and single-engine amphibious aircraft. It is constructed mostly from composite materials (carbon fiber) and powered by the electronically fuel-injected Rotax 921iS engine.

It was designed to allow a close and intimate interaction with the world in the form of an amphibious aircraft with folding wings. This combination allows the A5 to be operated to and from almost every spot on the planet, from smooth short runways to dirt or beach strips...parked in a home garage!

The ICON-A5's design concept was to make it accessible and safe for aviation newcomers and beginner pilots, deriving straightforward, car-like cockpit features and displays, along with various safety systems and safety-oriented flying characteristics such as the anti-spin aerodynamic design. The A5 takes advantage of an angle of attack gauge (AoA) that “sums up” the aircraft’s current aerodynamic situation at any speed, load, and maneuver. The A5 is also designed to be a spin-resistant aircraft, which allows continuous control during a stall. The A5 is equipped with a ballistic parachute system.

The project is setting up a highly detailed and highly accurate ICON-A5 simulation, along with full VR compatibility.

Project Highlights

• VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Project.
• Highly defined flight dynamics model of the ICON-A5, built around the powerful, native X-Plane flight model.
• 'Designed for  VR' - Virtual Reality Ready (optimized for 2-d).
• Unique aspects of the ICON-A5 are simulated and are part of the flying experience along with the unique and authentic systems, cockpit panels and display systems:
  • Highly detailed, fully animated aircraft exterior and interior 3-d model.
  • Fully functional, authentic ICON A5 Angle of Attack display system.
  • Unique and authentic iconography and embedded into the display systems in the cockpit. 
  • CAP system (Ballistic Parachute system)  modeled along with automatic gear retraction upon activation.
  • Bilge water build-up and pump system are modeled.
  • Removable cockpit windows (increases drag, affecting performance).
  • The A5's unique custom designed, authentic Landing and Taxi lights are implemented with high accuracy.
  • Fully animated wing-fold mechanism, embedded into the flight dynamics model/physics.
• Fully functional LR G1000 Avionics - Incorporating an innovative solution of a single display with dual PFD/MFD modes!
• Fully functional G1000 autopilot modes.
• Custom built PFD Companion and a fully functional Autopilot system included.
• High quality, animated pilot figure for highly immersive experience in 2-d/VR modes.
• Built-in Avitab Plugin compatibility (AviTab plugin is not included).
• Multi-layered FMOD Sounds.
• The project is under constant maintenance and development - updates are free.
• 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.

Pilot's Operating Handbook

<included in the product package>

ICON-A5 Pilot’s Operating Handbook

ICON-A5 Checklists Book

The links above are brought here ‘as-is’, for educational purposes. VSKYLABS is not related nor affiliated with ICON Aircraft and is not responsible for the information brought in ICON Aircraft publications. DO-NOT USE IN REAL-WORLD FLIGHT OPERATIONS!

Update Log

VSKYLABS Test-Pilot: ICON-A5 Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved

XP12 - v4.0 (13th October - Major update release):

• Flight Dynamics:
  • Re-validation of all performance and flying handling qualities following real-world ICON-A5 published data.
  • Redesigned fuselage hull to allow more accurate 'step-taxi' and water takeoff performance.
  • Wing design tune-ups to allow higher performance figures accuracy throughout the flight envelope regimes.
  • Airfoils update.
  • Propeller re-design to allow higher accuracy of power gradients and prop-disc drag throughout the engine's power curve and airspeed regimes.
  • AOA indicator calibration.
  • All-around complementary aerodynamic design tuneups.
•  Systems:
  • Re-make of the entire annunciation system (warning lights, gears lights, trim lights, bilge pump and water rudder light) using the latest X-Plane 12 conventions.
  • Re-make of the entire cockpit lighting systems for the console, instruments, and panels.
  • Re-wiring of the warning lights to reflect systems status more accurately, including 'engine' warning light conditions, which will light when exceeding engine's operational limitations.
  •  Enhanced Altimeter - showing both systems for pressure tune-up, including total altitude (digital display).
  • Electric artificial horizon now shows slip-indication, VSI trend and 'BRAKES' warning light.
  • AOA indicator graphics re-work to provide the updated instrument appearance.
  • Starting switch manipulator enhancement to allow 'holding' the key in 2-d mode for more realistic behavior.
  • Heating knob is now functional (no actual heating will be sensed...).
  • Wing-folding mechanism is now possible for interaction only when the aircraft electrical system is in the OFF position. This allows folding and unfolding the wings without the need to set the power switch to ON.
• Graphics:
  • Interiors/exterior models PBR enhancements (including various 3-d modeling enhancements).
  • G1000 panel and knobs - remodeled with improved appearance.
  • Pilot and passenger PBR enhancements.
  • Cockpit placards improved existing ones, added new ones.
  • Default paint enhancements.
  • Better animation for fuel-tank selector.
• Sounds:
  • New FMOD 2.02 sound package.
  • Added bilge-pump sound.
  • Added windshield wind effects (noticeable when flying without the windows installed).

XP12 - v3.5 (26th March 2023):

• Fix to dark/missing landing gears state indicator.
• Avionics lighting tune-ups.
• Cockpit instruments lighting tuneups.
• FMOD update: Upgrade to FMOD 2.0 + new engine sounds and various refinements.
• Several fixes to interior 3-d modeling (seats, switches).
• Several PBR refinements (cockpit interior).

XP12 - v3.3a (24th December 2022):

• Minor fix - faulty fuel tank name in X-Plane GUI.

XP12 - v3.3 (4th December 2022):

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

XP12 - v3.2 (23th November 2022):

• Updater software replaced - from STMA to SkunkCrafts. 

XP12 - v3.01  (29th Septemper 2022):

• Bilge water indication was modified, now the light shows warning if the bilge water buildup exceeds ~1 gallon of water. The light will stay ON during the activation of the bilge pump, until water levels reduces to below 1 gallon.
• Bilge water maximum build-up was set to lower capacity (more reasoanble water build).
• Pilot girl - was too reflective..."wet"...set to a "dryer" appearance.
• Fixed CTD when loading the aircraft upon XP12 initiation ('last flight'), on some GPU configurations.

XP12 - v3.0 (September 2022):

• X-Plane 12 version release.

XP11 - v2.1 - (6th July 2021):

• Basic setup:
  • Empty weight updated to true-empty weight (with no pilot added).
  • Pilot weight is added automatically upon flight initiation.
• Interactivity:
  • Passenger is visible only when the payload weight exceeds extra ~70 kgs to the already-added pilot weight.
• 3D Modeling:
  • Passenger 3D model optimized for better appearance.

XP11 - v2.0a - (20th November 2020):

• Systems:
  • Electrical and warning system enhancements: When Magnetos are set to A/B (not both), 'ENGINE' and 'LAND AIRCRAFT' warning lights will illuminate.
• Bug fixes:
  • G1000 - airspeed arcs were updated.
• POH - Manual:
  • Checklists update.

XP11 - v2.0 - (19th November 2020):

• FMOD Sounds:
  • Updated FMOD sound-pack - complete overhaul!
• Systems:
  • Addition of LR G1000 avionics configuration (PFD+MFD with a single screen functionality).
  • Improved VSL Companion (Tablet based LSA avionics - changed to rev 2.0).
  • Addition of fully functional AutoPilot system.
  • Updated radio digits (COM1).
  • Bilge switch re-wired, pump can be operated when there is no water in the bilge.
  • Lighting system - instrument lighting system updated.
• Interaction:
  • Improved cockpit interactions for 2D/VR operations.
  • Added external touch-zones for wing-fold operations.
  • VR config file includes fine-tuning configuration of G1000/Other switches.
• Flight Dynamics:
  • BSR - Parachute envelope remodeled.
• POH - Manual:
  • Updated to rev 003!
• General 3D aspects:
  • Various fixes and improvements. 

XP11 - v1.2a - (8th December 2019):

• Bug fixes:
  • Landing gear handle down operation in VR was fixed.

XP11 - v1.2 - (28th November 2019):

• Flight Dynamics Model:
  • Flight dynamics model tuneup for X-Plane 11.40+ experimental flight model environment.
  • Stall characteristics tuneup.
  • Note: due to the new prop-wash simulation, and due to the fact that the propeller of the ICON-A5 is blowing air in close proximity to the tail section - nose attitude during takeoff, when the engine is working at high RPM, must be managed to avoid tail strike.
• Bug fixes:
  • Water rudder switch operation was fixed.

XP11 - v1.1 - (24th March 2019):

• Systems:
  • Electrical system tuneup - Alternator algorithm fixed.
  • Oil system algorithm tuneup + engine damage algorithm was added in case of exceeding oil temperature limit.
• 3D modeling and textures fixes:
  • inner canopy reflections reduced.
  • overhead panel 3D model bug was fixed.
  • COM1 power button textures were fixed.
  • 'OFF' placard was added to main power switch button in the 'off' position.
• STMA Autoupdater plugin was added to the project. Future updates will be 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).

XP11 - v1.01 (15th March 2019):

• Alternator light always "on" issue when starting cold and dark was fixed.

XP11 - v1.0 (14th March 2019): Initial Version Release.