VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior Project

The VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved

A highly Realistic Simulation of the
Junkers A50 Junior

Only for X-PLANE 12

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 Junkers A50 Junior project for X-Plane flight simulator was approved by ‘JUNKERS Aircraft GmbH’. However, it is an independent VSKYLABS project which is not affiliated with ‘JUNKERS Aircraft GmbH’.

Project Introduction

THE JUNKERS A50 JUNIOR:
The Junkers A50 Junior was the world’s first sport-aircraft. It flew for the first time in 1929. Nowadays, a new version of the Junkers A50 Junior is being made. It's an ultralight aircraft made by hand with modern technology and design adaptations which make it fit for today's times.

On November 25th 2022, the Junkers A50 Junior was certified by the German Ultralight Flight Association. Then on February 28th, the A50 Junior received its Special LSA approval from the FAA. The WACO Aircraft Corporation produces the aircraft for American customers.

The original, 1929 aircraft was powered by an 80-hp, 5-cylinder radial engine, while the new Junkers A50 Junior is powered by the fuel-injected, 100-hp Rotax 912iS engine. It is equipped with the Galaxy GRS 600 ballistic parachute, for safe recovery, in case of emergency. 

Avionics - The new Junkers A50 Junior enjoys a high-tech cockpit interface which blends elegantly into the retro design. The back-seat (the main cockpit used for flying the aircraft) is equipped with Garmin G3X Touch 10”, while the front cockpit can host the Garmin G3X Touch 7” or GI 275 / Winter altimeter / Winter airspeed indicators.

* The VSKYLABS ‘Test-Pilot’: Junkers A50 Junior is equipped with a full-scale and fully-featured X-Plane 12 G1000 avionics in both cockpits. Display configuration consists of a single screen/dual display bundle, which allows ‘flicking’ of PFD/MFD on during flight and on the fly.

The (new) Junkers A50 Junior cruises at ~76 knots while consuming ~4 US gal/h. It stalls at ~46 knots and handles 15 knots cross-wind on takeoff and landing. Recommended maximum airspeed is 112 knots. With a maximum fuel capacity of 27 gallons, it covers ~680 miles.

Project Highlights

• VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Project.
• Superb Flight dynamics: The VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior simulation is a highly engineered, robust tail-glider S-LSA simulation model which makes use of X-Plane 12 sophisticated flight dynamics and physics simulation, extracting it to its limits.
• Simulated systems: The VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior features X-Plane 12 latest native features, systems and physics. This assures a 'high airworthiness' in X-Plane, throughout its update process. Some systems may be restricted to X-Plane default systems algorithms.
• General cockpit configuration: Equipped with a full-scale and fully-featured X-Plane 12 G1000, in a single-screen / dual-display configuration, to allow maximum usability.
• Equipped with Alpha Systems AOA 'Eagle' indicator replica.
• Passenger leaning-aside feature for better takeoff and landing forward visibility (by demand via interaction/assignment).
• Built for VR: development was tailored specifically for VR, and optimized for 2D usage.
• Perfect fit for beginner and expert pilots: The aircraft is designed to be flown from the back-seat cockpit. This configuration requires higher piloting skills, and it *will* make you a better pilot!. The front-seat cockpit is fully functional as well, with the limitations which are derived from the real-world Junkers A50 Junior front-seat operations).
• Wonderful FMOD sound package that includes authentic Rotax 912 engine recordings and an interactive set of dynamic sound layers that will "wrap" your open-cockpit flying experience, setting a whole new level of immersion!
• 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 Junkers A50 Junior Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved

XP12 - v1.0c (31th March 2024): 

• Main wheels ground-friction refinements.
• Minor tuneup for the free castoring tail-wheel to emulate the centering springs a bit more aggressively.

XP12 - v1.0a (30th March 2024): 

• Fix to Toe-brakes animation coupling with the rudder.

XP12 - v1.0 (29th March 2024): Initial version release.