VSKYLABS Robinson R44 Raven II Project

The VSKYLABS Robinson R44 Raven II Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2023 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 related, affiliated and/or endorsed 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, designed specifically for use with X-Plane cutting edge Flight Model. The VSKYLABS R44 project is setting up a highly detailed and highly accurate Robinson R44 Raven II simulation along with full VR compatibility, stretching X-Plane capabilities to its limits.

Project Main Features:

• VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Project.
• Robust and Highly Defined flight dynamics model of the Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, built around the powerful, native X-Plane Flight Model environment.
• Highly detailed model of the Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter.
• Autorotation capable.
• Comprehensive systems which were designed to follow the real R44 Raven II POH, as authentically as possible within X-Plane 11 flight simulator limitations.
• Fully functional VR (Virtual Reality) Ready: highly interactive cockpit environment including levers, switches, guards, 3D checklist viewer, modular cyclic and more.
• Equipped with Robinson's classic 7 holes analog panel.
• R44 Auxiliary fuel system.
• Removable doors.
• Fully featured GNS530.
• Built-in Avitab Compatibility (Avitab plugin not included).
• Multi-Layer FMOD sound pack.
• The project is under constant development: development road-map is including flight model refinements, enhanced systems depth, additional liveries and other improvements.
• 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

VSKYLABS Robinson R44 Raven II - ESSENTIALS manual

VSKYLABS Robinson R44 Raven II - POH / manual

Update Log

VSKYLABS Robinson R44 Raven II Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2022 All Rights Reserved

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.