VSKYLABS Test-Pilot: CT/4E Airtrainer Project

The VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': CT/4E Airtrainer Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved

A High Definition CT/4E 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.

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT NOTES:

• The development of the VSKYLABS CT/4E Airtrainer project for X-Plane flight simulator was approved by Pacific Aerospace Corporation. However, it is an independent VSKYLABS project which is not affiliated with Pacific Aerospace Corporation.
  
• ALL AIRCRAFT DATA, FACTS, FIGURES, PROCEDURES AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION IN THIS PROJECT REFERS TO THE *VIRTUAL* VSKYLABS CT/4 AIRCRAFT. It is for informational purposes only and should not be used for real-world flying. For official information and data regarding the real-world PAC CT/4 aircraft, please contact pacific aerospace corporation, or visit their website: https://www.aerospace.co.nz/aircraft/ct-4-airtrainer/description
  
• The project’s included liveries (RTAF, RAAF, RNZAF ‘Red Checkers’) were brought into the project out of pure honor and enthusiastic intent. VSKYLABS is not affiliated and/or endorsed with/by RTAF, RAAF, RNZAF and do not hold any intellectual rights on the included Air-Forces insignias.  Please contact VSKYLABS in any case of issue caused by the existence of these liveries in the project and VSKYLABS will address any inquiry on this matter, as there are no intentions to cause damage or conflicts. Contact information: contact@vskylabs.com

The Pacific Aerospace Corporation (PAC) CT-4 is a two side-by-side seater, single engine, low wing, all metal monoplane with fixed tricycle undercarriage that is able to operate in VFR and IFR conditions. The CT-4E variant is equipped with the powerful 300 hp Lycoming engine and three bladed propeller. It provides a very capable aircraft, highly suitable for flight training, including aerobatics. Its stability and robustness makes it a very  forgiving aircraft as well.

Project Highlights

• VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Project: designed for use with X-Plane cutting edge flight model environment, featuring superb flight dynamics with authentic performance and flight handling characteristics.
• Built for VR: development was tailored specifically for VR, and optimized for 2D usage.
• Engineered and designed as a default X-Plane aircraft (Like all VSKYLABS projects). The VSKYLABS projects are practically show-casing X-Plane, as they are stretching X-Plane default features, systems and flight model to its limits without any dependencies on complementary plugins or software...delivering a very robust simulation model, having maximum compatibility with the ever evolving X-Plane flight simulator.
• Perfect fit for beginner and expert pilots, including aerobatics.
• Optional 3-d HUD (optimized for VR and 2-d environments).
• Built-in Avitab Plugin Compatibility (AviTab plugin is not included).
• 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 a continuous professional support from aircraft related aspects (operating and flying) to X-Plane technical support.
• The project is under constant maintenance and development.

Pilot's Operating Handbook

<Included in the package>

DISCLAIMER

ALL AIRCRAFT DATA, FACTS, FIGURES, PROCEDURES AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT REFERS TO THE *VIRTUAL* VSKYLABS CT/4 AIRCRAFT. IT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR REAL-WORLD FLYING.

FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION AND DATA REGARDING THE REAL-WORLD PAC CT/4 AIRCRAFT, PLEASE CONTACT PACIFIC AEROSPACE CORPORATION, OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE: https://www.aerospace.co.nz/aircraft/ct-4-airtrainer/description

Update Log

VSKYLABS Test-Pilot: CT/4E Airtrainer

JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved.

XP12 - v3.0.1 (13th May 2024):

Major Update - Aircraft Performance fine tuning:

• Propeller design tuneup to match the official Type Certificate data sheet for the CT/4E specs (Model CT/4E Airtrainer (Acrobatic Category). Approved 17/7/92.).
• Performance calibration to fall in line with the extended CT/4E performance charts:
  • Overall drag calibration to hit target speeds with higher accuracy.
  • Takeoff performance.
  • Landing performance.
  • Rate of climb.
  • Range (power and speeds).
  • Endurance.
  • Engine output and settings.
  • Fuel flow.
  • Max allowable aileron input vs speed range (official figures) is now incorporated into the flight model.
• Bug fixes:
  
  • Turn and Slip indicator XP12 dataref bug - fixed.
  • Fuel-flow 'hump' when leaning the mixture at high pressure altitude was fixed.
  • Engine data instrument arcs (red, yellow, green) are now accurate.
• Interaction:
  • Autopilot A/P light (in S-TEC panel) now indicates the status of the master AP switch.
  • Flight initiation includes now:
    • If a flight is being restarted in-flight (when reloading an aircraft while it is already flying) - The rudder and aileron trims are set in 'flight mode', to allow comfortable flying initation.
  • Stick HAT trim manipulators (the 3-d trim HAT switch) are now presented with arrows, for more intuitive operation with the mouse/touch controller). 

XP12 - v3.0e (8th May 2024):

• Mixture leaning causing fuel-flow positive 'hump' during the initial leaning process was fixed.
• 3-d animated toe-brakes incorporate animation for the simple parking brakes assignment ('b' / 'v').
• Additionally, the 3-d toe-brakes (upper section of each 3-d rudder-pedal in the virtual cockpit) indicates 'brakes are on' by switching to red-color. This addition was added for non-VR flying, where the parking brake locking mechanism ('T' handle on the pedestal panel) may be overridden by the default parking brakes 'b' / 'v' assignments.

XP12 - v3.0c (7th May 2024):

• Added PM-4000 audio-box to allow com1/com2 transmission selection along with com1/com2/nav1/nav2 audio selection.

XP12 - v3.0a (7th May 2024):

• Minor tuneups - addresses none-toe brakes Joystick equipment:
  • Reduced differential braking threshold sensitivity intended for increasing control during takeoff for users who are using twist-axis rudder equipment, with no toe-brakes (in this case, when exceeding a threshold, differential braking takes place, to allow use of brakes for steering, when there is no toe-brakes equipment).
  • Idle RPM reduced from ~900 to ~800 RPM + Mildly reduced tire pressure, to allow more comfortable idle-rpm-taxi for users without toe-brakes equipment.

XP12 - v3.0 (6th May 2024):
(Major Update Release)

• Flight Dynamics:
  • Inverted flight fuel-tank is now simulated (allows maximum 10 seconds of inverted flight/negative g).
  • AEIO-540-L1B5 Engine tune-ups:
    • Power tuneups including power gradients calibration.
    • Fuel consumption curve update including cruise performance.
  • Airfoils update.
• Graphics:
  • PRB setup for interior and exterior models to fall in line with the latest X-Plane 12 rendering aspects.
  • Various 3-d modeling enhancement for the interiors.
  • Paint-kit update.
• Systems:
  • 3-d HUD was added (optional feature).
• Sounds:
  • New FMOD 2 sound pack.
• POH:
  • Manual update rev.004.
  • Added Lycoming O-540/I540 performance charts.
  • Added 'Essentials' pdf file with assignments summary.

XP12 - v2.2a (15th Februery 2023):

• COM1/COM2/NAV1/NAV2/ADF1 radios are being initialized with 'audio selected' once the aircraft is being loaded.
• ADF Frequencies windows switch to be positioned properly (stby vs active freq).

XP12 - v2.2 (4th December 2022):

• Interior lighting system reset and retuned to comply with the modifiedX-Plane 12.00r1+ lighting engine.
• Tuneups for GNS/AP rack (PBR).

XP12 - v2.1 (23th November 2022):

• Updater software replaced - from STMA to SkunkCrafts. 

XP12 - v2.0a (29th September 2022):

• Fix to strobe/beacon lights switches - UPPER for upper, LOWER for the lower light.

XP12 - v2.0 (beta) (Sept 2022):

• X-Plane 12 initial version release.

XP11 - v1.0f1 (1st December 2021):

• Fixed cockpit placard orientation - RH side Harness locking placard.

XP11 - v1.0f (7th November 2021):

• Landing gears internal engineering refinements (attachment points and other).

XP11 - v1.0e (4th July 2021):

• Refinement to prop design for more accurate power gradient vs airspeed ratio during cruise flight.
• Refinement to aircraft all-around drag aspects.

XP11 - v1.0c - (2nd July 2021):

• Minor post update release fixes:
  • Updated internal element of the electrical system (related to autopilot functionality).
  • Minor fix to instrument panel - artificial horizon and electrical compass.
  • Updated manual POH instructions: More detailed instructions for using of the parking brakes system, More detailed instructions for rudder trim assignment.

 XP11 - v1.0 (30th June 2021) - Initial Version Release.