VSKYLABS Scheibe SF-25C Project

The VSKYLABS Scheibe SF-25 Falke Project

JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved

A highly Realistic Flight Performance and Handling Simulation of the

Scheibe SF-25C Falke

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 Scheibe SF-25C Project was developed for X-Plane flight simulator with the acknowledgement/approval of the 'Scheibe Aircraft GMBH’ company. However it is an independent project which is not affiliated with ‘Scheibe Aircraft GMBH’.

Project Introduction

This project is part of the VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' series, designed specifically for use with X-Plane cutting edge Experimental Flight Model.

The SF-25C Falke is a motor glider with easy handling and good flight behavior. Suitable for experienced pilots (LSA and gliding) but also for the infrequent pilots. The SF 25-C is being used in many flight schools and clubs worldwide, with different engines and landing gears layouts.

The VSKYLABS SF-25C Project is simulating the SF-25C 2000 which is powered by the Limbach 2000L engine, with two optional variants: Belly landing gear and Tail-wheel.

Project Highlights

• VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Project: designed for use with X-Plane cutting edge flight model environment, featuring a superb flight dynamics with authentic performance and flight handling characteristics.
• Superb Flight dynamics: A highly defined SF-25C flight performance and handling qualities.
• Built for VR: development was tailored specifically for VR, and optimized for 2D usage.
• Perfect fit for beginner and expert pilots:  The VSL SF-25C Falke features a standard, basic analog cockpit suitable for easy readings and orientation. With its superb handing qualities and docile behavior, it will serve as a safe training platform for powered flight, as well as for gliding. It is a motor-glider, so it's perfect for thermal-hunting and cross-country flights as well.
• Wonderful FMOD sound package that includes authentic Limbach 2000 engine recordings and an interactive set of dynamic sound layers that will "wrap" your flight perfectly, setting a whole new level of flying experience!
• Built-in Avitab Plugin Compatibility (AviTab plugin is not included).
• Detailed manual is 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 Scheibe SF-25C Falke

The Scheibe SF-25C Falke is a German touring motor-glider which flew for the first time in 1963. The two-place powered sailplane is featuring a low wing configuration, an 80 hp engine and side by side seating. High performance in its operation range, easy handling, robust construction, reliability of both airframe and engine are the main features of the SF-25C Falke.

It has very easy and pleasant flying characteristics and is docile when stalled. The aircraft has good soaring capabilities with either one or two persons aboard. Takeoffs and landings are easily performed, and effective wing spoilers (air brakes) are provided for effective glide angle control. Good ground handling characteristics is provided with a steerable tail wheel, and visibility is excellent through the blown plexiglass canopy. The SF-25C Falke is a classic motor glider and it is well known as a trainer in clubs around the world.

To have some practical idea regarding the aircraft, down below are some performance facts of the Falke, taken from the Schiebe Flugzeugbau GMBH Flight Manual of the SF-25C Falke (May 1990 Edition).

The Falke can taxi unaided and is steered on the ground with the tail wheel (biased to rudder control). The main wheel is featuring a braking system. Minimum airspeed for level flight is 43 knots (50 mph), and the best cruising speed is about 70 knots (81 mph). Maximum cruising speed is 81 knots (93 mph).

The Falke can be landed with the engine either running or stopped. Approach is at 49 knots (56 mph), and the glide path is being controlled by the wing spoilers. With spoilers extended the sink rate at 49 knots is approximately 3.7 m/s (~720 feet per minute). Minimum touchdown speed is 38 knots (44 mph).The Falke has been flight-tested for take-offs and landings in crosswinds up to 13 knots. Landing run is about 300 feet and can be reduced effectively by the main wheel brakes (which is operated by the spoilers control on the last part of its travel when pulled fully back).

Flying as a glider (with the engine stopped): The aircraft handles very well at 43-51 knots (50-59 mph) with a sink rate of about 1.2 m/s (~230 feet per minute) in a straight flight. Flying the aircraft in X-Plane (as in real life) is a rewarding challenge, as it requires a very clean and coordinated flying. With a little practice and accurate flying, very good thermal climbing is achieved.

Range and endurance: with a 55 litre fuel tank (14.5 US gallons), flight duration may exceed 5:15 hours, covering ~680 km (~422 miles). With 80 litres (21.1 US gallons), flight duration could reach 7:30 hours while covering ~975 km (~605 miles).

Cockpit panel layout: The SF-25 panels are very much different from aircraft to aircraft, having the panel itself taller or shorter, with a variety of avionics combinations. You can find a really...really messy front panel, with switches and gauges scattered around without any logical order, but you can also find more ordered and uniformed configurations too. Same goes to avionics - from almost GA standard to almost a minimal glider type configuration. The VSKYLABS SF-25C is equipped a simple yet useful Motor-Glider style cockpit configuration.

Pilot's Operating Handbook

<Included in the package>

DISCLAIMER: The project's Flight Manual and information section is for educational and informational purposes only. The information brought is based on the SF 25 C - FALKE LIMBACH L 2000 EA / EA 1 Flight Manual and Maintenance Manual, June 1990 Edition, which is available online. Parts of the manual were modified to fit the VSKYLABS Scheibe SF-25C virtual variant. DO NOT use it for real-world, real-flight operations.

For any aspect or concern regarding the following section in this manual, please notify us by email to contact@vskylabs.com

Update Log

VSKYLABS Scheibe SF-25 Falke Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved

XP12 - v5.1 (29th January 2024):

• Various cockpit texture resolution and textures enhancements.
• Tuneup or propeller-disc appearance.
• Fix to fuel-gauge glass cover texture.
• Recalibration of oil-temp indicator.
• Recalibration of engine temps (flight model).
• GNS530 is now hidden by default.

XP12 - v5.0a (25th January 2023):

• Bug fix - engine was getting flooded after being shut-down via igniters switch, being hard to restart during flight and on the ground.

XP12 - v5.0 (18th January 2023):

• Cockpit re-engineering - correction of full-scale measurements.
• Cockpit floor level reduced by 15 cm.
• Struss structure modifications.
• Rudder pedals re-scaling.
• Older 'fork' control sticks were replaced with the newer two spearate sticks modification.

XP12 - v4.3 (17th January 2023):

• PBR Tuneups for interior and exterir elements to fall in line with the latest X-Plane 12 lighting engine updates.
• New default livery, new additional livery.
• Paint kit modifications.

XP12 - v4.2 (4th December 2022):

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

XP12 - v4.1 (23th November 2022):

• Updater software replaced - from STMA to SkunkCrafts. 

XP12 - v4.0 (September 2022):

• X-Plane 12 initial version release.

XP11 - v3.0r1 (24th October 2021):

• Flight Dynamics:
  • Complete overhaul for the flight dynamics, engine and propeller physics.
  • Complete flight envelope validation to hit actual aircraft performance and handling qualities with the highest precision.
• FMOD Sound package:
  • Brand new FMOD sound-package.
  • Multi-layer, interactive engine sounds which were sampled from real Limbach 2000 engine (interior/exterior).
  • Added Multi-layer dynamic sounds for wind and buffeting.
• Cockpit Instrumentation (3D and engineering):
  • New altimeter with dual-setup scale.
  • New airspeed indicator (non-spiral-scale) for easy reading.
  • New turn and slip indicator.
  • New magnetic compass.
  • New vario-meter (total energy meter).
  • New GNS-530 device.
  • Tuneup for cockpit PBR and textures all-around.
  • Canopy textures rework, to include scratches.
• AviTab compatibility:
  • Added built-in avitab compatibility with 3D removable tablet.
• Passenger visualization:
  • Added passenger visualization. The passenger shows up when payload exceeds pilot+passenger weight (visible only in external view mode).
• Systems:
  • Various systems enhancements.
• Interaction/VR:
  • Tuneup for all VR manipulators, vrconfig file.
  • Detailed manual was added into the project (pdf format).

XP11 - v2.0e (31st March 2021):

• Typos and resolution enhancements to cockpit placards (walls placards)

XP11 - v2.0c (28th February 2021):

• COM1/NAV1 (GNS) power is now working properly - switching on/off by using the GNS530 audio knob (full down turns off COM1/NAV1).

XP11 - v2.0b (15th May 2020):

• Flight dynamics:
  • Engine set to CCW rotation direction to match actual variant and prop design.
  • Engine transmission setup tuneup to eliminate propeller "crawling" when the engine is not running.

XP11 - v2.0 (3rd February 2020):

• 3D Modeling, interaction:
  • All around workout for the entire cockpit elements/environment (modeling, PBR).
  • Cockpit manipulators refinements.
  • Fuselage textures/PBR refinements.
• Systems:
  • Alternator is charging the battery above 1000 rpm.

XP11 - v1.5 (27th January 2020):

• Additional model was added to the package - a tailwheel version of the Falke.
• Various modeling refinements.
• Paintkit was updated to v1.5.

XP11 - v1.3 (11th November 2019):

• Flight dynamics:
  • Updated to X-Plane 11.40+ Experimental flight model.
• General:
  • GPS G530 is now not visible by default. To show/hide it, click on the magnetic compass, as done before.
  • Pilot POV adjustments.
  • Canopy - if it is opened, it will get closed automatically upon acceleration.

XP11 - v1.2 (19th October 2019):

• STMA Autoupdater plugin was added as preparations for future updates.

XP11 - V1.1 (2nd November 2018):

• Fix to Joystick command issues with X-Plane 11.30b1+

XP11 - v1.0b (5th February 2018):

• Weird engine sound on some hardware configuration was fixed.

XP11 - v1.0a (4th February 2018):

• Maintenance update:
  • VR optimization for all push-pull handles in the cockpit.
  • Added option to hide the GNS-530.
  • Variometer volume operation tuned.
  • Beacon light operation issue in cold-and-dark start fix.
  • Main landing gear setup fine tuned.
  • Altimeter tuning-steps reduced.
  • Altimeter current pressure indication pointer fix.
  • Some 3D model optimizations.

XP11 - v1.0 (Janruary 2018): Initial version release.