VSKYLABS Robinson R66 Turbine Project

The VSKYLABS Robinson R66 Turbine Project

JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved

A High Definition Robinson R66 Turbine 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 R66 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

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

The Robinson R66 helicopter is a 5-seat turbine powered helicopter. It utilizes a two-bladed rotor system, T-bar cyclic and the latest Robinson technology. The R66 is powered by the Rolls Royce RR300 turbo-shaft engine, which operates on Jet A fuel and offers increased reserve power and improve altitude performance. Hydraulic controls provide responsive handling and eliminates feedback forces.

In 2018, BC Helicopters team (Mischa Gelb, Ruben Dias and Diogo Dias), flew around the world in the R66 helicopter, in an effort called 'EPIC Global Heli World Tour'. The mission lasted 97 days, in which the team covered 30,000 miles, stopping in 45 countries and flying over 5 continents. It established 2 new world records (fastest Antipode RTW on a helicopter, and longest RTW on a helicopter). During that tour, YouTube channel 'Pilot Yellow' shared a fascinating daily VLOG of the mission. The EPIC Global world tour was one of the triggers that initiated the VSKYLABS R66 Project for X-Plane. The VSKYLABS R66 default livery is including the EPIC 'C-GEAK' call-sign and paint scheme, which was approved for use by BC Helicopters.

The VSKYLABS project is setting up a highly detailed and highly accurate Robinson R66 Turbine simulation along with full VR compatibility, within the default features of X-Plane, stretching it to its limits.

Project Main Features

• VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Project.
• Highly defined flight dynamics model of the Robinson R66 Turbine helicopter, built around the powerful, native X-Plane flight model.
• Highly detailed model of the Robinson R66 helicopter.
• Robust simulation of the R66 drive train and RR300 Turbo-shaft engine: Utilizes X-Plane's new and advanced free turbine simulation.
• Autorotation capable.
• Comprehensive systems: Drive system, Hydraulics flight controls, Engine Anti-ice, Starter-generator and ignition system, Fuel system, Auxiliary fuel system, Electrical system with functional CB panel, Lighting, Annunciator panel, Cabin heater, Rotor brake and more.
• Fully functional VR (Virtual Reality) Ready: highly interactive cockpit environment including levers, switches, fuel cut-off / shut-off guards, 3D checklist viewer, modular cyclic and more.
• Equipped with Robinson's 'later' advanced panel: a perfect mix of the traditional analog gauges and glass cockpit display.
• R66 Auxiliary fuel system.
• Fully featured G1000 (modified).
• Autopilot including SAS mode.
• 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.

It is highly recommended to visit the Robinson Helicopter Company website, as it features official, useful information including POH and additional data (on the upper section of their website there is a 'Publications' tab which is including useful materials: https://robinsonheli.com/r66-specifications/

Disclaimer: The link/links which are provided in the VSKYLABS website and in the VSKYLABS R66 POH are provided *as is*. VSKYLABS is not responsible for its content. VSKYLABS is not affiliated with and/or endorsed by Robinson Helicopter Company. The links are brought here for the purpose of sharing common and public information resources for helicopter and R66 enthusiasts.

Pilot's Operating Handbook

The VSKYLABS Robinson R66 Turbine Project - ESSENTIALS Instructions

The VSKYLABS Robinson R66 Turbine Project - POH / Manual

Update Log

VSKYLABS Robinson R66 Turbine Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2024 All Rights Reserved

XP12 - v2.3a (21st February 2023):

• Minor-update: Passengers 3-d models optimizations.

XP12 - v2.3 (25th December 2022):

• G1000 Autopilot re-configured for X-Plane 12.00.
• SAS Autopilot panel re-configured (requires AP mode to be engaged in G1000 AP panel).
• Tail strobe swithces now matching FWD/AFT.
• Startup - N1% increase rate re-tuned (a bit slower N1% increase when initiating the starter).

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 - v2.0 (September 2022):

• X-Plane 12 - initial version release.

XP11 - v1.1f (1st June 2022):

• Marker beacon audio capability was added.

XP11 - v1.1e (28th October 2021):

• Flight model enhancement:
  • Refinement of dynamic forces on rotor disc during acceleration/high speed flight.
• Systems:
  • Fix to G1000 autopilot configuration to allow VNAV during APR mode without issues.

XP11 - v1.1c (3rd November 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.
• 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.
  • Collective animation minor fix:
    • Inner switches (collective head) switches animation fixed. 

XP11 - v1.1a (23th July 2020):

• FMOD Sound package refinement #1/3:
  • Blade pounding interaction refinements.
  • All sound layers can be heard in VR mode, when standing outside the helicopter at a distance.

XP11 - v1.1 (15th July 2020):

• FMOD Sound package update:
  • Interior and exterior sounds enhancements.
  • Experimental low-frequency bass-slapping for vibrating-based hardware.

XP11 - v1.05e2 (14th July 2020):

• 3D visualization:
  • Option to HIDE / SHOW the two complementary side-display screens (AviTab Laptop + MFD) was added.
  • Showing/hiding the displays can be done via key assignment to Generator#8 ON/OFF function, or by the interaction zone defined on the Magnetic deviation card plate (toggle click).
• Manuals:
  • The included POH manual was updated with the assignment and instructions for the side-display show/hide option.
  • The included POH links section to Robinson's online manual chapters were updated.

XP11 - v1.05e1 (3rd March 2020):

• 3D visualization:
  • 3D mapping fix for the skids.
  • 3D mapping fixes for the fuselage.
  • Paint-kit is now v1.1
• General operation aspects:
  • Throttle override is set back to '0' when the VSL R66 in unloaded. This issue caused throttle issues after loading a different aircraft in X-Plane, as the throttle/governor mechanism was not set back to X-Plane's default initiation values.

XP11 - v1.05e (23th February 2020):

• Flight model dynamics:
  • Skids physics - skids friction and skids front-tip physics tuneup.
• Turbine engine simulation:
  • Torque and MGT are now interacting more widely (preparation for future failures model implementation).
• Systems:
  • Base-load on electrical bus was reduced, allowing longer battery power/lower drainage without generators.
  • CB panel AMPS refinements.
  • Avionics switch is now controlling the entire avionics. EFIS is not getting power during star-up, when the battery is ON and the Avionics are OFF.
  • Electrical system - Battery drainage and recharge rates fine tuned.
  • Airspeed indicator (analog gauge) - bug fix so it will not show airspeed values lower than zero.
• Autopilot/SAS:
  • Autopilot modes will be available only above 44 knots IAS.
• 3D visualization:
  • Rotor disc is now non-existing (visually) in case of rotor seizure (preparation for future failures model implementation).

XP11 - v1.05c (22th February 2020):

• Flight model:
  • Rotor disc performance (handling qualities) at high speed was tuned.
• Systems(bug fix):
  • Oil Pressure readings are now in the green zone during normal operations.

XP11 - v1.05 (21th February 2020):

• Flight model:
  • Autorotation handling with power off tuneup.
  • Overall control sensitivity tuneup.
• G1000 (bug fix):
  • G1000 setup for alt selection was fixed.
• Various system setups.

XP11 - v1.0 (20th February 2020):  Initial Version Release.