VSKYLABS VSL B-8M Gyrocopter Project

The VSKYLABS VSL B-8M Gyrocopter Project

JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2022 All Rights Reserved

Please note that this project manual/instructions is available in an On-Line version only. Simply scroll down in this page to get to the manual section.

Highly realistic lightweight Gyroplane 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.

Project Introduction

The VSKYLABS VSL B-8M Gyrocopter design is based on the general design features of the Bensen B-8M / X-25A Gyrocopter. Some design modifications were made to the tail section, which was redesigned with a longer tail-boom to improve lateral stability in the low-airspeed flying regime.

The VSKYLABS VSL B-8M Gyrocopter is propelled by a 45 hp 1/2 (half) VW engine, which is in general a twin cylinder, four stroke, horizontally opposed, air cooled, direct drive engine design based on the Volkswagen air-cooled engine.

The VSKYLABS VSL B-8M Gyrocopter Project is a highly accurate light weight Gyroplane flight dynamics and handling simulation, designed for X-Plane.

Project main features

• Highly accurate and realistic simulation of a lightweight Gyrocopter (B-8M design).
• Full VR compatibility.
• FMOD sounds.
• Perfect for sight-seeing, tight places operations and bush-flying operations.
• 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).

What is an Gyroplane/Autogyro?

It is a flying machine which is using a rotary wing (main rotor) to provide lift. However, and unlike a conventional helicopter, the rotor is fixed with a free-spinning mechanism and it is not powered by the engine.

What makes the rotor spin in an Autogyro is the aerodynamic forces of the airflow which is moving through the rotor disc, in a phenomenon called 'Auto-rotation'. A separate propulsion source is required for forward flight.

Controls of an Autogyro:
There are three primary flight controls:

• Control stick.
• Rudder pedals.
• Throttle.

Typically, the control stick tilts the rotor in both axes to provide pitch and roll control, but there are Autogyros which do not tilt the rotor at all, or only doing it in a single axis. such Autogyros are having conventional control surfaces. Rudder pedals provide yaw control, and the throttle controls engine power for forward thrust. In many cases, Autogyros are designed with pusher-propeller configuration to allow higher stability and effectiveness of the Rudder due to prop-wash.

Pre-rotation mechanism:
Some Autogyros features a system called "pre-rotation". When engaged, drives the main rotor to start spinning before takeoff. This initial spin is crucial for the takeoff procedure as there is no available lift when the main rotor is not spinning or spinning very slowly. It can also reduce the take-off run significantly. In Autogyros that are not having a pre-rotation system, the pilot is getting the needed pre-rotation by doing it manually, using his hands, prior to takeoff.

Controlling an Autogyro during flight:

• Pulling back on the stick tilts the rotor back, increasing lift and decreasing forward airspeed.
• Pushing the stick forward decreases lift and increases airspeed. Because the changes of lift vectors, pulling or pushing the stick will result in a nose attitude change (pitch up/pitch down).
• The rudder pedals moves the rudder on the vertical stabilizer. The VSKYLABS VSL B-8M Gyrocopter is featuring differential brakes for ground operations, and in addition, it is also featuring a slight nose gear steering ability.
• Throttle is for the engine, as in any conventional, fixed wing aircraft.

Taking off with an Autogyro:
The rotor must be pre-rotated to produce enough lift and stability during the takeoff run. Trying to lift an Autogyro off the ground with its rotor not rotating fast enough will usually end up in a crash, or in a very long takeoff run. In small Autogyros, pre-rotation is usually done by using an auxiliary, small motor. There are other methods as well (even rotation by hand). Once the rotor is up to speed, the pre-rotation motor must be disengaged and the Autogyro is ready for brake release and takeoff run, to be lifted by autorotation of the rotor.

Pre-rotation: The VSKYLABS VSL B-8M Gyrocopter is utilizing the main engine for pre-rotation of the main rotor, by the use of a Clutch. Engaging the Clutch will result in engine's RPM reduction and excessive torque until the main rotor exceeds the needed RPM.

Caution: Do not throttle up the engine above 1400 RPM while the Pre-rotation (Clutch) is engaged. It may result with an excessive torque forces which may lead to an uncontrolled spin and crash.

Landing procedure:
When power is reduced, forward speed bleeds off and the Autogyro goes into a steady descent path. In this situation, lifting force is not enough to maintain altitude, but even when the engine is in Idle rpm or even shut-down, the Autogyro can descend and land safely. It cannot stall due to low airspeed, however, low rotor RPM during flight can lead to insufficient stability and control to maintain flight.

Pilot's Operating Handbook

Main Panel:

Field of View settings:

Recommended Field-Of-View setting is 75-105 Degrees.

In General:
The VSL B-8M is a very intuitive flying machine, with minimal cockpit and systems. Mostly recommended is to set the Field of view to 75-105 degrees, and "feel" the Gyrocopter motion as you fly, especially in low-level, sight-seeing flights. The actual pilot POV is set in its accurate position, and like in the real Gyrocopter of its kind, monitoring the instrument panel and other operations must be executed while lowering the pilot's head towards the panel and switches.

Start-Up:
Brakes..........................Pull to parking
Battery.........................ON
Fuel selector..............ON
Clutch...........................Verify OFF
Starting key...............Switch and start

Taxi:
Taxi slowly towards the take-off position.
On paved surfaces - maintain slow speed during turns.

Before Takeoff:
Brakes.......................Pull to parking
Clutch........................Switch to ON
Engine........................Apply throttle GRADUALLY to maintain 1200 rpm

Note #1: Engine RPM will decay until rotor rpm will exceed 150 rpm

Note #2: Wait for the Rotor to rotate and stabilize (10-15 seconds)

Note #3: Gently advance the throttle to maintain desired rpm

Caution: Do not throttle the engine above 1400 RPM while the Pre-rotation (Clutch) is engaged. It may result with an excessive torque forces which may lead to an un-controlled spin and crash.

Engine RPM.............1300 rpm
Rotor RPM...............Stable, above 150 rpm (recommended 170-200 rpm)

When the RPM of the main rotor reaches ~150 rpm or above, it is safe to proceed to with Takeoff procedure

Takeoff:
Brakes.......................Check pulled
Throttle....................Set to 1200-1400 rpm
Clutch.......................OFF
Brakes.......................Release
Throttle....................Apply full power
Maintain takeoff direction with rudder input
Lift Off.....................Expect lift-off above 35 knots.

Note: Pulling the stick backwards may reduce lift-off speed.

When airborne........Stick forward to gain airspeed before climb

Climb:
Power.........................3400-3500 rpm
Airspeed....................45 knots
With 1/2 fuel tank, expect 800-1000 feet/minute climb at SL.
Ceiling.......................11,000 - 12,500 feet.
Note: Climb rate will bleed off with flying altitude.

Flight and Cruise:
Cruise airspeed:.......................45 knots
Low speed limitation................Below 17 knots use power
and rudder to maintain desired flight path

Landing:
Airspeed..................................Above 17 knots on final
Power......................................As needed
Landing can be achieved by flaring the Gyrocopter upon touchdown

Update Log

VSKYLABS VSL B-8M Gyrocopter Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2022 All Rights Reserved

XP12 - v6.2 (4th December 2022):

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

XP12 - v6.1 (23th November 2022):

• Updater software replaced - from STMA to SkunkCrafts. 

XP12 - v6.0 (September 2022):

• X-Plane 12 initial version release.

XP11 - v5.2 (24th November 2019):

• Compatibility update for X-Plane 11.40 (Experimental flight model environment).
• STMA Autoupdater plugin is now included!

XP11 - v5.1 (November 17th 2018):

• Fix to wrong magnetic compass indication.

XP11 - v5.0 (November 14th 2018):

• Project was updated to X-Plane 11.30.
• Fully VR compatibility.
• Re-tuned flight dynamics.
• New textures.
• Improved project engineering.

XP11/10 (2016): Project initiated and released.