Eurocopter EC130 B4: Difference between revisions
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[[Category:Helicopters]] | [[Category:Helicopters]] |
Revision as of 19:24, 27 January 2014
Type | Civilian helicopter |
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Author(s) |
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FDM | YASim |
--aircraft= | ec130 |
Status | Production |
FDM | |
Systems | |
Cockpit | |
Model | |
Development | |
Repository | |
Download |
This is a model of a Eurocopter EC130 B4, a single engine light helicopter based and developed from the AS350's.
The Real Thing
Indeed “EC130 B4” is just a marketing name by Eurocopter, now known as Airbus Helicopters, the real name is still AS350 B4. It is a widebody variant of the AS350 B3 with a completely new designed passenger cabin and fuselage and rotor and hydraulics system from the AS355. It is also equipped with a fan tail (fenestron) instead of the conventional two-blade tailrotor. With this the EC130 B4 is much less noisier than other helicopters of this class.
The helicopter was designed especially for tours, so it features a great visibility, a left-seated pilot and plenty of space inside. The EC130 B4 is also used by the police in Long Beach/CA and by several medical services.
The EC130 B4 has been built until 2013. Now it is replaced by the improved EC130 T2, with a new and more powerfull Turbomeca Arriel 2D engine and a 70% modified airframe. The exterior, cockpit and interior has been also modified.[1]
The FlightGear Model
The model of the EC130 B4 was built using very detailed drawings, the Pilots Flight Manual and pilot reports.
Features
This model is a try and a WIP to get a realistic and complete simulation of a helicopter.
By using Nasal-scripting nearly all main systems have been simulated to a degree which wasn't available at this time on FlightGear's helicopters. The flight dynamics model is custom made and though a lot of values could only be estimated, it should give an good impression on how the real one flies. Systems and Procedures are based on the real Flight Manual so the helicopter can be started and shutdown by using the checklist.
The exterior model is detailed and accurate and originally based on accurate drawings, using high-resolution textures and the latest Reflect-Bump-Spec-Shader.
The mainrotor is detailed and animated including blade-flex-bend.
Livery-over-mp including dynamic configurable external stores like skibox, deployable emergency floats, FLIR's etc. which affects CoG, weight and drag.
Goals
- Fully usable cockpit with controls
- Complete startup procedure
- system failures and engine fire
Issues
see latest version in the hangar at gitorious
interior with controls not yet ready(available in FG 3.0)- GTX328 and GNS430 only dummies
- bad autorotation behavior?? at high speed above 110 ktn
only default sound yet - sound still dependent on EC135(available in FG 3.0)Rotor Brake Lever doesn't move anymore in FGFS 2.9.11+. Switch to sliding animation planned.(available in FG 3.0)- Nasal error with Mouse handling of Twist Grip, but works
- Nasal error after crash
Pilot Flight Manual
Panel Overview
The FlightGear model of the EC130 B4 features the standard panel delivered ex works without any additional customer whishes.
Some caution lights on the panel itself like the one for the Landinglight aren't working yet, and the GTX328 and GNS430 are currently only dummies. Also the ETL on the central panel isn't working yet. Apart from that it is a fully working helicopter cockpit.
Limitations
Type of Operation: Helicopter is approved to operate Day and Night VFR only.
The following is not allowed:
-Aerobatics maneuvers
-in flight engine power reduction except for engine failure trainings and other emergency procedure trainings
Occupants
Minimum flight crew:..................................................................................1 pilot (left seated)
Maximum number of occupants:...................................................................7- 8 passengers
Weight and Balance Limitations
Minimum weight:.........................................................................................3307lbs (1500kg)
Maximum weight:........................................................................................5350lbs (2427kg)
Airspeed limitations
VNE Power on:...........................................................................................................155 ktn
VNE Power off:...........................................................................................................125 ktn
Altitude Limitations
Maximum operating flight altitude:...............................................................23000ft (7000m)
Main rotor Limits
<170 rpm:............................................................................................ rotor brake operation
320 rpm.....................................................................................minimum rotor rpm power off
320- 375 rpm..................................................................................................Caution Range
375-405 rpm....................................................................................normal Operating Range
405-430 rpm...................................................................................................Caution Range
430 rpm …...............................................................................maximum rotor rpm power off
Low Rotor rpm aural warning < 360 rpm (available in Git version)
High Rotor rpm aural warning > 410 rpm (available in Git version)
Warning Panel
Still uncompleted and especially failures indicated on the panel keeps mostly without any follow-up. Here some important warnings:
ENG P lights up: low Oil pressure - check gauge
TWT GRIP lights up: twist grip not in flight position- engine idles. Drag mouse up until you get 100% and the light goes off
(currently not yet supported on Mac...) New: in Git version Twist Grip on collective is animated
MGB P lights up: Main gear box oil pressure- check gauge - land as soon as possible
FUEL lights up: low fuel - approx. 15min of flight time remain
FUEL P lights up: fuel pressure- switch on Boost pump
Helpful Usage Hints
Git version has comfortable configuration and help dialogs, new checklists based on pilot handbook and after 15 flights Autostart/Autoshutdown possibility
Updates with FG 3.0 Version
The Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopter is on short final for a new major upgrade. The existing model, which already had been of very high quality, has been refined in various aspects with lots of effort by mhab. The outside model has been enriched to a degree which should justify a 5* rating and the overall status of the aircraft improves to "production".
The Rotorhead has been brought to a new level of detail, a full detailed Fenestron was added and animations were introduced to all moving parts.
Cockpit was enriched for Pilot/Copilot controls, seats are textured now and a variable cabin configuration allows to set up 5 or 6 seats or an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) variant with 4 seats and a stretcher.
New Liveries:
- N155GC of Grand Canyon Helicopters, colorful painting in red/gold, 6 seats
- N11QC of Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, 6 seats
- N130NE of MedFlight based in Ohio, EMS rescue configuration, 4 seats
- VH-OSA of MAC rescue based in South Australia, EMS configuration, 4 seats
- F-GOLH a beautiful new livery of a private french model for those who want to travel in style
- ZS-HOY of Starlite Helicopters based in South Africa, variation of F-GOLH, 6 seats
A lot of equipment (most of which was there already but hidden) can now be used, including a full blown SX16-Nightsun searchlight.
All of this has been brought together in a fully integrated configuration dialog which allows to set-up livery, fuel, extra views, weights, cabin setup and equipment.
Extra gimmics include a fully animated pilot, glass reflection on windows and front shield and variable rotor wakes depending on the strength of the downwash.
If you can't wait for the next release check it out from the Git-Hangar
Some of the most interesting changes:
- Flight Model tremendously improved (CoG and agility much more realistic) (fix by HHS)
- Mainrotor fully animated and adapted to original
- Fenestron fully designed and animated, incl. control rod
- Cockpit Controls added: Stick, Collective, Pedals, Co-Pilot Controls (optional)
- Compass (magn.) added (HHS)
- Doors movable
- Searchlight
- Snowshoes
- Hoist/Hook
- Checklists implemented with conditional display
- Pilot: fully animated
- Autostart/Autoshutdown enabled after 15 flights
- Rotor-Wakes off-low-medium-high cyclable
- Sound improved (doors moving, low/high rotor rpm, overspeed warning, and noise inside depends on open doors/window)
Configuration Dialogs and Help Screens:
Things on stack for FG 3.0:
FDM correction- unfortunately important fdm-values had been changed with bad influence on flight behavior. (airfoil, fuselage drag, skid position, CoG...) (lost changes brought back from older git version)DoneCoG-Problem Fix and other corrections of FDM to be bring from personal local system into GIT! (HHS task!)Donere-enable shadersDoneregister some transparent objects and bring back light volumes in RembrandtDonefix the exterior 3d-model to the original used and very detailed and especially accurate drawingsDoneadjust strength of the light reflection effect (like do328)Donerealistic caution sounds according to POHDoneadd compass, GN430 and GTX328 from EC135P2 (only 3d-model)Done- BUG fixing (partly done, in FG 2.12 no major problem open, only nasal errors which have no bad effect)
Merge to official FG 3.0Done
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