Eurocopter EC130 B4

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Revision as of 10:55, 11 May 2013 by HHS (talk | contribs) (small edits)
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Eurocopter EC130 B4
EC130.jpg
Type Civilian helicopter
Author(s)
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
  • /Heiko Schulz
    Melchior Franz (Nasal)
    FlightGear Community
FDM YASim
--aircraft= ec130
Status Early production
 FDM Stars-4.png
 Systems Stars-4.png
 Cockpit Stars-3.png
 Model Stars-4.png

This is a model of an Eurocopter EC130 B4, a single engine light helicopter based and developed from their AS350's.

Indeed “EC130 B4” is just a marketing name by Eurocopter, 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 equipped with a fan tail 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 model 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 and as there is no Autostart available the helicopter has to be started and shutdown by using the checklist.

The exterior model is detailed and accurate, 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

  • interior with controls not yet ready
  • three instruments (compass, usable transponder and GNS 430) have not yet been added
  • bad autorotation behavior at high speed above 110 ktn
  • only default sound yet - sound still dependent on EC135
  • Rotor Brake Lever doesn't move anymore in FGFS 2.9.11+. Switch to sliding animation planned.

Pilot Flight Manual

Panel Overview

Panel of the EC130 B4 showing all the instruements

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 (not yet implemented)

High Rotor rpm aural warning > 410 rpm (not yet implemented)

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...)


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

If you follow all Tutorials for startup and still can't find your way to fuel up the heli, ...

Go to the menu and choose the Equipment section, then open the Fuel & Payload entry.

Here you can set the fuel amount as well as balancing the weight like you can do it for (almost) all other aircraft in FGFS.

EC130-B4 landed at Innsbruck hospital heliport, Patscherkofel in background