This is a model of a Eurocopter EC130 B4, a single engine light helicopter based and developed from the AS350's.
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 |
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 (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 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 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 git version)- 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(available in git version)Rotor Brake Lever doesn't move anymore in FGFS 2.9.11+. Switch to sliding animation planned.(available in git version)
Pilot Flight Manual
Panel Overview
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 of Git Version (to be released with FG 3.0)
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 an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) variant, which comes preconfigured with a new Livery of N130NE MedFlight (Ohio).
Fans of Grand Canyon Helicopters now find a livery of the N155GC and the colorful painting in red/gold.
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:
- 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)
- 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!)DoneRembrandt support- re-enable shadersDone register some transparent objects and bring back light volumes in Rembrandt- fix the exterior 3d-model to the original used and very detailed and especially accurate drawings
- adjust strength of the light reflection effect (like do328)
realistic caution sounds according to POHDoneadd compass, GN430 and GTX328 from EC135P2 (only 3d-model)Done- BUG fixing