• Which the release of FS2020 we see an explosition of activity on the forun and of course we are very happy to see this. But having all questions about FS2020 in one forum becomes a bit messy. So therefore we would like to ask you all to use the following guidelines when posting your questions:

    • Tag FS2020 specific questions with the MSFS2020 tag.
    • Questions about making 3D assets can be posted in the 3D asset design forum. Either post them in the subforum of the modelling tool you use or in the general forum if they are general.
    • Questions about aircraft design can be posted in the Aircraft design forum
    • Questions about airport design can be posted in the FS2020 airport design forum. Once airport development tools have been updated for FS2020 you can post tool speciifc questions in the subforums of those tools as well of course.
    • Questions about terrain design can be posted in the FS2020 terrain design forum.
    • Questions about SimConnect can be posted in the SimConnect forum.

    Any other question that is not specific to an aspect of development or tool can be posted in the General chat forum.

    By following these guidelines we make sure that the forums remain easy to read for everybody and also that the right people can find your post to answer it.

Ultralights?

R

rheitzman

Messages
49
Country
unitedstates
Are ultralights particularly difficult to model?

I've been looking for any ThunderGull FSX downloads without success, particularly the new eGull electric craft.

I noticed that a few LSA a/c (super cubs mainly) call for FSX Acceleration - is there something FSXA offers that makes modeling this type of aircraft easier than with FSX?

How about P3D?

Could a total novice have a chance at building a useful aircraft?
 
Hello rheitzman

I am not sure exactly what difference acceleration makes, but it certainly changes the way helicopters are simulated.

I've made an FSX A weightshift ultralight, based on my own machine, without any problems. It's max take-off weight is 370 kg with a stall speed of about 25 mph, so I don't think small/light types are a problem.

Making an aircraft from scratch is a fairly big undertaking.
You'll need to make: exterior model, interior model and flight dynamics. There is also sound to consider.
The modelling takes more time that the rest put together (at least it does for me). I found learning curve to be very steep and even after several years messing about I am still learning new things.

My own approach is to make basic exterior and interior models, then work on making it fly like the real thing (or as close as I can manage). I use Notepad and AirEd for that. I have a background in aircraft engineering so I hopefully know what I am doing (although I have been politely corrected a few times on this here forum!)
Once that is done I go back and improve the models as and when I have time.
The result might not look as good as other peoples' models, but it has the flight characteristics of the real thing. For me, that is what matters.

I think the main thing is to decide beforehand exactly what you want the result to be, and how much time and effort you want to put into it.

Whatever you do, have fun!

Alan

p.s. warning: this kind of thing can be highly addictive.
 
Did you model a production ultralight/kit? If so which one? Is it available for download?

What tools did you use?

If you were to start over what would you do differently/not waste time on?
 
You'd think they would be easier.

Until you realise the engine is exposed in most ultralights (there are a lot of parts in most engines).

And the pilot is more visible so you probably need to put more detail in here too.

And most of the control lines are exterior of the aircraft rather than nicely hidden in the fuselage (so that means more modeling and animations).

One the plus side there are a lot less gauges to do.

Here's one I did earlier:
http://www.antsairplanes.com/drifter.html

I took me a month to model just the engine.

There is nothing in Acceleration or P3D that would need you to choose either of those two platforms over FSX. FSX is plenty fine for doing a Thundergull.

A couple of hours a day for and you should be able to finish one in around a year I'd reckon. (ie about 500+ man hours)
 
Very nice airplane with amazing detail!

I'm sure mine will look more like a cartoon airplane!

I might make a try at a lego-like engine :) - nacelles are good - right?
 
Hello rheitzman

Sorry I've been a while getting back to you.

Yes, my microlight is a production one: Mainair Flash II Alpha. It now considered obsolete but there are still plenty of them still flying in the U.K.
Like all my projects it is far from finished, so I haven't uploaded it anywhere.

My main interest is in getting it to fly realistically. I am not so interested in what it looks like, as long as it is recognisable. Just as well because my GMax skills are not good.
The standard FSX Air Creation 582SL looks similar to mine.

The Thundergull is a 3 axis type, completely different from a weightshift type.

Alan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top