EC135 Experience

[whitbymermaid]

Great to have access to the 135, I've flown the real thing for around 4000 hours (stopped counting) The vast majority on UK police machines and a couple of hours on the corporate version with carpets and air con!
In my opinion this is a great addition, the cockpit and handling characteristics make it suitable as a desktop trainer for those pilots converting to type from other twin turbine helicopters, particularly in VR.
Would be great to see a garmin Nav system included, such as the 430 to enable route planning and display on the ND screens.
I did a few engine off landings and was surprised how accurate the flight model is, rotor warnings etc.

Well done!

[Matthias]

Nice feedback! :-)

[LtKlatt]

I would really like to see a checklist for startup and shutdown in the game. Knee board or something would be great!

[Ichinin]

Great to hear, have just started flying it. The smaller Robin is way too sensitive and very difficult to land. Would also like a checklist, bus since there isn't any zoom in VR (except for leaning in) i wouldn't be able to use it.

[LtKlatt]

Originally posted by Ichinin:

Great to hear, have just started flying it. The smaller Robin is way too sensitive and very difficult to land. Would also like a checklist, bus since there isn't any zoom in VR (except for leaning in) i wouldn't be able to use it.

Check list should be just like the real thing. You should be able to pick it up and look at it

[Ichinin]

Originally posted by LtKlatt:

Originally posted by Ichinin:

Great to hear, have just started flying it. The smaller Robin is way too sensitive and very difficult to land. Would also like a checklist, bus since there isn't any zoom in VR (except for leaning in) i wouldn't be able to use it.

Check list should be just like the real thing. You should be able to pick it up and look at it

I have a hard time drinking cola zero in VR, let alone reading a piece of paper. Only when i play MSFS2020 with TrackIR i read some aerodome charts to know where to taxi.

[LtKlatt]

Sorry, i meant in game. Should be stowed in a door pouch or on dash like IRL.

[Surveyor]

Have you tried hitting the "red button"? Personally I absolutely hate any kind of assist to interfere with my simulated flying/driving, so I have to switch that SAS off every single time.
Without the SAS it feels very naturalistic, but I wonder what is your opinion on it? Or are real pilots forbidden from turning it off unless it's absolutely necessary?

[whitbymermaid]

Originally posted by Surveyor:

Have you tried hitting the "red button"? Personally I absolutely hate any kind of assist to interfere with my simulated flying/driving, so I have to switch that SAS off every single time.
Without the SAS it feels very naturalistic, but I wonder what is your opinion on it? Or are real pilots forbidden from turning it off unless it's absolutely necessary?

I certainly like to stay proficient in handling without all the automation.

A further problem with PC based simulators is the lack of proper physical controls. the thrustmaster hotas joystick is stiff by design so it replicates the EC135 cyclic with AP and trim on well enough, but not even close to it without.

I've got a Saitek x55 stick with a weak spring which is more like a normal cyclic without stability, but then not so much like it with full AP.

I'd like to see more flight modelling of the fin effect on the 135, in real life it's comes alive at 65 kts and reduces the pedal load greatly above that airspeed, below it it can be quite a dance on the pedals in crosswinds which would be nice to simulate.

[Surveyor]

Originally posted by whitbymermaid:

I certainly like to stay proficient in handling without all the automation.

A further problem with PC based simulators is the lack of proper physical controls. the thrustmaster hotas joystick is stiff by design so it replicates the EC135 cyclic with AP and trim on well enough, but not even close to it without.

I've got a Saitek x55 stick with a weak spring which is more like a normal cyclic without stability, but then not so much like it with full AP.

I'd like to see more flight modelling of the fin effect on the 135, in real life it's comes alive at 65 kts and reduces the pedal load greatly above that airspeed, below it it can be quite a dance on the pedals in crosswinds which would be nice to simulate.

I wouldn't say the lack of proper physical controls is that much of a problem these days when we have offerings like Pro Flight Trainer Puma available for purchase, while some DIY enthusiasts even manage to make magnet brake assisted helicopter controls.
But as with any other vehicular simulation, the lack of G-forces feedback is going to complicate things for those used to rely on their vestibular apparatus. Sadly, it's next to impossible to compensate for the lack of that (at least for an enthusiast).

Thanks for your reply and especially for the comment on the fin-related lateral stability of the actual helicopter. Indeed, it would be nice if the developers took that into consideration.

[TaateliHD]

i did cold & dark start up on this chopper and after it had HOR BAT on the screen, what does it mean?

[whitbymermaid]

The 135 has a small back up battery to power the standby artificial horizon (AH) in the event of a total electrical supply failure, this is recharged when the aircraft is powered up automatically. The warning HOR BAT just explains that this battery is not recharging.

[TaateliHD]

Originally posted by whitbymermaid:

The 135 has a small back up battery to power the standby artificial horizon (AH) in the event of a total electrical supply failure, this is recharged when the aircraft is powered up automatically. The warning HOR BAT just explains that this battery is not recharging.

thanks for the explanation, i guess i have to flip the switch on. i did my start up with the aerofly wiki articles checklist and it doesn't say anything about it for some reason.