Polaris AM-FIB history and VSKYLABS development note:
The 'Polaris FIB' ("Flying Inflatable Boat") is an Italian flying boat ultralight trike, which was designed and produced by 'Polaris Motor' in the mid-1980's. In the early 2000's, 'Polaris Motor' developed the Polaris AM-FIB, an Amphibious ultralight trike.
Back in 2017, VSKYLABS was in contact with 'Polaris Motor' company and got their permission to develop the AM-FIB for X-Plane. 'Polaris Motor' provided countless 1st hand references, photos and relevant information which served as the solid ground for the development of the VSKYLABS AM-FIB Project.
At the present (as for 2024), the company who is behind the 'AM-FIB' trike is 'New Polaris FIB' (https://newpolaris2020.com/web/f-i-b/).
During 2023, VSKYLABS contacted the 'New Polaris FIB' company and got their permission to orient the existing 'Polaris AM-FIB' project to become the 'NewPolaris FIB' project.
Although approved by 'Polaris Motor' and 'New Polaris FIB' companies, it is an independent VSKYLABS project which is not affiliated with 'New Polaris FIB'.
PROJECT STATUS
Actively maintained and validated for the current X-Plane 12 release.
MANUALS
Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH)
PROJECT HISTORY
AVAILABILITY
SUPPORT & DISCUSSION
VSKYLABS Support Forum at X-Plane.org
New Polaris FIB: A flying boat ultralight trike
The FIB is a flying boat ultralight trike, designed and produced by 'Polaris Motor' of Italy. The aircraft was introduced in the mid-1980s and remained in production. The FIB can be used on rivers, lakes, swamps and in open sea. It is equipped with retractable landing gears, and can be operated from land or water.
What is an ultralight trike aircraft: also known as a flex-wing trike, weight-shift-control aircraft, microlight trike, deltatrike or motorized deltaplane, is a type of powered hang glider using a high-performance Rogallo wing coupled to a propeller-driven three-wheeled undercarriage. While many powered aircraft have three-wheeled landing gear, the term "trike" refers specifically to the form of aircraft described above.
Flight control in a trike is made by weight-shifting; the undercarriage structure is connected to the wing at a hinge-point, and the wing can be tilted in both X and Y axes. While on the ground (takeoff for example), pushing the wing control bar raises the angle of attack of the wing and lift is produced. As the aircraft is airborne, moving the control bar of the wing causes the undercarriage to swift both sideways or back and forth, and a weight-shifting control is achieved.
A brief explanation of the options (accessories) regarding the landing gears (wheels) available for the real-world FIB:
- AM-FIB ( Amphibious Flying Inflatable Boat ): Manually operated retractable landing gear that allows for the FIB to take off and land. This is the configuration that is being used in the VSKYLABS AM-FIB Project.
- Kit of wheels / trike conversion: A simple conversion kit allows removal of the inflatable hull and turns the FIB into a land based trike. For example, if during the winter, the FIB is to be used on land only, then this conversion kit is recommended.
- For landing on snow: skis are available on the trike version only (the trike without being attached to the inflatable boat).
- The AM-FIB system can be removed and installed at necessity easily when not needed.
*The VSKYLABS New Polaris FIB is set with the AM-FIB configuration.
Project Main Features:
- VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Project: designed for use with X-Plane cutting edge flight model environment, features superb flight dynamics with authentic performance and flight handling characteristics.
- VSKYLABS development for X-Plane approved by 'New Polaris FIB' company (however, it is an independent VSKYLABS project, not affiliated with 'New Polaris FIB').
- Real-Physics, incorporating weight shifting and wing simulation of a hang-glider trike. Unique trike flying aspects are being simulated: stalls, slips, spins and tumbling.
- Designed with the focus on control and handling characteristics, excellent for basic and advanced hang glider trike training / conversion from fixed wing aircraft.
- Additional passenger which can be removed, to simulate light vs heavy trike operations.
- Amphibian aircraft - operation in water/land and snow/ice.
- Built for VR: development was tailored specifically for VR, and optimized for 2D usage.
- Highly responsive VSKYLABS support forums: VSKYLABS is offering continuous professional support from aircraft related aspects (operating and flying) to X-Plane technical support.
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