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VSKYLABS ROBINSON R44 RAVEN II UPDATE LOG HISTORY

Update Log

JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2025 All Rights Reserved
 

XP12 - v4.0.2 (21st March 2026)

  • Updated documentation structure:
    • All project documentation transferred to the VSKYLABS Robinson R44 Raven II  section in the VSKYLABS Aircraft Center.
    • Updated included documentation.
  • Removed Skunkcrafts updater:
    • Product updates are no longer supported via Skuncrafts Updater.
    • The most updated version of the product is available via the user-account at the store.

XP12 - v4.0.1c (19th November 2025):

  • VSKYLABS 'Cockpit-Builders-Heaven' layer:
    • Key-Switch custom dataref is now writable.

XP12 - v4.0.1a (7th October 2025):

  • VSKYLABS 'Cockpit-Builders-Heaven' layer:
    • Added separate commands for the Key-Switch (separate states for Off, mag-R, mag-L, mag-BOTH, Prime).

XP12 - v4.0.1 (30th March 2025):

  • VSKYLABS 'Cockpit-Builders-Heaven' layer:
    • Added commands for separate on/off switches state (in addition to 'toggle' mechanism).

XP12 - v4.0 (27th March 2025):

  • Major update release.
  • Flight dynamics:
    • Airfoils update.
    • Power-train deep refinements to allow increased precision of rotor RPM during autorotation and shutdown.
    • Engine - Refined engine power gradients to allow increased precision of hovering, climb and cruise performance.
    • Re-engineering of all flying surfaces.
    • Implementing the new Robinson R44 Empennage as the default aerodynamic configuration. (This configuration is a recent Robinson key improvement that enhances safety and performance, especially improving roll stability during high speed flights. Additionally, the symmetrical stabilizer reduces the right-rolling tendency when the helicopter is operated outside the approved flight envelope).
    • Option to switch back to the 'old' horizontal stabilizer configuration, on-the-go.
  • Systems/Interaction:
    • VSKYLABS 'Cockpit-Builders-Heaven' layer: Re-wiring of all systems switches/cb's/knobs and interactions in the cockpit with the new custom-commands VSKYLABS 'Cockpit-Builders-Heaven' layer, allowing easy Joystick/Keys assignments in X-Plane 12 built-in assignments system.
    • Artificial horizon: Added missing bank pointer-indicator.
  • Graphics:
    • Interiors textures overhaul with various enhancements to inner-shell, seats, doors, front panel, instrument gauges.
    • Updated Paint-Kit (v4.x).
    • Additional default liveries (default, all-metal).
  • General:
    • Updated POH/Manual.

XP12 - v3.0c (10th January 2024):

  • Tuneups to the main rotor system to *hit the numbers* (MP, power, RRPM, hover power, cruise power, autorotation performance).

XP12 - v3.0a (6th January 2024):

  • Fix to manifold pressure gradient bug.
  • Fix to windshield blurry contours (artistic).

XP12 - v3.0 (5th January 2024):

  • Flight model - complete update to X-Plane 12.0.8:
    • Improved rotor blades simulation.
    • Improved throttle governor.
    • Improved engine power gradient to fall in line with MP limitations more accurately.
    • Landing skids physics tuneups.
    • Autorotation regime tune-ups.
  • Sounds:
    • Implemented physics-based blade-slap sounds.
    • FMOD pack converted to v2.0x
  • Graphics:
    • All-around PBR new setup to match the latest X-Plane 12 rendering engine.
    • New/additional default liveries.

XP12 - v2.2a (19th January 2023):

  • Fixes to passenger 3-d model (back seat, RH side).

XP12 - v2.2 (4th December 2022):

  • Interior lighting system reset and retuned to comply with the modified X-Plane 12.00r1+ lighting engine.

XP12 - v2.1 (23th November 2022):

  • Updater software replaced - from STMA to SkunkCrafts. 

XP12 - v2.01 (12th September 2022):

  • Propulsion system (engine, rotors, transmissions) tuneups to allow higher power for a given MP, to comply with the R44 performance, and to allow optimum RPM management of the throttle governor.
  • Maximum allowable weight per passenger was reduced to fit into reasonable maximum passenger loading weight (maximum threshold exceeded the maximum 300 lbs per seat).
  • Throttle governor/internal FADEC refinements.
  • Placard update for correct MP limits.

XP12 - v2.0 (September 2022):

  • X-Plane 12 initial version release.

XP11 - v1.1e (28th November 2020):

  • Low/High RPM alarms fix - Now they *will* stop in a situation where after being initiated (as during test before engine start), and while being active, loss of electrical power (or switching the battery to OFF)  would not turn them off.

XP11 - v1.1c (9th November 2020):

  • Systems:
    • New radios layout (single GNS530 was removed):
    • 1x KX155 (COM1/NAV1).
    • 1x GNS 430 (COM2/NAV2).
  • Interactivity update:
    • Dual-system Altimeter setup (InHg/MB): New Altimeter was incorporated into the cockpit, replacing the older one, allowing to set the Altimeter with both systems.
    • Hide-Cyclic option was added: To allow comfortable view and access to the radios panel when needed, especially in on-VR usage.
  • Manual POH / Essential PDF's:
    • Updated with the recent information.

XP11 - v1.0f6 (4th November 2020):

  • Interactivity update:
    • Ignition key - while is working intuitively in VR, is can now be assigned with hardware switches to allow OFF, L, R, BOTH, PRIME action with a single assignment of 'Flaps up/down a notch). With this arrangement, it can be fully manipulated with the simple key/knob assignments.
    • Key interaction zone was extended to allow more comfortable reach for moues operations.
  • Manual POH / Essential PDF's:
    • Updated with the new key/axis assignment information.

XP11 - v1.0f5 (2nd November 2020):

  • Animations/engineering:
    • Cyclic roll axis has an additional axis now, which is the relative "hand grip", so that cyclic motion sideways is more realistic, representing real-life motion where the pilot holds the cyclic grip while moving it left/right, and the cyclic remains parallel to the ground.

XP11 - v1.0f4 (31 October 2020):

  • Interactivity enhancement:
    • Rotor brake - can now be assigned with the standard X-Plane key/button assignment rather that direct dataref.
    • Rotor braking power was set to follow POH-related braking limitations.

XP11 - v1.0f (27th October 2020):

  • Package verification update, new build v1.0f was uploaded to the stores server:
    • The v1.0e update had some update/server related issues, which resulted in mismatch of file versions causing various odd bugs to pop out right after the release of v1.0 to v1.0e. During the 26th of October, the whole package was remastered, verified and re-packed for the autoupdater server. In addition, the stores version was updated with the latest version build v1.0f.
    • It is highly recommended to re-download the new project package build v1.0f from the stores, as it will guarantee a bug-free installation.

XP11 - v1.0e (26th October 2020):

  • Manual POH / Essential PDF files updated to include Governor assignment specification.
  • Minor fix to beacon/strobe lights internal wiring.
  • Minor fix to cyclic response during autorotation when throttle is dropped down aggressively during flight at high airspeed (>90 knots), to allow more pitch-up authority until the helicopter stables into the autorotative condition.Note: Additional autorotation handling refinements are planned as part of the continuous development road-map.
  • High-Rotor rpm warning audio alert was implemented into the VSKYLABS R44.  A warble tone indicates rotor rpm is approaching 108%. Full correlation of rotor rpm needle (above red-line) was set as well.
  • Minor refinements to textures.

XP11 - v1.0 (24th October 2020):

  • X-Plane 11 - Initial version release.