Below: The VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': SR-71-TB
VSKYLABS SR-71 KNOWLEDGE CENTER
This Aircraft Has A Dedicated Knowledge Center
The VSKYLABS SR-71-TB projects is supported by a specialized infrastructure ('Center')
The Center consolidates manuals, development evolution logs,
operational notes, and technical documentation
structured for the simulation environment.
PROJECT STATUS
Actively maintained and validated for the current X-Plane 12 release.
MANUALS / PROJECT HISTORY
Visit the VSKYLABS SR-71 Blackbird Center
AVAILABILITY
SUPPORT & DISCUSSION
Special contribution:
During the air-refueling sequence in the simulation, an authentic SR-71 air-refueling radio recording is being initiated, adding immersion and excitement! The audio recording was implemented into the VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': SR-71-TB following Mr. BC Thomas approval.
Mr. BC Thomas also contributed additional, precious 1st-hand knowledge and information, which have been implemented, delicately and with great care, into the VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': SR-71-TB Project.
Lt. Col. BC Thomas is the famous, high Time SR-71 Pilot who spent 1,217 hrs and 18 min in the cockpit of the legendary SR-71 (!!!). Other than being a legendary SR-71 pilot, BC is a kind, true Gentleman! a HUGE 'Thank you', BC! 🏆
The VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': SR-71-TB Project Introduction:
The VSKYLABS SR-71-TB project is an innovative flight simulation add-on for X-Plane 12, designed to deliver a realistic, immersive, and educational experience centered around the legendary SR-71 Blackbird.
The "TB" in the project name refers to the "Test-bed" nature of the aircraft/project, highlighting its role as an experimental, research-focused rendition of the SR-71 within the VSKYLABS universe.
Key aspects of the project include:
- Flight Dynamics Realism: The SR-71-TB replicates the unique flight characteristics of the Blackbird, including its high-speed, high-altitude performance envelope, offering a challenging and rewarding experience for advanced flight simulation enthusiasts.
- Innovation and Accessibility: The project is engineered to leverage X-Plane's physics-based flight simulation platform, focusing on innovation, authenticity, and educational value, while remaining user-friendly.
- Experimental Testbed Focus: Rather than recreating the SR-71 in its operational military form, the SR-71-TB embodies an aircraft tailored for research and exploration—allowing simmers to "test" and experiment with its systems and performance.
- Tribute to the Blackbird: It celebrates the legacy of the SR-71 by merging cutting-edge simulation technology with a deep respect for aviation history.
In short, the VSKYLABS SR-71-TB project is a high-fidelity experimental journey into the performance and essence of one of aviation's most iconic and fascinating aircraft.
Project main features:
- VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Project - Utilizing X-Plane 12 cutting edge systems and flight dynamics models.
- Highly engineered SR-71A flight dynamics and propulsion systems (including spikes and bypasses simulation).
- Authentic SR-71A SAS/Autopilot (including all authentic modes of operation, KEAS bleed and with extended usability using on-board FMS as replacement of the SR-71 ANS).
- Authentic SR-71A performance and handling characteristics.
- Highly accurate climb and cruise profiles.
- Air-refueling (including tanker visualization and authentic radio recording of SR-71 during air-refueling session - courtesy of B.C. Thomas!).
- Deep systems simulation (including TAB injection and counters, automatic fuel scheduling, nitrogen pressurization of the fuel tanks, surf-limiter, stick shaker/pusher and much more!)
- D-21 Mach 3 Drone - A Launchable aerodynamic vehicle, affecting weight and balance, aircraft handling and performance characteristics, includes an authentic (slightly modified) operation and launch panel.
- AG-330 Starters simulation for authentic start-up procedure.
- Comprehensive FMOD sounds.
- Built-In Avitab compatibility.
- Designed for VR (optimized for 2-d).
- The project is under constant development - future updates are free to all existing customers.
- The project includes the VSKYLABS 'Cockpit-Builders Heaven' assignment layer. It allows assigning all aircraft switches, knobs, levers, and interactions in a designated, uncluttered section in the X-Plane 12 assignment screen.
Development notice:
The VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': SR-71-TB Project was initiated back in January 2023, following a deepest knowledge, understanding and experience with X-Plane 12 flight dynamics and propulsion environments, systems architectures and X-Plane 12 aircraft development practices.
Project version v3.0-Evo introduces the new VSKYLABS SR-71-TB 'Evo' 3-d model (inside out), which was under development for nearly a year after the release of v1.0. It is a Major-Update-Release and a significant milestone in the project development road-map, as it set the engineering infrastructure for implementing the RSO cockpit and additional systems/features.
Simulating the SR-71 is highly complicated. Since December 2023, hundreds of development hours and test flights (roughly 800-900 hours have been 'clocked' in May 2024) have been invested, to establish a genuine, highly-accurate SR-71 simulation in X-Plane 12. Countless deep-study and research hours of the SR-71 aircraft have been invested (still are...) side by side with the development effort.
The VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': SR-71-TB is one of the leading VSKYLABS development efforts and it will keep on updating and evolving to cover the aircraft as closely as possible to the real-one.
VSKYLABS goal is to set a highly realistic simulation of the SR-71 as well as a professional SR-71 knowledge portal which will grow side by side with the project development evolution. Portal 'central' is evolving in the dedicated VSKYLABS SR-71 TB Knowledge Hub at: https://sr71-blackbird.vskylabs.com/
One of the main technical development references is the official SR-71A-1 Declassified manual, which can serve as a 'General Reference' POH/Manual for the VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': SR-71-TB aircraft. A 'VSKYLABS Remastered' version of the manual is included in the product package.
