The VSKYLABS development of the Junkers A50 Junior project for X-Plane flight simulator was approved by ‘JUNKERS Aircraft GmbH’. However, it is an independent VSKYLABS project which is not affiliated with ‘JUNKERS Aircraft GmbH’.
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
The Junkers A50 Junior:
The Junkers A50 Junior was the world’s first sport aircraft. It flew for the first time in 1929. Nowadays, a new version of the Junkers A50 Junior is being made. It's an ultralight aircraft made by hand with modern technology and design adaptations that make it fit for today's times.
On November 25th, 2022, the Junkers A50 Junior was certified by the German Ultralight Flight Association. Then, on February 28th, the A50 Junior received its Special LSA approval from the FAA. The WACO Aircraft Corporation produces the aircraft for American customers.
The original 1929 aircraft was powered by an 80-hp, 5-cylinder radial engine, while the new Junkers A50 Junior is powered by the fuel-injected, 100-hp Rotax 912iS engine. It is equipped with the Galaxy GRS 600 ballistic parachute for safe recovery in case of emergency.
Avionics: The new Junkers A50 Junior features a high-tech cockpit interface that blends elegantly into the retro design. The back seat (the main cockpit used for flying the aircraft) is equipped with a Garmin G3X Touch 10", while the front cockpit can host the Garmin G3X Touch 7" or GI 275 / Winter altimeter / Winter airspeed indicators.
* The VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': Junkers A50 Junior is equipped with full-scale and fully-featured X-Plane 12 G1000 avionics in both cockpits. The display configuration consists of a single screen/dual display bundle, which allows 'flicking' of PFD/MFD on during flight and on the fly.
The (new) Junkers A50 Junior cruises at ~76 knots while consuming ~4 US gal/h. It stalls at ~46 knots and handles 15 knots crosswind on takeoff and landing. The recommended maximum airspeed is 112 knots. With a maximum fuel capacity of 27 gallons, it covers ~680 miles.
Read in VSKYLABS Magazine: The First Ultralight, Junkers A50 Junior, Reborn by VSKYLABS!
Project Highlights
- VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Project.
- Superb Flight Dynamics: The VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior simulation is a highly engineered, robust tail-dragger S-LSA simulation model that makes use of X-Plane 12's sophisticated flight dynamics and physics simulation, pushing it to its limits.
- Simulated Systems: The VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior features X-Plane 12's latest native features, systems, and physics. This ensures 'high airworthiness' in X-Plane throughout its update process. Some systems may be restricted to X-Plane's default systems algorithms.
- General Cockpit Configuration: Equipped with a full-scale and fully-featured X-Plane 12 G1000 in a single-screen/dual-display configuration to allow maximum usability.
- Equipped with Alpha Systems AOA 'Eagle' indicator replica.
- Passenger Leaning-Aside Feature: For better takeoff and landing forward visibility (by demand via interaction/assignment).
- Built for VR: Development was tailored specifically for VR and optimized for 2D usage.
- Perfect Fit for Beginner and Expert Pilots: The aircraft is designed to be flown from the back-seat cockpit. This configuration requires higher piloting skills, and it will make you a better pilot! The front-seat cockpit is fully functional as well, with the limitations derived from the real-world Junkers A50 Junior front-seat operations.
- Wonderful FMOD sound package that includes authentic Rotax 912 engine recordings and an interactive set of dynamic sound layers that will "wrap" your open-cockpit flying experience, setting a whole new level of immersion!
- Highly Responsive VSKYLABS Support Forums: VSKYLABS offers continuous professional support, from aircraft-related aspects (operating and flying) to X-Plane technical support.
Cockpit Builders Heaven Layer:
The project includes the 'VSKYLABS Cockpit-Builders Heaven’ layer, which allows assigning all aircraft switches, knobs, levers, and interactions in a designated, uncluttered section in the X-Plane 12 assignment screen.
To use it for key/button assignments, simply type the name of the aircraft in the search bar and select your assignment. A sample screenshot is attached below:
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