Warning - For use with flight simulation only:
TFOR INFORMATION ONLY - FLIGHT SIMULATION USE ONLY DO NOT USE FOR REAL FLIGHT
VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': Junkers A50 Junior
MANUAL / POH
VSKYLABS JUNKERS A50 Junior S-LSA / X-Plane 12
Advanced simulation of the Junkers A50 Junior Aircraft
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’.
VSKYLABS Aerospace Simulations / Copyright Ⓒ2026 JetManHuss - VSKYLABS. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the following address: contact@vskylabs.com
THE NEW JUNKERS A50 JUNIOR
Today’s technology with the flair of the 1930s
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 which 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 enjoys a high-tech cockpit interface which blends elegantly into the retro design. The back-seat (the main cockpit used for flying the aircraft) is equipped with 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 a full-scale and fully-featured X-Plane 12 G1000 avionics in both cockpits. 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 cross-wind on takeoff and landing. Recommended maximum airspeed is 112 knots. With a maximum fuel capacity of 27 gallons, it covers ~680 miles.
The real A50 Junior vs the VSKYLABS A50 Junior:
The real-world Junkers A50 Junior is a new aircraft which was certified in Europe and in the US quite recently. VSKYLABS developed the virtual A50 Junior following the detailed information published at the official Junkers publications. It is a highly engineered, robust S-LSA tail-dragger aircraft simulation which make use of X-Plane 12 sophisticated flight dynamics and physics simulation, extracting it to its limits.
However, due to certain limitations and other considerations, various aspects of the aircraft (mainly its systems and avionics) may be presented with various differences when compared to the real Junkers A50 Junior aircraft.
For example, avionics - the real-world new Junkers A50 Junior cockpit configuration includes the Garmin G3X Touch 10”, and the front cockpit can host the Garmin G3X Touch 7” or GI 275 / Winter altimeter / Winter airspeed indicators.
However, the VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior is equipped with a full-scale and fully-featured X-Plane 12 G1000 avionics in both cockpits. Display configuration consists of a single screen/dual display bundle, which allows ‘flicking’ of PFD/MFD on during flight and on the fly.
Other slight differences may be observed.
Complementary systems - AOA indicator:
The VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior includes an additional virtual AOA (Angle of Attack) avionics upgrade, based on the 'Alpha Systems AOA' Eagle AOA kit.
Development notice:
Development of the VSKYLABS replica-virtual AOA indicators following the 'Alpha Systems AOA' design was approved by 'Alpha Systems AOA', however it is an independent development effort, which is not affiliated with 'Alpha Systems AOA'.
For thorough information you are welcome to visit their website at: https://www.alphasystemsaoa.com/
AOA indicator features:
The Eagle AOA kit is a highly visible, full color chevron style display. When you come in for a landing you want to fly to the blue donut (on speed for landing). Should you come in with too low of an angle of attack, the yellow chevron will light up and tell you to put your nose up. Should you come in with too high of an angle of attack, the red chevron will light up and tell you nose down.
Real-world Eagle vs VSKYLABS Eagle indicator:
The VSKYLABS implementation of the Alpha Systems AOA 'Eagle' replica is focused at this stage in AOA indication. It does NOT include the peripheral/complementary systems and options such as calibration, diagnostics, optional aural alerts and other components. The included AOA indicator was calibrated 'in-house' at VSKYLABS, as part of the overall tuneups of the flight dynamics model.
Angle of attack indicator - additional info:
The following brief instructions of the VSKYLABS 'Eagle' replica is brought here for use with the virtual VSKYLABS aircraft, in X-Plane. Although the indication methodology, color and shape replicates the real-world device, it is not meant to be used as a tutorial that replaces the actual Alpha Systems AOA 'Eagle' operations manual. For real-world instructions please visit Alpha Systems AOA website: https://www.alphasystemsaoa.com/
The Indicator:
Note: Display shown with all segments illuminated for illustration.
Green Bar: It is indicating high amounts of lift, lower angle of attack. The angle of attack is relatively low with lots of surplus lift.
Green Bar + Yellow Triangle: Va (MAA), operations allowing full deflection of flight controls.
Yellow Colored Segments: It is indicating caution; the angle of attack is relatively high. If not intentional, take action to reduce the angle of attack.
Complete Blue Doughnut: It is defining the segment that identifies Optimum Alpha Angle (OAA) or 1.3Vs, 30% margin away from stall (see definition). The system can illuminate both, just the top or just the bottom arcs to give a display just above or just below the set point.
Red Colored Segments means the angle of attack is too high. Take immediate action to reduce the angle of attack such as performing a stall recovery procedure. You are in dire straits.
AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS:
WEIGHT AND LOAD
Seats................................................. 2 (tandem)
Empty Weight ....................................378 kg / 833 lbs
Max. take-off weight ..........................600 kg / 1,323 lbs
Payload .........................................217 kg / 479 lbs
Length ..........................................7.41 M | 24.4 FT
Height ...........................................3.89 M | 9.6 FT
Span ............................................9.84 M | 32.3 FT
ENGINE AND POWER
Power ........................................Rotax 912iS, 100 hp
Propeller ...............MT, MTV-33-1-A 2-blade ground adjustable
PERFORMANCE
Fuel Consumption .....................approx. 15 l/h / 4 US gal/h
Top Speed .....................................208 km/h / 112 kts
Cruising Speed .................................140 km/h / 76 kts
Minimum Speed ...................................84 km/h / 45 kts
Tank volume ....................................102 l / 27 US gal
Max range ..........................680 nm with 0.5 hours reserve
Service ceiling ........................................10,000 ft
Load limits .............................................+4, -2 G
VSO: .....................................................45 KIAS
VY: ......................................................57 KIAS
VA: ......................................................81 KIAS
NORMAL CHECKLIST
BEFORE ENGINE START:
Circuit Breakers.....................................CHECK ALL IN
Bat switch.....................................................ON
Fuel Quantity...............................................CHECK
Engine data.................................................CHECK
Emerg. Bat.....................................................ON
Bat switch...................................OFF, CHECK POWER, ON
Emerg. Bat....................................................OFF
CAUTION
Backup Battery Switch is only used for Emergency Procedures;
therefore, it must be always in OFF position for Normal Procedures.
ENGINE START:
Fuel Tank Valve.......................................SELECT TANK
Main Fuel Pump Switch......................ON - PRESS CHECK - OFF
Emerg. Fuel Pump Switch....................ON - PRESS CHECK - OFF
ECU A and ECU B...........................SELECT BOTH SWITCHES ON
ECU Warning Lamps.............................................OUT
Engine Instruments..........................................CHECK
THROTTLE............................................50% THEN IDLE
Propeller Area..............................................CLEAR
Start Button..............................PRESS UNTIL ENGINE RUNS
Engine instruments.............................CHECK OIL PRESSURE
NOTE: Increasing engine speed is only permitted at steady oil
pressure readings above 3 BAR (43.5 PSI)
P/MFD Button..............PRESS FOR PFD, CHECK IDLE RPM 1300-1400
Fuel Pumps..................................................Check
CAUTION
It must be ensured that both fuel pumps are working and no loss
of power or uneven running by turning off a fuel pump occurs.
The limits for fuel pressure must not be exceeded.
Fuel Pumps (Main and Auxiliary).......................ON, OFF, ON
CAUTION
Always flying with both Fuel Pumps ON
P/MFD Button.....PRESS FOR MFD, MONITOR ENGINE OPERATING LIMITS
TAXI:
Nav lights.....................................................ON
Strobe lights..................................................ON
Brakes......................................................CHECK
Speed.........................................................LOW
Normal Turns........................................RUDDER/BRAKES
BEFORE TAKEOFF (Holding Position Point):
Safety Belts...............................................FASTEN
Safety Parachute pin.......................................REMOVE
Fuel Quantity.........................................CHECK LEVEL
Brakes.........................................................ON
ECU A and ECU B CHECK @ 4000...........NO/MAXIMUM DROP OF 180 RPM
Throttle.............................. IDLE, READ 1400 ~ 1600 RPM
Instruments.................................................CHECK
Controls....................................................CHECK
Elevator Trim......................SET FOR TAKEOFF (MID POSITION)
Fuel Pumps (Main and Auxiliary)................................ON
Runway and Pattern..........................................CLEAR
LINEUP:
Fuel Pumps (Main and Auxiliary)...........................BOTH ON
ECU A and ECU B..........................BOTH ON / ECU LIGHTS OFF
Navigation Lights and Strobe Lights.......................BOTH ON
Normal takeoff:
Brakes....................................................RELEASE
- Apply full power and push the stick forward until the tail
lifts. - Allow the aircraft to accelerate to at least 50 knots,
then pull back gently on the stick and climb-out
initially at 60 knots.
Cruise:
Engine............................................4600 ~ 5500 RPM
Fuel Consumption..........................................MONITOR
Fuel Selector Valve......................SWITCH TANK EVERY 30 MIN
Engine Instruments........................................MONITOR
Approach:
Fuel Pumps (Main and Auxiliary)................................ON
Throttle..............................................AS REQUIRED
Normal Landing:
- Approach speed of 65 knots.
- Prefer steeper approach when flying from the backseat.
- Utilize only sufficient power to maintain a normal approach
path. - Reduce power as the airplane starts to float over the runway.
- 3-point landing: Continue to reduce power and pull back on
the elevator so that the airplane will settle to the ground
in a 3 point position. - 2-point landing: Allow airspeed to bleed-off once on the
ground before lowering the tail-wheel. - When practicable, pull back on the stick to ensure that the
tail-wheel firmly establishes contact.
Engine Shut – off:
Brakes.........................................................ON
Safety Parachute pin.......................................INSERT
Instruments.................................................CHECK
Engine.......................................................IDLE
NAV Lights....................................................OFF
Strobe Lights.................................................OFF
Fuel Pumps (Main and Auxiliary)...............................OFF
ECU B.........................................................OFF
ECU A.........................................................OFF
Avionics......................................................OFF
Master........................................................OFF
JOYSTICK AND HARDWARE ASSIGNMENT:
VSKYLABS JUNKERS A50 Junior COCKPIT AND INTERACTION:
Back-seat (main cockpit):
The back-cockpit is the main pilot cockpit in the Junkers A50 Junior. It features essential components which are accessible only from the back-seat, such as systems switches, CB’s and the fuel tank selector.
Front Cockpit:
The front seat provides best-seat experience, however it is limited, doesn’t feature various essential components which are installed only in the back-seat.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Front Passenger Body-Gesture:
The front seat passenger will be shown visible once the front seat passenger load-out weight exceeded reasonable passenger weight.
During aircraft operation, you can “ask” the passenger to lean aside, to improve forward visibility. To do so, simply interact with the passenger’s helmet (once visible).
Alternatively, use the designated key/button assignment, under the ‘Interactions’ title! Simply go to the assignment screen in X-Plane 12 settings, type in ‘junkers’ or ‘junkers head’ in the search bar, and you’ll find it!
