VSKYLABS Test-Pilot: New Polaris FIB Pilot’s Operating Handbook rev.001 June 20
FOR INFORMATION ONLY - FLIGHT SIMULATION USE ONLY DO NOT USE FOR REAL FLIGHT
VSKYLABS Polaris AM-FIB Project
The VSKYLABS Polaris New FIB Project
JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2026 All Rights Reserved
Pilot's Operating Handbook
Specifications ( FIB & AM-FIB Rotax 582):
Type: Weight shift microlight two seater - Hydro.
Empty weight: FIB Kg 220 – AM-FIB Kg 250.
Max Takeoff Weight ( MTOW): Kg 450.
Allowed load: FIB Kg 230 – AM-FIB Kg 200 (pilot+passenger+fuel+luggage).
Wing Span: 10.60m.
Wing surface: 18.40 sqmt.
Load Factors: +3.8 – 1.5 G ( safety factor 1.5).
Stall Speed: 48 Km/h (~26 knots).
Cruising speed: 65/70 Km/h (~37 knots).
Max speed: 80 Km/h (~44 knots).
Ceiling: 2500m above sea level.
Climb rate: 2-4.5 m/sec.
Fuel tank: 40 Lt (+ 55 Lt optional).
Fuel consumption: 12-18 Lt/h.
Power plant and standard equipment:
Motor: Rotax two stroke, two cylinder, water cooled, twin ignition, twin carburetor, 64 hp ,582 cc, reduction gear box type C, exhaust silencer.
Propeller: 3-blade wooden propeller, with changeable pitch on the ground (which is not a feature in the VSKYLABS New Polaris FIB).
Cockpit instrument console:
Water temperature instrument gauge.
Engine hours counter gauge.
Engine RPM gauge.
EGT gauge.
12 V plugs on panel.
8 amp/h 12 Volt battery with rectifier tension regulator.
Pilot interaction in X-Plane:
The VSKYLABS New Polaris FIB is designed with simplicity and functionality in mind, resulting with a few interactive features (when flying with/without VR gear). It is an amphibious vehicle which can be operated from both land and sea, on-the-go.
Instruments Panel:
The main instrument panel is located between the pilots legs, and like its real-life brother, holds in only very few indicators: EGT, RPM, Water temp and Fuel level indicators. Switches consist of Igniters ON/OFF, Master Battery and Starter switches.
The VSKYLABS New Polaris FIB is equipped with a smart-Phone showing basic flight data. Airspeed indication on the real-world FIB (and also on various other trikes) is practically a non-existent instrument. Trike/flex wing pilots are usually not using an airspeed indicator, as they feel the speed in the control bar and other factors. This applies also to "stall warning", which is very clear on the control bar, wing behavior and the overall flying sensation.
Since flying a trike in a simulator is different in so many aspects compared to real life, and since we can’t simulate the real "feel" of the control bar and its interaction with the airspeed, the airspeed indicator shown on the Smart-Phone application might become handy on the first two or three flights, up until the "feel" of the speed is getting familiar.
Manual Throttle:
The VSKYLABS New Polaris FIB is equipped with a manual throttle lever, located on-top and in-front the pilot's head. Although this specific configuration may not be existing in the real-world FIB, it is very useful for flying in the simulation, especially in VR when using the touch controllers.
Speed figures and how to fly the New Polaris FIB safely:
Stall Speed: 48 Km/h (~26 knots).
Cruising speed: 65/70 Km/h (~37 knots).
Max speed: 80 Km/h (~44 knots).
Takeoff: Allow the aircraft to develop enough airspeed (above 26 knots). You can monitor the airspeed in the Smart-Phone, but quite fast, you will learn how to "feel" it as the ground/water will pass you by, and the wind-sound will get familiar to your ears. As you start running, push the control bar gently and all the way forward, and wait for the nose-up motion. Then, reduce the pressure on the control bar to keep a reasonable climb attitude, allowing the aircraft to gain airspeed (above 30 knots is fine). During the takeoff run, shift the wing into the wind. It will assist you in maintaining a straight and forward run.
After takeoff: If taken off from land - retract landing gears!
Cruising along: Reduce engine power for comfortably 35-40 knots cruising speed. Once again, you will learn to evaluate this speed-regime by learning the needed power and wind blowing sounds.
Losing altitude - While descending, monitor airspeed, as gravity will "help" the aircraft to accelerate. Vne of the FIB is about 43 knots, but the virtual model is designed to withstand higher airspeed, due to the lack of spatial and sensual sensation while flying in a PC based simulator. So the aircraft will tolerate a bit of higher airspeed before breaking apart.
Landing and stalling - The FIB is "full of drag". The good thing is that it allows steep and tight finals. The bad thing is that you must pay attention to engine power in relation to nose attitude (or sink rate), Don't let the speed come less than 28 knots, unless you are flaring. Keep your power up and don't worry - killing excessive potential with the FIB is VERY easy. Special attention should be directed to excessive side-motion of the wing at slow speeds; the FIB may slip sideways and lose speed and lift. For that reason, always keep excessive speed and reasonable 'wing-down' attitude (lower AOA on the wing) during tight maneuvers, especially when entering a confined landing area that requires tight maneuvers for landing.
Land/Water Configuration:
The VSKYLABS New Polaris FIB allows you to change its configuration between water and land operations very easily, by using the default gear retraction/extraction assignment in X-Plane ('g'), and by interacting with designated touch zones when flying in VR.
To change the Landing Gears configurations, click on the RIGHT side of the boat (while sitting in the cockpit). The landing gears will animate to the up/down position, along with the rope which is holding it when retracted.
To make the pilot object visible/hidden, simply click on the pilot's seat (while sitting in the cockpit). By hiding the pilot object you will be able to operate the FIB with a clear 360 degrees all-around view.
To load/unload passengers, simply click on the passenger seat (while sitting in the cockpit). The passenger will be added to the AM-FIB, along with her weight, with each click. Alternatively, you can set the payload using X-Plane's weight and balance/payload menu to exceed the passenger weight. When the passenger weight will exceed approximately 60kg (~132 pounds), the passenger will turn visible.
Brakes: The VSKYLABS New Polaris FIB main landing gears are equipped with brakes, which may be very useful when operating over an inclined surface in X-Plane. To apply or release the brakes, simply click on the LEFT side of the boat. Alternatively, you can click on the 'Brakes' icon located on the Smartphone screen, or use the default 'b' assignment.
