Sikorsky R-4
The Sikorsky R-4 was the first mass produced helicopter in the world and saw use by the U.S. Army toward the end of WWII.
The R-4 mesh in this add-on was made by @misha.physics, and the flight model, animations, and lights were coded in Lua by @Thunder Chicken.
This Lua Script add-on has been tested with Orbiter 2024. You should use the D3D9 client (Orbiter_NG.exe). This add-on does work with the D3D7 client (Orbiter.exe), but several annunciation light visuals will not render correctly. This add-on will NOT work with Orbiter 2016 or earlier versions. It may or may not work with Open Orbiter releases before Orbiter 2024, depending on availability of necessary Lua methods.
Features
General Operating Instructions (press I in Orbiter to get screen listing of controls).
The Sikorsky R-4 was the first mass produced helicopter in the world and saw use by the U.S. Army toward the end of WWII.
The R-4 mesh in this add-on was made by @misha.physics, and the flight model, animations, and lights were coded in Lua by @Thunder Chicken.
This Lua Script add-on has been tested with Orbiter 2024. You should use the D3D9 client (Orbiter_NG.exe). This add-on does work with the D3D7 client (Orbiter.exe), but several annunciation light visuals will not render correctly. This add-on will NOT work with Orbiter 2016 or earlier versions. It may or may not work with Open Orbiter releases before Orbiter 2024, depending on availability of necessary Lua methods.
Features
- The engine model uses a realistic air-breathing thermodynamic model of the Warner Super Scarab 50 reciprocating engine as used in later blocks of the R-4.
- The main and tail rotors are both modeled using actuator disk propeller theory to translate engine power to thrust.
- Maximum speed, climb rate, and ceiling performance are similar to the actual performance of the R-4.
General Operating Instructions (press I in Orbiter to get screen listing of controls).
- Taxiing
- Turn on engine by pressing E.
- Turn on exterior lights and searchlight (if flying at night) using CTRL+L.
- Adjust cabin lights with CTRL+(+/-), instrument lights with SHIFT+(+/-).
- Release parking brake with CTRL+B.
- Increase throttle (Orbiter main thruster keys).
- Increase collective (main rotor thrust controlled with Orbiter hover keys) to about 30%.
- Pitch forward using cyclic controls (Orbiter pitch and roll controls).
- Steer with tail rotor (Orbiter rudder controls).
- Brake by pressing B. Use brakes cautiously as the helicopter can tip forward if brakes are used aggressively.
- Set parking brake once stopped with CTRL+B.
- Takeoff
- Release parking brake.
- Increase throttle to full power.
- Increase collective until helicopter lifts off.
- Pitch cyclic forward to increase forward airspeed.
- Throttle can be reduced and collective adjusted in cruise to lower fuel consumption.
- Hover
- In virtual cockpit, lean forward to see forward and downward for ground visual reference.
- Raise/lower collective to maintain altitude.
- Pitch cyclic forward/backward to manage speed. Maintaining a few knots of forward speed is advisable as the airspeed indicator cannot measure airspeed when flying backwards, and you risk weathervaning if you pick up too much velocity going backwards.
- Once vertical airspeed is near 0, you can engage the altitude hold autopilot by pressing A to assist in hovering.
- Maneuver using cyclic and rudder pedals.
- Landing
- Ensure parking brake is OFF.
- Approach landing site and manage collective to maintain stable descent rate.
- Pitch cyclic backwards to decrease horizontal airspeed and flare just before touchdown.
- Once landed, lower collective to about 30% to enable enough thrust to taxi but not to take off again.
- One stopped, lower collective to 0%, apply parking brake, and shut off engine with E.
- Software License
- GPLv3
- Supported Orbiter Version
- 2024
