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L-13 Blanik

TouchingCloud

GLIDERBLANIKSOARING

4.2/5 (15)

ATTENTION! This is a work-in-progress project. Please read carefully what is already implemented, and what is planned. Overall it is a fully working aircraft with most glider-related simulator features used, but we have plans to make it even better. If you are willing to get THE FINAL product, please wait for further announcement of the v1.0 release. $0.99 trial of the FS2020 Blanik will be available in FS24, but native conversion will be done months later once most of the planned work is complete.

Visuals [WIP]:

    Fully native MSFS model featuring 4K materials, all dimensions taken from real aircraft

    Accurate cockpit with realistic gauges and levers animation. Both front (student) and back (instructor) seats are simulated.

    You may notice a lack of cockpit wear and tear, also some model inaccuracies which will be improved soon.

Instruments [COMPLETE]:

     Accurate electrics and mechanics simulation.  All gauges have unit selection (click in the middle of gauge).Navigation tablet provides a map, glider trail with lift indication, fully configurable aircraft data and task information. As alternative, you can replace the system with the LX NAV (by GotFriend & B21)by clicking on the LX icon in the bottom left corner.

     Special feature - NMEA data export, available both for Android and iOS devices owners. Yep, works on Xbox. Scan the QR code on NMEA tab of the nav screen and follow instructions.

Liveries [COMPLETE]:

    20 historical liveries included into package. Several more liveries will be added in the final release.

Sounds [COMPLETE]:

    All the sounds taken from real aircraft. Some adjustments and fixes may be applied later based on the community feedback. Wind sounds volume can be adjusted by slider on the settings tab of the nav tablet.

Flight Dynamics [WIP]:

    All the dimensions and performance values are configured as accurately as possible compared to the real aircraft. Flight model improvements are in the plans but may take up to half year to be fully completed.

Soaring tasks [WIP]:

    To add some meaning to this aircraft (especially for console owners), soaring tasks will be added into the package. Due to the sim limitations, they are named "tutorial" and have some features disabled during the flight (like weather toolbar or 3rd party add-ons) - FS2020 ONLY.

Towplane [COMPLETE]:

    Default towplane still acts weird in MSFS2020 and sometimes does not work at all (too short runway is a common issue). We have added a custom Wilga towplane (codename -Blanik's best friend-) which has some issues fixed - like unexpected stop during takeoff, altitude drop, overspeed.This towplane is set as default, also it is available in the LAUNCH menu list before take off. Due to the sim issue, this towplane appears in the list of playable aircraft - please ignore its presence.

Pre-flight walkaround [COMPLETE]:

    To make your flight experience even more realistic, bracing removal is available if you choose apron as flight departure point,required triggers added into checklist. Once unbraced, manpowered towing will happen, use joystick and rudder pedals to move your glider to the runway, then toggle tow handle to request towplane.

FS24 compatibility [WIP]:

    FS2020 Blanik has various compatibility issues like incorrect aerodynamics center which was fixed by placing nose ballast. Overall it is flyable, but use trial first to ensure it is good enough for you, if not - wait for the free native FS24 update.

The L-13 Blanik is a two-seat, high-wing glider that was produced by aviation firm Letecke Zavoda of Czechoslovakia. The aircraft took its first flight in 1956 and was manufactured from 1958 to 1978. It is renowned as an exceptional training glider and has been used at gliding schools and clubs throughout the world. The United States Air Force Academy used the L-13, designated by them as the TG-10, from 2002 to 2012 as a basic flight trainer. With 2,616 manufactured, and operated in over 40 countries, the L-13 is the most widely used sailplane in the world.

The L-13 was developed to be forgiving for student pilots but also aggressive and rugged enough for aerobatic and cross-country flying. The glider features all-aluminum construction except for its control surfaces, which are built of aluminum frames covered in fabric. It has a tandem cockpit, a slightly forward-swept main wing with an aspect ratio of 13.7:1, a standard tail unit, and a retractable single-wheel landing system. The L-13 requires a tow plane or a winch to launch.

The L-13 measures 27 feet, 7 inches and has a wingspan of 53 feet, 2 inches. Its aerotow speed is 87 miles per hour and its winch launch speed is 62 mph. It stalls at 39 mph and has a never exceed velocity of 150 mph. It has a sink rate of 165 feet per minute, a maximum glide ratio of 28.2:1, and can withstand +5 to -2.5 gs.

Specifications

CRUISE SPEED60
EMPTY WEIGHT640
LENGTH30ft
WINGSPAN53ft
ENGINE-

VERSION 0.16.1 RELEASED JANUARY 1, 0

VERSION 0.6.0 RELEASED JANUARY 1, 0

sounds replaced (control surfaces, handles, wind)
spoilers effectiveness decreased
yaw stability improved
object_class variable set

VERSION 0.7.0 RELEASED JANUARY 1, 0

front panel instruments finished
accurate electric system (main battery lasts only ~1hr with horizon enabled, use wisely)
some missing sounds added (slide window, vent)
minor FM changes

VERSION 0.8.0 RELEASED JANUARY 1, 0

interior/exterior shadow layer (AO) rebuilt, improved visuals but some shadow glitches may appear near geometry angles
all missing materials added
rain and frost layers set and configured for windshield
some handles animation improved
variometer inop when convertor is off fixed

VERSION 0.12.0 RELEASED JANUARY 1, 0

flight model fixes (rudder effectiveness increased, less energy loss on turns, better stall behaviour)
navigation tablet (can parse racing tasks, data cells are clickable) doesn’t work correctly in FS24
custom towplane Wilga (choose once, then could be remembered), has short runway take off fix (or no runway at all)
flightstick shakes on stall and VNE reach
Uralsk soaring task (in Custom Activities). created as tutorial because towplane does not work in bushtrips
camera positions fixed
new liveries (their labels language not set yet correctly)

VERSION 0.14.5 RELEASED JANUARY 1, 0

cockpit textures quality improved
checklist procedures
parking bracings (start flight on the apron), no man towing tho
cockpit wind sound improved
more accurate aerodynamics values, dynamic aero center calculation enabled (caused ever worse behavior in FS24, had to place nose ballast to make it fly)
rudder effectiveness increased on max angle (for better stall behaviour)
USAF soaring task

Fixes:

canopy stays visible after ejection
Wilga accelerates too fast in FS24
no flight plan on the nav pad

VERSION 0.14.8 RELEASED JANUARY 1, 0

cockpit aluminum material improved (less glossy)
cockpit sounds improved
flight model improved (better polar, somehow accurate stall spin)
NMEA data export, you need to install Android app which is link between MSFS and NMEA client (XCSoar etc.)
way too effective rudder fixed

VERSION 0.15.0 RELEASED JANUARY 1, 0

  unbrace process finished (start the flight on the apron)
  once unbraced, manpowered towing will happen, use joystick and rudder pedals to move your glider to the runway

VERSION 0.15.1 RELEASED JANUARY 1, 0

VERSION 0.15.2 RELEASED JANUARY 1, 0

changes:

fixes:

VERSION 0.15.4 RELEASED JANUARY 1, 0

changes: