VFR Simulations Cessna 170B Project update thread.

[fsxar177]

Good-day.

To those interested, and/or invested in the Cessna 170B project, for FSX and P3D, I've posted a few updates at the following links:

Joining Forces (https://www.vfrsim.com/joining-forces/)
Project Scope & Details (https://www.vfrsim.com/project-scope-and-details/)

Also, I'll add to this thread as needed, in the coming weeks.

https://www.vfrsim.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/12.png

Best regards!
- Joseph

[spokes2112]

Joseph!

Been following the "November Two Seven Seven One Charlie" project on facebook... Astounding! My first and only stick time (so far ~ 3.5 hrs ) has been in this beauty!

Looking forward!

http://www.651.eaachapter.org/photos/651-Member-Aircraft/Jays_170B_2.jpg

[greenie]

Looking very nice Joseph. Patiently waiting :)

[jschall]

Pre-ordered. Can't wait!

[Anneke]

Pre-ordered. Can't wait!


Well you gonna have to...:triumphant:

[fsxar177]

Thank-you for the comments!

It's really been quite wonderful, working with the Cessna owner community. We've had enthusiastic support from 170 owners, from all over the world! We've also had reports of youth getting motivated to continue pursuit of aviation, and their PPL. This is what it's all about.

- Joseph

[Anneke]

Yes that's great. But how's the virtual plane progressing? Any update pics would be nice...

[jschall]

Yes, Joseph, if you were raising cash on Kickstarter or IndieGoGo, you would be obliged to provide timely updates on development progress. As investors in your product, we have a right to demand an estimate of the delivery as well as timely updates.

Otherwise we could ask for refunds.

I am patient, too. It'll be done when it's done.

But please communicate!

[falcon409]

Yes, Joseph, if you were raising cash on Kickstarter or IndieGoGo, you would be obliged to provide timely updates on development progress. As investors in your product, we have a right to demand an estimate of the delivery as well as timely updates.
Otherwise we could ask for refunds.
I am patient, too. It'll be done when it's done.
But please communicate!
If I am to understand what the links that Joseph has provided above, they provide information on what the intent of the project will be and what they hope to include as far as specs. The actual model, and this is a guess based only on what I can find on those sites and the facebook page, is currently at the stage shown below as posted on Oct. 17th.

[jschall]

Thanks for pointing out that picture, Ed. It's better than nothing.

At least we can watch the real-life paint dry here:

https://www.facebook.com/2771C

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfl1/v/t1.0-0/p180x540/11011231_371392589651316_748685509644953194_n.jpg? oh=2b76f97ef147763a676342dd484ddf16&oe=56BA01B1

[fsxar177]

Good-day,

Many aspects of this simulated 170B development tie into real-world aircraft, and products. So we're only leaking very few development/in-game screenshots, until all of the paperwork is finalized with these individuals and companies. Still dotting the I's so to speak.

There will be frequent updates on the homepage (http://www.vfrsim.com) as these items progress.

- Joseph

[Yossarian1943]

https://www.vfrsim.com/forum/index.php/topic,12.0.html

:dizzy::dizzy::dizzy::dizzy:

wanted to get some news about the Cessna 170b project...

[fsxar177]

The hot and dry Idaho summer has prevented us from completing the audio recordings for the Continental C-145, Lycoming IO-360, and other(s). We're looking forward to cooler, and more moist weather to come our way.

Sorry the the lack of progress updates. There's a lot that we don't care to disclose just yet. Many groundbreaking features.

Best,
- Joseph

[greenie]

Wasn't this supposed to be finished last year sometime ?

Very uncool response . I have paid well over a year ago and still dont have a clue to its status .

Does it have a status ?

The cloak of secrecy just smells of BS . So the summer is too hot, well how's the shade ?

[Anneke]

Too be honest, I'll think you need to write your investment off. I don't think this plane will see the light of. day. This reeks of a scheme.

[scotth6]

That sure is a fancy website.
Pre order an aircraft started over a year ago with no meaningful updates since then: Sign me up! :biggrin-new::dizzy:

[fsxar177]

After working almost a year on the back-end (that non-dramatic coding stuff...), we're starting to make strides on the front-end.

Small update here (https://www.vfrsim.com/update-and-development/). 2-month timeline before we show you some of the extraordinary.


https://www.vfrsim.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/cowling52.png
https://www.vfrsim.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/mini3d.png


- Joseph

[heywooood]

I LOVE your SOLO implementation. Being able to configure a model rather than having rigid 'versions' to select from is much more desirable...
I can't wait to see it operate.
Also this air frame is a favorite of mine.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/heywooood/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps85r9mszb.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/heywooood/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps85r9mszb.jpeg.html)

[fsxar177]

Thank-you. The underlying idea is that any solid object you load onto the aircraft, will have a physical effect, no matter how slight.

Let's study the Sportsman STOL (http://www.steneaviation.com/pages/sportsman-stol) for example, which is being featured. The product dramatically effects the airfoil of the wing, at the leading edge. Several factors are manipulated, including drag, lift, AoA, and weight. The product reduces stall speeds in a most noticeable fashion, and considerably more than comparable STOL kits. This is considered a great improvement to the classic 170B. The patent holder, and also primary distributor are both partnered with VFR Simulations.

Maybe the change is less subtle. There's a larger cowling lip, we call a seaplane lip, which is essentially a 3" fairing. (compared to the stock 3/4") It provides more adequate scavenging of air over the cylinder heads, for more effective cooling on hot days, or under more load. Such as being operated with floats. Of course, that big lip has a small amount of barely noticeable drag. It's actually a part that was provided by Cessna.

A most common improvement, which is found on most 170's today is the Cleveland wheel and brake setup. The braking quality, and response is double that of the factory equipped goodyear brakes.

No matter great or small, every option, every feature impacts the physics of the airplane.

- Joseph

[heywooood]

I think it is a terrific development for this sim. Unexpected too. You kept it well under wraps I'd say

[Mach3DS]

Joseph, simply...amazing. I got goose bumps reading your development update. Rarely happens to me when reading about sim. But this is game changing. I have some questions for you...will PM. I really am excited about this approach to simulation.

[ryapad]

Looking good! Quick question. Will i be able to use the "stock '54 cowling with the 180hp conversion? I like the look of the stock version better, plus my Dads friend stuffed a IO-360 in there and retained he original cowling.

Ryan

[fsxar177]

Thanks gents.

Ryan,

We considered more 'stock-ish' looking cowlings. However, essentially, it's one of the 'cons' if you want to call it that, of the big Lycoming 4 cyl. Firstly the filtered air inlet doesn't come close to aligning. Second, the side blister is a must to clear the cylinder heads. And thirdly, the exhaust holes must be patched. Almost always the nose-bowl is replaced, to accommodate the large starter ring gear. Usually the end result is pretty noticeable, though some of these things can be disguised. Currently there are two primary STC's that are commonly used for the Lycoming conversion, though many have been done with others and or field approval.

The Continental 360 fits in the stock cowling nicely, with almost no externally visual modifications. Maybe your dads friend has that? I know Shawn Holley up in AK, who has won numerous Valdez STOL competitions runs the TCIO-360 in his airplane, with the stock 54 cowling. In fact we're working on including that conversion as well, if we can dot some I's and cross some T's. The TC motor is kinda the big brother to the C-145/O-300, and is also a 6 cyl.

Thanks,
- Joseph

[ryapad]

He probably has the Continental. Two more questions, will there be more variants than wheels, and is the pre-order cost going to be less than the cost when it hits stores?






Here is a picture of his plane:

[Dimus]

This is all great news and this product is eagerly awaited!

[fsxar177]

Ryan,

Wow, excellent looking bird right there. That is a more rare Lycoming O-320 conversion. (Smaller 4). With constant speed prop. Probably offers 15-20hp advantage over the stock engine, and you are right, it fits nicely. It would be a carbureted engine, as you can see it retains the sheet-metal 'box' or scoop under the cowling, as the original did. Not as many people did this conversion, as with the added cost, most would spend a bit more and vouch for the 180hp. I notice the Sportsman STOL is installed on that 170 as well. Nice setup.

Tire options will be 6x6, 7x6, and 8x6 on the smaller end, with possibly 26", and at least 29" and 31" Bush tires. So 5-6 options, plus another tailwheel. At least three sets of gear legs. From the earlier, more squishy gear, to the mid-range and much desired 'Lady leg', and finally a stiffer C-180 gear leg. A couple floats as well. No intention of Ski's at the moment, as there just isn't any way that I can see of really getting a handle on properly simulating snow.

The pre-order is significantly discounted. It is set-up more or less as a means of some of our supporters contributing during the development process.

Best,
- Joseph

[ksheadley]

Thanks for the update Joseph. It is appreciated and looking good. Can't wait for the finished product.:untroubled:

[greenie]

At last - an update ! ...thank you Joseph, sounds excellent. Looking forward to the release

[Alan_A]

Coming along very nicely. I really like the SOLO concept, as opposed to being locked into a single model. Just came aboard with a pre-purchase. The community needs new blood.

[ryapad]

He definitely has a nice setup. No expenses spared. That plane gets out of some crazy places. I'll have to see if I can convince my dad to let me throw more money at FSX :jump:

[fsxar177]

Just a little word of update.

A few milestones reached this week, with the 3d mesh.

1.) Rigging all of the control surfaces.
Including building the aileron hinges, flap tracks, elevators. And setting each up for the correct animations.

2.) Completed the interior shell with provisions for multiple interior options, and extended baggage compartment.

3.) Corrected under-side of the fuselage to newly acquired measurements. (Needless to say, I was off by about 2" previously).

The exterior model is 95% complete, and marked for UV mapping. We're shooting for around 1,000,000 polys with the finished model, with virtually no noticeable performance impact. (Our test-bed model is around 500,000 polys, with multiple animations plus Diffuse, Specular, and Bump texture vertices and it is working flawlessly with very little VAS usage). I intend to keep the aircraft hardware friendly, without sacrificing detail. Every aspect of the mesh has been designed around accommodating this.

I'm finishing out little details that are options, such as fairing, gear legs, and propellers. I should be working toward doing the layout of the final Paintkit by sometime next week, which will include drawing the Normal maps. At which point I will shift my focus almost entirely into the instruments and VC. At some point the 3d mesh for the Continental C-145 engine, and the Lycoming IO-360 will then both be fitted.

Not a whole lot to show, but thought I'd attach a couple from this week's work.

- Joseph

http://www.vfrsim.com/teasers/tail.png
http://www.vfrsim.com/teasers/flaps.png

[jschall]

@fsxar177: It's been a while!

Any news about the Cessna 170 we paid for?

[heywooood]

wow - he's been taking pre-orders since 2015 !!

at $20.00 a clip I wonder what that netted?

How much has Dino put out since 2015?? or Lionheart?

[FlyingsCool]

I wonder what happened to them? Sounds like he was nearly finished.

[falcon409]

I wonder what happened to them? Sounds like he was nearly finished.
Taking orders for 5 years for an airplane he heralded as basically unlike any other ever built. . .far ahead of anything available for flightsim. . . .unless he passed away unexpectedly or was hit with some other personal tragedy that he has never been able to recover from (and those are certainly real possibilities) then he took a lot of very trusting people to the cleaners, with nary an explanation as to why.

If someone in this community knows what has happened to him or his airplane (no conjectures or assumptions please) it would be nice if they came forward and at least gave some resemblance of an update. . .if at all possible.

[Mach3DS]

Taking orders for 5 years for an airplane he heralded as basically unlike any other ever built. . .far ahead of anything available for flightsim. . . .unless he passed away unexpectedly or was hit with some other personal tragedy that he has never been able to recover from (and those are certainly real possibilities) then he took a lot of very trusting people to the cleaners, with nary an explanation as to why.

If someone in this community knows what has happened to him or his airplane (no conjectures or assumptions please) it would be nice if they came forward and at least gave some resemblance of an update. . .if at all possible.

I know that he recently had his first child. So life may have caught up with him in a big way. lots of new variables that one may have not planned for with that bundle of joy.

[Alan_A]

Worth noting also that over the past five years, the bar has been raised a lot for flightsim development. What was a groundbreaking feature set five years ago won't past muster today. As a result, development times have gotten much longer, even for established developers. And for a lot of solo practitioners, it's got to be a struggle - look at Marcel Felde, who delivered a couple of truly remarkable products, but had to call it quits on his Pilatus Porter. So I can easily see somebody, especially a first-timer, getting into a project with the best of intentions, and then drowning in it. As for the cost, I'm out $20, but I'd hardly call that being taken to the cleaners - it's more like a very small risk that I took with my eyes open, and that led to a very small loss (assuming the project doesn't come off). But I agree it would have been better if he'd given us some news, even if it's bad news. Failure happens but it's better if you own it.