ROTORWAY 162F EXEC REVIEW : TIPS FOR CREATING A GREAT FLIGHT SIM VIDEO

ROTORWASH
#1 .OCTOBER - DECEMBER . 2006

the e-magazine for the rotorhead flight simmer

Jordan Moore’s

Bell 412
FS9’s Workhorse

The Birth of a Helicopter Internal Collapsing of a Team Russian Do-It-All

Building the Bell 222 Project CH-149 Nemeth DEsigns Mi-17
Alan Devins shows you how to bring an idea to live A team’s struggle for the survival of their project The chance to fly a classic
NOTAM Navaid

ROTORWASH

Image: Jean-François Leblanc

No. 1 - OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2006

EDITOR
Sergio Costa

DESIGN AND LAYOUT

Sergio Costa

COVER
Jordan Moore’s Bell 412
Image by Bob Rivera

COLABORATORS FOR THIS ISSUE

Project CH-149 20
(in alphabetical order)
Laurie Bennett

Welcome...
Sergio Costa
Alan Devins
Chris Gaeth
Jean-François Leblanc
Shawn Lund
Gary Mills 04 Building the Bell 222

W
Bogdan Movileanu
elcome to the first issue of ROTORWASH MAGAZINE. This is a Bob Rivera
The Birth of a Helicopter (part I)
Kirk Sunley
project that has taken its share of hard work from a small but
10 The CH-149 Struggle
focused team which, in little less than three months, transformed

Image: Alan Devins

an idea into the full product you’re now looking at.
Internal collapsing of a team
ROTORWASH is a electronic magazine
We hope to provide a service that all of the flight simulation community produced by elements of the helicopter
flight simulation community. 14 FS9’s Workhorse
(and not just the rotorheads) can enjoy. It won’t be an easy task and we
are counting on each one of you to help us. More than everything, we All material published remains the
Jordan Moore’s Bell 412
copyright of ROTORWASH. No part of this
value our readers feedback and opinions — after all this project
if for you, not for us. So, feel free to speak up; head out to our
publication in whole or in part may be
reproduced without written permission.
04 Building the Bell 222 24 RotorWay 162F Exec
site (www.rotorwash-magazine.com) and use the form in the Editorial published in ROTORWASH does A Kit-Built Wonder
not necessarily reflect the views of the
contacts section or write us directly to feedback@rotorwash- publisher. Information contained within
Rotorwash is believed to be accurate, but 28 3... 2... 1... Action
magazine.com. the publisher assumes no responsibility Tips for creating a great flight simulation video
For the very first issue we could hardly have a better selection: for errors. Rotorawash will consider

Image: Laurie Bennett

unsolicited, quality stories and pictures,
check out Jordan Moore’s wonderfull Bell 412 and Nemeth but the publisher cannot assume any 32 Nemeth Designs Mi-17
Designs’ Mi-17, Learn some of the secrets of the trade responsibility for the safe return of
submitted material. Russian do-it-all
with Alan Devins, and see how hard it is to keep a
project on the right track.
COPYRIGHT ©2006 ROTORWASH
I hope to see you in #2! Until then: keep
hovering!!!
ROTORWASH MAGAZINE 24 Rotorway 162F Exec
P.O. Box 100
2626-909 Povoa de Sta Iria
PORTUGAL

info@rotorwash-magazine.com

Image: Bogdan Movileanu

WWW.ROTORWASH-MAGAZINE.COM

ISSN: 1646-3455

Sergio Costa
Editor
32 Nemeth Designs Mi-17
 Rotorwash Rotorwash 
Article
Building the Bell 222
A
fter a 2 year absence
from FS designing I’ve
decided to return and
remodel my Bell 222.
The Bell 222 was my 1st
gmax design; I had messed
around with 3d studio max 2
and 3 before getting gmax, but
really had no clue at what I was
doing, (those of you who have
tried to repaint the 222 will
know what I mean. My interest in
doing this was sparked when my
flight school bought a Bell 222.
 Rotorwash
The Birth of a Helicopter (part I)
I had only ever seen one before
and that was at an airport on
the other side of the glass, but
thanks to Airwolf, it had been
my favourite helicopter. After
getting a thorough walk around
and a sit in I had to build it.
First thing to do was get
photos, this was my 1st model
to build in which I had access to
the real helicopter so I filled up
my camera with as many photos
as I could, with a lot of the most
awkward angles I could think
Image: Alan Devins
By: Alan Devins
of. If you have to rely on photos
from places like airliners.net you
will get stuck when you start to
get to the small details.
With having access to the real
helicopter, I was able to model
drainage pipes, brake pads, the
avionics under the nose etc,
things you don’t normally see
on ‘beauty shots’ you find on
the net.
Once the photos were
collected it was onto setting
up the blueprints in Gmax/3DS
3 very early stages of development
Max.
Always check to make sure
your blueprints are accurate,
there are some blueprints
floating around online which
are inaccurate, so don’t always
assume they’re right. As you
can see from the pictures, the
blueprints I have used were that
of the Airwolf helicopter, which I
had in an old ‘Technical Manual’
“Blueprints are very very
important. Sometimes we forget,
but these are basically the 1st
part to our model, and a bad
blueprint, will result in a bad
model. “
made sometime after the show.
These were the best I could
find, and so far are the most
accurate I have come across and
also have some good detail. If
you’re scanning them in, try to
scan them at a high DPI; the last
thing you want is to deal with
giant blocks which are meant
to represent a door. Due to the
jet thrusters built onto the side
of Airwolf, the cargo door and
passenger windows and door
are not visible; to overcome this
I overlaid a civilian 222 and drew
the windows in Photoshop.
Blueprints are very very
Article
Image: Alan Devins
important. Sometimes we
forget, but these are basically
the 1st part to our model, and
a bad blueprint, will result in a
bad model.
The first thing I wanted to
address with this model was
to avoid running the parts
together. Rather than have a
few parts just stuck on top of
each other I wanted to build
the entire fuselage from one, to
give it a ‘blended’ look. If you
look at my original 222, you will
notice that above the fuselage,
the engine housing is made of 3
parts, and these are just sitting
on top of each other, some are
running into each other, this was
definitely something I wanted to
change, especially considering
the real helicopter isn’t built like
that. So with this in mind, I knew
I would need some extra vertices
on the upper fuselage.
I also wanted to model the
Rotorwash 
 Article
avionics bay under the nose
and engines behind the engine
Image: Alan Devins
covers. I started to plan out my
Booleans.
A Boolean is a tool in gmax
used for cutting shapes in
objects. For example: when I’m
cutting a window or door into
the fuselage, I start by drawing a
shape to match that of the door
or window on the blueprint, you
then intersect it with the model
and Boolean the parts, using the
shape you just made it is able
Image: Alan Devins
to generate the door/window on
the fuselage.
With everything ready to
continue it was on to shaping
the fuselage, I’m sure every
designer has a method that
works for them but mine is still
the same I started with in FSDS 4
years ago. I start with a cylinder
and run it longitudinally along
the blueprint.
I choose how many sides to
the cylinder, knowing I would
need less vertices on the bottom
and more on top, I knew I could
get away with a lower number
Image: Alan Devins
than usual.
From the front blueprint, I
start to move the vertices to suit
the shape of the fuselage; the tail
boom of the 222 is cylindrical so
I kept that section hidden so as
Top to bottom: not to alter its shape.
I did the same with the nose;
1) Upper fuselage modelled, Engine bay modelling starts.
the shape to it is generally the
2) Engine Bay complete, and mirrored, joined to upper same as the rest of the fuselage
fuselage and rotor mast housing. but to suit the window curvature
it needed to be altered slightly.
3) Spline Cage of Sponson.
Once the cross-sectional
shape is done I moved onto
scaling the sections to suit the
general shape of the fuselage
from the side, then from the
 Rotorwash
top.
Once happy with the general
shape of the fuselage, I added
more sections to smooth out the
shape.
When I was happy with the
shape, I used a Boolean to cut
out the doors, windows, engine
compartment and avionics bay.
Moving onto the sponsons,
I began the modelling using a
spline. A spline is a 2d line that
can be drawn and curved to suit
a shape, in this case the cross-
sectional shape of the sponson
(this would be the same method
used for making an wing, the
sponsons on the 222 are in the
shape of an airfoil). When the
shape was complete, I created a
spline cage and added a surface
modifier.
The spline cage is like
a skeleton and the surface
modifier is like the skin. The
easiest method is to make a
copy and move it a distance
away, a cross-section modifier
fills in the lines between the 2
parts, then the surface adds
the polygons giving you a 3d
shape.
Moving onto the Tail fin and
vertical/horizontal stabilizers.
For the vertical stabilizer I
used a simple primitive box, this
keeps the poly count down, the
part is so small it would be silly
to overuse polygons on it, to
give it a slight curvature though
I added a section to its centre,
and scaled it up by 1 or 2 points
and pulled it forward to give it a
rounded leading edge.
The tail fin I used the same
method as the sponsons, drew
the cross-sectional shape and
extruded the part up then
shaped it from the side to match
the blueprint.
The horizontal stabilizer,
again a spine, only this time,
because there would be no
need for edges to it (the vertical
stabilizers covers them) I used an
extrude modifier, this extrudes
the edges of the spline along its
axis, and gives you a 3d part.
For the landing gear I wanted
to add a little more detail than
usual, mainly due to having close
up shots that I never had before.
Nothing really spectacular going
on here, using the blueprints as
size reference and photos for
reference I was able to model
the brakes, still need to model
the brake lines, but these may
be left out due to animation
constraints. I was able to model
the compressing pole that will
slide as the helicopter gets light
on the wheels.
The front wheel was a little
more of a challenge to make, in
reality it has an odd shape to it,
and I kept putting it off, when
I finally got around to it, I had
to draw it a few times on paper
before I could fully picture in my
head how to model it. I got it to
a stage where it isn’t perfect but
I think it’s at a level where it’s
good enough, maybe some time
it’ll hit me in my sleep how to do
it better and I’ll fix it.
Building the rotor mast was a
very daunting thought, the thing
looked so complex, and where
do you begin? From the start
is usually the best place, Alan.
This was another part that I kept
putting off but for a helicopter
it’s a very important part so I
Article
had to get it done.
Taking my own advice, and
starting this thing from, well, the
start, I modelled from the shaft
up, the shaft itself was a simple
cylinder, I then started to model
Image: Alan Devins
the other components, while
building this I was also thinking
of how this thing moves when
control inputs are made, because
eventually this thing needs to be
animated, so visualising what
exactly each component will do
is a good idea. Working upwards,
I was starting to feel at ease,
while it looks daunting; when
it’s broken down to part by part
it is basically a lot of cylinders.
Image: Alan Devins
When I finally got to the to the
fun started, the rotor joiners
themselves where proving to
very difficult, I couldn’t find a
decent shot in any of the photos
I had to model it from, the next
time I was able to get a look at
the 222, I had no camera but I
studied the joiner, trying to build
it in my head, having a slight
idea I tried it again, no luck, 3rd
time lucky? Yep, the next time
Image: Alan Devins
I was in the hangar, I took a
shot looking directly up at the
joiner, this allowed me to use it
as a kind of blueprint, I now had
my cross-sectional shape to go
by. The joiner was build from 3
parts, I first modelled the main Top to bottom:
‘box’ unit, then the circular
1) Finished fuselage with booleans ready to be cut.
parts, then the pitch joiner, all
3 were then joined together to 2) Fuselage after boolean cut.
make one part. It was probably
3) Booleans cut, wheels/fins/stabilizers modelled.
the most difficult part I’ve had
to model and it’s not something
I would like to do again anytime
soon, but what doesn’t kill you
will make you stronger, or so
they say.
Rotorwash 
 Article
With the majority of the main
exterior now done the helicopter
really begins to come to life, its
coming to this stage where you
know if you got it or didn’t. (By
that I mean, if it all looks in any
way at all like the real thing)
So 95% of the work done,
now onto the last 5% which
really is the bulk of the work,
now were into ‘the details’ the
antennas, pitots, door handles,
lights, etc. I say the bulk of the
work because there never shown
in great detail on the blueprints,
so you have to rely on your
photos, those things you took
at the beginning of the project
that you’re constantly checking
and double checking while
modelling, yes those things.
Some of these parts are
usually the most difficult to
model, some are very odd and
complex shapes, I’ve always said,
especially in the case of bell,
that their designers foreseen
3d modellers working on their
designs and had a good laugh
building these parts. Ok maybe
I’m being a little paranoid about
this, but sometimes it does seem
a lot like that.
Moan aside I push on and
move into the inside. In the case
Left to right: Main panel with gauge recesses; Main Rotor Final build; Sponson 2d spline/ 3d part (Images: Alan Devins)
 Rotorwash
Added Pitots, Exhausts. modelled rotor mast bay, made fuselage 3d.
of this model, I am building a
new pilot figure, so in the mean
time I use the ‘biped’ figure that
comes with character studio
(apart of 3ds max since max 6
or 7) This is a skeleton character
designers use to rig up there
models for animation, it is a
fully poseable skeleton that will
not allow you to move in ways
a human cant, excellent for
positioning the pilot and getting
an idea of the seat position,
obviously this is all double
checked with the pictures, and
photos of the helicopter with a
pilot seated in them, as a general
Image: Alan Devins
rule I would a 6’ pilot, no reason
really, I think I just use my own
height and never want to put
a figure too small nor too big.
Once the figure is positioned
into place, his arms are posed
to represent the collective and
cyclic positions, and the feet to
represent the pedal positions.
Now that he is fully emplaced,
I’m able to start construction of
the seat. The seat in the 222
is built onto a rack that can be
slid forward and backwards and
moved up and down.
Back to splines again,
by referencing the pictures
Left to right: Front Wheel; Pilot Seat; Biped Temporary Pilot (Images: Alan Devins)
“Building the rotor mast
was a very daunting thought,
the thing looked so complex,
and where do you begin?
From the start is usually the
best place, Alan. “
(blueprints don’t usually show
chairs) I start to draw the shape
of the seat rack, this takes a
little time, and a direct side
on picture is very helpful for
this, using components of the
helicopter as references it can
still be made pretty accurately.
With the use of some primitive
shapes, a cylinder here, box
there, the basic shape is made
up and then they are reshaped
accordingly to suit the shape of
the real seat. When done, I group
the parts and clone the group to
make the co-pilots seat.
The next part I modelled
was the main panel; luckily I
had 2 posters which are used
as training aids by FlightSafety
International, Scanning them in
was a little difficult but it was
certainly worth it, basically I now
had a blueprint for the panel,
(no guess work here)
I thought I would try a
different approach to the panel
and decided Id add a little more
realism to it, rather than just
placing the gauges on a bitmap
and overlaying it to the panel,
(leaving a very 2d look to it) I
built the panel to have some of
the gauges recessed into it, just
like its real life counterpart. This
increased the poly count, but as
its only for the VC sacrifices can
be made in other areas, things
like the rotor mast aren’t visible
from any view point in the main
Article
cabin so that wont be on the
interior model, so were now
plus XX amount of polygons in
the VC but we are also minus
XX polygons, so really were not
gaining any, plenty of other
parts are removed too, basically
working to (‘what you don’t see,
isn’t there) You can see Microsoft
themselves do this, try sitting in
the left hand seat of the 206b
and check out there panel, you’ll
see it could do with patching
up, this isn’t a bad thing and
certainly saves polygons, but
personally id like to be able to
fly from whatever seat I want,
even it’s the rear facing seat in
the passenger cabin, so I wont
completely follow MS on this.
At this stage I have nearly
the original Bell 222 modelled,
which leaves the remaining
222B, UT, and 230 to be done,
as well as a few goodies.
Left to be done on the this
model is a few small details,
hopefully by the time you read
part 2 of this, will have been
done and I will have moved
onto what I will be talking about
in the next issue, mapping,
textures, animations and the
virtual cockpit.
(To be continued)
Rotorwash 
ARTICLE ARTICLE
searches, I quit my idea of not

Image: Jean-François Leblanc

calling that Captain again and
I asked him if he could gently
provide me a number where I
could reach Mr. Tracy. After few
minutes with the Captain, he
finally gave me a phone number
where I could reach him, but I
had to make it clear that I was
on my own, this was not a DND
request and DND shall not be
billed for anything…
So I called the famous Mr.

Image: Jean-François Leblanc

The future Marine One
in charge of the purchase and
acquisition of the Cormorant,
for simple pictures and plans…
I just needed some plain plan
Tracy… a name that did not ring
any bell as I was basically unaware
of this whole Cormorant’s
helicopter. A person with a
strong Italian accent answered
the call. I asked him if I could
speak with Mr. Tracy, he politely
answered that Mr. Tracy was not
channels. After slamming my available at this time as he was
nose on many closing doors out of the country for a while…
and numerous phone calls, I So I explained the person what
was reluctantly given a name by I was doing and what I needed

Internal collapsing of a team (part I) with the 3 view that all 3D a Captain within the project… with my strong French accent,

The CH-149 Struggle

modeler need in order to create
an accurate model Even if I’ve
been in the military for many
years, all information in regards
By: Jean-François Leblanc with the Cormorant was out of my
reach and denied via all military
Jeremy Tracy. The quest started trying to explain the 3 pane
that simple day… Even if I had view I needed. Then I said: “I
a name, I still needed at least don’t know if you understand
a phone number as I searched what I mean?” thinking that
everywhere within DND for the I must throwing all kind of
famous Mr. Tracy. After a day of words together that makes no

T
his whole project started
in early August 2002.
I was basically new if
flying helicopters online. As the
Canadian Forces (CF) recently
received their new Search and
had a few flight with it. Even if
Brian did an excellent work on
his model, I found that it was
not representing the Canadian
model as Brian’s model was
based (probably) on the UK
to the Canadian S&R version.
After desperately searching for
another model, I decided that I
would give it a try and do myself
a new model that would reflect
more appropriately the Canadian

Image: Jean-François Leblanc

Image: Jean-François Leblanc

Rescue (S&R) helicopters, the
Cormorant, I did a quick search
over the net to find if someone
already created the model. To
my surprise, someone already
created a repaint for Brian
Whitelegg’s EH-101 helicopter.
Of course, I downloaded it and
Merlin version of the EH-101.
The marine version of the EH-
101 did not (until recently)
have a tail gate in the back of
the helicopter. It is very easy
to make the difference as the
back of the tail seems shorter
on the marine version compared
version of the EH-101. You
know, modeling can’t be that
hard… What a fool I was…
My first struggle started here:
the search for pictures via the
Department of National Defense
(DND) channels. I contacted
few people within the project
Two navy schemes: Royal Navy (left) and Marina Italiana — Italian Navy (right)

10 Rotorwash Rotorwash 11
 Article
“You know,
modeling
can’t be
that hard...
What a fool I
was...”
senses at all while explaining
that stupid 3 pane view. Then,
the gentleman answered me
politely: “You know, I have a
Master Degree in Aerospace
Engineer (or something really
close to that), I know what you
are talking about, I understand
you know!”. Damn! Here I am
asking for help and I just insulted
the person who might be able to
help me. So I quickly explained
him that I was not questioning
his knowledge at all, I was asking
him if I expressed myself clearly
so he could know what I was
talking about. After few minutes
of chatting on the phone, the
gentleman told me to meet him
in his office downtown Ottawa
and he would provide me basic
sketches of what I needed… my
jaw dropped on the ground!
Image: Jean-François Leblanc
Image: Jean-François Leblanc
Medevac’ing a sick sailor The two most colourfull schemes: Canada’s Cormorant (left) and the US Coast Guard (right)
12 Rotorwash
So I jumped in my vehicle and
drove to Ottawa for this 1st and
precious meeting. The person
presented himself as Gabriele
Galleazzi. I was still dressed in
combat uniform, so I presented
myself as Master Corporal
Leblanc… Then we talked again
for 1 hour explaining my goal
and what I wanted to do. Mr.
Galleazzi told me that he was
also a fervent user of Microsoft
Flight Simulator 2002 and would
be really interested in seeing
this helicopter available for the
flightsim community. So Mr.
Galleazzi provided me some
basic sketches of the EH-101
to allow me to do the model.
What I was trying to get for more
than a week via the military
channel took me a day via Mr.
Galleazzi. After the meeting, we
exchanged greetings again then
Mr. Galleazzi provided me his
business card and told me to call
him at the number listed on the
card if I needed anything else.
On my way to my truck, I was
reading the business card for the
first time… Gabriel A. Galleazzi,
Vice President, International
Sales, AgustaWestland. Few
hours ago, I was almost insulting
a VP of AgustaWestland… What
an idiot I was!
(To be continued)
Image: Jean-François Leblanc
 Cover Article

E * ROTORWASH M
A ZIN AG
AG A
M

ZI
H

NE
GOLDD
AS
AGAZ * ROTORW

*R
OTOR
AWAR

WASH MAGA
I NE
M

ZIN
SH

E
WA

Image: Bob Rivera

*
R RO
TO OR T
WAS RO
H MAGAZINE *

Image: Gary Mills

Image: Bob Rivera
Tough, reliable, Raising the bar for rotary winged flight in MSFS
manouverable, dependable.
Meet the Bell 412.
Jordan Moore does it
Flying the HoverControl 412 By: Kirk Sunley
again with an excellent

representation of this great
helicopter. Fruit of over 2
years worth of research and
development, was the hard
work worth it? Read Kirk
Sunley’s (a real Bell 412
Jordan Moore’s
O
nce in a great while that it is the user, who allows their flying experiences within
within the FS helicopter themselves to either become MSFS. This aircraft is nothing
community a really engrossed within a simulation, like the default B206III Jet
special piece of freeware or puts up barriers that prevent Ranger, an aircraft that many of
software is released. When the themselves from becoming us have come to grow very fond
software is not only dynamic in submerged within it. All too of as time has passed. As much
its nature, but also brings with often there are shortcomings in as the default 206 really is, it is

Bell 412
pilot) review, Sergio Costa’s it advances like the HC 412 has visual and audio of the vehicle still simplistic in its operations
interview with Jordan Moore done people should sit back for that the user interfaces with the and flight profiles. A lot of new
himself and Chris Gaeth’s a moment and think about the simulation. I, for one, honestly features come to the pilot with the
Image: Bob Rivera

comments; then head on level of virtual reality that these feel the HC 412 has helped to HC 412. And this truly requires
systems can allow the user to bridge many of these barriers. the operator to really read the

FS9’s Workhorse
to www.hovercontrol.com,
immerse themselves in to within The HC 412 has brought a checklist, understanding the
download it and judge it by
the simulation. new level of virtual interaction aircrafts systems, their controls
yourself. What a great way I have always taken the stance to the rotary-winged aviator for and functions along with
for us to debut our Rotorwash
Gold Award!
 COVER ARTICLE COVER ARTICLE

The Real 412EP familiarizing themselves with throttle(s) can then be rolled to
“The
The Real 412 EP their locations and operations. the engine shutdown position. . We Asked...
One should realize this: you Electrical power is not left
kneeboard
are now flying a twin engined
medium aircraft which brings
out here either! You are in
control of the battery, generator CHRIS GAETH
with it a startup procedure that and inverter operations via the checklist Hovercontrol Pilot Instructor
can be a bit daunting to the twin switches located on the
aviator who has not undergone
the transition in to the aircraft
overhead console. Once you have
engine #1 online, you will need
for the
with a rated 412 instructor pilot.
The power plants are individually
to engage the generator and
inverter switches for it, this will HC412 is
Image: Thomas Vesth
controlled with independent allow you to engage the starter Recently I was asked, “What does the HC412 mean to the future of
fuel and throttle controls (a for engine #2 and bring it online. as vital freeware helicopter development?” In thinking about a response to this
Developed in the late 1970s and true first for helicopters within Once this is completed, it allows question I had to determine, objectively, what makes the HC412 special? Is
deriving from the 212, the 412 is used
today in a vast amount of demanding
MSFS, not just emulated with
mirrored gauges) each engine
the batteries to be brought off
line while the generator and
to proper it the model, is it the systems, or is it the designer?
The model itself really did not break any new ground. One can make
roles such as oil rig support, EMS and
rescue. Jordan Moore’s 412 is the EP
can be controlled independently
on the collective with their own
inverters supply the power for
the aircrafts systems. operations the argument that the popup emergency floats on the offshore variant
are groundbreaking. They are certainly an innovative use of animation
(Enhanced Performance), the most throttle, or via a combining The HC 412 brings yet and highlight Jordan’s talent nicely but I am not sure they fall into the
advanced and currently the standard throttle button. Flight idle stop another advance to helicopter as fuel is to groundbreaking category. The 412 is a typical Jordan Moore production,
production model. lockouts on the collective head simulation, try to fly her without accurately shaped, clean lines, everything in scale, and the little detail
Currently, the 412 is being offered
to the US Army for testing as its new
are electronically controlled
(just as they are in the real life
the hydraulic boost engaged and
you’ll soon learn why there isn’t
running the touches that give the virtual aircraft that “real” look.
There is a lot of innovation in the systems. This is the first real dual
Light Utility Helicopter. 412), these prevent the throttles
from being inadvertently rolled
a single hydraulic boost system
installed, but a dual system engines!.” turbine helicopter released for MS Flight Simulator. With the custom gauges
in place, aircraft startup is accurate to the real 412 checklist minus the
Technical Data to the shutdown position. Once in the 412! Along the lines of pitfalls of hot starts and other failures. By every account that is certainly
the idle stops are actuated the the hydraulic boost, is the fuel boost system within the 412. groundbreaking but not what makes the HC412 meaningful to the future of
Sizes and weights
Total length 42.388 ft (12.920 m) Each engine is fed from cross MSFS helicopter development.
Total height 11.417 ft (3.480 m) feed fuel system and like almost What makes this aircraft special and meaningful to future development
Rotor diameter 45.997 ft (14.020 m)
all of the systems in a twin there is that it proved that certain things are possible within the MSFS framework
Max take off weight 11900.4 lbs (5397 kg)
Weight (empty) 6789.2 lbs (3079.0 kg) are two pumps installed. As that many developers thought were not. The obvious one is the true
well each engine has its own multi-engine airframe. However, there are several not as obvious ones.
Performance data
Max. speed 140 kts (259 km/h)
controllable fuel cutoff switch For instance if anyone were to check the specifications for the weight and
Cruising speed 124 kts (230 km/h) installed. payload of the Bell 412 and then compared them to the one in the HC412
Initial climb rate 1350.39 ft/min (6.86 m/s) I arrived at Canada’s Calgary configuration, you would find that they match. For a long time many thought
Cruising altitude 16503 ft (5030 m)
Range 402 nm (745 km) Airport (CYYC) for my flight in it was impossible to use real aircraft weights for helicopters because, it did
Alpine Helicopters Bell 412. strange things to the helicopter flight dynamics. A further example of this
Propulsion
After getting my bags and my is accurately modeling the number of rotor blades, their size, and weights
Type Pratt & Whitney Canada PT
6 T-3D Turbo Twin Pac rental car taken care of I weaved in the air file. This aircraft disproved these myths.
Power rating (max.) 1775 shp (1800 wps) my way through the booming Lastly, this project serves as an example the days of doing a realistic
Total power rating 1775 shp (1800 wps)
(max.) city of Calgary on my way out aircraft by yourself are about done. While Jordan began this project solo, it
Payload 13-14pax / 2041kg to Canmore, where Alpine’s took a team of 14 people to get the first version out the door. That team
Image: Gary Mills

heliport is located. Canmore is
situated in the Canadian Rockies
and this location offers a terrific
range of flight conditions and
environments for the demo
The Virtual Cockpit, although not clickable, is among the most clear and crisp we’ve ever seen.
16 Rotorwash
consisted of two type specific experts from Bell, a Bell trainer, 2 commercial
rated helicopter pilots, 2 private rated helicopter plots, 2 private rated fixed
wing pilots, a mechanical engineer, an avionics technician, 2 Hovercontrol
instructor pilots and Jordan Moore. The testing team alone logged more
than 600 hours testing the flight dynamics and systems.
So what does the HC412 mean to the future of MSFS helicopter
development? It serves as the example that a passionate, innovative team
of people can create an accurate and enjoyable model for this simulator.
Cover ARticle
flight to be conducted in.
Meeting old friends of mine
at Alpine, I quickly move through
the process of the preflight
briefing and a check on weather.
Then out to the tarmac for the
preflight on the bird.
When you first approach the
aircraft you are keenly aware
that she has all the right lines
and proportions, nothing grossly
distorted or out of position on
the aircraft model. A walk around
starting at the nose and working
aft ward along the exterior
reveals that considerable care
went in to the development of
the model and the mapping of
textures on to the aircraft. The
main rotor head is quite realistic
in its appearance, as is the case
with the anti-torque tail rotor
system as well. Enhanced panel
lines, rivets and exterior details
add a nice touch to the overall
look and feel to the aircraft.
Completing the pre-flight
exterior check and positioning
in to the PIC (pilot in command)
seat the pilot is treated to a full
dual IFR instrument panel. The
virtual cockpit of the aircraft is
beautifully modeled and allows
for a lot of interaction with its
panel controls.
The kneeboard checklist
for the HC412 is as vital to
proper operations as fuel is to
running the engines! The HC
412 requires nothing less than
ones full attention while running
through the pre-start checklist.
Once this is done a few times it
becomes second nature and will
only take the experienced flight
crew a few minutes to complete
and bring the aircraft to life and
18 Rotorwash
Cover Article
flight ready status. the pilot to spend some time
The pilot gets the HC 412 practicing their hover control
in multiple configurations, the techniques and their approaches
offshore workhorse who is float with her. The profiles and tactics
equipped and likely the most employed in flying the 206 and
recognizable of the 412 family. other light turbines just won’t
The ambulance variant equipped work here with this lady!
with litters and EMT equipment However, spend a couple
for the Life Flight role. The of hours flying patterns and
military variant outfitted with approaches and you will soon
folding fin air to ground rocket find yourself feeling very
pods. The SAR (Search and comfortable with her. The author — interview with
Jordan Moore
Rescue) bird, winch mounted The roll rate and abundant
for those emergency hoist when power will catch many by
there just is no place to put surprise; this is a known
the 412 on to the ground! And characteristic of the full size 412
By: Sergio Costa
the slick clean of all exterior as well. This ship is extremely
additions, allowing for friendly nimble for her size. The VNe
frame rates. (velocity never exceed) can be
The 2D and VC allow for quickly surpassed if you are
easy instrument scans and not cautious about your power Born in the mid 1970’s, Jordan Moore is the proud son of a Huey Crew-chief and
panel/switch interaction. A very setting and forward airspeeds.
nice feature while not new is Two years (plus) in
HH-53 Flight Engineer. His father is not the only link to the military; Jordan is also
introduced for the first time in a development, the HC 412 is not a United States Air Force veteran. His fascination with flight simulators and the
HC helicopter is the controlling a disappointment! She clearly
genuine love for helicopters took him into creating the most well known and populated
sub window that allows the user has what it takes to be accepted
to functionally click within a by the masses and by the high- helicopter flight simulation community website around. Jordan is the author of great
designated area to bring up that fidelity flight simulation guru helicopter creations for Flight Simulator such as the Sikorsky UH-60 and the Bell
boxes controlled part. Aeroworx alike.
utilized such a control for their Thumbs up to Jordan Moore
“Huey”. Known for his attention to detail and will to further improve himself and his
KingAir package and I suspect and the HC test team on bringing designs, Jordan authors yet another great project.
this influenced Mr. Moore. This us a very nice aircraft indeed!
is a very easy way to bring up
a cluster of gauges or a circuit Why did you choose the Bell 412? take so much time to release?
panel and stow it back away Where to get it I had just finished a fairly basic version of a Maybe not quite 2.5 years, but close enough.
again. Blackhawk helicopter, and wanted to return to a Huey I think the main reason this project took so long
www.hovercontrol.com
The HC 412 will require derivative of some sort. The 412 was a beautiful was because it started out with one objective, and
airframe, with the expression and personality of a ended with another. Initially, I was going to create
Huey, but with the types of modern avionics and another “fun” helicopter. Something based on the
systems that I was wanting to learn more about. default Jet Ranger, that would look good, but not
It wasn’t until I started modelling some of the necessarily be complex or extremely detailed.
basic features of the fuselage that I realized just During the project I had been working on gauge
Image: Bob Rivera
Image: Gary Mills
how much I would enjoy this particular aircraft. It and system development, and decided that this
continued to grow on me as I worked along. was the project to apply that type of development
In the Hovercontrol forums (www. to. So what was to be a fairly simple project, was
hovercontrol.com) I read that the 412 project now going to have many simulated systems and
took about 2.5 years. Is this correct? Why did it functions and was going to be the result of working
The HC412 comes in several liveries. And whatever one you use, it looks good anywhere!
Rotorwash 19
Cover Article
with many subject matter experts.
I also read that you thought of quitting a
few times. I can only imagine the frustrations
you must have encountered in developing such
a complex helicopter. When did you feel the
“switch clicking”? I mean: when did you felt
that it was too much and you couldn’t take it
anymore?
There was no particular time or event that
pushed me over the edge. The major problem
was that running Hovercontrol requires a great
deal of time and energy. There are always several
priorities being managed. The development of the
412 was just one more priority that wasn’t easy to
fit into the list. It eventually got to the point where I
wondered if every other important task or idea was
suffering because of the length of the 412 related
work. It was hanging over my head every single
day. I couldn’t talk to anyone without them asking
me about it. Only a few individuals understood the
level of work that it was taking behind the scenes to
keep the website going in addition to finishing the
helicopter project. In the build up to the release,
the 412 also seemed to evoke strong emotions in
many of the Hovercontrol members. Some positive,
but some negative reactions as well. I have a thick
skin, but some of these reactions were really quite
awful. The expectations were already high, but
these situations were definitely trying, and only
served to delay our work.
I presume things weren’t (at least I hope not)
all bad. What were the good things that kept
you going? What was it that made you feel good
about the project and give you the strength you
needed to complete it?
As for good things that helped keep this project
alive, probably the most notable was….Chris Gaeth
(“Panther” on Hovercontrol). I think Chris saw what
was happening with me, and how much stress this
helicopter was starting to generate, and decided
to help. He didn’t beat around the bush, or wait for
me to ask for help. He simply gathered an amazing
group of guys that would bend over backward to
test, research, or generally do anything they could
to assist with anything I needed. I am only now
starting to really understand just how good his
timing was, and how rare this type of character is.
20 Rotorwash
“Yeah, yeah... It’s just a small break. I’ll get back at work right away. Really!”
I owe him a lot of thanks. The other high points
of the project included the wonderful professional
contacts that I have made through Hovercontrol.
Working with professionals to research information
on the 412 was a tremendous learning experience,
and I was able to make new friends that shared my
fascination with helicopters and systems. These
guys are sharp, and they take things seriously.
They don’t think of flight simulation as a game,
and neither do I.
Tricky question: Would you go through all
that again?
Yes. The 412 has given me a chance to learn
things about helicopters and systems that I would
have not been able to learn otherwise. If I had to do
it all over again, I would have waited until I really
knew the scope of the project before speaking
publicly about it.
Have you taken any time now for relaxing
and actually flying your 412? At the possible
distance, what are your feelings towards this
helicopter now? Are you flying it as much as
you can, or you just want to run away from it?
I wish! I really was looking forward to resting a
little after the 412 was finally released. However,
that has not been possible. As I mentioned,
Hovercontrol always has several large projects in
the pipeline. There is always something that is
awaiting my attention. To date, I have had ONE full
flight on my 412. That is, a flight with a beginning,
“My main focus in regards
to development and
Hovercontrol will continue
to be to reach as many
helicopter enthusiasts as
possible, and help them enjoy
the possibilities of helicopter
flight simulation.”
a middle, and an end. One quiet Saturday morning,
I met with Hovercontrol Instructor Paul Robinson
and he gave me a wonderful tour of the Gulf
of Mexico platforms released by the Offshore
Development Group. It was a great flight!
Outside this interview, you told me that you
are having your hands full with people writing
you about the project. What kinds of emails
do you usually get? Are you still having the
same problem about people not reading the
documentation?
Because of the nature of Hovercontrol, it is
safe to say that many of the people that try out
the 412 package will not fully appreciate what it
is about. This is probably not a great package for
a person with no experience with flight simulation
or helicopters. If it helps a few people get more
serious about helicopters and flight simulation,
then it is worth it. That is what Hovercontrol is
all about. I can’t possibly respond to all of the
questions I receive regarding the 412, but I will
continue to make as much information available
as possible via the website. Those that are serious,
will seek out the information and learn from it.
You do realize that you have forever changed
the freeware helicopter concept. What now?
What do you expect from other developers? Do
you think the freeware community will awake
to the possibilities of FS and the helicopter
development?
If my work helps challenge others into doing
bigger and better things, or set new standards,
that is great. If they choose to apply their passion
to freeware projects, certainly that will help expose
Cover ARticle
more people, especially younger users, to the
wonders of helicopters. I think I will also continue
to contribute in this way when I can. However,
in order to reach a certain level of detail and
accuracy, doing it for free becomes very difficult.
I would rather my 412 project not be seen as a
flagship for freeware development. Because that
is not something I really espouse, it would be a
misrepresentation of my feelings on the subject. My
decision to release a free version of the helicopter
was not an ideological one. It was just the best
decision for me, under the circumstances.
Considering the FS development team is on
top of your project (and other ones out there)
what do you expect about future FS releases? I
know you can only speculate but let’s embark in
Jordan Moore’s FS Fantasy Land now.
I would be so happy just to have a few basic
things added or improved. I feel this way because
there is so much that we haven’t even done in
this version. I have a huge list of FS9 compatible
ideas that I probably will never even get to before
the next version takes over. The physics are
better than most people realize, so I’m not too
hung up in this area. Most importantly, I would
like to see more interaction between aircraft and
surrounding objects and more ability to manipulate
the characteristics of the helicopter at runtime.
This would open up many new possibilities for
the helicopter community. Developer tools, and
Intellectual Property protection would also help
boost serious development interest in the simulator
as a platform. Expanded helicopter engine support
is something we are probably all interested in as
well. However, the 412 taught me that there is
more available in this area than we are even taking
advantage of yet.
What now? What do you expect from yourself
from now on?
My main focus in regards to development
and Hovercontrol will continue to be to reach as
many helicopter enthusiasts as possible, and help
them enjoy the possibilities of helicopter flight
simulation. I especially enjoy introducing young
people to helicopters, its great to watch them learn
and develop their appreciation for things. I expect
to keep raising our ability to do this, regardless
Rotorwash 21
Cover Article
of what version of Flight Simulator happens to be
on the shelves. On a personal level, I don’t plan
on doing many more projects that are not highly
detailed, accurate, and as realistic as possible.
I know this may be a very tricky or premature
question. Maybe even somewhat polemic: is
Jordan Moore going payware now? I mean…
Your work is, definitely, payware-quality (I
would say it’s even better than a lot of payware
material out there). I know you have posted a
few messages on the HC forum about it, but
how are your feelings now? In a nutshell…
I certainly will do payware projects when I
believe it is a good and practical choice. However,
Cover ARticle
to get back to. A serious upgrade to the Liquid
Scenery idea is in order, but it’s possible that I’ll
be forced to wait until a new version of Flight A Bit of History
Simulator before making any serious decisions
about this type of system.
Jordan, let me finish by thanking you for
Since 2003, Jordan Moore has been providing the helisim community with some great quality
your time on this interview, for your time and
effort towards the community and all your
aircraft. From the small S300 to the amazing Aircrane, Jordan brought us the classic Bell Huey,
work. Any last words? Feel free to say anything some of the most amazing Blackhawk family members such as the Firehawk and, most recently,
you’d like to get out to our readers and the the subject of this extensive article: the Bell 412.
community.
Be good to each other. We all share something
very wonderful in helicopter flight simulation. The Bell Huey Schweizer
more seriously you take it, the more you’ll get (2003)

Image: Gary Mills

Image: Gary Mills

I’ll always want to keep reaching out to those out of it, and the more interesting people you will S300
that are new to helicopters and helicopter flight meet. (2004)
simulation. So I have no set direction on this. I’ll
just have to see what types of opportunities present [note: I would like to thank Jordan Moore
themselves. Some of the software I would like to for being so kind as taking a piece of his busy
develop probably would not even be appropriate schedule apart for this interview — Sergio
for the general flight simulation community, and Costa]
would probably be better marketed at industry Erickson Bell Huey 2
professionals. (2004)

Image: Gary Mills

Image: Gary Mills

What’s next for you? Do you have any other Aircrane
project in mind? (2004)
Of course! Most of them are not aircraft related
projects however. Training at Hovercontrol is going
to receive a major overhaul, and we hope to do
some very good things. This will definitely appeal
to our more serious members that want to learn as
much as possible about helicopters and helicopter
operations. I also have some pet projects I’d like Sikorsky Sikorsky

Image: Gary Mills

Image: Gary Mills
Blackhawk Jayhawk
(2004) (2004)

Sikorsky Bell 412

(2005)
Firehawk

Image: Gary Mills

Image: Gary Mills
(2004)

Bell UH-1 Huey and the Erickson Aircrane. Two of the best known and loved designs by Jordan Moore

22 Rotorwash Rotorwash 23
Review Review
after reviewing several hundred
pictures of the RotorWay, I don’t
think I have seen two identical
helicopters. Craftsmen always
find a slightly better way of
finishing things off it seems.”
Each model comes with at
least one fantastic livery; the
pilot and doors model actually
has three included. These come
fresh from the paint shops of

Image: Laurie Bennett

the very talented Jim Whisman
or M. Allen Richards. These
paint jobs are all detailed and
expertly finished. What’s more
there’s a painting competition
E * ROTORWASH M advertised on the Munch Bros.

Image: Gary Mills

A ZIN AG
AG A They haven’t skimped on the panel details
M website, which should provide a
ZI
H

SILVERD
NE

plethora of new liveries for you

AS
AGAZ * ROTORW

*R

which has not been overdone Looking through the pictures to install. Looking at the website
OTOR

AWAR
like on some aircraft. of Execs that I could find there there are already paints to be
WASH MAGA
I NE

Now one problem faced by seemed to be a multitude of downloaded as I type this, and
teams attempting to model kit different features and each I’m sure there’ll be many more
M

ZIN
SH

built helicopters for FS is that one seemed to be unique. As by the time you read this.
E
WA

RO
OR
every one seems to be different. the readme says, “I have to say Going inside, the 2D panel
T OR T
WAS RO
H MAGAZINE *

A Kit-Built Wonder
RotorWay 162F Exec By: Laurie Bennett

J
ust about every single flight stands a chance of owning, like for your enjoyment. You can have
simmer in the world dreams the Robinson R-22, provided to a single pilot, or a pilot with a
about owning and flying their us by Microsoft, and now the beautiful young lady passenger.
own aircraft. Flight simming new RotorWay Exec from Munch The single pilot comes with or
seems to bring us closer to this Bros. The Exec 162F is a kit built without doors if you like feeling
dream, but how many of us helicopter sold by RotorWay and the rotor wash in your hair. Each
could actually ever afford the built by the purchaser. Luckily it model is just as detailed as the
private Bell 412s and Sikorsky only takes 450 hours to build! last, even down to the position
Sea Kings that we all seem to The external model on the of the ballast weight depending
fly? And yet we demand realism Munch Bros. effort looks like it on the number of passengers.
in these aircraft we could never could have taken that long to A nice feature is the pilot and
own. model. The models by Donald passenger are permanently, but
But there are a few helis Elliott are beautiful and 3 subtly looking around, a very
that the average flight simmer different variants are provided pleasant bit of animation indeed,

24 Rotorwash Rotorwash 25
 Review
isn’t mind-blowingly beautiful to

Image: Gary Mills

The Real 162F Exec look at, but a bit of exploration
and you’ll find that all the
normal functionality and more
is included. A very nice FADEC
gauge, that I still can’t get my
head around, is included and as

Image: Rotorway
far as I can tell it is excellently
programmed and very realistic.
The normal gauges you’d expect
to find are all there as well, but
the airspeed indicator is in miles
per hour, which may surprise
Colorfull, isn’t it???
Coming from a family that has those pilots who like to just get
been performing a multitude of tasks in and fly. A realistic start up
(crop spraying, commuting, police procedure is included for those staff at Munch Bros.
surveillance, etc.), the 162F Exec is who like them, but it’s perfectly This helicopter is truly a
Rotorway’s crown jewel. possible to just load the aircraft work of art and it is unfortunate
It’s been equiped with the latest in ready to fly. It would be nice to that its release has been over
fuel injection and electronic ignition: have some custom SimIcons, so shadowed by the release of
the “FADEC SYSTEM” (Fully Automated that the overhead panel isn’t a certain Bell 412. The flight
Digital Electronic Control) controls the summoned up by the compass model is beautiful and shouldn’t
Exec 162F powerplant, which is also one icon, but that shouldn’t detract prove challenging for the novice
of the most advanced in the world. from your enjoyment. pilot. It also seems to be accurate
In the event of a total loss or failure of Moving into the virtual and matches the specifications
any component, including the electronic cockpit, I am very impressed provided as well as can be
control unit, a redundant system will by what I find. A beautifully expected. More variants have
automatically engage for uninterrupted modelled and textured cockpit been hinted about on the site,
operation. and though the switches aren’t as well as an improvement to
3D, they all seem to be clickable, the passenger or ‘Monkey Girl’
Technical Data suggesting that this aircraft is as her creator calls her. I’d say
fully flyable from the VC, though that any improvements to the
Sizes and weights
Total length 29.5 ft (9.00 m) you may want a slightly larger helicopter are welcome, but in
Total height 7.87 ft (2.40 m) screen than mine if you want my opinion not necessary, and
Rotor diameter 25 ft (7.60 m)
to be able to read the FADEC that this is an excellent job by
Max take off weight 1500 lbs (680 kg)
Weight (empty) 975 lbs (442 kg) easily. You’ll find that all the Don and the team.
controls are animated, and a Aircraft and aditional liveries
Performance data
Max. speed 100 kts (185 km/h)
large ‘EXPERIMENTAL’ sign on available as free download from
Cruising speed 83 kts (154 km/h) the back wall reminds you that www.munchbros.com.
Climb rate 1000 ft/min (6.86 m/s) you’re not in your Jetranger any
Cruising altitude 10000 ft (3000 m)
Range 180 nm (333 km) more.
Though I have had no
Propulsion
problems with the helicopter
Type RI 162F, 162 cu. in.
(2659 cc) what so ever, some people have
Payload 2 pax had problems with the compass, Where to get it
and these have been immediately
www.munchbros.com
addressed by the members and
Article
Tips for creating a great flight simulation video
S
ince the early days of
aviation people have been
fascinated by flight and
thankfully, many were compelled
to capture this fascination on
film. Nothing has changed
with the advent of the home
computer and flight simulation
software, we are still fascinated
by what we see and many of us
are still compelled to capture
these moments in video. Anyone
can make a flight simulation
28 Rotorwash
3... 2... 1... Action
video, but my goal has always
been to make videos that hold
true to Microsoft’s motto “As
real as it gets” To create a flight
simulation video you will need
video capture software such as
Fraps which is available for free
at www.fraps.com and editing
software such as Windows Movie
Maker. The following tips and
tricks are a result of many hours
spent in front of the computer
and the expert advice of those
Image: Shawn Lund
By: Shawn Lund
who took the time to watch my
videos. These tips have worked
for me, but obviously everyone
will have a different view of what
makes a great video. I believe as
long as you’re having fun doing
it, you’re doing it right.
1. Every great movie starts
with a script and yours should
be no different. The script is
the blueprint of your video
and outlines the purpose and
Article
motivation behind it. Your script
can be as simple or complicated
as you like but it should provide
you with some direction as
to the type of shots, aircraft,
scenery and storyline you want
to incorporate into the video.
2. The composition of
each shot is probably the single
most important factor to a good
video. Try to make every shot
interesting and unique and
never show the same thing twice.
Image: Shawn Lund
The background scenery is as
important to the arrangement of
the shot as the aircraft itself. A
great aircraft will look even better
when put against the backdrop
of great scenery. The availability Compare this shot with the cover pic on this article. No clouds, wrong light angle... A MESS!!!
of free add-on sceneries is
endless, take advantage of this.
shots, try turning on the cockpit you edit the video, you may be
I always try to explore the shot
lights or positioning the aircraft surprised by how well a certain
from several different angles
to capture sunlight reflecting off selection works.
before recording to ensure that
the dash or gauges. Filming at
I am making the best use of
different times of the day such 6. Don’t pan or zoom when
the surrounding scenery and
as dawn and dusk, will change you are recording a shot, it looks
lighting.
the lighting effect and allow unnatural. Use the zoom and pan
for more artistic shots. Avoid function to compose a shot but
3. Keep your shots realistic;
shooting at night; your video leave them alone when recording.
don’t show a Rotorway Exec
will most likely turn out to dark. If you want to show the aircraft
flying from an offshore oil rig
from different angles within one
or a Seahawk making a pedal
5. Your selection of music shot, try changing the options
turn over the deck of an aircraft
will play a huge role in setting in spot view to fixed. You can
carrier.
the mood of your video. Make do this while flying by pressing
sure to match the tempo of the ALT key/selecting views/
4. Use light to your
the music, to the tempo of the view options/ spot plane and
advantage; you can show-off the
video, a change in tempo usually then select fixed from the “type”
reflective textures on an aircraft
implies a change in the scene. drop down list. With a fixed spot
by shooting with the sun at
Try experimenting with a few view, the camera position will
your back. When taking interior
different music selections while remain at a constant distant and
Rotorwash 29
Article Article
bearing as you fly. You can also be kept short; anything that

Image: Shawn Lund

try using the tower view to get can be edited from the shot
a wider variety of shots, make should be. If you want to show
sure to change the position of the start-up animation of a
the tower to take advantage of helicopter, edit everything but
background scenery. To change the rotors actually beginning to
the position of the tower view spin. A video constructed from
while flying, press the Alt key/ a number of short, edited shots
select world/select map, now will look far more professional
you can click and drag the tower than a compilation of longer
icon around the map. You will shots. Any clip that last more
also see an aircraft icon on than 3-4 seconds should capture
the map showing your current something unique that will hold
location, you can use this to the viewers attention.

Image: Shawn Lund

help position the tower. Flying
from the tower view or while 11. Windows Movie Maker
using the fixed option in spot will automatically compress
view will certainly add a degree the video file when it saves it
of difficulty to your flying but to your computer; you will lose
with a little practice you will be Another good example: note the well lighted panel and interesting background. a significant amount of quality
able to get some great shots. as a result of this compression.
Bad vs Good: poor lighting and uninteresting background can ruin a scene.
You are given an option before
Compare the “bad” composure (top) with the “good” composure (bottom).
7. Don’t use cheesy
through a bunch of clips looking
“Every great rendering to chose the final file
for particular shot, simple
transitions or effects,
because you can. I use the fade
just
descriptors such a good flyby, movie starts size of the completed video, that
larger the file size you chose the
pad landing etc work well.
out transition almost exclusively; with a script better the quality of the video.
this is a natural transition that I would recommend increasing
won’t distract the viewer.
9. To ensure the transition and yours the file size by at least 30%. Just
between shots looks natural
and smooth, edit the clips so should be no keep in mind that not everyone
8. Now that you have has a high speed internet
taken all the shots you need
that each adjacent shot is from
different. The connection and large video files
a different camera angle and
it’s time to start editing. If you
begin the editing process by
distance. For instance, if you script is the may not get the number of views
you were hoping for.
start with a full profile, side shot,
first organizing your clips, the
transition to a close up head on
blueprint of Creating a great video is no
process will go much smoother. easy task, but if take your time,
I will normally view each clip,
shot. your video and learn from your mistakes and
decide to delete or keep it
10. Be ruthless with your
outlines the have fun doing it you will soon
Image: Shawn Lund

and then re-name each one be making videos that are “As
before even starting up Movie
editing, when you’re finished purpose and real as it gets”.
with the video keep it for a day
Maker. Renaming the files will
or two, review it and be ruthless motivation
ensure that you aren’t wading
again. Individual shots should
behind it.”

30 Rotorwash Rotorwash 31
Review
Nemeth Designs Mi-17
I
h It was a hot summer day
some 17 years ago. I was
sitting in my chair in front
of the helicopter line-up, wich
were at idle waiting permission
to take off. After a few moments
two of the Pumas took off. They
hovered for a few moments. I
was looking at them when my
father came and took me by my
hand. I didn`t know why he was
taking me away. To my surprise
he was taking me to the place
where a few moments earlier a
32 Rotorwash
Mi-8 landed. Its engines were
still runing. Something was
going to happen, I could feel
it. I got in and saw the pilots
were still in their seats. This was
when I realised that I was going
to fly. My heart started pumping
seriously – I was going to fly!
I was looking out of the
window very excited as we took
off. The flight engineer came
and took me with him in the
cockpit. He put me in front of
the autopilot panel between the
Image: Bogdan Movileanu
There are panels, panels and... did I mention panels?
The Mi-8, medium size
helicopter, first took to the skies
44 years ago and it’s serving
faithfully the military or civil
aviation ever since. It is well
known for its versatility, easy to
use and easy maintenance and it
doesn’t even need a hangar.
Russian do-it-all With over 11,000 Mi-8/17s
built and in active service in
80 countries this helicopter
has earned its place in aviation
history.
By: Bogdan Movileanu
Instalation and documentation
pilots’ panels. The BEST view The instalation process is
in the house! It was thrilling. easy and straight-forward. You
I looked at the pilot who was have to download an executable
concentrating on the flight, the file wich is 47Mb. After you
flight engineer was looking at double clicked on the file you’ve
the gauges to see if everything just downloaded you’re only
is running smoothly and the task is to tell the instalation
other pilot doing the navigation program where to install
work and also eating sun-flower the helicopter. I, personally,
seeds. I saw my block of flats, my install it in a temporary folder
home town, my friends playing and after that I move it to the
football. The flight lasted about appropriate location. The
an hour.It was the best day of package contains a manual. In it
my life! you’ll find everything you need:
Image: Bogdan Movileanu
a short history of the elicopter, a
comprehensive list of technical
data, checklist, start-up/shut
down sequence. An easy to use
repaint kit is included.
Exterior model
Outstanding. It really
resembles the real helicopter.
Every curve, every angle it is
where and how it should be.
As you would expect from a
payware helicopter every part
is animated, the sliding door,
the clamshell doors or the
emergency staircase in the
clamshell for the passenger
version. It is animated even the
little engine acces door in the
roof of the cockpit. Every door
opens like it suppose to open.
On the passenger version when
you open the sliding door a
staircase rotates to the exterior
like on the real helicopter. The
staircase isn’t present in the
round windowed version. The
main gear gratiosly compresses
when helicopter is landing or
Review
extends when the helicopter
takes-off. When taxiing the
wheels turn and the suspensions
react to the ground. Even the
high UHF antennas are modeled.
These are the two wires that
start from the root of the tail
and are attached to the wings.
[photo ss412.jpg] Also the two
landing lights that retract into
the fuselage are animated.
The textures are very
detailed. Every nut and bolt
is drawn. The main and tail
rotor blades textures are
photorealistic. If you can get
close enough I think the serial
number on the blades can be
read. The main and tail rotor
masts are very well modeled.
The package comes with
textures: Kazan Helicopters,
Ulan-Ade Aviation Plant and
a military texture (red “108”)
and with three models: square
windows with passenger seats,
round windows with stretchers
and benches and paradrops
(clamshells removed).
Interior model
Let’s take a tour of the
interior as we would take it if
this was a real helicopter. We
climb the stairs and we enter the
passenger cabin and observe
the armchairs detailed modeled.
[photo ss407.jpg] Everything is
beautiful and detailed textured,
I could say it has the Russian
smell of things. Everything is
photoreal [photo ss408.jpg].
On the other two models when I
first saw the cargo aeria I swear
I could smell the metal and oil
and jetgas, a smell specific for
Rotorwash 33
 Review Review
inside, but it sounds like a bottle
full of pressurized gas that has a
The Real Mi-17 leak. Once the main engines are
started the AI-9V is shut down,
but the sound is still there. The
helicopter doesn’t have specific
interior sounds, instead the
exterior sound can be heard
plus the AI-9V sound.

Flying the helicopter

Image: Bogdan Movileanu

Before you start flying the

Image: Bogdan Movileanu

Image: Bogdan Movileanu

The Mi-8, medium size helicopter, helicopter the manual and the
first took to the skies 44 years ago and cockpit layout must be learned!
it’s serving faithfully the military or civil There are a lot of switches and
aviation ever since. It is well known the helicopter won’t start if you
for its versatility, easy to use and easy don’t flip them in the corect
maintenance and it doesn’t even need order. The start-up procedure
a hangar. is very close to the real one.
With over 11,000 Mi-8/17s built The detail in the Virtual Cockpit is amazing. Ready to board some passengers This usualy takes a minimum
and in active service in 80 countries of 3 minutes. After the engines
this helicopter has earned its place in this helicopter. such as 800x600. In every a hover indicator. And on the the 2D panel is comprised only are started you can take off.
aviation history. We leave the passenger Russian cockpit there is the pilot copilot’s cockpit there should from the main gauges and the Softly pull the collective up and
cabin and we head to the fan. You’ll find two fans, for be course drift indicator and pilot’s window. All the different it’ll gently lift-off, after that
Technical Data cockpit. First thing that strikes each pilot, located just bellow true air speed (TAS) and DISS- panels can be accessed from the apply forward pressure to the
you is the green panel. After the engine start/shut-down 15 indicator. shift+number keys. cyclic and the helicopter will
Sizes and weights
Total length 83.33 ft (25.40 m) this feeling passes you`ll notice console. Usually this setup is Every switch is modeled 3D. start to move forward. Trim
Total height 5.7 ft (5.7 m) that all the gauges and switches found on Mi-8s. On the Mi-17s From the eye-candy point of the helicopter until it stays in a
Rotor diameter 69.88 ft (21.30 m) Sound
are animated and there are a lot the fans are located on each view this is very nice, but this forward flight. It is very easy to
Max take off weight 28660 lbs (13000 kg)
Weight (empty) 975 lbs (7100-7370 kg) of them. The cyclic, collective, pilot’s dashboard. Unfortunately stops anyone from tunning the Here the helicopter gets a control and very agile for its size
pedals and fuel cut-off valves these aren’t animated. An error panel as one wants because that minus. The sound is recorded and weight.
Performance data
Max. speed 135 kts (250 km/h)
are animated too. The thing that is that the AI-9V and engine would require changes to be from real engines. The AI-
Cruising speed 130 kts (240 km/h) places this add-on in league of start/shut-down buttons are made from the model itself. 9V sound can’t be heard from Landing
Climb rate 1771 ft/min (9 m/s) its own is that you can open the reversed, colour wise. The shut- People who fly the outside and I can tell you that
Cruising altitude 16400-18700ft
(5000-5700m) pilot side windows, the engine down buttons should be red helicopters from the 2D panel the real AI-9V is quite noisy. Don’t oversteer the
Range 270 nm (495 km) acces door in the cockpit roof and the start buttons should be will be dissapointed because This sound can be heard from helicopter. Gently slow down
and the cockpit exit door only black. and let the collective to the
Propulsion
Type 2x 2,250-shp Isotov by clicking on them. Opening There are missing 3 gauges floor easily. Bellow 50 meters
TV3-117MT turboshaft the pilot side windows becomes on the pilot’s and copilot’s you should have speeds bellow

Image: Bogdan Movileanu

Image: Bogdan Movileanu

Payload Internal load: 4000 kg
External on sling only: a little problematic during rainy panel. If you take a look at the 50 km/h. When you are above
3000 kg weather. This could be solved tail of the helicopter you’ll see the helipad gently put it on the
Transports 24 troops and
cargo, or armaments on by only clicking the window’s that there`s a bulge beneath the ground.
6x external hardpoints frame. tail. That’s the DISS-15 system
The information writen near antenna. In the cockpit there
a certain switch can be read very should be three gauges. On the Where to get it
easy even at low resolutions pilot’s panel there should be
Nemeth Designs’ Mi-17 is ready to take passengers or perform the Medevac role. www.simmarket.com

34 Rotorwash Rotorwash 35