[VSKYLABS Test-Flight report] issued 9th March 2026
Hello VSKYLABS Test-Pilots!
A simple, yet fascinating experience in X-Plane 12, reflected here from the VSKYLABS cockpit.
I took the Mini-500 for a short hop. X-Plane version 12.4.0-r2.
Above is an edited video showing segments from that flight, which took about 4 minutes.
Very long time since the last time I flew the Mini-500. Most of my flying these days are test and evaluation flights; usually short, mission-oriented segments that are highly focused. In many cases they are repetitive: flying the same segment again and again until the results are satisfactory.
My last flight in the Mini-500 was (very) long ago, so I considered this experience as 'fresh'.
My flight window was short, so I started the flight in 'Engines Running' mode. Everything was already set; cyclic, collective, pedals. Up we go...(raising collective and tickle the pedals).
My first thought was: Oh gosh… this is so under-powered...man...have I missed a flight-model update in X-Plane???
*Reminder - I developed this helicopter for X-Plane, and people may be flying it as we speak!
I was pulling collective and almost nothing happened...well, almost nothing. I continued raising it for a clear lift-off. Anti-torque input was very responsive, yet predictable (phew...). Once airborne, I could confirm: a very weak helicopter. As I pulled the collective just a bit higher, I could practically hear the engine being stressed, the RPM struggling to hold 100%....NICE!!!
The Mini-500 is powered by a Rotax 582 / 67 hp engine. So this drive-train behavior was expected, and obviously was one of the core aspects in development. But as noted...I haven't flown it for a very long time.
Since I only had a few minutes for this hop, I moved into a clearer area and gently pushed forward to gain airspeed and actually fly. At this point I noticed the drive-train strain again as I raised the collective gently for forward flight. As a side-note I'll add that demonstrating this Man-Machine interface was one of the core objective in the development of the VSKYLABS Mini-500. I hadn’t flown it for many months, yet it felt just right.
I love under-powered aircraft. Flying them forces the pilot to manage the engine, controls, and energy (airspeed, altitude, sink rates...) with constant attention.
A few seconds later I crossed the dark side of the Height-Velocity envelope while accelerating.
The flight took place at Base-8, which provides quite a few references and 'positive distractions'. I decided to follow one of the inner roads and headed toward the Ramp Compound area. The combination of low sun angle and haze looked immersive. It was one of those moments that occasionally happen when flying in X-Plane 12 under 'interesting' weather conditions.
As I got close to the ramp compound, which is a kind of a confined landing area, depending on the approach, I slowed down and descended while performing a quick 180° turn to position myself just in front of the snowy ramp.
During that combined descent and turn there was a moment when I had to raise the collective and add anti-torque input quite significantly. I felt that I might not make it. The RPM was stressed, and I recognized an unintentional drop in altitude as I raised the collective higher than expected.
It was one of those moments:
Raise the collective higher… or wait for the power.
I waited for the power, while keep losing a bit of altitude.
RPM gained 100% and the situation was controllable again. Phew. No crash...
I accelerated again and headed to the nearby unpaved landing strip, performing a fast fly-by. It was pretty fun and the Mini-500 felt spot-on. It really 'comes alive' above 60 knots...
I pulled up gently and made a large 360° turn above the paved runway area, coming back for landing. Final approach was a bit 'hotter' than planned. Again, I found myself managing the power curve a bit too late and low with a slightly higher sink rate. I guess that this is was due to the fact that I've flown powerful VSKYLABS helicopters lately, and for me, this flight was in fact a kind of an adaptation flight...getting back to my old 'Mini-500 skills'...
Just like over the ramp compound, the power-train eventually provided the needed power though during the maneuver I had my doubts...again...
Landing was predictable, gentle and...safe.
End of flight.
I conclude the experience as very satisfying. Both in a sim-pilot and a developer perspective.
What I enjoyed the most was the interaction with the Mini-500 from the controls-perspective. It is an under-powered helicopter, and that characteristic is noticeable both in handling (how it feels on the controls), and in the sound feedback.
Flying aircraft by the sounds they make is one of the most satisfying experiences.
(Depending on the aircraft, this characteristics is implemented in many VSKYLABS aircraft, indicating stall, airspeed over the canopy, high Alpha buffet and so forth).
This handling and feedback combination triggers certain instincts in real-world pilots, regardless of what aircraft they fly.
Huss
VSKYLABS
