TorqueSim BN-2T Turbine Islander: Available Now!

TorqueSim and X-Aviation are excited to announce the release of the BN-2T Turbine Islander for X-Plane 11! It is equipped with 2 Allison 250 turboprop engines, has a 1500 pound useful load with full tanks, and can carry nine passengers. It has a 730 nautical mile maximum range and 170-knot cruising speed which gives the BN-2T Turbine Islander an even more diverse range of missions than the BN-2B.

The aircraft is available for $34.95 on X-Aviation, here. If you have already purchased the TorqueSim BN-2B Islander, you are eligible for a discount, bringing the price to $19.95. Check your email for an email from X-Aviation with instructions.

We also now have a bundle containing the TorqueSim BN-2B and BN-2T Islanders. Add both to your cart and use the coupon code 5798be55 when checking out to receive the bundle pricing of $54.95 ($15 off!).

Thank you for supporting TorqueSim! We hope you enjoy the BN-2T Turbine Islander as much as we did making it for you.

Features:

  • Highly detailed 3D model
  • Full PBR 4K Texturing
  • Custom Systems, including:
    • Fully custom electrical system, simulating the circuit breakers, buses, generators, and battery
    • Custom fuel manager
    • Custom lighting
  • Custom Avionics, including:
    • KFC225 Autopilot
    • GTX345 Transponder
    • KR87 ADF
    • M800 Chronometer
  • High-fidelity FMOD sound pack, with sounds recorded from the real aircraft
  • Carefully tuned and tested flight model based on real life performance data and input from Islander pilots
  • X-Plane GNS530/GNS430 (Also supports the RealityXP GNS530/430)
  • Support for RealityXP GTN 750/650
  • AFM G5 Integration (requires a copy of the AFM G5 plugin)
  • Custom Load Manager
  • Persistent systems (switches return to the state which they were left)
  • Fully custom C++ Plugin using the X-Plane SDK
  • Includes 12 base liveries, a blank livery, and paint-kit! See the liveries here
  • Long-term support, as well as additional features and updates planned

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TorqueSim BN-2T Turbine Islander Releasing Friday!

TorqueSim and X-Aviation are excited to announce the release of the Turbine Islander this Friday (January 29th)!

We’re pleased to finally present our rendition of the BN-2T to you.

What began as a simple conversion grew into a completely new aircraft. This is the culmination of efforts spanning nearly four months, including updates to the 3d model, textures, texture mapping, FMOD sound pack, plugins, flight model, and many more small fixes and changes. If you enjoyed the BN-2, you’ll find the turbine version an absolute joy to fly!

You can see our preview flight of the aircraft here!

Many of the upgrades built for the 2T will also find their way into our BN-2 in the near future in the form of update 1.2. We very much look forward to sending that out as well.

We’ll share final details for the Turbine Islander throughout the days prior to release. If you haven’t subscribed to our email list, make sure to subscribe here so you can stay up to date with all our projects!

You can also find us on our Discord server and all the usual social media sites!

Update 25 Jan 2021:

Regarding pricing and release logistics:

  • The TorqueSim BN-2T Turbine Islander will be available for $34.95
  • Everyone who has purchased the BN-2B through Thursday (Jan 28, 11:59pm EST) will be eligible for promotional pricing, bringing the price to $19.95 (43% off!). A coupon code will be emailed on Friday which will be valid for 60 days.
  • A bundle will be available containing the BN-2B and BN-2T for $54.95

All prices are in USD.

If you have any questions or want to discuss the release, join in at the announcement post on the forums here.

Here are some other great screenshots showing off the new visuals!

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TorqueSim Screenshot Contest Results (Dec 2020)

We would like to thank everyone who submitted for their great entries! There were many fantastic screenshots! The three winners were picked by the TorqueSim team, with the following prizes:

  1. Grand Prize: TorqueSim Take Command! SR20
  2. 2nd Prize: TorqueSim BN-2 Islander
  3. 3rd Prize: TorqueSim Pocket Rocket

1st Place: RobH

TorqueSim Islander | 1st Place: RobH

2nd Place: Aleem A

TorqueSim SR22TN | 2nd Place: Aleem A

3rd Place: Janis

TorqueSim Islander | 3rd Place: Janis

Runner Up: iheartPF

TorqueSim SR22 | Runner Up: iheartPF

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Take Command! SR20 and SR22 Updates

We have released the version 1.1.1 update for the SR22 Series and the version 1.0.1 update for the SR20. All customers who have purchased either aircraft up till now have been sent an e-mail by X-Aviation with complete instructions on how to obtain your update(s). We have made this a very simple process! For those that purchase either aircraft from today forward, your purchased download will already be updated version.

What if I didn’t get the update e-mail?

1. Login to your X-Aviation account here

2. Find your original SR22 Series and/or SR20 download and re-download the file. It will download as the latest version! 

SR22 Series Improvements / Bug Fixes:

  • Fixed starter type not being persistent
  • Fixed CHTs not cooling reliably after sim shutdown
  • FMOD adjustments
  • Implemented object-hide system for full cockpit setups
  • Decal fixes

SR20 Improvements / Bug Fixes:

  • Fixed starter type not being persistent
  • Fixed CHTs not cooling reliably after sim shutdown
  • Fixed engine cut-outs during taxi
  • Clickspot fixes for PFD CLR and ENT buttons
  • Avitab fix
  • FMOD adjustments
  • Minor object tweaks
  • Implemented object-hide system for full cockpit setups
  • Orange-Blue livery fixes
  • Decal fixes

As always, thanks for supporting TorqueSim and X-Aviation. We appreciate your feedback and support!

We are hiring at TorqueSim!

We are looking to expand our team of programmers, and perhaps add someone to aid in our customer experience. If any of these positions below of interest, consider applying to join the team!

If you have any questions, email careers@torquesim.com and we will get back to you.

Systems Developer

  • Responsible for creation of systems for aircraft. These may include: fuel, electrical, engines, hydraulics, etc.
  • Previous programming experience required, and X-Plane programming experience recommended.
  • Knowledge and experience in aviation/flight simulators is required
  • Background in math/physics/engineering
  • Our aircraft are programmed using C/C++ and the X-Plane SDK. Experience with C/C++ is preferred, but not required.
  • Candidates are expected to be driven to learn and become productive with C/C++ within a reasonable time period.
  • Commission pay determined based on projects.

Avionics Developer

  • Responsible for creation of aircraft avionics. These may include: PFD, MFD, FMS, etc.
  • Previous programming experience required, and X-Plane programming experience recommended.
  • Knowledge and experience in aviation/flight simulators is required.
  • Vector drawing or data parsing management experience recommended.
  • Background in math/physics/engineering
  • Our aircraft are programmed using C/C++ and the X-Plane SDK. Experience with C/C++ is preferred, but not required.
  • Candidates are expected to be driven to learn and become productive with C/C++ within a reasonable time period.
  • Commission pay determined based on projects.

Customer Experience Specialist

  • Help determine industry potential and market opportunities
  • Assist in customer support via tickets, forums, discord, and social media
  • Logging and categorization of bug reports
  • Manage social media posts
  • Help grow the TorqueSim brand
  • Commission or fixed rate pay determined on a case-by-case basis

These positions are all contractor positions, you will be responsible for setting your own hours, providing your own equipment, and you will work from your own home. Please contact us if you have any more questions.

Take Command! SR20 has arrived!

TorqueSim, X-Aviation, and RealSimGear are excited to announce the Take Command! SR20 has arrived and is ready to join your hangar! Don’t be fooled by imitations. THIS is the SR20 simulation flight schools will be using! The systems simulation along with 3D modeling is incredible. There’s no other SR20 on the sim market like it. This is the perfect addition to the Take Command! SR22 Series.

While on the surface, the SR20 seems quite similar to the SR22, there is much more changed than what immediately meets the eye. We have worked to develop a fully custom engine model to implement the Continental IO-360-ES engine, with all its proper behaviors and quirks. With the systems, we had to go in and make the systems match a proper G3. The 3D model throughout is significantly revamped to match. This aircraft will be the perfect addition to any simmer’s hangar!

The Take Command! SR20 is designed to work perfectly with the RealSimGear G1000 and Cirrus Perspective Hardware. Learn more about the hardware options here!

The aircraft is sold separately from the SR22 Series. A discounted upgrade price was emailed to everyone who already purchased the SR22 Series before today.

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Take Command! SR20 for X-Plane 11 Releasing Friday!

TorqueSim, RealSimGear, and X-Aviation are excited to announce the SR20 for X-Plane will release this Friday (November 13th)! The SR20 is the culmination of thousands of hours of work, building on top of our recently released Take Command! SR22 Series to create the highest of quality aircraft.

The X-Aviation Take Command! brand of products represents the very best of flight simulation immersion, and assures you this TorqueSim product is one of the most sophisticated, study sim level aircraft available for X-Plane! Real world pilots test and assist in the development of these products, and real world procedures are followed. It tells you these products are unlike any other product you’ve seen outside of the ever growing X-Aviation catalog! Want to feel like a real captain? Take Command!

While on the surface, the SR20 seems quite similar to the SR22, there is much more changed than what immediately meets the eye. We have worked to develop a fully custom engine model to implement the Continental IO-360-ES engine, with all its proper behaviors and quirks. With the systems, we had to go in and make the systems match a proper G3. The 3D model throughout is significantly revamped to match. This aircraft will be the perfect addition to any simmer’s hangar!

The Take Command! SR20 is designed to work perfectly with the RealSimGear G1000 and Cirrus Perspective Hardware. Learn more about the hardware options here!

The aircraft will be sold separately from the SR22 Series. A discounted upgrade price will be available to those who already own the SR22 Series before Friday. As with the SR22 Series, this is for personal use only, contact us for information on commercial pricing. For more updates and to be the first to hear about the release date, sign up for our email list!

You can learn more about the Take Command! SR20 here.

# # #

Take Command! SR22 Series Update 1.1.0

We have released the version 1.1 update for the SR22 Series. All customers who have purchased the SR22 Series up till now have been sent an e-mail by X-Aviation with complete instructions on how to obtain your update. We have made this a very simple process! For those that purchase the SR22 Series from today forward, your purchased download will already be updated to version 1.1 for you.

What if I didn’t get the update e-mail?

1. Login to your X-Aviation account here: https://www.x-aviation.com/catalog/account_history.php

2. Find your original SR22 Series download and re-download the file. It will download as the latest version!

The following is a list of additions/fixes included:
 
Improvements / New Features:

  • G1000 Terrain Profile Indicator
  • Visual Icing Effects
  • Engine behavior improvements
  • Visual enhancements throughout
  • Pitch/Autopilot with flap handling improved
  • Engine fluctuation and CHT behavior tuning

These were initially discussed in our Feature Preview post.


Bug Fixes:

  • Better G1000 screen-space state tracker
  • Decal adjustments
  • AviTab show/hide ability
  • FMOD sound-pack improvements
  • Visor behavior
  • LIT texture adjustments
  • Some sub-systems were non-functional on certain MacOS versions
  • Fixed failed random generator handling
  • Pilot’s cannula visibility
  • Improved TKS behavior

…. and many tweaks throughout!

As always, thanks for supporting TorqueSim and X-Aviation. We appreciate your feedback and support!

Introducing the Take Command! SR20 for X-Plane 11

Following the wonderful reception of the TorqueSim/RealSimGear Take Command! SR22 Series, we have been hard at work developing the Take Command! SR20 to complement it! This is not a simple modification: it is a product of thousands of hours of work, creating the highest quality rendition of the aircraft for X-Plane.

The X-Aviation Take Command! brand of products represents the very best of flight simulation immersion, and assures you this TorqueSim product is one of the most sophisticated, study sim level aircraft available for X-Plane! Real world pilots test and assist in the development of these products, and real world procedures are followed. It tells you these products are unlike any other product you’ve seen outside of the ever growing X-Aviation catalog! Want to feel like a real captain? Take Command!

While on the surface, the SR20 seems quite similar to the SR22, there is much more changed than what immediately meets the eye. We have worked to develop a fully custom engine model to implement the Continental IO-360-ES engine, with all its proper behaviors and quirks. With the systems, we had to go in and make the systems match a proper G3. The 3D model throughout is significantly revamped to match. This aircraft will be the perfect addition to any simmer’s hangar!

The Take Command! SR20 is designed to work perfectly with the RealSimGear G1000 and Cirrus Perspective Hardware. Learn more about the hardware options here!

The aircraft will be sold separately from the SR22 Series. A discounted upgrade price will be available to those who already own the SR22 Series by release day. As with the SR22 Series, this is for personal use only, contact us for information on commercial pricing. The SR20 will be available in just a few short weeks! For more updates and to be the first to hear about the release date, sign up for our email list!.

You can learn more about the Take Command! SR20 here.

As always, from the TorqueSim, RealSimGear, and X-Aviation teams, thank you!

Take Command! SR22 Series – 1.1 Update Feature Preview

Since the release of the Take Command! SR22 Series, we have been hard at work adding features, fixing bugs, and making general improvements throughout! We are preparing to enter a Public Beta in the coming days (if you are interested in being a part of the Public Beta, you can sign up for a spot hereNote: spots are limited), followed by a general release to everyone once it is ready!


Here are some of the key features we have implemented:

G1000 Terrain Profile Indicator

We have integrated a custom terrain profile indicator on the MFD. This will help for situational awareness, especially in mountainous terrain, and help prevent CFIT incidents. The custom system is entirely multi-threaded to prevent any performance penalty.

Visual Icing Effects

We have been hard at work adding custom visual icing effects to the aircraft! This will help with situational awareness surrounding the use of TKS during icing conditions, as the simulated ice can now be seen on the wing, inlets, windshield, spinner, and other relevant surfaces!

Engine and System Model Improvements

There have been many improvements made to the engine model and system model. Here are a few highlighted findings from our debugging and fixing:

SR22TN Power Fluctuations

There was an issue leading to potentially severe fluctuations of engine power during takeoff and climb at high ambient temperatures and altitudes, on the SR22TN only. The cause of this issue has been eliminated. However, there may still be minor residual fluctuations on takeoff and initial climb under such conditions, largely attributed to mixture being slightly too rich for such higher density altitude takeoffs. It can be further amplified by too quick movements of the power lever. To get rid of any remaining fluctuations altogether, embrace the following steps when setting takeoff power at high temperatures and/or density altitudes:

  1. Advance power slowly until the point where RPM rises above 2500 RPM (around 80% lever travel) and wait for manifold pressure to stabilize. This will take a few moments at altitude and is particularly important up there.
  2. Start your takeoff roll and simultaneously advance power slowly to maximum.
  3. Procedures allow you to lean the mixture to 34GPH for takeoff on hot days. It is suggested to follow this step at OATs in excess of 30-35°C to eliminate any residual power fluctuations.
  4. Advance the mixture to full rich after obstacles are cleared.
    Also keep in mind that it is normal for the turbo-normalized engine to slightly fluctuate for a few moments after power changes before all parameters stabilize. Thus it is generally recommended to make power changes slowly on such engines, so even during go-arounds better take 2-3 seconds to advance to full power.

Random engine cutout during taxi

There was an issue leading to seemingly random engine quits during taxi. A fix is in place that has proven to work in internal tests.

Engine starting

The fuel-injected IO-550 engine can be challenging to start at times, so video tutorials to prepare you for all kinds of cold, hot and flooded starts you may face. We have also seen the most typical cause relates to mispositioning the power lever for engine starting (some even at maximum), keep in mind to set the lever to about 1/4” (i.e. at or slightly above the letter R in POWER). We have determined that there is no issue with the custom engine model.

Engine cutout after landing

When landing at higher density altitudes with the power lever at idle on rollout, it is to be expected that the engine may not be able to hold its idle RPM due to an excessively rich mixture. Lean the mixture to the appropriate X-T letters in MIXTURE immediately after landing and try to keep the power slightly higher than low idle to prevent the engine from quitting in such situations. We have determined that there is no issue with the custom engine model.