Introducing the F/22 Raptor.

I have made a habit of making multiple “final” builds. Don’t be fooled however, this is a revolutionary change earning the status of 2.0

This is a ground up flight model redesign with matching CoM and CoL, NACAPROP airfoils for high AoA performance (like the real jet), functional automatic flaps and a simpler, more elegant and intuitive fly by wire system. Notable achievements include:

1) Sidestick Control
- Enabled VTOL VR like controls
- Stick is controlled by rotation rather than movement
- Recommend to use “Toggle” rather than “Hold” Grip
- Rest Right controller on R thigh for increased accuracy
- Adjustable FBW Sensitivity to personal preference
- Overall MUCH more accurate and intuitive Joystick control

2) Flight Model
- Simplified and subcategorised code where possible
- No Trim needed, funky trees functions for Roll and Yaw Trim
- Drag points height adjusted to address high speed Pitch trim
- Most parts had drag calculation removed for performance
- Pitch and Roll
- Control surfaces first move to create zero force depending on plane attitude
- Control surfaces then have additional deflection multiplied by the inverse of IAS squared for consistent predictable handling at all speeds
- Special Conditions engage additional FBW logic (Simulated Ground Effect, Airbrake, Ground Pitch Compensation, Ground Pitch + Roll Stability, Landing Flaps disengage when ascending to prevent float)
- Thrust vectoring reserved for low speed PSM only
- Yaw Logic is the most complicated and influential algorithm because Pitch and Roll influence PitchRate and RollRate and in the absence of Yaw Input, YawRate should target smooth dynamics first and return to zero slip as a secondary priority. This is the hardest to get right.
- AoA Limiter (override by Activation Switch 1)
- G limiter (override by Activation Switch 2)
- Differential thrust available for extreme yaw manoeuvres (Activation Switch 4)

3) Fly By Wire Sensitivity Control
- Right main display knob
- click to reset to default value
- max values are preserved, rotate to adjust on centre sensitivity

4) Speed AutoPilot
- Left main display knob
- click to toggle between off and maintain current speed
- rotate to adjust target speed
- to land, set to ~155 with Flaps on (~195 with Flaps off)

5) AirBrake Function
Airbrake now also accessed by holding throttle in VR and pressing trigger (like in VTOL VR) in addition to pulling left stick aft. Can also be used to temporarily disable AoA Limiter allowing a cobra manoeuvre.

6) Throttle Thumbstick Disable
Throttle control from keyboard or thumbstick is disabled by default to allow for smooth independent rudder control in VR without inadvertent engine shutoff or afterburner activation. It also allows simultaneous Throttle and air brake application for tight min radius turns.

7) Radar/Nav System
This has been incorporated into the compass for locating targets and destinations. Destinations with runways also denote the orientation of the runway. you can cycle between destination waypoints by clicking on the compass in the cockpit.

8) HUD/Display
This is purposely kept simple to be relevant in VR. A velocity vector and virtual horizons would need to be projected at a distance of infinity which is not possible (if anyone knows please chime in). So for readability and not obscuring targets, I've left the in game Gunsight/Target Lead and added only absolutely necessary items:
-IAS (knots)
-Mach
-Alt AGL (ft) numerical + graphical elements to aid landing
-Vertical Velocity (ft/s)
-AoA (visual bars that turn amber and red when AoA>45 and AoA>90)
-AoS (turn indicator at bottom of HUD)
-controls input indicator
Since last version, Yaw Indicator now depicts both Yaw Input and FBW generated forces necessary to control in absence of Yaw Input.

I have put a lot of effort into this one. The learnings from this can be applied to any other fighter aircraft to much more closely resemble the real jet. Some limitations still exist including projecting a HUD at infinity in VR, unrealistic airfoil Lift Drag Curves, braking systems, shock absorbers and engine response to altitude and RAM air effects. Hopefully Simpleplanes 2 addresses some of these. Enjoy and Comment guys! Lets keep the discussions going so we can all create and fly more enjoyable and realistic handling aircraft!

If there is interest, I may release my tuner version with sliders on the right cockpit armrest panel tasked with adjusting one aspect of Yaw Control. Values can then be posted if a better setup is identified.