Archduke Five-Five - Valen Heavy Industries

The VHI Archduke's design, handling, and performance are inspired by several actual piston twins, as well as other general aviation aircraft. Twin-engine aircraft, while slightly more challenging than singles, are great for safety - with the exception of a certain critical phase of takeoff, they can usually maintain level flight or climb even with one engine disabled. Models generally range from $400,000 to $1.5 million new, and cruise anywhere from 160 to 250 knots. (Of course, that would be suicide in SL, so the Archduke makes 110 knots at full throttle.)

Features

Comprehensive instructions, which explain how to configure and operate the aircraft, are included.

Amphibious: Can land, maneuver in, and take off from water. (Of course, it wouldn't be able to do this in reality. I've left it in because in SL, there is usually more clear water than clear land.)

Four Seats with Co-Pilot Option: If you want, you can let up to three passengers ride along and (optionally) allow one of them to take the controls. You can also eject unwanted passengers.

Superior Physics Simulation: Lift, drag, gravity, thrust, stalling, inertia, ground effect, and so on - it's all here. VHI has been a top player in SL flight simulation for years, and this aircraft continues the tradition with the VVDE III engine.

Superior Handling: Controls are mathematically smoothed to minimize jerkiness and deliver a nice, predictable response. Aircraft can be controlled either in 3rd person or mouselook.

Superior Sound: VHI aircraft all come with some of the best sounds of any aircraft in SL. This particular model's main engine sounds were synthesized from an actual TCM I0-550 engine by VHI, so it even sounds like an actual piston twin. All sounds have been created in crystal-clear 44.1KHz.

There are tons of options, and they are all configurable through a touch menu system. Some are also configurable via chat, while the aircraft is in use.

Includes a multifunction head-up display (HUD) that includes flight computer (waypoint-based navigation, including multi-waypoint flight plans) and tactical functions. The HUD works with other vehicles and while traveling without a vehicle, and even has a jetpack option, although vehicle-specific stuff (throttle position, gear down, etc.) is only available with the G-1 Cygnus II gyrocopter and VHI aircraft released in 2006 (currently the Accipiter and Archduke.)

Color change on command.

Auto-update system delivers free updates for the life of the product.

Buying

The Archduke is available now! See the Where to Buy page, or get it here at SLExchange. The price has been reduced to L$350.

Do You Like Airscrews?