Described by the team as a “fictional Helicopter and Short Take-Off /Landing (STOL) Heliport” and situated in the Southwest Alaska, Rotor Creek is being designed as a scenery that should be providing all pilots, with all sorts of different helicopters, something to do.
The scenery will be comprised of “three major dispersals, two runways, a dedicated training area (with ADS-33 elements) and a construction site” and will include a ‘Flying Order Book’ describing the heliport and describing the maneuvers you are supposed to do on the different areas.
X-Blade has tried to include as many elements as possible into the location as they are hoping it will become “a dream training ground for any helicopter/ STOL pilot looking to sharpen their skills”. To help do so, the team has been working hard to find the sweet spot between looks and performance – not exactly the easiest challenge for a developer so that we can enjoy it, especially in VR.
And they are not forgetting attention to detail. Very important detail and not just eye candy. Like they put it, “detail is important, particularly height/ depth perception”. And they are right about it and that’s why they have used decals and 3D glass at low level, to help us get better perception.
X-Blade is not here just to help you, though, but they are obviously throwing in some challenges as well. Trees within confined areas will detect collisions so you will need to be careful on those confined areas. A great addition.
Fixed wing fans were not forgotten and there’s something for them as well. Two runways were added and that includes a “short recovery runway with distance markers for STOL challenges”.
Adding to the immersion of the (fictional) story behind the heliport, there are additional training facilities planned but, due to COVID-19, this area is still under construction.
Although it’s a strict ‘No Fly Zone’, pilots will still be able to take-off and land onto the majority of objects within this zone.
The project is well underway with Alpha testing already complete. Beta testing with a selected group of users is about to start and X-Blade Aerospace Simulations expects to release the scenery within the next few weeks. You can, meanwhile, check out their Facebook Page for any updates.
