it's not a plane, it's not an helicopter...
it's an autogyro!
a short takeoff aircraft that can land almost vertically.
The particularity of this vehicle is that the top blade is not powered by engine, but it spins with air impact.
The propeller on the back provides the necessary thrust to keep the rotor spinning.
While landing, the vertical speed will do it.
Basically you can't fall ;)
This vehicle is not easy to fly, as it needs a bit of practice. But it's not also very difficult. Let's say that it is fun.
I tried to make a good Autogyro behavior :)
This SL version has some nice features:
full automatic, semi-auto or manual startup sequences
pilot can transfer controls to passenger at any time.
Flight surfaces, controls and doors are animated,
pilot's feet are animated while steering with pedals.
Avionics show real data ( both digital and analog )
nav, strobo, landing, cabin lights
GPS and Media monitors
Skids for snow and bigger wheels
Flight info text with Artificial Horizon and many other infos
Cockpit hud to operate the switches easier.
Permissions set for Owner, Group or Everyone.
Passenger Eject.
Guests HUD
Digital/Analogic throttle modes
Advanced Lighting textures
Custom textures applier, you can resell your repaints
DropBox link for PSD, UV, Textures and lightmaps
I did myself model, animations, textures, sounds, and anything on this aircraft. i hope you will like it!
*Come try the DEMO inworld!*
See item in Second Life View Video »- 2 seats switchable controls
- working virtual cockpit
- Manual or Auto start mode
- Change permission for pilot and passenger
- Media television
Autogyro fans rejoice
Second Life builders have made us many excellent aircraft but there are very few autogyros. I believe I have bought every one you can get. All but a tiny handful are scripted to fly like a helicopter or a UFO. This one not only flies properly, it's *fast*, it's fun, and it looks good. It is exceptional at crossing sim boundaries. It's modifiable with textures included. In short, this is the very best autogyro available in Second Life at the time of this review.
Every once in a while...
.. a vehicle pops up that is obviously a labour of love.
It's not just the same old thing with the same old scripts and the same old handling.
Upon rezzing the Orion, it becomes apparent that this is such a vehicle.
The build quality is perfect. Literally perfect. I'm a terrible perfectionist and it's rare when I can't find a fault ;-)
The start up sequence is great and can be done fully in the cockpit.
The handling is brilliant and quite different to what you'll be used to. It's a joy to fly and crosses sims easily.
Highly recommended :-)
Excellent Fun
I agree with all the other previous reviews here so simply to keep it short.. this really has all the flight characteristics of the real thing! Super fun and well scripted. If you enjoy flying you need this one :D
Awesome fun little aircraft
Looking like something of a cross between plane and helicopter, you will soon discover Orion has some unique flying characteristics all of it's own. It isn't quite get in and go, but after a little time practicing you will soon be able to do all sorts of maneuvers. It can bumble along slow enough to explore sims by air, or you can play with the throttle and plate settings to pull off some cool aerobatics. Totally recommend you get this fun and good looking little aircraft.
Shut up and buy it
Having previously bought the Hydrofoil from this creator, i had no second thoughts about buying this. Honestly, as a collector of a variety of aircraft, i can say that this is one of the most enjoyable toys on the market right now.
There's not much i can add that other reviews haven't, so stop reading and buy!
Why are you still reading? BUY!
Needs a Warning "Addictively Fun To Fly"
I saw one of these at Hollywood and was intrigued because I hadn't seen an autogyro in SL. I was a little surprised who the maker was because it's not somebody I had associated with aircraft (I certainly do now.) I figured I'd get around to trying one at some point. Then a friend bought one. Then another friend tried theirs...and bought one.I tried theirs... and bought one even though it was late and I wouldn't be able to play with it until the next day. I've shown it off to a number of others who have run out and gotten one as well.
This aircraft is just plain fun to fly. It's not hard to fly, but you will want to read the manual. If asked, I say it flies about halfway between a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter. You will want to read the manual, especially if you aren't familiar with how an autogyro works.
At 29 LI this thing crosses sims very well even at it's top speed of 57 knts. It's probably one of the most maneuverable aircraft I've flown and at the same time one of the easiest to land. You can do a rolling landing as you would in a fixed wing or simply fly over where you want to touch down and go to zero throttle. You'll settle slowly to the ground. You can be off again in a blink as long as you don't let the rotor slow down too much. Flying in mouselook is incredible. The cockpit is mostly windshield for an all around view of your surroundings. While the cockpit has an instrument panel of sorts,the float text tells you what you need to know about the aircraft. This is one you just jump in and fly by the seat of your pants with a grin on your face the whole time. It's just really fun to fly
There are a couple of minor glitches, the most noticeable being a slightly jumpy camera view. I use a camera control hud and that solves it. The throttle action isn't continuous if you hold the button down.
I've had more fun flying this around than any other aircraft I've flown in a long time. It's well worth the asking price.