FSX Virtavia Seaking Helicopter review and opinion. (ex. Alphasim)

[@flightsim481]

Just to clarify my comments in the video. I was not a pilot in the navy but an observer which is the tactical rear crew of the asw Seaking. I did however have the opportunity to complete some pilot training, also gaining some stick time on Grobs, Hawks and Seakings. I was also fortunate to get rides in the lynx and the commando Seaking. It was once I left the navy I gained a commercial fixed wing licence and also completed some flying training in Schweitzer 300 and r22 helicopters. More recently, I have been working with a commercial flight sim operator. Unfortunately I never qualified as a navy pilot, but do feel I have gained sufficient knowledge to at least offer up a valid opinion. The Seaking is however the pinnacle of mankind's engineering achievements. ;-) Thanks, flightsim481.

[@Smurphilus]

flightsim481 Do you have an idea of what the fuel burn rate is like with this heli? I plan to take her from ENZV to ENNM (375.8 nmi)as well other destinations within the north sea region but I need to know the fuel burn rate per hour for the heli so I can do proper fuel planning for the trips.

[@flightsim481]

It's a long time since I was in one, but I thing it was 1100-1200 lbs per hour. That's total, not per engine.

[@Smurphilus]

flightsim481 Thank you, the data I found was for the S-61N (which utilizes two General Electric CT58-140-2 engines) and that stated a fuel burn of 1050 lbs per hour so I'm glad I have figures for the Seaking now. The model in particular that I will be using is the Sea King HAR.3 version, does this use Rolls-Royce Gnome H.1400-1 engines like the HAS.2. version? Finally I came across data indicating a ceiling of 10,000 ft, is this accurate?

[@flightsim481]

No problem. As for the engines, I never flew in the HAR 3 so I don't know which particular Gnome engine it was.

[@Smurphilus]

flightsim481 Ok thanks so much for the information, one final question what was the ceiling altitude for the seaking that you flew on and what was your normal altitude range of operations (6000 to 8000 etc) whilst at MTOW ?

[@fortyeth]

Hello all, sorry if this post appears to be a bit late but I have only just got onto broadband (Yes I'm a Newbie, this is my first post!). Firstly well done on a well made review, I like the professional Royal Navy accent that you have which gives what you say more credibility. You remind me of Keith Thompson of Treasure Hunt fame who was also ex-Navy. Secondly regarding rudder use in FS9/FSX for helicopters remember to check your realism settings and ensure AUTORUDDER is switched OFF as this this can affect pedal control so you can't turn in the hover! Sorry if you already know this but it can get overlooked. Anyway thanks for reading and carry on the good work Flightsim481. SimonStanm

[@flightsim481]

Simon Matthews Thanks Simon. I have Saitek pedals and have always fly with auto rudder turned off simply because it is more realistic, but the sad reality is that FSX is not good with helicopter aerodynamics. I'm glad my Royal Navy accent gives me more credibility ;-) Thanks for the support and I'm glad you enjoyed the review. Rich

[@johnw.ryoniv8953]

On your approach to land, keep the landing spot in the exact same spot on the windshield and reduce your speed so your landing spot always appears to approach you at a walking speed. As you get close to the ground, let the spot slip under the ship and set her down.

[@josef733]

I'm really liking your videos. These reviews are great to sit through.

[@russianpenguins]

Love the review, been looking forever to find a sea king for fsx thats actually nice, hopefully will buy soon :D

[@flightsim481]

RussianPenguins Thanks. FSX doesn't have that many payware helicopters. The Virtavia Seaking looks good but isn't too daunting to fly.

[@russianpenguins]

I went and bought it a while back and have to say, i was not disappointed. Thank you for the review helped me choose it :)

[@surearrow]

>>------------------------> Good review. As you know the sand air filter box was also used pre-Desert Storm on the Commando models, especially by countries in desert regions, i,e. Egypt, etc.

[@flightsim481]

surearrow Thanks :-)I remember the days of the Junglies with the sand filters, but subsequently, they also ended up being fitted to the Search and Rescue and Anti-submarine aircraft. I believe it was because they improved the aircraft's tolerance to engine intake icing, thus reducing the limitations for operating the aircraft in bad weather. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the sand filter worked in the same way as a Dyson/cyclone vacuum cleaner. I.e. as the air entered, it was forced into hundreds of tiny cyclones, and the spinning vortex in each cylone threw any dust/particles out of the airflow due to centrifugal reaction, which were then sent on their way, clear if the fresh intake air. Thanks for the support :-)

[@Haunteddookie]

Great video, the review feels so much more legitimate coming from an ex navy pilot:)

[@mizzyroro]

I just bought this yesterday and was flabbergasted to find out that you can't turn in a hover using the pedals and tail rotor. It seems to be molded on a fixed wing aircraft. I only bought it because it was the only sea king I could get in hmx-1 colors. Apart from that waste of money.

[@flightsim481]

Sorry to hear you are having problems. I've just played around with my Seaking again, and rotor/ torque pedals are working fine with good yaw control and manoeuvrability so I would suggest the baseline model is not to blame. Indeed, I can turn 360 degrees and more both ways without a problem. The tail rotor can also be used to steer on the ground if the parking brakes are off. To the best of my knowledge it isn't linked to the FSX fixed wing models but to the same basic rotary wing dynamics the default FSX Jetranger is, albeit with altered values and ranges. Your yaw problem may be down to having auto-coordination on in the FSX settings. It takes control of the yaw channel of the flight controls (basically removing the need for pedals). That does however ruin the rotary aircraft in the sim. Likewise, if auto-coordination is disabled, have a look at your yaw channel sensitivity. FSX has a low control sensitivity as default, but all too often, this also results in a reduced maximum control deflection, giving a sensation of reduced control effectiveness. The recommendation is to set pitch and roll to maximum sensitivity/realism with very small null zones, and I use about half scale realism/sensitivity on the yaw pedals with a small null zone. If you don't get any improvement with that then why not contact the developers for help? I am having problems with the Just Flight Canberra, have contacted the developers and they are being very helpful. Hope that helps.

[@mikenovember9693]

Thx mate, I really liked that review even as I am not too much of a fan of Virtavias work. :)

[@flightsim481]

Their work does vary, mainly due to the fact that quite a few of the aircraft are FSX updates of FS2004 products.

[@mikenovember9693]

Was especially talking 'bout the Seaking wich is sweet eyecandy, but, when it comes to systemdepth... way overpriced. ;)

[@flightsim481]

Lars Maaßen The FSX aircraft was modelled 4 years ago and a lot has moved on, but given the price, it is a bit too much regarding system depth. It isn't alone in that respect, but the FSX Seaking is a poor relation to the X-Plane one. Neither are 'study sims' though. Shame really because it would be great to see more in depth simulations of aircraft such as the Seaking

[@mikenovember9693]

flightsim481 I am workin on the problem. ;)

[@Demonicxbox2]

How did open the door on the right hand side? I know the rear is shift-E.

[@flightsim481]

Demonicxbox2 Shift+E opens/closes the main exit. Shift+E+2 opens/closes exit 2; Shift+E+3 opens/closes exit 3 and so on.

[@Demonicxbox2]

ok thank you very much

[@denzel387]

they are still in oparyhion hover contorl

[@surearrow]

>>--------------------> Do you want to do videos on the huge scope of the FSX universe? Here are two out-of-the-box suggestions. Review Aerosoft's Antarctica. Thats way out there. It's part of FSX, but then again, it's not. The second is to go retro with adventures and/or missions from the older FS platforms, such as FS2004 and FS09 - and most are free at the various shareware add-on sites. One such big adventure is the 1936 London to Melbourne Air Race, called the MacRobertson Air Race. You actually learn and relive history as you participate in a distance air race using pre-war aircraft. Use charts, sceneries, airfields and the lot. FSX is almost limitless.

[@flightsim481]

surearrow Thanks, you have hit the nail on the head with the fact that FSX is almost limitless. The critical factor at the moment is if I own the software/add on for FSX. The difficulty is that they are very expensive and thus, it's not always financially possible to do everything I would like to do. I do like your idea of recreating historical flights, but at the moment, the limit is having the time to do it. Huge thanks for the ideas, I'll bear them in mind as my channel develops :-)

[@surearrow]

flightsim481 Ingenious. Now if I could use that for my allergies.

[@ParkerUAS]

Another great video, sir. Hovercontrol.com is very much still around and the multiplayer enviroment is one of the best outside VATSIM. I recommend anyone with any sort of desire to fly FS helicopters visits the site and take a look around. Sign up for the forum and ask any questions. The community there is one of the best in FS. I may have missed you covering this, but does this model have float points? Basically, can you fly this like the real Seaking and and do a powered float in the water or will FSX just take it as a crash?

[@flightsim481]

Not sure so I'll find out for you.

[@flightsim481]

MCuervo, just been flying this again, and yes it does have float points so you can land on and take off from water :-)

[@ParkerUAS]

flightsim481 Thank you for the follow up. Looks like another "fling wing" is coming to the hangar.

[@mizzyroro]

Can't get the bloody thing to start when shut down.

[@nsd_nebulousdia1366]

payware right?

[@flightsim481]

+kentred studios Yes