Tricopter RC Flight Simulator Model
Tricopter Creep Edition Clearview Model
It has been 10 months since the first version of my Tricopter model for Clearview was released based upon the build thread at RC Groups: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1142429.
The first version which is still listed on the Clearview RC flight sim model page had advanced motor mixing and a pivoting yaw servo. This model was hard to fly. If you are having a hard time controlling it you can try adjusting the Clearview Training Time Scale Setup. http://rcflightsim.com/models.html
The next version of my Tricopter model which I call the Tricopter Ultra has a simplified simulation model and is much easier to control. You can download the Tricopter Ultra model version 1.3 here.
The latest version of my Tricopter model was inspired by John Johnson's Tricopter Creep model aircraft and is appropriately called the Tricopter Creep Edition. This model features breakable parts that come apart dynamically during a crash. Also support for Clearview's Autopilot feature has been enhanced. When the autopilot mode is enabled the model feels like it has a flight stabilizer on board. I find this makes flying more enjoyable and fun!
You can download the Tricopter Creep Edition here.
I recommend enabling the Autopilot feature in Clearview for use with the Tricopter Creep Edition Model. Go to the AutoPilot Menu and select Auto Pilot Advanced Settings. In the window click the "Enable AutoPilot" button. I find setting the Elevator and Aileron gains to around 40% nice for general relaxed flying. Note: If you crash the model you have to turn the autopilot mode back on.
Enabling the Clearview AutoPilot:
A demonstration of the breakable parts on the Tricopter Creep Edition model:
Version History:
Version 1.0 - Jan 20, 2010
Created Tricopter geometry and Clearview flight sim model.
Version 1.2 - Sept 26, 2010
New simplified Tricopter flight model called Tricopter Ultra.
Added red cowling and colored Tricopter arms.
Version 1.2 - Nov 17, 2010
Fixed Clearview 5.24+ issue with ground collision geometry.
Version 1.3 - Nov 19, 2010
Fixed the idle up issue with the Tricopter model where if idle up was on the Tricopter could fly inverted.
There is a problem with the throttle off descent speed being too slow for the Tricopter. I need more documentation on the Clearview model format to figure out how to solve the problem.
Version 1.4 Nov 22, 2010
Updated Tricopter model to new "Tricopter Creep Edition" thanks to the assistance and suggestions of John Johnson.
Version 2 Nov 24, 2010
Updated Tricopter Creep Edition to support braking parts during a crash. Set up Clearview autopilot settings. Updated textures and did general model optimizations.
12 Responses to “Tricopter RC Flight Simulator Model”
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I have Clearview and tried your Tricopter model but it's to sensitive and yaw always wobbling left-right. Could you please help me to set it to fly easy and stable as my real Tricopter?
Thanks
I have created a new model I call the Tricopter Ultra that is easier to fly. Also, to make it more controllable, you can also lower the exponent values in Clearview to make the controls dampened down a bit.
Hope that helps,
Andrew
hiya is there any way this can be ported over to realflight, aerofly deluxe and FMS please? i would love to fly it but dont have clearview or the skillz
any luck?
this model looks nice but there is some kind of major error.
I use Clearview Rc 5.24 and when i load your model the helicopter crashes instantly. i hear the crash sound and the tricopter just continue falling (through/below ground-level). it doesnt break apart and i can actually fly for 2-3 seconds before i get the auto-reload. and then its all over again.
thnx for the models.
the ultra IS more stable for sure, BUT its a helicopter model with tricopter skin?!?
negative pitch revealed it, real tricopter cannot hover inverted, this one can.
but aside from that, is great for training multirotor beginners, thats for sure.
thnx
Using Clearview 5.25. Also experiencing flying into a hole. Crashes and restarts. Repeatedly. Good view of graphics.
On the old one I slowed down the time and got control but lost some realism.
Thanks for your work. Will watch for improvements.
I just upgraded my copy of Clearview to version 5.25 and noticed the problem that a few users were experiencing with the model falling below the ground plane. I think I have fixed this problem by modifying the collision geometry in the Tricopter Ultra model.
Andrew
BRAVO! Nice work.
Why is the throttle operate like a 3D heli? I shouldn't be able to hold a Tricopter in an inverted hover. I am new to Clearview and maybe there is a setting I am missing.
Almost every tricopter is different so we can't complain about your choice in handling characteristics. But, most tricopters use heading hold for the tail gyro.
thanks.
-JJ
Today I updated the Tricopter Ultra model so it won't do inverted hovering. When I have some spare time I will tweak the model settings so it has a proper throttle off descent speed.
I also need to find more documentation on the Clearview model format to really tune the accuracy of the flight model. Right now it is good enough for getting used to the basic orientation of flying a Tricopter.
Thanks, Andrew. I will load it and try it out.
Curious, do you actually fly a tricopter?
Ok, I loaded. it's pretty cool. There is a little quirk with the yaw control as it will do an uncontrolled spin every now and then. Minor stuff.
Just curious, my tricopter design is in Google Sketchup. Would you be interested in using it for the graphic model of the Tricopter Ultra? Or a better question, what would it take to make it happen?