L-13 Blanik

 

Where to buy

Currently it available only in Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace (both 2020 and 2024) for $9.99. In FS24 it has rent options, free trial will be available only after FS24 native conversion (technical limitation).

ATTENTION!

This is a work-in-progress project. Please read carefully what already implemented, and what planned.

Overall it is a fully working aircraft with most glider-related simulator features used – WWISE sounds made by records of actual aircraft, modern flight model accurate enough to get familiar with the glider capabilities, precise control elements and gauges behaviour, navigation app suitable for soaring tasks. But we have plans to make it even better, adding various features and applying improvements.

If you are willing to get THE FINAL product, please wait for further announcement of the v1.0 release. Free trial of the FS2020 Blanik will be available in FS24, but native conversion will be done months later once most of the planned work is complete.

Visuals:

Fully native MSFS model featuring 4K materials, all dimensions taken from real aircraft

Accurate cockpit with realistic gauges and levers animation. Only the front seat is simulated, the back seat to be added soon You may notice a lack of cockpit wear and tear, which will be added later

Instruments:

Accurate electrics and mechanics simulation. Navigation tablet provides basic maps, glider trail with lift indication, aircraft information like airspeed, altitude, track length and task information (each cell can be clicked to select the value you need). Further improvements are planned, so feel free to share your requirements and ideas.

Special feature – NMEA data export, is in BETA state and available only for Android devices owners. Yep, works on Xbox.

Liveries:

20 historical liveries included into package. 5-10 more liveries may be added in the future, but unlikely we will set a goal to cover every known gliding club.

Sounds:

All the sounds taken from real aircraft, as an attempt to make it authentic. Some volume adjustments and fixes can be applied later based on the community feedback, right now I am quite happy with the result.

Flight Dynamics:

All the dimensions and performance values are configured as accurately as possible compared to the real aircraft. A lot of adjustments were made to make it feel like a real one, however various aspects may not perfectly match the original – like polar curve little underperformed, aerobatics capabilities are questionable, stall spin not so perfect. Flight model improvements are in the plans but may take up to half year to be fully completed.

Soaring tasks (FS2020 ONLY):

To add some meaning to this aircraft (especially for console owners), soaring tasks will be added into the package. Due to the sim limitations, they are named \”tutorial\” and have some features disabled during the flight (like weather toolbar or 3rd party add-ons). We will add tasks to cover some of locations related to provided liveries, so check the tasks list with each add-on update. You can find tasks under ACTIVITIES – CUSTOM CONTENT – TUTORIAL section.

Towplane:

Sadly, the default towplane still acts weird in MSFS2020 and sometimes does not work at all (too short runway is a common issue). We have added a custom Wilga towplane (codename -Blanik’s best friend-) which has some issues fixed – like unexpected stop during takeoff, low level flight, overspeed. Major issues, like low terrain awareness or flight plan disrespect, still exist and can’t be covered with simple aircraft script. This towplane is set as default, also it is available in the LAUNCH menu list before take off. Due to the sim issue, this towplane appears in the list of playable aircraft – please ignore its presence.

Pre-flight walkaround (FS2020 ONLY):

To make your flight experience even more realistic, bracing removal is available if you choose apron as flight departure point,required triggers added into checklist. Once unbraced, manpowered towing will happen, use joystick and rudder pedals to move your glider to the runway, then toggle tow handle to request towplane.

FS24 compatibility:

FS2020 Blanik has various compatibility issues like incorrect aerodynamics center which was fixed by placing nose ballast, some map glitches and sounds played not exactly the same. Overall it is flyable, but use FREE TRIAL first to ensure it is good enough for you, if not – wait for the native update.

 

L-13 Flight Manual

All the information about controls, avionics and flight behaviour will be helpful for you:

English: l-13_blanik_flight_manual
Russian: Бланик РЛЭ
Czech: Letova_prirucka_L13_Blanik

Paintkit

Contains exterior model in two formats – 3DS MAX 2021 and Blender 3.6. MSFS materials plugins required to see attached materials.
Full pack of exterior textures, with COMP texture compilation script (requires ImageMagick to be installed).
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cNIFZ-WcGT8mAJssd7d8QC_20Ia4Nith?usp=drive_link

Custom Towplane

Before the flight, you may choose custom Wilga towplane we made special for this project. Please do not choose the wrong one made by GotFriends – our calls Blanik’s Best Friend (Blanik is on the thumbnail).

Fixed issues:
– on short runway, towplay stops shortly after start running
– during takeoff towplane can’t hold the course
– in mid size runway, towplane reach the end and stops
– during the flight, towplane dive unpredictably

Some issues still remain, like poor altitude awareness.

MSFS to NMEA data link

To configure NMEA data export script in Blanik you have to install the app on your mobile device (separate apps for Android and iOS).

1. Install MSFS to NMEA app:

1a. Android – Due to Google limitations, new apps should pass 15 days close testing period with 12 testers applied before it appear in the Play store publicly.
So for now you should join Google group first https://groups.google.com/g/msfs2nmea_test
After that, open this link in your phone  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.touchingcloud.msfs2nmea or scan QR code which is on the navigation tablet screen in MSFS. Install the app, blue app icon with glider image will appear on the desktop.

1b. iOS – to work correctly, app should stay active at background. However, Apple do not approve apps with background activity without important reason. I have tried to explain the whole process in details, even provide video preview, but no luck – app stuck in the public testing stage as well.
Follow this link to join testing group https://testflight.apple.com/join/ZypsvSNH
Install TestFlight app from App Store (this is kind of “app store for beta apps”). Open TestFlight, click on the  MSFS to NMEA tab, select INSTALL. Blue app icon with glider image will appear on the desktop.

Both apps passed initial Google/Apple validation and safe to use – no personal data or device damage possible. However, they are barely tested and may behave unexpectedly – crash, freeze, stay at background and consume power. You can delete the app while it not used, if you wish. 

2. Ensure that your mobile device is connected to the same router as PC/Xbox (either WiFi or LAN), and data exchange between clients is not blocked by firewall (usually don’t if you haven’t set your network as Public).

Configure MSFS to NMEA app

1. Launch app. Once loaded, it will try yo sync your local IP with server. If you see Sync Success in the log, everything went well. If not, fix connection issues and press SYNC IP.

2. Press START button, Web Server OK and TCP Server OK should appear in log. If not, some of the ports are busy – change 5555 to 5556 for example, or 8880 to 8881. Press SYNC IP again, then START. 

Configure MSFS nav tablet

1. Time to  configure MSFS part. Start the flight with L-13 Blanik, activate the navigation tablet (right pocket click), click on the NMEA icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.

2. Press the SYNC IP button

3. If it went well, you will see your local IP and correct port in the field. If not, try to fix connection issues, or type IP by hands using keyboard. Then press START button

4.Starting send to x.x.x.x will appear in log if everything okay, button became red.5. Back to the MSFS to NMEA app. Incoming data should be indicated in the log as RX lines. If not – something wrong with your network, try to change ports and start from beginning, or change router settings to prevent data exchange block by firewall.

 

CONFIGURE CLIENT

1. Now let’s configure navigation app. Will use XCSoar as example, but you can use any with TCP data call support. Open XCSoar and select FLY.2. Tap twice the screen, choose CONFIG3. Then DEVICES4. First, disable built in sensors. If you will not do it, your device GPS and barometer sensors data will conflict with simulator data. Select first line and tap DISABLE. 

5. Then select 2nd device and tab EDIT6. On the device page, set values like on the example picture.
– If your MSFS to NMEA app installed on different device than XCSoar, IP address should match local IP of the device with app installed (you can find it at the top of the black screen
– If you change TCP server port, set new value in TCP Port field.
Once finished, press OK

7. In the devices list, you can see such data comes from the device #2: GPS fix, Baro, Airspeed, Vario. Press CLOSE.8. Validate XCSoar values with simulator data – altitude, airspeed should match.9. Tap twice on the screen, select PLANE10. Choose Blanik from the list11. Configure XCSoar for your needs – track indication, thermalling assist, download map for your area. You can find detailed manual on the official website https://www.xcsoar.org/