This concept craft was fully designed and created by Bill Ortis, owner of
Lionheart Creations Ltd, a flight simulator pro-addon developer company.
Lionheart Creations Ltd, a flight simulator pro-addon developer company.
Take a step into the world of tomorrow, how planes might look, what fuels they might use, how they might handle and feel, what features they might have. Discover the world not yet seen.
Blade is a design project that looks at the possibilities of electric propulsion using modern day technologies, combining Tesla Automobile motors and batteries, newer versions of BMW pathways for
less expensive manufacture of carbon fiber components, and using modern, simplistic, yet beautiful operating software systems to produce amazing instrument panels with colorful and imaginative
layouts and designs.
Blade is a design project that looks at the possibilities of electric propulsion using modern day technologies, combining Tesla Automobile motors and batteries, newer versions of BMW pathways for
less expensive manufacture of carbon fiber components, and using modern, simplistic, yet beautiful operating software systems to produce amazing instrument panels with colorful and imaginative
layouts and designs.
| Dare to be different. Dare to be radical. |
Modifications Center
Updates and Bug Reports
UPDATE KIT: BUILD 1.1
Download now to recieve model, graphics, handling, and coding improvements. This is for the Blade
and will not work in the Demo Edition of the Blade.
Fixes and modifications include;
* Corrected weight loadout of one pilot instead of two
* Graphics flaws on inner door panels repaired
* Landing gear raise/lower sound effects improved, alarm notification installed also
* 'Details' added to Aircraft Registries
* Orange paint scheme wing stripe improved; under panel lines now
* Basic Brown interior shading improved on seats
* Adjustment for visibility on small chrome trim surround on front of control yoke
* Some small coding updates here and there in instrumentation
*** NOTE: You will need your password code for the update that came with your purchase.
Download now to recieve model, graphics, handling, and coding improvements. This is for the Blade
and will not work in the Demo Edition of the Blade.
Fixes and modifications include;
* Corrected weight loadout of one pilot instead of two
* Graphics flaws on inner door panels repaired
* Landing gear raise/lower sound effects improved, alarm notification installed also
* 'Details' added to Aircraft Registries
* Orange paint scheme wing stripe improved; under panel lines now
* Basic Brown interior shading improved on seats
* Adjustment for visibility on small chrome trim surround on front of control yoke
* Some small coding updates here and there in instrumentation
*** NOTE: You will need your password code for the update that came with your purchase.
HSI Screen Compass Rose Graphics sometimes jumble up when in 'Pop-Up' view mode.
About
$7.00 USD
Europe
Australia
United States
United States
United States
Interiors
Exteriors
Features
Design of the Blade
First stage prototype
First stage prototype
Second Stage Prototype
Second Stage Prototype
First stage prototype
Front Seat Design
Early Rendering
Back of rudder pedal
casting
casting
Second Stage Prototype
Front Seat Design
Cutaway View
Second Stage Prototype
The Blade started out as a sketch for a two place Canard style design, a sort of modern version of a Rutan. But it began to evolve. It was to be a rudderless plane that featured clamshell spoiler
rudders, like that of the USAF B2 Flying Wing, where it uses such clamshells to grip the air at the wing tips, taking away the need for a rudder. Next, the design became a 'dual wing', like the
Piaggio Avanti P-180, where lift is shared at the front and rear, balancing lift throughout. Instead of canards, this has front wings. The design was originally to be electric, so room for a large
engine wasnt needed. Batteries would need cooling (as well as the motor) so small NACA ducts were implaced throughout, including the undersides of the front edges of the rear wings. The
design also became a 4 seater with regular car doors.
An issue came up on how to open the doors. The design was made to sit low to the ground, both for ground effect for smooth landings, as well as easy ingress to the craft, like that of a car. But
hinging the doors posed an issue, coming close to the front wings, etc. It was decided to hinge the doors upwards, Countach style, which frees up ground area where the door 'would' have been
when opened. The instrument panel was redone countless times to ensure it had a flowing, liquid, Mercedes Benz appearance. The body (aeroshell) was widened at one point to enable more
shoulder space for passengers. (Why not?) The fuselage serves as a lifting body. Adding a bit of width also adds lift, so the wings have less work to do.
Lastly, 'wings'. These house the bulk of the removeable battery packs and were originally meant to look like beautiful Swiss glider wings. They bend upwards at the tips like an Eagles wings. They
are designed to enable the craft to have powerless descents from high altitude, super efficient glide rates, enabling the prop also to act as a regenerator, recharging the batteries when it can (when
throttle is at zero setting). Another feature is that the landing gears fold up into the fuselage instead of the wings. This enables the craft to easily be assembled at the factory where the wings arent
needed to move it around on its tires, and the plane can also be wintered in small storage areas when the wings are removed. The process would be made easy for the owner if the design came
to fruition. A last bit on the landing gear. They were designed to be strong, with wide, fat tires to enable smooth landings on non-paved, grassy runways.
Propulsion is based on the possibility of collaboration with Tesla Automobiles for their 478HP Drive (motor) and the Tesla/Panasonic Batteries (7000 of them, weight approximately 1200 US LBS).
This would give the Blade a comfortable range of 400 to possibly 500 Nautical Miles with 50% power setting in use at altitude. (Estimated).
rudders, like that of the USAF B2 Flying Wing, where it uses such clamshells to grip the air at the wing tips, taking away the need for a rudder. Next, the design became a 'dual wing', like the
Piaggio Avanti P-180, where lift is shared at the front and rear, balancing lift throughout. Instead of canards, this has front wings. The design was originally to be electric, so room for a large
engine wasnt needed. Batteries would need cooling (as well as the motor) so small NACA ducts were implaced throughout, including the undersides of the front edges of the rear wings. The
design also became a 4 seater with regular car doors.
An issue came up on how to open the doors. The design was made to sit low to the ground, both for ground effect for smooth landings, as well as easy ingress to the craft, like that of a car. But
hinging the doors posed an issue, coming close to the front wings, etc. It was decided to hinge the doors upwards, Countach style, which frees up ground area where the door 'would' have been
when opened. The instrument panel was redone countless times to ensure it had a flowing, liquid, Mercedes Benz appearance. The body (aeroshell) was widened at one point to enable more
shoulder space for passengers. (Why not?) The fuselage serves as a lifting body. Adding a bit of width also adds lift, so the wings have less work to do.
Lastly, 'wings'. These house the bulk of the removeable battery packs and were originally meant to look like beautiful Swiss glider wings. They bend upwards at the tips like an Eagles wings. They
are designed to enable the craft to have powerless descents from high altitude, super efficient glide rates, enabling the prop also to act as a regenerator, recharging the batteries when it can (when
throttle is at zero setting). Another feature is that the landing gears fold up into the fuselage instead of the wings. This enables the craft to easily be assembled at the factory where the wings arent
needed to move it around on its tires, and the plane can also be wintered in small storage areas when the wings are removed. The process would be made easy for the owner if the design came
to fruition. A last bit on the landing gear. They were designed to be strong, with wide, fat tires to enable smooth landings on non-paved, grassy runways.
Propulsion is based on the possibility of collaboration with Tesla Automobiles for their 478HP Drive (motor) and the Tesla/Panasonic Batteries (7000 of them, weight approximately 1200 US LBS).
This would give the Blade a comfortable range of 400 to possibly 500 Nautical Miles with 50% power setting in use at altitude. (Estimated).
A high speed, whisper quiet plane with gorilla glass windows (non fading, semi structural, sound cancelling, light weight glass), a 478 HP propulsion system, a fuel source that replenishes
itself from our Star (solar array in the roof), and a wide, long, luxurious, non-cramped interior.
itself from our Star (solar array in the roof), and a wide, long, luxurious, non-cramped interior.
Demo the Blade First
One can download a free version of it to try out. This plane will have 2 paint schemes. The interior will be viewable for 3 minutes, at which point a cover pops up and hides the panel and
instrumentation. One can still fly it from exterior view as much as he wants.
The full version Blade features 12 paint schemes and many versions of interior themes. The PFD and MFD digital LCD Instrumentation are filled with innovative graphics and sound effects. The
flight simulator plane also features a stock popup GPS 500 as well as its own MFD custom GPS window system in the 'Kiosk' info screen center.
This package only works in the Lockheed Martin Prepar3D flight simulator, and also in Microsoft Flight Simulator X. A version for X-Plane does not yet exist.
instrumentation. One can still fly it from exterior view as much as he wants.
The full version Blade features 12 paint schemes and many versions of interior themes. The PFD and MFD digital LCD Instrumentation are filled with innovative graphics and sound effects. The
flight simulator plane also features a stock popup GPS 500 as well as its own MFD custom GPS window system in the 'Kiosk' info screen center.
This package only works in the Lockheed Martin Prepar3D flight simulator, and also in Microsoft Flight Simulator X. A version for X-Plane does not yet exist.
Dealership Purchase Centers
The Full Version Blade will be available at the following international Flight Sim websites.
With the use of Carbonfiber for the airframe construction, we are able to paint the aircraft however we like. Taking cues from Lamborghini, we can have dark and light colors, bright high shine
colors, and even metallic colors. Some LHC choices for a 'Ultra Modern' plane of tomorrow range from Neon primary colors, to rich, classy metallic colors, such as Champaigne silver, Range
Rover lite green, and a wild metallic orange made famous by Bertone and Lamborghini.
This package features 12 'Theme Packs' of exterior color ranges and feature many versions of interiors. You will also find 4 of the variants to be conceptual, possible United States USAF craft
with uses ranging from Recon and lite Transport to Courier services. (Imagine a super quiet, electric plane with very little radar signature).
colors, and even metallic colors. Some LHC choices for a 'Ultra Modern' plane of tomorrow range from Neon primary colors, to rich, classy metallic colors, such as Champaigne silver, Range
Rover lite green, and a wild metallic orange made famous by Bertone and Lamborghini.
This package features 12 'Theme Packs' of exterior color ranges and feature many versions of interiors. You will also find 4 of the variants to be conceptual, possible United States USAF craft
with uses ranging from Recon and lite Transport to Courier services. (Imagine a super quiet, electric plane with very little radar signature).
The part of an aircraft one will always spend the most of ones time at is in the interior, at the instrument panel. With the Blade, a direction was taken that parallels the latest automotive luxury cars,
an interior that would feature the latest automotive climate control system, an autopilot that would have quick lock program features, leather abounding all througout the cabin, and beautiful
immitation wood veneer that would be color matched with each interior theme package.
Some new features in this plane that are rare are 'new generation' automotive like, LCD instrumentation screens (MFD and PFD) that feature Avelina M-IIB Operating System. A 'push button'
power-on switch is featured, and a large 'power dial' is your new throttle control, similar to what are used in the marine and yacht world.
an interior that would feature the latest automotive climate control system, an autopilot that would have quick lock program features, leather abounding all througout the cabin, and beautiful
immitation wood veneer that would be color matched with each interior theme package.
Some new features in this plane that are rare are 'new generation' automotive like, LCD instrumentation screens (MFD and PFD) that feature Avelina M-IIB Operating System. A 'push button'
power-on switch is featured, and a large 'power dial' is your new throttle control, similar to what are used in the marine and yacht world.
Night Mode with the dome lights 'on'. You can turn off the dome lights so you
have un-distracted focus on instrumentation and the world outside your craft.
The LCD instruments illuminate alone at night without the dome lights.
have un-distracted focus on instrumentation and the world outside your craft.
The LCD instruments illuminate alone at night without the dome lights.
The leather and dark gray interior of the Sebring Yellow theme package. This
version features Swedish Teek wood veneer, burled.
version features Swedish Teek wood veneer, burled.
Computer Requirements
This package features high resolution textures, several being ultra high resolution, and also an 'extreme density' aircraft mesh. This is the highest polygon count
structure that LHC has ever produced. It runs extremely smooth in Prepar3d on a 8-core intel based computer with a DirectX 11 GTX660 2-Gig graphics card and
16 Gigs of RAM. But, some people do not have high performance computers. You know if you have a computer that is not up to par with 'massive' textures. 4 of
the textures in this pacakge are 4096 pixels, and most of the others are all 2048 pixels. That is rather huge, but becoming normal for modern day addons. So, if
you 'think' your computer cannot handle it, you might be right. This isnt as massive as a high end airliner, but the graphics are pretty strong. If you have
knowledge and software for reducing texture sizes down to 1024, that might help you considerably, but note that the model is still a super dense poly structure.
When installed, this model is approximately 1.5 Gigs. (That tells you a little bit about the size of the graphics).
structure that LHC has ever produced. It runs extremely smooth in Prepar3d on a 8-core intel based computer with a DirectX 11 GTX660 2-Gig graphics card and
16 Gigs of RAM. But, some people do not have high performance computers. You know if you have a computer that is not up to par with 'massive' textures. 4 of
the textures in this pacakge are 4096 pixels, and most of the others are all 2048 pixels. That is rather huge, but becoming normal for modern day addons. So, if
you 'think' your computer cannot handle it, you might be right. This isnt as massive as a high end airliner, but the graphics are pretty strong. If you have
knowledge and software for reducing texture sizes down to 1024, that might help you considerably, but note that the model is still a super dense poly structure.
When installed, this model is approximately 1.5 Gigs. (That tells you a little bit about the size of the graphics).
Specifications and Performance
This is a concept aircraft. All data is approximate and may possibly be off.
SPECIFICATIONS: Blade Mark-I
Length...................................17 Feet 2 Inches
Wingspan...............................43 Feet
Wing Area, Main Wing.............141 Sq. Feet
Cabin Height Inside.................3 Feet 3 Inches
Cabin Height Exterior..............3 Feet 8 Inches
Airframe Type........................Dual Wing with primary wings in the rear
Rudder..................................Spoiler Clam-Shell Rudders. No Vertical Surfaces on this Airframe.
Weight Fully Laden.................4,000 US LBS
Weight Empty w/ Batteries......2,900 US LBS
Electric Drive (Motor)..............478 HP Tesla
Batteries................................Tesla / Panasonic; 7,000 units, 1200 US LBS, max range 'count'.
Battery cooling system............Air Cooled
Passengers and pilot...............4 Total
Useful max payload................1100 US LBS
Gear Retract System...............Electric
Maximum Speed...................237 Knots
Super Cruise, 90%, ..............217 Knots
Cruise Speed, High, 75%.......200 Knots
Cruise Speed, Econ, 50%......155 Knots
Stall....................................55 Knots
Stall with full flaps................65 Knots
Speed Never Exceed, VNE.....260 Knots
Note; Wing Area should also include front wings, as this is a dual wing. Not included above.
Note2; Wings would be designed to easily detach for winter storage.
Length...................................17 Feet 2 Inches
Wingspan...............................43 Feet
Wing Area, Main Wing.............141 Sq. Feet
Cabin Height Inside.................3 Feet 3 Inches
Cabin Height Exterior..............3 Feet 8 Inches
Airframe Type........................Dual Wing with primary wings in the rear
Rudder..................................Spoiler Clam-Shell Rudders. No Vertical Surfaces on this Airframe.
Weight Fully Laden.................4,000 US LBS
Weight Empty w/ Batteries......2,900 US LBS
Electric Drive (Motor)..............478 HP Tesla
Batteries................................Tesla / Panasonic; 7,000 units, 1200 US LBS, max range 'count'.
Battery cooling system............Air Cooled
Passengers and pilot...............4 Total
Useful max payload................1100 US LBS
Gear Retract System...............Electric
Maximum Speed...................237 Knots
Super Cruise, 90%, ..............217 Knots
Cruise Speed, High, 75%.......200 Knots
Cruise Speed, Econ, 50%......155 Knots
Stall....................................55 Knots
Stall with full flaps................65 Knots
Speed Never Exceed, VNE.....260 Knots
Note; Wing Area should also include front wings, as this is a dual wing. Not included above.
Note2; Wings would be designed to easily detach for winter storage.
Features:
* Super high detail aircraft model in rich, high-count Polygon Mesh construction
* Ultra high resolution exterior textures in 4096 pixels, and high resolution textures in 2048 pixels throughout the rest of the package
* Custom sound package that features a quiet, interestingly different 'electric' aircraft sound
* Custom new-generation Avionics Suite called the 'Avelina OS'. This is personalized for the Blade aircraft with some enhancements
* Opening 'Countach' style doors that allow full access for the passengers and pilot
* An Automotive 'luxury exotic' style interior layout
* A detailed landing gear system that retracts ingeniously into the rear of the aircraft around the motor and prop shaft
* Ultra-reflective glass on the exterior to keep harmful UV rays out of the cabin
* Zero interior glass reflection for maximum visual for flying in rich FS scenery environments
* Low sitting stance provides high 'ground effect' for softer landings and easier ingress for passengers
* Fat tires and a strong suspension enable soft field landings on semi-rough terrain
* 478 HP Tesla 'Drive' with a highly aerodynamic shape and sharp glider-like wings enable 200 knot cruise capability for 400 NM
* Rich leather texture mapping within the cabin for a very sharp, semi-realistic appearance
* Concealed Solar Array hidden in the transparent roof which protects the high performance solar cells from weathering and the elements
* High detail pilot
* Intriguing sound effects, dings and bells
* Demo Version with two paint schemes that give you 3 full minutes of flight time until the instrument panel barrier comes up
* Super high detail aircraft model in rich, high-count Polygon Mesh construction
* Ultra high resolution exterior textures in 4096 pixels, and high resolution textures in 2048 pixels throughout the rest of the package
* Custom sound package that features a quiet, interestingly different 'electric' aircraft sound
* Custom new-generation Avionics Suite called the 'Avelina OS'. This is personalized for the Blade aircraft with some enhancements
* Opening 'Countach' style doors that allow full access for the passengers and pilot
* An Automotive 'luxury exotic' style interior layout
* A detailed landing gear system that retracts ingeniously into the rear of the aircraft around the motor and prop shaft
* Ultra-reflective glass on the exterior to keep harmful UV rays out of the cabin
* Zero interior glass reflection for maximum visual for flying in rich FS scenery environments
* Low sitting stance provides high 'ground effect' for softer landings and easier ingress for passengers
* Fat tires and a strong suspension enable soft field landings on semi-rough terrain
* 478 HP Tesla 'Drive' with a highly aerodynamic shape and sharp glider-like wings enable 200 knot cruise capability for 400 NM
* Rich leather texture mapping within the cabin for a very sharp, semi-realistic appearance
* Concealed Solar Array hidden in the transparent roof which protects the high performance solar cells from weathering and the elements
* High detail pilot
* Intriguing sound effects, dings and bells
* Demo Version with two paint schemes that give you 3 full minutes of flight time until the instrument panel barrier comes up
Manual
View the online manual
FULL VERSION / $7.00 USD
FREE DEMO VERSION / $0.00
Demo Version features 2 aircraft
themepacks; White and Gold. The
plane lasts for 3 minutes at which
point the plane's interior hides.
You can reboot the sim and try
the demo as many times as you
like. Its a great tool for learning
the instrumentation and also to
see if it runs ok on your computer.
themepacks; White and Gold. The
plane lasts for 3 minutes at which
point the plane's interior hides.
You can reboot the sim and try
the demo as many times as you
like. Its a great tool for learning
the instrumentation and also to
see if it runs ok on your computer.
FREE DEMO
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
A blue block panel pops up after 3
minutes of flight. You can still
continue flying and you can reload
the flight to start over again and
again.
minutes of flight. You can still
continue flying and you can reload
the flight to start over again and
again.
$7.00 USD
$7.00 USD
$9.15 AUS
5,99 EURO
ACTIVE
Paint Kits
Exterior PSD Files
Interior PSD Files
Blade Paint Kit
This is available in Exterior and Interior in zip files. These are in modern Photoshop
CS6 PSD multiple layer format.
Simply change a bottom layer 'color' zone, add your own stripes, N-number registries,
and graphics, and you will have your own customized Blade craft.
Be sure to add a 'new' folder with your paint work in it, with its own texture.cfg, and
add a new Registry block to the 'aircraft.cfg' that will have your paint
scheme in it.
There are 'no' instructions in the paint kit. Only PSD files.
To create 'metallic' paint schemes, create a copy of your color layer and add 'Noise' filter
to it. Noise will give it a pebbly 'metallic flake' appearance. You will need to dial it in to
your scale. You can see an example of metallic paint in the kit, in the 'orange' that is
turned off. Turn it on and check the amount of Noise that is applied.
Those those that do not know, you must convert your PSD to DDS format that works in
FSX / P3D. You must 'flip' the artwork vertically as well. Do not rotate it 180 degrees,
it must be flipped 'straight vertically', not rotated. For more information on repainting
for beginners, please google how this is done.
Warning, it can be very addictive. ;)
This is available in Exterior and Interior in zip files. These are in modern Photoshop
CS6 PSD multiple layer format.
Simply change a bottom layer 'color' zone, add your own stripes, N-number registries,
and graphics, and you will have your own customized Blade craft.
Be sure to add a 'new' folder with your paint work in it, with its own texture.cfg, and
add a new Registry block to the 'aircraft.cfg' that will have your paint
scheme in it.
There are 'no' instructions in the paint kit. Only PSD files.
To create 'metallic' paint schemes, create a copy of your color layer and add 'Noise' filter
to it. Noise will give it a pebbly 'metallic flake' appearance. You will need to dial it in to
your scale. You can see an example of metallic paint in the kit, in the 'orange' that is
turned off. Turn it on and check the amount of Noise that is applied.
Those those that do not know, you must convert your PSD to DDS format that works in
FSX / P3D. You must 'flip' the artwork vertically as well. Do not rotate it 180 degrees,
it must be flipped 'straight vertically', not rotated. For more information on repainting
for beginners, please google how this is done.
Warning, it can be very addictive. ;)
BLADE 'PEOPLE PACK' MOD KIT
This is a Addon Pack for your 'existing' Blade package. This features 3 model enhancements and 5 paint
scheme Theme packs. The models feature;
* Female pilot named 'Jade'
* A couple, the Blade pilot with Jade
* Dual Couples, with secondary couple in the back seat area
These are in separate folders to enable built in weight loadouts that feature actual, realistic weight loads;
from one passenger to 4 passengers. You can also 'click and hide' the passengers if you do not want
them in your VC. Click on the seat to make them appear and disappear.
You have 5 new paint schemes as well and these will also be installed into the main Blade aircraft. They
are; Black Cherry, Silver and Gray, Yellow and White, Sky Blue, and White and Red. Most of these feature
customized interiors. This is a huge package and it is payware costing a mere $5.00 USD.
For more information, click on the blue plane to the right to see the People Pack webpage.
You 'must' have your existing Blade package already installed and you 'must' update to Blade 1.1 first.
This is a Addon Pack for your 'existing' Blade package. This features 3 model enhancements and 5 paint
scheme Theme packs. The models feature;
* Female pilot named 'Jade'
* A couple, the Blade pilot with Jade
* Dual Couples, with secondary couple in the back seat area
These are in separate folders to enable built in weight loadouts that feature actual, realistic weight loads;
from one passenger to 4 passengers. You can also 'click and hide' the passengers if you do not want
them in your VC. Click on the seat to make them appear and disappear.
You have 5 new paint schemes as well and these will also be installed into the main Blade aircraft. They
are; Black Cherry, Silver and Gray, Yellow and White, Sky Blue, and White and Red. Most of these feature
customized interiors. This is a huge package and it is payware costing a mere $5.00 USD.
For more information, click on the blue plane to the right to see the People Pack webpage.
You 'must' have your existing Blade package already installed and you 'must' update to Blade 1.1 first.
$5.00 USD
CLICK FOR PHOTOS
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
John 3:16
