I wonder why the boys at Redmond omitted the Flaps from the Flight version of the Icon A5. Not that it needs flaps base on the virtual flight characteristics but the real one does to successfully land. It's interesting as this is the flagship model for this version of the sim just like the Learjet was for FS98 or Concord for FS2000, you'd think the attention to detail would be on par with other models in this sim. I would love to know if the FDE is not as exact as the real one and what's the difference in how they fly. The other models in Flight are spot on in my opinion...

Its not MS Game Studios Fault.Icon Company has changed the design of the Icon several times.On mid Feb they announced that Flaps were being readdedhttp://iconaircraft.com/news/a5-achieves-historic-safety-milestone.html

They don't need advertisement since you have to wait 3 years for an Icon.

Seriously? you have to wait 3 years?

Just employ side slips or the mush (near stall) approach (described in Stick & Rudder). Works well.

The Icon A5 is based off of a CAD model provided by Icon itself. The problem with modeling prototypes is things change, and often. I found that out when I modeled the SF-50! Icon released news that they were including flaps in all models about 3 weeks before Flight was released. Not nearly enough time to modify the aircraft, test it, and get it out. Im not sure if MS even considers the flaps a priority right now. Considering what all is on there place (I.E. being demanded) Im sure its not on the top of there "to do" list.

I hope that they add flaps in a future update. Although, they will have to reset the intro mission explanation for how to land the aircraft.

Just employ side slips or the mush (near stall) approach (described in Stick & Rudder). Works well.

Slips and skids are your friends when managing altitude and airspeed. They will quickly get rid of both when properly employed. As for flaps on the A5, it's so docile at approach speeds that I don't ever find myself wanting flaps. The only time I've wanted flaps was on takeoff and then just to increase the angle of incidence to get off the water easier. But I've learned that if you push the stick forward, you'll get up on the step of the hull and get enough airspeed that takeoffs aren't too big a pain.WildBill

 

Slips and skids are your friends when managing altitude and airspeed. They will quickly get rid of both when properly employed. As for flaps on the A5, it's so docile at approach speeds that I don't ever find myself wanting flaps. The only time I've wanted flaps was on takeoff and then just to increase the angle of incidence to get off the water easier. But I've learned that if you push the stick forward, you'll get up on the step of the hull and get enough airspeed that takeoffs aren't too big a pain.WildBill

That's what I imagined the Flaps would help with. The FDE in Flight is designed so well that the effects of water is much more prevalent than with previous FS efforts (can't wait for the Alaska float planes). There's a slight technique in getting airborne in the Icon that wouldn't be needed if flaps were there to provide the extra lift. The attention to detail here is great... I was only asking this as just wonder what the reason was. If Icon changed things on the model while Flight was in final stages of development I understand what happened. I personally don't really need flaps just wondering what happened.

I did the Kayaker SAR mission and forgot to dump fuel before the flight. I took off with FULL fuel and found him. I even pulled up to the beach for him, had him hop in, and off I went! Damn near had to float back to base!!! It took a country MILE to take off, and I really had to employ some real life techniques to get her off! First, pull back on the stick with full throttle to get her on the step, then push forward a little to clean the lines up. You can also tell when the Icon drops off the step, since you suddenly have a LOT more authority on the water rudder. They can do a LOT better, but its 10X better then whats in FSX right now.

I did the Kayaker SAR mission and forgot to dump fuel before the flight. I took off with FULL fuel and found him. I even pulled up to the beach for him, had him hop in, and off I went! Damn near had to float back to base!!! It took a country MILE to take off, and I really had to employ some real life techniques to get her off! First, pull back on the stick with full throttle to get her on the step, then push forward a little to clean the lines up. You can also tell when the Icon drops off the step, since you suddenly have a LOT more authority on the water rudder. They can do a LOT better, but its 10X better then whats in FSX right now.

LOL, I did the same dang thing without even thinking about it - so that is why it took me bout 3nm to get that thing back up out of the water!

I did the Kayaker SAR mission and forgot to dump fuel before the flight. I took off with FULL fuel and found him. I even pulled up to the beach for him, had him hop in, and off I went! Damn near had to float back to base!!! It took a country MILE to take off, and I really had to employ some real life techniques to get her off! First, pull back on the stick with full throttle to get her on the step, then push forward a little to clean the lines up. You can also tell when the Icon drops off the step, since you suddenly have a LOT more authority on the water rudder. They can do a LOT better, but its 10X better then whats in FSX right now.

Float planes in Alaska is going to be quite nice.

skids are your friends when managing altitude and airspeed

you suddenly have a LOT more authority on the water rudder. They can do a LOT better, but its 10X better then whats in FSX right now.

Beats heck out of the water rudder on the stock Goose that sticks out 6 feet below the plane. :DHook

Stock Goose has no water rudder. In fact, pilots typically drop the gear when they taxi in water and use differential throttling.I know the default fsx Goose very well.