Alan_A
Charter Member
Haven't seen this posted anywhere outside of the IRIS forums, but wanted to give a heads-up that the Diamond Star XLS has been upgraded to 1.1. Big revision including new, separate flight models for the two- and three-bladed versions Analog gauge versions aren't yet available and won't be until version 1.2, which follows the Twin Star. Details on the IRIS forum. To upgrade, you have to delete the old version and download and install the new one from the IRS store. FYI that you may have to request a download reset - mine had expired after two weeks. But the reset was easy to get and came through promptly.
Have just been able to give it a quick test flight and it's a blast - a real roller-coaster ride in gusty crosswinds, the three-bladed version moreso than the two-bladed version though neither is exactly a 172. Speeds, interestingly, were pretty similar for both versions - the main difference in the three-bladed was more torque on takeoff and less stability in cruise - though the winds might have had an impact.
Will be interested to hear what others (including RL Diamond pilots) have to say.
EDIT: full details here re: what's been changed (forum registration may be required to read - not sure).
Have just been able to give it a quick test flight and it's a blast - a real roller-coaster ride in gusty crosswinds, the three-bladed version moreso than the two-bladed version though neither is exactly a 172. Speeds, interestingly, were pretty similar for both versions - the main difference in the three-bladed was more torque on takeoff and less stability in cruise - though the winds might have had an impact.
Will be interested to hear what others (including RL Diamond pilots) have to say.
EDIT: full details here re: what's been changed (forum registration may be required to read - not sure).