I'm currently working on modelling proper suspenion for the Mi-24. With springs and dampers modelled, and grip varying depending on wheel load. This makes take-offs, landing and taxiing more real. You can really notice it on the controls When adding collective the helicopter will gradually become lighter on the wheels, and if may start skipping around if you apply some side cyclic. Pushing cyclic forward will put more weight on the front wheels, and hence make the entire helicopter tilt a little forward. As well as gaining speed if the brakes are off (or even with them on if the helicopter is light on the wheels). Braking (from forward speed) will also make the helicopter tilt forward as the weight shifts forward.

Most dangerous though is sideways speed, it may make the entire helicopter tip over, since it has a fairly high centre of gravity! So be careful to not land with too much sideway speed. Even making too sharp turns while taxiing may tip it over. So be careful!

A screenshot of uncompressed suspension:


And here it is compressed at landing:


Though screenshots doesn't really do it justice. Ideally you will have to try it. But since it's still some way off from being finished I've made a little video to demonstrate it. It's mostly me doing terrible landings

http://arneh.at.ifi.uio.no/eech/suspension-test.wmv

(or if you're satisfied with a low-quality youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKb5gELlD1Y Though be warned: it's hard to see the suspenion moving in that one)

That's awesome.

More physics FTW!!


Is this something that needs to be customized for each vehicle individually?

Thats execellant Arneh. The EECH lift off was always a little too simplified or arcade if you like for my taste.

Arneh Excellent work! The video is impressive, I am impatient to fly this big!!!

I'd be lying if I said I watched the video and moved on with life.

I watched it over and over again and just stared in amazement - I don't know what to say.

I'm continually impressed with your talent Arneh - this looks really great!

Yes. I've made a system with various variables like the position, suspension and damper stiffness for each wheel, if the wheel is turnable, has brakes etc. And those parameters will have to be customized and tested for each helicopter. There is also some work that needs to be done to the collision object, to make sure that EECH doesn't think other parts of the helicopter touches the ground and start the whole "we've crashed"-routine, when it's just the suspension.




Haha

Very nice Arneh. I see that DCS: Black Shark vid had a motivating effect on you.

Brilliant

Looks very nice. Also nice to get a peek at the new pit

Nah, DCS has nothing to do with it, I've been planning to do this change for a long time. But finally around easter I got enough time to do the major part of it. If anything the motivation was that I tried the 10-year-old Hind sim, and noticed it had a moving suspension!

And then when I had done most of it, I read Beach's DCS report which described its suspension feeling very similar to what I had just made

Very, very nice! Between this and your hind cockpit, I think I'm going to be very happy with EECH.

Pure class again arneh!

...

Good job the hind has got some suspension..coz you sure did come down hard on a couple of those landings

I think I use this smiley more in this forum than any other. And for good reason, your work is amazing Arneh!

Please doin't stop !!

... a lot of work for all others and realy all?

And how does it use the AI Pilot or only for humans?

Well I'm sure glad you're doing what you're doing. Always impressive. I'm starting to get motivated to learn Lightwave. Hopefully others are too. One day, more of us can hopefully give you a hand with these continuous mind-boggling improvements.

At a loss for words... watching that behemoth dance is just hypnotic...

Amazing Arneh! congrats!!

Incredible work Arneh! I just love that free swiveling caster nose wheel! Is that a feature of the real Hind?

Really awesome.
EECH is getting more attention each and every day because of these improvements, of that I'm sure.

Yes. And only the main wheels have brakes.