March 16 2023.
AirSim3D’s primary design goal was to create a deeply “authentic” , study-level, immersive, and well-flying C-560XL aircraft flight experience for the X-Plane flight simulator.
As of March 16 2023, you can find the jet for both XP11 and XP12 on the Xplane org store. Get the XP12 version HERE.

The project to build this jet started over 3 years ago, and it, no surprise, has been a complex, research-intensive endeavor.

The goal was to offer a 95% authentic, 99% bug-free C-560XL replica, for about 50% of the cost of the most expensive business jet on the Market, to provide a deeply immersive experience for our customers.

Throughout this site you will notice we often use the word AUTHENTIC. We use it to mean that (the thing) is designed to look like, function, be animated, sound like and work just like the real thing, in the real aircraft. In other words, it is custom built from actual pics and docs to match with the original in the aircraft (as much as is possible in a simulator).

Real Citation XL-family Pilots have test-flown this aircraft, and given feedback throughout the project. We have referred to 1000’s (no typo) of real aircraft flight-bag docs/manuals/pics to inform our design decisions.

We want you to experience the joy of flying this aircraft across tens of thousands of miles (or KM’s), in any weather, for durations of flights where you are an active pilot enjoying the flight. “Sophisticated Simplicity” is the true nature this aircraft’s real-life operation.

“Hand flying is the best I have ever seen, handles nice and smooth“

A Customer comment in the Support forums.

“The C-560XL by AirSim3D is a pilots aircraft. It has superior 3D modeling, hi-res labels and PBR texturing, real-jet sampled FMOD sounds, and uses > 300 real lights (not painted 2D textures) for stunning night flying.

EVERY flight-critical system, real-life function, object, and instrument are included, custom-made, and animated.

The C-560XL is therefore a sophisticated, authentic, and immersive experience. It requires study, but one that’s still easy to set up and fly — just like the real Jet. This is the X-PLANE business jet you’ve been looking for!“

MarkE — Chief Test Pilot and company lead

“Engine sounds are really good inside and out.
I live near an airport, and it sounds like the real Citations as they take off“

A Customer comment in our Support forums.

ABOUT THIS AIRCRAFT

The inspiration for this aircraft can be found at our home Boeing field, Renton WA. Thanks to Erin Air for access to their fleet of XL jets, for being patient while we took 100’s of pics, and kind support.

In real life, the Citation 560 series is the most popular business jet in the world.
Its known for its first class cabin comforts and low operating costs, and whisks its 9 souls across continents, at near Mach speeds, with remarkable performance and efficiency in a stunningly beautiful-looking jet.

Since its first flight in 1996, the Citation 560 line has seen a number of lifecycle updates, from an early stubby-nosed Excel, to a sleeker XL model with better engines, to the latest XLS+ variant with its all-glass cockpit and wheel fairings.

The AirSim3D version of this jet is the C-560XL. As an XL, it has the upgraded engines, longer range, a more streamlined nose and fuselage dimension upgrades, but, it retains all the old school dials and knobs that make it a really immersive and fun jet to fly. Its configured as a 7 seat (usually 8 seats). We gave up one seat up front to build the Coat closet (which exists in our real home-based model at Boeing field).

Pilots love flying this aircraft; Its systems are sophisticated and well designed to the point of actually making the aircraft “relative” simple, and a joy to fly. Its ground and flight handling characteristics are predictable and precise.

Loaded with features usually found in larger commercial aircraft, the Citation 560XL exceeds the demanding expectations of its high powered corporate and celebrity owners, and the pilots who fly them.

Enjoy the ride!

“My main interest is flying bizjets, and this one is an excellent addition to my ”hanger”…. Also, Support responds very quickly on this forum too.
Thanks for that.”

Quote from a Customer comment in the Support forums.

AIRCRAFT AUTHENTICITY

Aside from the AP-AT mode tweaks (Below), the rest of the aircraft’s objects, systems, functions, faults, lighting etc. ARE ALL Authentic and map to the real aircraft for that fully immersive experience.

Here just a FEW examples of how much immersion this aircraft provides:
* Close/lock the Door correctly or risk alerts and pressurization problems
* Forgot to connect the outside battery? No Battery power inside!
* Follow the relevant flight-phase checklists used by its real pilots
* Follow the APU startup procedure; Check its hours use-meter for cumulative use
* Cumulative Airframe hours? check the airframe-use meter
* Check the position of the Stabilizer in your preflight walk around
* Emergency! Gear not coming down? Use the Authentic gear blow down lever
* Use the toe brakes and control locks when needed
* Don’t forget to run the 11 preflight avionics and system tests on the Rotary test dial
* Hot day stopover? Close the shades, run the AC and monitor cabin/cockpit ambient
* Open the baggage door. Lift the bags out. See what happens!
* Know how to interpret >90 annunciator warnings and alerts for a safe flight
* Engine fire! Follow the procedures to fire the extinguisher bottles, or else.
* Turn on Cabin and Exit lights to welcome your passengers for the night flight
* Observe the realistic engine blur as you throttle up
* Turn Wing inspection and Tail recog lights on as you land. You show off!!
* Remember to plan De Ice for required warm up time, or perf will degrade
* Bad weather ahead? Use the weather radar
* Valley landing ahead? Use the Terrain radar
* Turn custom Pulse landing lights to Auto and mitigate TCAS alerts!
* Don’t forget to clean up the coffee stain before you leave!
* Listen to real aircraft sounds in and outside, calibrated to different events

We’ve worked hard at creating a real-world C-560XL Aircraft for X-Plane.

“Just doing a night flight, the night lighting is excellent.
I do like this airplane a lot”

Quote from a Customer comment in the Support forums.

AUTHENTIC PROCEDURES

Examples of how you the pilot, will need to follow real-world procedures:
* Follow exact steps for Startup/shut down
* Use any of the authentic 3 Pressurization options, or risk black out
* Use Anti ice/Deice correctly or suffer performance degradation
* APU Test/Run/engage/shut down
* GPU Connect/run/shut down/disconnect (maybe wait for it to be fueled first)
* Manage Gens and Battery Amps, and charge
* Easily set up, load, follow flight plans in the G1000
* Use the 11-stattion Preflight Rotary TEST dial for safe-flight readiness
* Set/manage ambient temps of passenger/cockpit (independently)
* Interpret/mitigate over 90 in-flight warnings, Caution and Master lights
* Use 14 authentic flight-bag checklists Topics covering all flight phases
* Watch your turn/bank restrictions at different altitudes
* Run and manage the Autopilot with full PFD annunciator integration
* Use the PFD, MFD, DME, GPS, radios, clocks and more during all flight phases
* Watch for Stabilizer misalignment; Check rudder bias prior to take off
* Set flaps, gear, speed brake, reversers within specified limits
* Navigate with VORs, COMS, ADF, NDB, GPS, DMEs as needed
* Interpret/React to TCAS warnings and Terrain, and Weather radar info
* Manage Passenger safety/Emergency lighting
* Use the Lights panel for day/night dash illumination, EL, and instrument dimmers
* Use Floods, Maps, Panel, Overhead lights; Use shades, tables
* Close the Lav door when in use
* Monitor and manage over 90 fault/status annunciators
* Turn on Cabin/Entry lights for passengers from its own door-side panel
* Resolve Engine fires, Icing, Battery OTEMP, Depressurization, stuck gear

You are never going to get bored flying this aircraft.

“The best aircraft of my hangar, and I have all the other more popular biz jets and Airliners!!

Quote from a Customer comment in the Support forums.

CITATION C-560XL SPECIFICATIONS

First Flight, Feb 29 1996
Range: 1980 NMI (3,187 Kms)
Fuel Capacity 1006 USGal (6750 lbs)
MTOW: 20,200lbs (9,163 Kg)
Max Land Weight 18900lbs (8,572 Kg)
Engines 2xPW545A
Thrust/engine 3804lbf (16.93 kN)
Wing Span 56′ 4″ (17.19m)
Length 52′ 6″ (16.03m)
8 passengers, 2 Crew

AirSim3D C-560XL BENCHMARK FPS

Our Test bench
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8700K CPU @ 3.70GHz 3.70 GHz
16GB RAM
NVidia GEFORCE GTX 1080

Compatible with:
WINDOWS 10, Mac, Linux

More images? Here you go!

OVERALL

The aircraft Functions and flies beautifully!!!
I must say very impressed been avid Sim pilot for years
You guys did an amazing job.So much attention to detail.
Id say its right behind the Hot start challenger.
Just wanted to add that lol.

Quote from a Customer comment in the Support forums.

• VR Ready
• High Quality FMOD, real-jet sampled Sounds
• Hi-def instruments, detailed 3D objects, PBR materials, grunge, smudges, scratches
• Sharp, easy to read labeling, placards, warnings everywhere
• AirSim3D Specialty Glass; Reflections are subtle and won’t be a distraction
• Authentic Flight characteristics, Engine performance
• Custom Airfoil, and Weight/CG modeling
• Exclusive THXp Lighting: >300 tuned and directed lights make night flying spectacular!
• FPS is comparable with similar popular jets and LR default aircraft
• Win, Mac, Linux tested
• Authentic Gear, Doors, Flight surfaces, Engine blur modeling and animation
• Authentic Throttle, Reverser, Flaps, Spoiler, “Stab Config”, Rudder bias
• Authentic 3D Yoke logo, real-world liveries
• All 42 upfront single/dual fault annunciators authentically coded, lighted, and modeled
• >90 Authentic system warnings and lights, with full MW/MC lights behavior and integration
• Authentic In-Out Lights using actual light beams, not flat LIT 2D textures from Photo Shop)
• Authentic Cockpit: Hi-Def 3D instruments, artwork, PBR, custom lighting
• Authentic Controls lock and Emergency gear blow down
• Authentic Emergency Lighting, inside and outside
• 14 Authentic pop up checklists for all flight phases (with 23 sub modes)
• Authentic Exterior, Entry, Cockpit, Cabin, Lav
• Wizard-inspired baggage load/unload
• Grunge and Normals elevated to an art form
• If things in the real jet move, they are most likely to be animated in the jet
• Custom GPU and APU units included; authentic start-up procedures
• Ships with 9 liveries + Paint kit

We do not believe in a strategy of being in forever-beta mode, or winning prizes for the “most updated” product.

We have made it a goal to release 95% authentic, 99% bug free, aircraft (DONE)

Cockpit & Instruments Summary

• 100% custom designed, animated, 4K textured 3D cockpit and cabin
• Custom designed Hi-fi instruments, 3D modeling, labeling, artwork
• Glass reflections: Subtle and do not get in the way of the experience
• Fully animated: From switches to test buttons to multi-step Fire Suppression
• Exclusive THXp Lighting: >300 lights for a cockpit glow (no FPS loss, or 2d PS textures)
• 2 Custom Autopilot modes: Realistic or Augmented modes
• 2 Custom clocks (GMT, Local, Auto WOWheels Flight Time, Stop watch)
• 2 Custom DMEs: (M, KM) ID, Distance, Time-To, Closing Speed
• Custom PFDs popup; Collins inspired; Full AP annunciation integration
• Custom RMUs, Primus II inspired (2 COM, 2 VOR, ADF)
• Custom MFD pop up with real-life flight-phase checklists
• Custom MFD: Rose/Arc and 6 sub modes WITH Terrain and Weather radar
• Custom Engine N1 target bug set
• Custom (added) Auto Throttle in Augmented AP mode
• Custom Throttle position indicator instrument/lights
• Standby HSI, Standby VOR,
• Standard G1000 (plans for FMC version in XP12)
• Authentic Autopilot/YD/VVI (HDG, LNAV, APR, BC, VNAV, ALT, VS, FLC)
• Authentic Battery connect/disconnect, Avionics-AP-GPU-Gens integration
• Authentic Electric panel/system; R & L Amps, DC, source switches
• Authentic Lighting panel; Day/Night, EL, zone dimmers, overheads
• Authentic Passenger safety systems, in-out lighting, placards
• Authentic APU, GPU (including fuel flows and tank use)
• Authentic Start/Ignition system
• Authentic Hydraulics, including Gear blow-down
• Authentic Pulse Landing Lights integrated with TCAS
• Authentic Individual Taxi, Nav, Recog., Inspection light systems
• Authentic Fuel Boost, X-Feed
• Authentic Engine/Fuel/Oil/Temps and flow glass gauges
• Authentic Throttle, Reverser, Fire suppression
• Authentic Park Brake, Toe brakes, Control lock, Emergency Gear Blow down
• Authentic Pressurization system (Auto, Manual, Flight Level modes)
• Authentic Ice/Deice
• Authentic COM/Ident/Marker Panels
• Authentic AOA roundel and chevron gauges; FPV, BARO, Lighted Compass
• Authentic 11 function pre-flight Rotary Test dial
• Authentic Yoke, custom 3D logo button, functioning AP/TCS, trim buttons
• Authentic Standby dual channel NAV/COM Radio

For a detailed instrument list, and Cockpit images/videos, go here.

TO BE USED FOR FLIGHT SIMULATION ENTERTAINMENT ONLY

Copyright 2022 — AirSim3D All rights reserved.

Custom Real-Authentic AP-AT Modes

We changed (only) 2 aircraft functions, call them “tweaks”, in order to give YOU — the SIM pilot, an on-demand option to choose between having a Realistic, or Augmented, Auto Pilot.

WHY? …. It is to overcome a real-aircraft design quirk which we felt made the SIMULATION experience less optimized. But YOU have the option to use, or not use, these 2 tweaks.

Tweak#1: This was designed to overcome the sub-optimal POSITONING of the Autopilot/YD panel, along with its VVI and Bank angle dials. In the real aircraft, this AP cluster is positioned down on the center console between the Pilot and Co-Pilot seats. That works fine in real life, but that positioning can prove to be frustrating (and disastrous) as a sim pilot looses sight of the outside world at flight-critical moments as they are forced to look down to change something on the AP quickly.

Tweak#2: The real aircraft has no Auto Throttle (AT). Seriously! Real XL pilots call their auto throttle a “CP” — he who sits in the right seat. HA!!

AirSim3D’s SOLUTION
To provide a better sim-user experience, we added a small, innocuously positioned switch on the dashboard left corner, which when on, repositions the AP, VVI and Bank Angle instrument cluster onto the dashboard, AND adds an Auto Throttle + some AO gauge functionality too (combines speed and AO cues in one visual).
This is our “Augmented AP-AT Mode“. It is the default mode. But flip the switch off and the instrument cluster reverts back to their original “realistic” positions on the center console, which we refer to as the “Realistic AP-AT Mode“. Mode-switches can be made at any time of the flight experience.

There is NO DIFFERENCE in the way the instruments FUNCTION in EITHER mode. The ONLY change is their physical location, that’s all. Obviously AT is not available in Realistic mode (like the real aircraft which has no AT).

You choose the on-demand mode for the AP-AT experience you desire:

For the purists, look down in Realistic Mode at the center console for AP cluster work.

Want the AP cluster up front instead, with an Auto Throttle option?…use the Augmented AP-AT Mode.

AirSim3D design team