Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Aircraft and simulator background
Flying Fries' manual follows the Gabriel through Blackshape's development from the Prime ultralight lineage. The simulated BK160-TR has retractable landing gear and pitch trim, with a Garmin glass-cockpit installation.
Blackshape Gabriel BK160-TR
Flying Fries · Read more ↗Two substantially different variants
The manual distinguishes the BK160-TR from the fictional BK420-MO, with differences in power and response. Both have retractable gear and pitch trim. KIAS limits and cruise groundspeeds are labelled separately; runway starts can initialise non-neutral trim.
Blackshape Gabriel BK160-TR
Flying Fries · Read more ↗The Flying Fries package
The developer lists Gabriel for MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.
Blackshape Gabriel BK160-TR
Flying Fries · Read more ↗Meet Blackshape Gabriel BK160-TR
Flying Fries' manual follows the Gabriel through Blackshape's development from the Prime ultralight lineage. The simulated BK160-TR has retractable landing gear and pitch trim, with a Garmin glass-cockpit installation.
The package also includes the fictional BK420-MO. Its much greater power and different response belong to that simulator variant, with separate speed references in the manual.
Blackshape Gabriel BK160-TR
Blackshape → · Explore the family →
Blackshape Gabriel BK160-TR
Flying Fries · User Manual (EN) ↓ ↗Aircraft type designators
No type designator selected for this reference.
History & design
From the Prime to a training aircraft
The developer's background traces Blackshape's origins in Monopoli and its 2009 founding. The company developed the Prime from the Millennium Master/Asso X lineage, then explored a general-aviation training aircraft. The Gabriel cockpit description includes G3X, G5 backup displays and GFC500 autopilot equipment.
Flying Fries · User Manual (EN) ↓ ↗Gabriel manual v2.0; PDF pp.5–7 revision and background; pp.8–11 variants; p.25 speed references
Systems & details
Two substantially different variants
The manual distinguishes the BK160-TR from the fictional BK420-MO, with differences in power and response. Both have retractable gear and pitch trim. KIAS limits and cruise groundspeeds are labelled separately; runway starts can initialise non-neutral trim.
The Flying Fries package
The developer lists Gabriel for MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.
Two versions with different envelopes
The Gabriel manual presents the BK160-TR and fictional BK420-MO side by side. Its standard-atmosphere cruise examples use ground speed, while flap, gear and never-exceed limits are given separately in KIAS. The tandem loading guidance requires the front seat to be occupied before adding a rear occupant, and trim guidance changes with one or two people aboard. These distinctions are part of operating the developer’s two versions, rather than a reason to merge their power or speed figures.
In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
Compare simulator versions →MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024Flying Fries Blackshape Gabriel
Flying Fries · Released
Flying Fries Blackshape Gabriel
Flying Fries · Released
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024Flying Fries Blackshape Gabriel BK420-MO
Flying Fries · Released
Flying Fries Blackshape Gabriel BK420-MO
Flying Fries · Released
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Developer documentation
Exact product and documentation researchBlackshape Gabriel BK160-TR
Gabriel exact product and simulators
Flying Fries · Read the source ↗Developer manual
User Manual (EN) ↓Blackshape Gabriel BK160-TR
Gabriel manual v2.0; PDF pp.5–7 revision and background; pp.8–11 variants; p.25 speed references
Flying Fries · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Developer documentation
Exact product and documentation researchFlying Fries · Gabriel exact product and simulatorsDeveloper manual
User Manual (EN) ↓Flying Fries · Gabriel manual v2.0; PDF pp.5–7 revision and background; pp.8–11 variants; p.25 speed referencesBuilt-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261011-v3 · 3 profile choices
Flying Fries Blackshape Gabriel
Flying Fries · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
A modern Blackshape trainer represented alongside Flying Fries' fictional BK420-MO.
Flying Fries Blackshape Gabriel BK420-MO
Flying Fries · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
A modern Blackshape trainer represented alongside Flying Fries' fictional BK420-MO.
Blackshape Gabriel BK160-TR
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 12
A modern Blackshape trainer represented alongside Flying Fries' fictional BK420-MO.
Flying Fries Blackshape Gabriel BK420-MO
A modern Blackshape trainer represented alongside Flying Fries' fictional BK420-MO.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- Flying Fries Blackshape Gabriel BK420-MO · Flying Fries · MSFS 2020 · Add-on starting point
- Flying Fries Blackshape Gabriel BK420-MO · Flying Fries · MSFS 2024 · Add-on starting point
The simulator model and controls
Flying Fries Blackshape Gabriel BK420-MO is the selected Flying Fries configuration.
How this profile feels
Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is off.
Aircraft and configuration
Flying Fries' manual follows the Gabriel through Blackshape's development from the Prime ultralight lineage. The simulated BK160-TR has retractable landing gear and pitch trim, with a Garmin glass-cockpit installation.
Two substantially different variants
The manual distinguishes the BK160-TR from the fictional BK420-MO, with differences in power and response. Both have retractable gear and pitch trim. KIAS limits and cruise groundspeeds are labelled separately; runway starts can initialise non-neutral trim.
The Flying Fries package
The developer lists Gabriel for MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.
About the values
Strengths are normalized hardware-feel settings. They set the effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its limits. The IAS reference is a tuning value.
Documentary review and sources
These decisions describe the documentary basis and remaining gaps for this revision. Aircraft documentation and a starting setting describe different kinds of evidence.
Aircraft and variant
InheritedFlying Fries Blackshape Gabriel BK420-MO is the selected Flying Fries configuration.
Flight controls
InheritedA modern Blackshape trainer represented alongside Flying Fries' fictional BK420-MO.
Trim
InheritedTrim: Pitch. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.
Autopilot and stability
InheritedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Equipment
InheritedFlying Fries' manual follows the Gabriel through Blackshape's development from the Prime ultralight lineage. The simulated BK160-TR has retractable landing gear and pitch trim, with a Garmin glass-cockpit installation.
Speeds and limits
InheritedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
InheritedThe profile targets msfs2020, msfs2024. Add-on-specific controls use only the supported references configured by this profile.
Force-feedback settings
InheritedThe settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
Starting settings and their rationale
These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyThe manual distinguishes the BK160-TR from the fictional BK420-MO, with differences in power and response. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 62.5 KIAS. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 180 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value180 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value62.5 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
All 44 starting settings and their rationale
The settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyThe manual distinguishes the BK160-TR from the fictional BK420-MO, with differences in power and response. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 62.5 KIAS. |
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.045 | What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 180 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| QBlend Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| QSpring Minimum Factor | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| QSpring Start Knots | Starting value8 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value62.5 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value180 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening gain | Starting value0.15 | What it controls and whyThe high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 62.5 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening limit | Starting value5 | What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whyTrim: Pitch. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0. |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| Force Trim Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| GLoad Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| Rate Damping Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot follow authority | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot neutral hold strength | Starting value0.6 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Gain | Starting value0.35 | What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value3 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value2 | What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Shaker Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Stick shaker amplitude | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.4 | What it controls and whySets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Gain | Starting value0.25 | What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Gain | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- Flying Fries Blackshape Gabriel BK420-MO; msfs2020, msfs2024. Exact developer and equipment tokens required. Save as aircraft default when the simulator omits equipment identity.
- Manual stick model for a fictional bundled aircraft. Estimated IAS feel; the quoted cruise ground speed is not used as a control-loading reference.
- Estimated pitch-only relief for the documented elevator trim; no invented roll tab. Bridge observes actual trim and does not silently reset it on runway spawn.
- G3X/G5 avionics with Working Title behavior; rear-seat trainer controls require EFB seat selection. Pilot-seat UI state is not servo authority. AP servo-follow and neutral hold remain disabled; engagement indicators are not force-demand signals.
- Fictional BK420-MO bundled with Gabriel; stronger engine and aerobatic performance documented separately from BK160-TR. Retractable wheels and flaps; no real-aircraft performance or force calibration claim.
- 180 KIAS is an estimated feel reference, not cruise TAS or a certified limit.
- Read-only native telemetry for aircraft motion and accessory positions. Custom switches, display animations and mode lamps are not calibrated servo targets. No unverified LVars/datarefs or simulator writes. Ground-contact settings belong to this profile. Changing wheel, float or ski equipment inside the simulator may keep the same aircraft identity. Check that the selected profile matches the current configuration.
- Spring 0.74; lateral scale 0.72; trim authorities 0.3/0; per-axis output cap 0.55. Editable engineering estimates, not measured hand forces. Contact texture follows the documented configuration; no new primary-control force calibration is inferred.
- New physical and installed-product checks deferred by owner. Existing separately recorded acceptance retains its original device, simulator, add-on and version limits. Source review does not broaden custom telemetry acceptance.
- Only actual accessory position changes drive movement texture; static drag and command-triggered kicks are disabled. Select and save an aircraft default when telemetry lacks a discriminating developer/configuration identity.
Physical validation
No physical force validation is recorded in this public catalogue for this revision. Documentary review and software checks do not establish how a particular device feels.
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