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Meet the aircraft
VSKYLABS developed Contraventus from the layout of the human-powered MIT Daedalus 88 into an electric-powered experimental glider. The developer presents the simulator design as a renewable-energy concept demonstrator for precision flying.
Aircraft background
VSKYLABS · Read more ↗An experimental energy-management concept
Contraventus is an electric-glider simulation inspired by the Daedalus design. The developer describes a powered-climb and glide/recharge concept, while explicitly identifying the solar system as non-operational in the current project. These features describe the simulator experiment.
VSKYLABS Contraventus · X-Plane 12
VSKYLABS · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
YouTube VSKYLABS · 8 min ·
[Archive-2018] VSKYLABS Contraventus v2.0 X-Plane 11
An archived VSKYLABS showcase of Contraventus v2.0 in X-Plane 11.
Archived simulator edition · Contraventus v2.0, X-Plane 11 (2018)
Watch on YouTube ↗Preview images are served by AirframeDB. Videos open on YouTube only when you choose to watch.
Meet VSKYLABS Contraventus
VSKYLABS developed Contraventus from the layout of the human-powered MIT Daedalus 88 into an electric-powered experimental glider. The developer presents the simulator design as a renewable-energy concept demonstrator for precision flying.
Separate native X-Plane 11 and 12 products are available. The equipment and flying characteristics describe the simulated prototype.
VSKYLABS Contraventus
Aircraft type designators
A model-specific ICAO or FAA designator has not been confirmed in the references reviewed for this aircraft.
History & design
From human-powered inspiration to an electric concept
VSKYLABS began Contraventus in 2016, taking inspiration from the MIT Daedalus 88 while exploring an electric powered-glider concept. It is a simulator research design, not a record of a manufactured aircraft or a demonstrated renewable-energy flight.
VSKYLABS · Contraventus project guide ↗VSKYLABS Contraventus concept simulation
Solar charging joins the experiment
The handbook records functional daytime solar charging from version 2.5. This updates the earlier project description that treated the panels as a future feature. The developer also describes the generator model as simplified; its charging cycle is a simulation experiment rather than proof of an energy balance for a physical aircraft.
VSKYLABS · contraventus Pilot Operating Handbook ↗VSKYLABS Contraventus concept simulation
Systems & details
A rudder-controlled glider
The yoke commands pitch and yaw. X-Plane accepts either the roll or rudder input for the rudder, so a sideways stick movement does not imply conventional ailerons. Split spoilers increase descent rate, while the unsteered wheels and large, light wing constrain ground handling.
In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12Contraventus
VSKYLABS · Released
Contraventus
VSKYLABS · 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.
Simulator documentation
An experimental energy-management conceptVSKYLABS Contraventus · X-Plane 12
Contraventus is an electric-glider simulation inspired by the Daedalus design. The developer describes a powered-climb and glide/recharge concept, while explicitly identifying the solar system as non-operational in the current project. These features describe the simulator experiment.
Concept description and solar-system note
VSKYLABS · Read the source ↗Contraventus simulator editionsContraventus · VSKYLABS · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
A released electric-powered glider concept demonstrator. Separate native products are supplied for the two X-Plane generations.
Official developer / designated-store reference · checked 2026-09-14
VSKYLABS · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Developer documentation
VSKYLABS Contraventus. Renewable Energy Glider Concept Demonstrator for X-Plane.VSKYLABS · Official developer / designated-store reference · checked 2026-09-14 Contraventus project guideVSKYLABS · Developer reference checked 15 September 2026; applies to the named simulator product. contraventus Pilot Operating HandbookVSKYLABS · Simulation handbook; solar system from v2.5; controls and electrical designBuilt-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-20261022-v1 · 2 profile choices
VSKYLABS Contraventus XP12
VSKYLABS · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
VSKYLABS Contraventus XP12: The selected resistance accompanies an unconventional rudder-controlled roll interface.
VSKYLABS Contraventus
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
X-Plane 12 · X-Plane 11
VSKYLABS Contraventus: The selected resistance accompanies an unconventional rudder-controlled roll interface.
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