FSX Corben Baby Ace On Skis

The Corben Baby Ace, introduced in 1929, stands out as a homebuilt aircraft design that pioneered the concept of commercially available plans. Conceived by Orland Corben under the Ace Aircraft Manufacturing Company umbrella, it evolved into a highly recognizable single-seat machine that remains popular among enthusiasts even now. This freeware release by Craig Richardson provides a faithful recreation for both Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 (FS9) and Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX), complete with a ski-equipped variation for cold-weather adventures.

Specialized Winter Adaptation

The skis featured on this Corben Baby Ace are designed to handle snowy takeoffs and landings in challenging environments. Vintage aircraft of this era rarely showcased such adaptations, making this on-skis package particularly appealing for simulation fans looking to explore rugged mountainous regions or frozen lake runways. This detail captures the essence of winter flying for an all-season homebuilt craft.

Performance and Handling Characteristics

Extensive input from real-world pilot Brian Harrington, who flies a Baby Ace known as “Bits & Pieces,” informed this virtual rendition’s lift, climb, and engine output profiles. The replicated flight model offers an authentic feel for short-field takeoffs, especially when operating with the ski implementation. This lateral stability and gentle stall tendency closely mirror the original aircraft’s well-documented behavior.

This release fully integrates Robert Kerr’s gauge set from his well-known “Pete” package. These gauges are carefully tuned to ensure consistent readings for crucial parameters, including single-engine RPM ranges and elevator trim feedback loops.

Installing the Corben Baby Ace

To set up this addon, simply extract all contents into a temporary folder and transfer the resulting files into your simulator’s Aircraft or SimObjects directory. Make sure no folders are nested incorrectly; this keeps the instrumentation and model files aligned with the default directories of FS9 or FSX.

Beta evaluations were conducted by several dedicated testers, including Damian Radice, Brian Farrington, Leyland Spurr, and Roger Law, who validated everything from texture alignment to flight stability. Their meticulous testing helped identify any nuances requiring refinements.

Additional Notes

This complete freeware package bundles the base model, textures, and gauges in one download. The unique ski configuration showcases the versatility of Corben’s original layout, while the vintage cockpit styling captures the era’s minimalist approach to aircraft design. Craig Richardson extends thanks to everyone who contributed to this project, with special acknowledgment to Robert Kerr for sharing his gauge set and to Brian Harrington for offering performance data.

By Craig Richardson