Flickr user Mick · CC BY 2.0 · Edgley Optica.John Edgley's Optica was conceived for low-speed observation work. The crew sit ahead of a ducted propeller in an unusually rounded, extensively glazed cabin. Twin tail booms leave the centreline clear behind the fan, giving the aircraft a silhouette quite unlike a conventional light single.
Its layout reflects the job: visibility and loitering were central design priorities. The Microsoft/Got Friends simulation represents the Series 300/301, with its avionics and loading features described in the developer documentation.
Edgley Optica · Specifications · real aircraft; source units retained
More about this aircraft on AirframeDB
Optica’s restoration diary follows G-BOPO from parts preparation and wing installation through painting and engine runs. It records Chris Taylor making the first post-restoration flight on 4 June 2008, followed by completion of the airworthiness test two days later.
Designer: John Edgley
First flight: 14 December 1979
Sitting in the middle seat, Dolph found that the Optica demanded some rearrangement of familiar habits on the ground. The throttle and brake arrangement initially felt awkward. After Clive Davidson took the aircraft off from Thruxton, the view became the dominant impression: Hampshire lay below a cockpit that seemed to leave very little between its occupants and the landscape.
A banked turn made that openness especially vivid. Looking almost straight down, Dolph felt enough excitement to request the next turn in the other direction. Flying the aircraft himself, he found substantial control forces and appreciated the trim. He returned with enthusiasm for the experience, having encountered both the unusual ergonomics and the pleasure that the observation cockpit could provide.
At Le Bourget, Thompson settled into the centre seat of an aircraft whose cabin offered almost too much to look at. Hugh Field handled the departure before passing him control. Without the usual nose and cockpit structure framing the horizon, Thompson initially had to work out which outside cues would tell him the aircraft’s attitude.
As the flight continued, peripheral references began to make more sense. The constrained air-show flight gave him an opportunity to observe roads below, although it did not allow a full performance evaluation. Returning to land brought another adjustment: he flared high and arrived firmly. He liked the extraordinary view while identifying control placement and the unfamiliar landing picture as things that still demanded attention.
Before departure, Urlacher discovered that the flaps were too far behind the cockpit to inspect in the usual way. Clive Davidson pointed out another visible clue: the wing’s shadow on the ground. It was a small example of how an apparently simple aeroplane could require fresh habits because of its unusual layout.
Over Hampshire, the glass cabin supplied the experience he had come for, opening the landscape around and below the occupants. The return brought a final lesson in perspective. Seated so low, Urlacher expected the landing flare earlier than Davidson’s prompt. He remained less fond of the hand-operated brake, but the remarkable view and the flight’s unusual sensations left a much warmer overall impression.
Orbx Edgley EA-7 Optica is the selected Orbx configuration.
Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Pitch-trim relief is off. Autopilot following is off.
Orbx documents its Optica/ballast flight model and ducted-fan powerplant.
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.
The final overall output scale applied to everything the model produces, before the device cap.
More: everything (spring, loads, effects) gets stronger together.
Less: everything softens together.
Why here: Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits.
The base centring force that pulls the stick back to centre. Every other force stacks on it. Too low and the stick feels limp in normal flight; too high and it fights your hand and masks the smaller cues layered above it.
More: firmer centring that resists your hand at all times.
Less: a limper stick that leans on aerodynamic load alone.
Why here: This profile uses reversible-control loading for Edgley EA-7 Optica. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 40 KIAS.
A master scale over both sustained axis loads, applied before their independent balance. Profiles normally leave this alone and tune the two axis loads instead.
More: both axes load up harder.
Less: both axes lighten together.
Why here: The aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 80 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring.
A cap on each steady pitch or roll force before it reaches the device, guarding against slamming or saturating the hardware in strong maneuvers.
More: stronger peak steady forces before clipping.
Less: a gentler ceiling; hard maneuvers flatten out sooner.
Why here: Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate.
The sustained pitch load from elevator deflection and airspeed, balanced independently of roll. This is the main lever behind a type's pitch weight. It does not touch aileron, spring, trim, or buffet forces.
More: heavier sustained pitch forces at speed.
Less: a lighter elevator that takes less muscle to hold.
Why here: Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings.
The sustained roll load from aileron deflection and airspeed, balanced independently of pitch. Together with the elevator load it sets the control-harmony ratio reviewers talk about.
More: heavier roll forces.
Less: lighter, quicker-feeling ailerons.
Why here: Roll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.6 and 0.78, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled.
The indicated airspeed where aerodynamic load reaches its designed full level. It anchors the whole load curve to the aircraft's real speed range: a 172 loads up by 110 knots, a jet much later.
More: loads arrive later; the stick stays light up to a higher speed.
Less: loads arrive earlier and cruise feels heavier.
Why here: Sets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit.
The airspeed where the spring begins climbing from its low-speed floor toward full strength: the controls "coming alive" on the takeoff roll.
Why here: Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit.
The airspeed where the spring reaches full strength. Between the start and this point, centring firms up progressively as airflow builds over the controls.
Why here: Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it.
A small neutral zone around centre where the spring stays quiet, so tiny movements at rest don't chatter. Wider is calmer but looser; narrower is more precise but can twitch around centre.
More: a calmer but looser centre with more free play.
Less: a tighter centre that may chatter at rest.
Why here: Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner.
Enables the low-speed spring engagement window (start/full knots above). Off, the spring is constant at all speeds.
Why here: Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it.
How much of the spring survives at a standstill, before airspeed can build any aerodynamic force. A high floor keeps the parked stick firm; a low floor gives the loose, cable-slack feel of a parked light aircraft.
More: a firmer stick while parked and taxiing.
Less: a floppier parked stick that only wakes up with airspeed.
Why here: Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength.
How much the centring itself stiffens with speed, on top of the deflection loads. Zero keeps centre feel constant; more makes the stick centre harder at cruise and looser in the pattern.
More: a centre that hardens noticeably as you go faster.
Less: constant centre feel at every speed.
Why here: The high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 40 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5.
The upper limit on speed-driven centre stiffening, so very fast flight can't wind the spring up without bound.
More: more total stiffening allowed at high speed.
Less: stiffening clamps off sooner.
Why here: Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap.
How strongly elevator trim relieves held pitch force and shifts where the stick settles. At 100%, a properly trimmed aircraft needs no held pressure, the trim-away-the-load workflow of real flying.
More: trim removes more of the held pitch force; at 100% full trim zeroes it.
Less: you keep holding force even when trimmed.
Why here: The profile uses the trim behaviour configured below. Pitch relief is off, with stored authority 0.3; roll authority is 0.
The same relief for roll trim. Most GA types have no real aileron trim, so this stays at zero; types with roll trim get a matching value.
More: roll trim removes more held roll force.
Less: roll trim does less.
Why here: Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response.
Rolling surface vibration from wheel speed and surface type: pavement, grass, or gravel under the gear.
More: louder surface texture through the stick.
Less: a smoother taxi.
Why here: Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration.
Short discrete bumps from expansion joints, ruts, and rough surface, punctuating the continuous rumble.
More: sharper hits from joints and ruts.
Less: softer ground detail.
Why here: Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact.
Airframe shake approaching the stall and while the stall warning is active: how loudly this wing announces it is unhappy. Types with a crisp break get modest buffet and let the horn carry the warning.
More: a louder pre-stall shake.
Less: a quieter wing; the horn carries the warning.
Why here: Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings.
Transonic buffet approaching the Mach limit. Meaningful for jets near MMO, zero for pistons and turboprops that never get there.
More: stronger transonic buffet near the Mach limit.
Less: a smoother high-Mach ride.
Why here: Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate.
Low-frequency airframe vibration with flaps extended into the airflow, in the speed window where they actually work the air.
More: a rougher ride with flaps working the air.
Less: smoother approach flap.
Why here: Sets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate.
Airframe drumming from retractable gear hanging in the airstream. Zero for fixed-gear types, where the airframe never changes shape.
More: more drumming with the wheels hanging out.
Less: cleaner gear-down flight.
Why here: Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate.
The dedicated stall stick-shaker buzz, fired by the aircraft's own stall-warning system. Only types with a real shaker get a value; everything else relies on aerodynamic buffet and the horn.
More: a harder stick-shaker buzz.
Less: a subtler shaker.
Why here: Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled.
Continuous vibration only while the sim reports the flap surfaces actually travelling. It follows real actuator motion and failures, not an estimated timer.
More: more vibration while the flap surfaces travel.
Less: quieter flap runs.
Why here: Sets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue.
Continuous powerplant vibration following RPM between idle and full power, the ever-present reminder that something is burning fuel up front.
More: more engine through the stick.
Less: a quieter powerplant.
Why here: Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration.
The one-shot kick when the wheels meet the runway, scaled by sink rate: a greaser whispers, a firm arrival thumps.
More: a harder kick at touchdown.
Less: softer arrivals.
Why here: Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse.
Rollout vibration while reverse thrust or beta-range props are working. Zero for types without reverse.
More: a rougher rollout under reverse.
Less: quieter reverse.
Why here: Sets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue.
The airspeed where the forward slump has fully faded, typically almost as soon as airflow builds on the takeoff roll.
More: the slump lingers further into the takeoff roll.
Less: it vanishes almost as soon as you roll.
Why here: A stored parameter in this profile. Its effect depends on the associated feature and control law; it is not a measured aircraft force.
How far autopilot commands may physically move the stick. Kept tiny in MSFS, where a moved axis can read back as pilot input; zero disables following entirely.
More: the autopilot visibly moves your stick further.
Less: a barely perceptible follow.
Why here: Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply.
The airspeed by which the extra low-speed deadband has fully narrowed to the flight value.
More: a more gradual build to a later peak.
Less: a quicker build.
Why here: A stored parameter in this profile. Its effect depends on the associated feature and control law; it is not a measured aircraft force.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Allows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law.
The strength of this effect.
More: a stronger effect.
Less: a weaker one.
Why here: Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement.
Why here: A stored parameter in this profile. Its effect depends on the associated feature and control law; it is not a measured aircraft force.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Autopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target.
Why here: Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions.
Where this effect reaches full strength (or has fully faded, for washouts).
More: a more gradual build to a later peak.
Less: a quicker build.
Why here: Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3.
Where this effect begins fading in.
More: the effect begins later.
Less: it begins earlier.
Why here: Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry.
| Parameter | Value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | 0.74 | This profile uses reversible-control loading for Edgley EA-7 Optica. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 40 KIAS. |
| Force gain | 0.8 | The aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 80 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master gain | 0.85 | Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Maximum output force | 0.55 | Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Elevator force scale | 0.78 | Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Aileron force scale | 0.6 | Roll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.6 and 0.78, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Force tuning speed | 80 kt | Sets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring wake-up speed | 11.2 kt | Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring full-strength speed | 40.0 kt | Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| StickFeel · Full speed ref knots | 40.0 kt | A stored parameter in this profile. Its effect depends on the associated feature and control law; it is not a measured aircraft force. |
| StickFeel · Fade kts | 24.0 | A stored parameter in this profile. Its effect depends on the associated feature and control law; it is not a measured aircraft force. |
| Mechanical · Gain | 0.12 | Sets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Mechanical · Gain | 0 | Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
| Ground · Undercarriage | 0 | A stored parameter in this profile. Its effect depends on the associated feature and control law; it is not a measured aircraft force. |
| Engine · Gain | 0.12 | Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Spring deadband | 0.045 | Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Dynamic-pressure blend | True | Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| Minimum spring factor | 0.5 | Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening | 0.15 | The high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 40 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed stiffening cap | 5 | Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| StickFeel · Trim feel enabled | False | Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| StickFeel · Trim relief enabled | False | Allows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| StickFeel · Elevator authority | 0.3 | The profile uses the trim behaviour configured below. Pitch relief is off, with stored authority 0.3; roll authority is 0. |
| StickFeel · Aileron authority | 0 | Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| StickFeel · Force trim enabled | False | Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| StickFeel · G load enabled | True | Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| StickFeel · Rate damping enabled | True | Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot · Follow enabled | False | Autopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot · Follow authority | 0.1 | Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot · Neutral hold enabled | False | Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot · Neutral hold strength | 0.6 | Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Aero · Enabled | True | Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Aero · Gain | 0.35 | Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Aero · Gain | 0 | Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Aero · Gain | 0.14 | Sets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Aero · Max flap index | 3 | Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Aero · Min flap index | 2 | Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Aero · Gain | 0 | Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Aero · Shaker enabled | False | Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Aero · Amplitude | 0.5 | Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Ground · Enabled | True | Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.4 | Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.25 | Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.65 | Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Ground · Gain | 0 | Sets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Engine · Enabled | True | Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Mechanical · Enabled | True | Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
If your time in the type says this page got something wrong, correct it here.
This page is built from cited references, and real time in the type beats a citation. Quote the claim that reads wrong and tell us what the actual aircraft does. Corrections go to the maintainer for review and feed the next revision of this research.
Open conversation about flying and tuning the Edgley EA-7 Optica, in the community forum. Corrections above go privately to the maintainer; hangar talk is public.