FSX doesn't only allow users to fly fixed-wing aircraft; they can also download and install helicopter and rotorcraft expansions too. Most people buy Microsoft Flight Simulator X in order to pilot large, commercial aircraft and civil jets, however there is also a market and niche group for helicopter add-ons.
Image shows a Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft in FSX. While not technically a "helicopter", this does fall under the rotorcraft section.
In this section, there are many well known and popular helicopters from manufacturers such as Bell, Eurocopter, Hughes and Boeing. Featured in this section are a range of civilian passenger helicopters, as well as military and combat choppers such as the well known Apache attack helicopter which has been used in many desert combat operations around the world.
There are also many helicopter missions available to compliment the add-on packages, which are viewable here.
Installing these downloads is just as easy as any of the other aircraft or packages on the website and most of the files come with detailed installation instructions and "readme" documents inside. If you are having a hard time, there are many tutorials on our forum which will explain in detail the procedure - users can also create a new topic specific to their own problem.
Helicopters are much harder to fly in any flight simulator package, and in real life for that matter - there is a lot more going on in the cockpit of a helicopter compared to that of a fixed wing aircraft. As well as controlling pitch, rotor angle and engine speed - pilots also have to control many of the other systems that go with it.
Many users complain that "helicopters are impossible to fly in FSX", but they really haven't given them a chance. Users must be patient, persistent and once they get used to the different method of flying, they are usually very happy and include rotorcraft flight into their daily "flight simmin'" routine.
Base ModelTolga Piskin creates the helicopter model, while Eric Buchmann provides adaptation, and the project centers on a Huey lineage design for reference. A bell_h1.gif image accompanies the work, offerin…
Base ModelThe Bell 214, a medium-lift helicopter derived from the UH-1 Huey, appears with Iran Army markings. Developer Mohammad Faali delivers a complete model that includes the aircraft itself, aligning th…
Base ModelThe Bell 47 On Skids FBXXJ uses a Gmax-based visual model featuring an operable cockpit and gauges, refined by Danny Garnier, building on Mermaz’s original framework. The design omits autopilot to …
Base ModelThe EC145 REGA variant features a 3D model, a virtual cockpit, and a flight model credited to Laurent Hadorn, with sound by Christian Spaltenstein and a 2D panel and instruments by Franz Haider. Th…
Base ModelTwo variants exist, German Rescue and Space Ship, for the EC-135. Heiko Richter provides the original model, while Samy Fay and Jason Sparkes handle surface work, reflecting collaboration among cre…
North-Cal Prop Club handles the work for the Ecureuil variant helicopter, credited to Daniel McCarthy, with model work by Tamas Nemeth and Peter Nemeth and repaints by Batki Zoltan, plus a 2D panel…
Base ModelGauge replacements populate the 2D and virtual cockpit panels with An-12Bk and An-26 gauges, and both panels are included. Two variants cover Russian AF (VVS, flight 22253) and Ukrainian AF (VPS, f…
Three model variations exist for the AS350B3 family: AS350B3_trans, AS350B3_hoist, and AS350B3_hoist_b, each presenting alternate configurations. The base payware model is from Nemeth Design, and t…
Base ModelTwo U.S. Army CH-47D Chinooks bear markings of the 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, while U.S. Marine Corps variants reflect details from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. …
RepaintNamed variant VH-71 pairs with the Agusta Westland EH-101, while Kaveh Payandeh creates the artwork. An accompanying image file VH71.gif anchors the presentation to a specific graphic asset, clarif…
Base ModelTwo-seat Kamov helicopter receives cockpit changes by incorporating Daniel da Silva’s Hokum B panel and Vladimir Zhyhulskiy’s An-12BK gauges with Henry Kelsall’s TSR2 HUD, credited to Michael E. Ro…
Base ModelAS332L2 offers moving parts, a virtual cockpit, and new gauges. Rain and ice effects accompany realistic night lighting, and Dirk Fassbender and Hauke Keitel contribute the model that supports a va…
Nemeth Designs' EC120B features a cockpit revised by Danny Garnier, gauges by Peter Nemeth, and an Australian demo variant, delivering a compact, well-detailed model that reflects the Eurocopter li…
Two variants are included, MD500E and MD500D, with MD500D identified as OH-6A, and three original paint options accompany the offering along with a stock sound file and new .air and .cfg files. Mod…
Payware RepaintGerman Army search and rescue helicopter UH-1D SAR 71 operates around Hamburg and is based at the Hamburg-Wandsbek military hospital. Its historical window runs from 1973 to 2006, and the aircraft …
Base ModelNZ's Seasprite variant v2 operates from a frigate's decks and serves in a multi-role capacity. It features 2D and virtual cockpit panels, animations, lighting, and distinct sounds, with model, pane…
Base ModelThe RotorWay Exec 162F by Munch Brothers presents exterior details and a virtual cockpit, along with custom gauges and sounds and a realistic overhead panel with startup sequence. Thumbnails by Dan…
Payware RepaintThe German Army operates a Sikorsky CH-53E in the 8475 variation, by Bernhard Lechner. It requires the Nemeth Designs CH-53E airframe and marks the 8475 designation, with Nemeth Designs listed as t…
EAALAT, the Application School of Light Aviation Army, operates the EC120 Colibri Helidax variant, leasing the machines from HeliDax. UI data records ui_manufacturer Eurocopter, ui_type EC120B, ui_…
Payware RepaintAn MH-47G Chinook carries a USS Enterprise-inspired naval motif and pairs with the Area51Sim MH-47 base model, requiring the core aircraft to function. The atc_id CVN-65 marks a US Navy heavy-lift …