Compare Airbus H145 add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator, including the HPG Base and Action Packs, freeware limits, compatibility and installation.
The main Airbus H145 add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator is Hype Performance Group’s H145 Base Pack, a complete payware helicopter. Its optional Action Pack adds mission equipment and specialist roles. Most other H145 downloads are liveries, configuration files or enhancements that require the HPG aircraft; they are not separate flyable H145s.
Which Airbus H145 package should you choose?
Choose the HPG H145 Base Pack for the flyable helicopter, adding the Action Pack only if you want operational equipment and specialist variants.
| Package | What it contains | Best choice for |
|---|---|---|
| HPG H145 Base Pack | The complete aircraft, including the core cockpit, systems, flight model and civilian, luxury and military configurations | General flying, touring, IFR practice and anyone buying the H145 for the first time |
| HPG H145 Action Pack | An expansion with HEMS, firefighting, offshore, utility and cargo variants plus role-specific equipment | Rescue, medical, offshore and utility operations |
| Community liveries | Repaints for particular operators or services | Owners who want a different appearance without changing the aircraft |
| Enhancement packages | Optional sounds, configurations, control profiles or other modifications | Existing owners who have checked that the file supports their exact H145 and simulator version |
The Action Pack is not a standalone helicopter. It depends on the Base Pack, and both packages should be kept on compatible builds. Its equipment also should not be confused with automatic compatibility with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’s Career mode.
The H145 is not included as a standard aircraft in MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024. Our guide to the helicopters supplied with each MSFS edition separates stock rotorcraft from commercial and freeware additions. For alternatives to the H145, see our comparison of leading MSFS helicopter add-ons.
Are there any free H145 helicopters for MSFS?
Most free H145 files are repaints or small enhancements for the payware HPG model, not complete aircraft.
Check the dependency line before downloading. Wording such as “requires HPG H145” means the file supplies no cockpit, systems, flight model or exterior model of its own. A livery normally appears beneath the existing H145 as a selectable paint scheme rather than as a new aircraft.
Also confirm which model, package and simulator generation the download supports. An old or mismatched repaint can produce a blank thumbnail, missing textures or a pink chequerboard finish. Files made for the Base Pack may not automatically cover every Action Pack variant.
Does the H145 work in MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024?
The HPG H145 is the established PC option for both Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, but the installed package must be a build marked for that simulator generation.
Do not copy an old installation into MSFS 2024 and assume every component will work. Install the supported build through the supplied package manager, then update the Base and Action Packs together. Older liveries and third-party modifications are more likely to cause trouble than the main aircraft.
Can you install the H145 on Xbox or PlayStation?
Externally distributed H145 packages cannot be sideloaded onto Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 or PS5 Pro.
Consoles accept add-ons only through the in-simulator Marketplace. Check the product’s platform badge from the console itself; a PC installer, Community-folder download or PC purchase cannot be transferred manually. Treat the separately distributed HPG packages as PC products unless a Marketplace listing explicitly confirms support for your console.
How do you install an H145 add-on?
Install the complete H145 before adding expansions, liveries or enhancements.
- Close Microsoft Flight Simulator. This prevents locked files and incomplete package detection.
- Install the H145 Base Pack. Use the supplied installer or package manager and select the correct MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024 installation.
- Add the Action Pack if required. Make sure its release is compatible with the installed Base Pack.
- Install liveries last. For a manual Community package,
manifest.jsonandlayout.jsonshould sit near the top of the add-on folder rather than inside a duplicated nested folder. - Restart the simulator. Select the H145 first, then choose the required livery or operational variant.
Our PC add-on aircraft installation instructions explain how to locate the active Community folder and identify double-nested packages.
Why is an installed H145 variant missing or not working?
- Action variants are absent: update or reinstall the Base Pack, then verify that the Base and Action releases match.
- Only a repaint was installed: obtain the required base aircraft; a livery cannot create a flyable H145.
- Textures are pink or invisible: remove the suspect livery and confirm that it was made for the selected H145 variant.
- The aircraft appears twice or crashes while loading: remove obsolete duplicates from the Community folder and retain one supported installation.
- The helicopter will not respond correctly: bind cyclic, collective and anti-torque axes, then remove duplicate controller assignments. Our helicopter control and assistance setup covers the required bindings.