See every helicopter included in MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024, including Standard, Premium Deluxe and Aviator edition differences.
A fully updated Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 includes two default helicopters: the Bell 407 and Guimbal Cabri G2. MSFS 2024 Standard includes those two plus the Airbus H125, Erickson S-64F Aircrane and Robinson R66; Premium Deluxe adds the Airbus H225 and Boeing CH-47D Chinook.
Default helicopters by simulator and edition
The number of included helicopters depends on the simulator, and in MSFS 2024, the edition purchased.
| Simulator or edition | Included helicopters | Total |
|---|---|---|
| MSFS 2020 Standard, Deluxe or Premium Deluxe | Bell 407, Guimbal Cabri G2 | 2 |
| MSFS 2024 Standard | Airbus H125, Bell 407, Erickson S-64F Aircrane, Guimbal Cabri G2, Robinson R66 | 5 |
| MSFS 2024 Deluxe | The same five helicopters as Standard | 5 |
| MSFS 2024 Premium Deluxe | The Standard fleet plus Airbus H225 and Boeing CH-47D Chinook | 7 |
| MSFS 2024 Aviator | The Premium Deluxe fleet plus Bell 47J Ranger | 8 |
The Deluxe edition does not add another helicopter. Premium Deluxe is the relevant upgrade for the H225 and Chinook, while Aviator includes the vintage Bell 47J among its collection of previously released Microsoft aircraft. Our complete MSFS 2024 aircraft and edition breakdown covers the fixed-wing fleet as well.
Did MSFS 2020 originally include helicopters?
MSFS 2020 launched without native helicopters, but the free 40th Anniversary Update added the Bell 407, Guimbal Cabri G2 and native helicopter flight modelling.
They are therefore default aircraft in a fully updated installation and do not require a separate Marketplace purchase. The Cabri G2 is the more approachable trainer; the Bell 407 is faster, heavier and more demanding during take-off and landing.
Are the eVTOL aircraft counted as helicopters?
Aircraft such as the Jetson ONE, Joby S4 and Volocopter VoloCity are vertical-lift aircraft, but we do not count them as conventional helicopters.
The Magni M-24 Orion is a gyroplane, which is also a different aircraft type because its main rotor is not normally engine-driven in flight. Aircraft-selection filters sometimes place several rotorcraft or vertical-lift types near one another, which explains why unofficial fleet totals differ.
Why is an included helicopter missing?
A missing default helicopter usually points to an uninstalled official content package, an aircraft-list filter or the wrong edition entitlement.
- Update the simulator fully. The two MSFS 2020 helicopters are tied to the free 40th Anniversary content rather than the original launch installation.
- Reset aircraft filters. Clear search terms and filters in the aircraft selector, then search for the exact manufacturer or model name.
- Check Content Manager in MSFS 2020. Look for pending or uninstalled official aircraft content and install it before restarting the simulator.
- Confirm your MSFS 2024 edition. The H225 and CH-47D require Premium Deluxe or Aviator ownership; the Bell 47J is included with Aviator.
- Check account and online-content access. MSFS 2024 relies heavily on streamed content, so sign in with the account that owns the edition and confirm online services are available.
If the aircraft appears but will not load, a conflicting modification is more likely than an entitlement problem. On PC, temporarily remove helicopter-related packages from the Community folder and test again.
Which included helicopter should a beginner fly?
The Guimbal Cabri G2 is the best starting point because it is a light training helicopter with less mass and complexity than the utility and heavy-lift models.
After learning stable hovering and pedal control, move to the Bell 407 or H125. Leave the S-64F and CH-47D until collective, anti-torque and power management feel natural. Our helicopter control and flying guide explains how to configure the cyclic, collective and pedals.
Can more helicopters be added?
Both simulators support additional freeware and payware helicopters, although an MSFS 2020 aircraft is not automatically guaranteed to work correctly in MSFS 2024.
Check the developer's stated simulator support before installing anything, especially where custom avionics or flight-model code is involved. We maintain a focused selection of helicopter add-ons and mods for MSFS for readers who want to expand beyond the included fleet.