FSX NZ Police EagleHelicopter

This freeware repaint presents a faithful representation of the New Zealand Police helicopter known as “Eagle,” which operates out of Auckland. Created by Daniel McCarthy, this dedicated livery is specifically designed for the payware Nemeth Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil package and can be installed into Microsoft Flight Simulator X. It might also function in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 thanks to backward compatibility, though results can vary. The genuine police aircraft is the AS355, a dual-engine variant of the Ecureuil family, but this repaint focuses on simulating the visual details found on the real “Eagle.”

Technical Repaint Features

The design captures the official markings and coloration of the New Zealand Police rotorcraft, highlighting distinctive blue and white livery elements. Although the actual Eagle is an AS355, many sim pilots favor the single-engine AS350 simulation for its extensive payware feature set, reflecting an approachable yet detailed flight model. The repaint includes high-resolution textures that prominently showcase the NZ Police insignia along the fuselage, making it easy to spot during aerial law enforcement missions over the cityscape.

Real-World Background

A Glimpse at Auckland’s Eagle

In real-world operations, this helicopter assists law enforcement teams around Auckland, often offering aerial reconnaissance, search-and-rescue support, and rapid response capabilities. The AS355 airframe—commonly referred to as the Twin Squirrel—enables robust performance while maintaining a compact footprint. By using two powerplants, the actual version provides added reliability for over-water and urban missions.

Ecureuil Family Development

Originally introduced in the early 1970s, the AS350 line (nicknamed the “Squirrel” in some markets) became a cornerstone of civil helicopter operations worldwide. Its development featured both Lycoming and Turbomeca engine variants, paving the way for further innovations like the twin-engine AS355. Many civilian and government agencies, including police and medical services, rely on this versatile rotorcraft for demanding missions.

Payware Requirements

This repaint does not include the underlying payware helicopter model. You must already own the Nemeth Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil package, which is available for purchase separately from vendors such as SimShack. Once you have the required payware, you can easily integrate this specific livery into your helicopter lineup.

Code Snippet for Installation

Below is an example configuration entry that should be added to your aircraft’s “aircraft.cfg” file. Replace xx with the correct sequence number within your existing list of installed liveries. This entry ensures your simulator recognizes the police repaint properly.

[fltsim.xx]
title=AS 350 New Zealand Police Eagle
sim=AS 350
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=nzpolice
kb_checklists=
kb_reference=
ui_manufacturer=Aerospatiale
ui_type=AS 350
ui_variation=Police Eagle
prop_anim_ratio=-1.86
atc_id=AS-350
description=The AS.350 was developed by Aerospatiale in the early 1970s, an Avco Lycoming powered prototype first flying on 27 June 1974, followed by a Turbomeca Arriel version on 14 February 1975. Customer deliveries of the Ecureuil (Squirrel) began in April 1978.\nThe Ecureuil was intended to replace the Alouette, and to compete with the Bell 206. The type represents one of Europe's most successful civil helicopter designs, and has found numerous overseas markets. It was also produced as the AS.550 Fennec military helicopter.\n
atc_heavy=0
atc_airline=
atc_flight_number=350

Final Notes

Experienced rotorcraft enthusiasts will appreciate how this repaint mirrors the New Zealand Police Eagle flight operations. Daniel McCarthy’s work brings the sharp police scheme to your virtual hangar, enhancing immersion during patrol flights and high-level vantage missions. Feel free to explore urban policing scenarios in Microsoft Flight Simulator X or test the repaint in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. Remember that the base Nemeth AS350 payware is required for all features to function properly.