FSX Auckland Police AS350 B3 'Eagle'

This add-on is a specialized repaint portraying the Auckland Police “Eagle” colors on the Eurocopter AS350 B3. It has been engineered to function with Microsoft Flight Simulator X, although the original payware helicopter package by Heli-Development must be acquired separately. Created by J. Babich, this repaint is inspired by the real AS355 Twin Squirrel but has been adapted to the single-engine AS350 B3 platform to represent a fictional version of the Auckland Police unit.

Unique Helicopter Characteristics

The Eurocopter AS350 B3 (known as the Squirrel or Ecureuil in some regions) embodies an agile and robust design. In practice, its composite-based airframe and “Starflex” rotor head deliver maneuverability, while the Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 turbine provides high-altitude performance. In real-world aviation, the AS350 B3 has garnered significant use in law enforcement and rescue operations, where its FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) simplifies manifold pressure management on challenging missions.

Auckland Police Appearance

Though the actual Auckland Police “Eagle” is an AS355 Twin Squirrel sporting a dark or navy-blue paint scheme, this freeware package paints the single-engine AS350 B3 in a style that artfully mirrors the look of the real-life unit. This means you can immerse yourself in a simulation of Auckland’s police air support, even though the underlying rotorcraft model differs in engine configuration from the real twin-engine version.

Helicopter and Payware Model

To fully utilize this repaint, pilots must have the payware AS350 B3 Ecureuil from Heli-Development installed in their simulator directories. Without it, the textures will not display properly. As always, ensure that you possess that required base package, which is available for purchase at popular add-on stores.

Repaint File Details

The downloadable package contains the repaint folder named texture.EAGLE. Once placed in the correct directory, it will apply the Auckland Police color scheme. If you are familiar with rotorcraft within Microsoft Flight Simulator X, it should feel intuitive to integrate this repaint seamlessly.

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Locate your simulator’s SimObjects/Rotorcraft/AS_350_B3 directory.
2. Copy the texture.EAGLE folder into that directory.
3. Open the folder named texture.heli_alps_1 and duplicate all the textures inside into the newly added EAGLE directory. If prompted to overwrite any files, it is usually advisable to skip that step to avoid replacing textures you may want to keep.
4. Edit the aircraft.cfg file in the AS_350_B3 folder to add a new repaint entry, which follows this format:

[fltsim.xx]
title=As 350 Eagle Police
sim=AS350B3
model=heli_alps
panel=2
sound=
texture=EAGLE
kb_checklists=
kb_reference=
prop_anim_ratio=-1.74
atc_id=HB-ZIJ
ui_manufacturer=Eurocopter
ui_type=AS 350 B3
ui_variation=Eagle Police
description=The Eurocopter AS 350 B3 commercialised from 1997 is the "high performance" version of the single engine Ecureuil range.\n\nPowered by a Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 turbine engine it is equipped with the FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control).\nIts design calls for widespread use of composite materials (airframe, "Starflex" main rotor, blades...).\nThe pilot benefits of the VEMD on the instrument panel: a new generation of integrated instruments which allows him to see at a glance the main vehicle engine parameters on a dual LCD screen.
atc_heavy=0
atc_airline=
atc_flight_number=

Substitute xx with the next available number in your configuration, such as [fltsim.8] or a higher position if you have other repaints already.

Additional Notes

This texture modification remains fully freeware. According to the creator, J. Babich, it is not to be sold or redistributed in exchange for any payment. Use it freely for your personal flying needs, and enjoy patrolling the virtual skies around Auckland or beyond. The city’s busy airspace, coupled with scenic landscapes, offers the perfect environment to test the capabilities of this repaint.

Thank you for downloading this custom paint job. Feel free to explore more rotorcraft missions and experience the realism that the Eurocopter AS350 B3 model brings to your simulator.