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 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…
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…
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 named variants, Medivac and NY Police Dept., accompany multiple finishes. The cockpit features a Virtual Cockpit and a 2D panel, with external views included, and original contributors include …
An AH-1S Cobra helicopter configuration includes a minigun effect and lacks a virtual cockpit. Wayne Farrell composes the work, updating Kim 'Zeki' BoHyun's original version, and cobra.gif is shown…
Base ModelAn amphibious variant of the Bell 47 adds floats to the bubble canopy for the simulator, merges the Gmax model by M. Jean-Marie Mermaz with Danny Garnier's adjustments. The design includes redesign…
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. …
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…
Base ModelAlan Devins crafts the A109A helicopter, shaping models, textures and flight dynamics, while Tonni Jorgensen handles panel views and Steve Hanley tunes engine gauges. Danny Garnier adds a thumbnail…
Base ModelSouth Central Air operates in Alaska and uses a Bell Textron 430E utility helicopter converted from the Gmax Bell 430 model, enhanced with new sounds, panels, and a virtual cockpit. Garrett Smith i…
Base ModelAn upgrade of Owen Hewitt's JetRanger III delivers 18 model configurations and DirectX 10 compatibility, reflecting a native conversion with enhanced visual fidelity. Window glass and fuselage part…
Base ModelTim Conrad reworks a 2004 OH 6A into an MH 6A Little Bird, flown by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the Night Stalkers, headquartered at Fort Campbell. This version uses th…
Over twelve Huey models and six finishes populate the lineup, derived from Jordan Moore's original model today. Wayne Farrell assembles them, aligning the designs with the source and preserving the…
Laurent Hadorn, Christian Spaltenstein, and Franz Haider provide the original EC-135 model for this entry, assembling the core design from their collaboration. Nate Anders and Jordan Brimage contri…
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…
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 ModelUKMIL presents the Gazelle AH1 under the UKMIL label, and a detailed README.PDF is available for full details. A cover image accompanies the Gazelle AH1, referencing the same README.PDF for full de…