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 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 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 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 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 ModelTwo-seat Kamov helicopter receives cockpit changes by incorporating Daniel da Silva’s Hokum B panel and Vladimir Zhyhulskiy’s An-12BK gauges with Henry Kelsall’s TSR2 HUD, credited to Michael E. Ro…
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 …
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 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…
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…
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 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…
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…
North-Cal Prop Club handles the work for the Ecureuil variant helicopter, credited to Daniel McCarthy, with model work by Tamas Nemeth and Peter Nemeth and repaints by Batki Zoltan, plus a 2D panel…
Payware RepaintSix numbered variants, 1093 through 1098, exist for a Coast Guard AW-109 project by Nemeth Designs & MILVIZ, with two files named aw109_3_T and aw109_4_T, and a bundle of five DDS files plus five s…
Base ModelBy Bob Chicilo, the Sea Knight rotorcraft receives gauge changes in both the virtual and 2D cockpits, preserving the underlying model originally created by Rory Kelly. A rotor shadow issue persists…
Base ModelThe Bell 47 On Skids FBXXJ uses a Gmax-based visual model featuring an operable cockpit and gauges, refined by Danny Garnier, building on Mermaz’s original framework. The design omits autopilot to …
Aurelien Terriere models an Ecureuil AS350B3 helicopter with Gmax. SP2 testing accompanies the work, Danny Garnier handles testing and thumbnails, and the image file fsxecupk.gif is included.
Payware RepaintBernhard Lechner delivers an OE-BXB variant for the Nemeth Design EC135, matching Austrian Flugpolizei operations in FSX/Acceleration. The configured atc_id is OE-BXB and the UI variation is OE-BXB…
Payware RepaintShands Hospital adopts the Alphasim AS365N Dauphin in a N2-focused variant named AS365 N2 ShandsCair (University of Florida) with ATC ID 6527. The N2 family adds larger engines and gearboxes, an im…
RepaintAntti Pankkonen provides the base model for a Dolphin variant linked to the French Navy, while EUROCOPTER appears as the UI manufacturer and FRANCE NAVY4 serves as the variant tag, helping identify…