Question Regarding Helicopters

[CF]

Hey, I am new here, but I really enjoy the site.
I just have a question regarding the helicopters in fs9. Is there a way to fly to an airport, and when you request a landing, it directs you to a helipad, not just to a runway. Also,  it wished you to taxi prior to take-off when IFR. Is there a way to avoid this?

[jknight8907]

1) Not that I know of.

2) not really, but you could depart VFR and pick up your IFR clearance once you're airborne.

[beaky]

No reason why you can't just land on the helipad... doubt ATC will yell at you. Report clear of the runway, etc. as you would in an airplane.
As far as taxiing goes, they won't notice that you were instantly in position for takeoff- take the taxi request, then report ready fotr takeoff on whatever runway they assigned. To avoid traffic conflicts, fly out on the runway heading or whatever they told you.

[jordonj]

Just wondering...how realistic is FS9 regarding helicopters and ATC?

[CF]

Not at all it seems  ::)

[SilverFox441]

CF got it right!

IF you attempt to hove-taxi they scream at you that you were not cleared for takeoff...even if you are within limits but just stay airborne a little too long.

[dave3cu]

You can use AFCAD to create a helipad. Read the AFCAD help section on helipads.

Create a helipad and a starting point in the pad, and although when requesting clearance ATC will still direct you to the active, you can takeoff and land from it without getting any flak from ATC.

Not realistic, but better.......

Cheers,
Dave

[FS_Pilot]

I don't think microsoft have even concidered helicopters when they designed ATC but i believe they should change their ideas and add helicopter ATC to the new version. If you are unhappy with something in Flightsim you should email them and let them know what you want included in future versions. Email them at Tell_FS@microsoft.com

[wji]

The smart money creating AI helo flights are creating short (100') runways for the AI helos. Using AF2 and multiple runways (or a  single runway at a nearby New Airport) a smart guy could make it work by simply laying an AF2 helipad over the new runway (make the new runway 'invisible')

hope this helps
bill

One of my AI helos