FSX Helicopters

[wafu_vasco]

Hi all,
    I recently jumped on the FSX bandwagon and was pretty impressed with the game on the whole. However, the handling characteristics of the helicopters are not just way out - they're embarrasing. I'll admit that with only 1000 hours of real life rotary time logged up, I'm no veteran, but I can at least say that with full left pedal and full left cyclic, a helicopter should not remain wings level and yaw at maximum rate to the right. I could go on listing things, but suffice to say, there are no polite words to describe just how wrong FSX has got things. However, I downloaded a Huey from Simviation which is much closer to the mark and really saved the game for me. I've also downloaded a Hind and a Merlin Mk1, but for some reason ,on pressing Ctrl+E, the engines refuse to start. Any ideas, anyone?
   Many thanks in advance!

[PerrierBaroudeur]

I wouldn't know how, but you could probably modify the flight characteristics to how you like them by messing with the aircraft.cfg file...

As for the control+e thing, I have a few prop aircraft which always stall right after startup unless you give them 5% or more throttle while pressing control+e... maybe try that?

[wafu_vasco]

I'll give that a go - thanks very much for your help!

[ozzy72]

These helicopter problems are because FS wasn't originally made with rotary wing models in mind. You mustn't max out the realism settings or it goes a little haywire. Tis well worth visiting our friends over at Hoversafe as they know everything there is to know about whirlybirds in FS http://members.shaw.ca/hoversafe/Hoversafe.htm

[Daube]

These helicopter problems are because FS wasn't originally made with rotary wing models in mind. You mustn't max out the realism settings or it goes a little haywire. Tis well worth visiting our friends over at Hoversafe as they know everything there is to know about whirlybirds in FS http://members.shaw.ca/hoversafe/Hoversafe.htm

I think this was valid for FS9 only, because of the exagerated (ridiculous) instability of the default Bell 206. In FSX, the flight model of the copter has been modified a little bit to make them more stable, but again they are now TOO stable

However, at Hovercontrol.com, somebody has created a little freeware called Heliforce, a program that modifies the flying caracteristics of the copters at low speeds to make them feel more realistic. You might want to give it a try, I have seen a lot of positive feedback on this stuff.