Why are so many freeware choppers just different models with the stock 206 FDE? Not knocking the designers at all, just wondering...BTW, great to see a chopper forum.:-sun1

Probably because the Helicopter dynamics within MSFS has been difficult to crack. The FS98/2000 were extremely difficult to fly leaving only a small group, with determined tenacity, to fly and design helicopters for MSFS. Several of the helicipter design individuals have left the FS arena due to health reasons (hopefully not due to MSFS), others just became frustrated with not being able to accurately model the helicopters.On a bright note, the forum has been advised (teased) that someone has developed a helicopter that flys well and also includes some autopilot and trim control.