...why isn't there one? A Freeware flight group type organization for helicopters. I think all rotorheads would benefit a lot from that. Any feedback? :)

Hello,Yeah I felt the same way. I'm trying to put one together at Hovercontrol.com called the Hovercontrol Development Group. We haven't settled on a particular design just yet. One problem is there just aren't that many helicopter designers and related developers around these days, but I figured it was still worth a try. We'll see how it goes. We are trying to pin down our first project choice right now.

Sounds good Jordan! If settle down for a Bo105 or a Ec135 chopper, I might give you info...Mostly pictures :)Once in a while it does land here at the hospital I work at..So I do snap a few photos here and there :)And maybe I could do some panelbitmap work to...? :D

Yeah, definitely go for it Jordan. Hopefully it will work out, and that would be just awesome. Really is a pity so many helo developers have dropped off the map as of late.

Unfortunately, that came with the loss of KVH. I suppose a lot of devlopers just don't know where to go without Keith's site.

Fellow rotorheads:If I were you, I would probably try to get a copy of Fly!II ASAP. Nowadays you can get it really cheap. I've heard that it comes bundled with a couple of other titles.The reason being is that there are a couple of "rotor wings" in the works. That's all I can comment for now... ;-)Alejandro AmigorenaCheshire, CTFly! II Beta Team MemberAthlon XP 1800ABIT KR7A-RAID768Mb RAMMSI GeForce 3 Ti 500 64MBSB Audigy GamerCH Flight Yoke USBCH Pro Pedals USB

If you get your design group up and running, would you seriously consider doing a Bell 430....This is, to my mind, the most beautiful helicopter ever produced...Cheers//TonniPS: I know there's one for Fs2000, but it's just not the same....

Check out the forums at www.hovercontrol.com title: Alan Devins...request. Alan is going to be working on a 430 in the not too distant future.CheersAlun

I don't usually waste time bashing other sims... But now you mentioned it let me make a few 'comments' in reply....I bought Fly!II when it was first released (that is..payed full price for it)...Their 3D aircraft models are brilliant... Their 2D cockpits can't be beat... The most realistic around as far as I'm concerned... The flight dynamics are ok too.....The thing that turned me off was the terrain... Makes me feel like I'm flying over a gigantic vegitarian pizza.... Squishy....What made me go over to Fs2k2 was the fact that there were so many add-ons out there that you can tailor make your terrain to suit in almost any part of the world... I fly mainly in New Zealand (Where I was born) and Denmark (my adopted country)... I have special terrain meshes, custom land classes and several airport updates for these 2 areas and I spend many happy hours VFR'ing round these places... I have yet to find any upgrades to Fly!II that in any way brings these areas close to the ones I have now... So until I do I'll stick with my Fs2k2.......But good luck with the releases..... I hope they are well received by Fly!II fans...Cheers//Tonni

I must have missed this post the first time around. :-rollSo someone is developing new helos for Fly!2??? Count me in! :-jumpy I just got a new video card, and now my sims (both Fly!2 and FS2K2 really shine). Although I admit, like Kiwi, IMO Fly!2's ground textures leave something to be desired. But if I want to practice procedures, that's the sim to do it in. And although I have a great personalized livery for the 407 in Fly!2, I will happily add a new helo (or two) to my hangar.Please say that release is imminent (your post was originally dated for February, and it's now May). -Lindy :-rotor :-wave

Hi Lindy....As you said... The procedures in Fly!II are in a world of their own... Especially the start up procedures....In the Bell you spend 10 minutes flicking switches, twirling knob and pushing buttons before it even starts to wind up the engine!!... Great stuff...I'm trying desperately to get some of this effect into the Fs2k2 Bell 222 panel I'm working on... Got lots more work to do, and not much spare time, so I don't expect it finished in the near future...If only they'd release a Fly!III with acceptable ATC sounds and ground textures on a par with Fs2k2 I'd probably convert, again.....Cheers//Tonni

Does fly 2 support 2 seperate joysticks?Because the start up precedure you described is something I would love in fs2002 but if its in another game ill buy it, and im not to worried about scenery.Alan

Hello Alan.FlyII supports as many input devices you can connect to your PC I belive.I use two different joysticks (one is converted to a collective lever placed on the floor)and pedals.Jan

brilliant thanks for the reply, i'll have a look around for a copy.Alan

Lindy (et al),After a major setback (Jarno Deken's computer crashed and he lost both the interior as well as the exterior 3D models), Jarno has since rebuilt his computer and started the whole project from scratch.I'm working on the systems and I think we're making some great progress. All panel views will be fully functional, most (if not all) switches will work as in real life and all systems are being designed as per Sikorsky's S-76 manual. The only thing that we cannot promise is an autopilot, since it appears that none of the current autopilots will work with helicopters because they are programmed to handle controls that don't exist in a helicopter (rudder, aileron, elevator...)There's at least one other helicopter for Fly! II in the works, it's Jan's AS365 Dauphin.Stay tuned, if I have some time today I may be able to show some interior and exterior pictures of the Sikorsky S-76.Wishing you all safe and smooth landings,Alejandro AmigorenaCheshire, CTFly! II Beta Team MemberAthlon XP 1800ABIT KR7A-RAID768Mb RAMMSI GeForce4 Ti4600 8xAGP 128MBSB Audigy GamerCH Flight Yoke USBCH Pro Pedals USBhttp://home.earthlink.net/~finsdad/FlyII/p..._aamigorena.jpg