I am getting into helicopters as a break from the normal fixed wing jets. 1. I am having difficulty finding a panel I like, one that has features that are familiar to me such as cockpit commander and a workable gauge set, etc. Can you recommend a good panel for helicopters?2. How much autopilot functionality can I get away with and be somewhat realistic? Altitude/attitude hold, heading hold, etc. 3. Does ATC really make helicopters follow the usual approaches or can it be made to let me land on a helipad?Thanks in advance,Dolph

Hi Dolph, Go here http://www.hovercontrol.com/ you will find its a great site, To start try the Bell 206 111 tv thats on their front page, leftside as you scroll down, also look for Steve Hanley ,his tutorial for setting up your flight stick from fixed wing and HUD will help you , there are some great panels out there just search in the downloads, Hope this helps, Cheers, Dodger UK.

I don't think very many helos are flown with AP, let alone have it onboard. That's a pretty advanced set of equipment. There was a time not too long ago only a few select helos even had any form of AP at all, and a lot of them were military. I'm not expert on helos though.As to ATC, yes, they pretty much do expect you to enter in a pattern and sometimes you will fly a final to the runway like a plane. Here's an R22 flying an ILS approach in what looks like clear visibility. Probably training, but I do hear helos around here being told to enter in a pattern and appraoch from a certain direction. Some airports will obviously just let you fly to the helipad, but it depends on various factors.

Thanks for the replies. That's what I thought just thought I'd make sure. I am familiar with Hover Control. I have requested a login but haven't heard from them yet otherwise I would have asked there. I have downloaded the suggested chopper and some others. Will give them a "whirl" tonite.Dolph

1. go to hoover control and download the Bell 412 that they produced2. place your realism slider setting (FS pulldown menu) to the far left3. make sure you have some type of throttle hardware, toggle the throttle function in the settings menu to 'reverse' - this will act as the helios collectivehave fun

Most of the helicopters with AP are used for aeromedical services. Those popular here in the states are the Dauphin and the EC145(wonderful, large cabin, plenty of room when you have a critical patient and tons of equipment!). There are a few aeromed services that are now Single-Pilot IFR ops certified. These have more stringent avionics requirements, such as AP, EHSI/EADI, and FMC/GPS. They have the option to create hospital-specific IFR terminal procedures, so they can fly directly to that facility, rather than landing at a nearby (sometimes not so nearby) airfield.