Hey folks...just curious, anybody got any recommendations for a good freeware helicopter for someone who's not real good at flying flingwings, but who wants to learn? I have tremendous trouble flying the default Bell 206, and I downloaded the fantastic Bell 412 from Hovercontrol and promptly nose-planted it in two seconds. :/Lewis "Moose" GregoryRichmond, Virginia

Take a look at Owen's Bell:http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID...heli&DLID=64120I found it a nice flyer. Also, at www.munchbros.com they have a Rotorway Exec which I find quite nice...-John

Lewis, sorry to let you know but the default bell is what is used most often for starting out, especially with training over at Hovercontrol.com. Most airfiles for helis are based off the default one.best bet is to try the default with realism sliders turned down and as you get more comfortable raise them a bit till a few clicks from full (never set them on full for helis)Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/tfbeta.jpg

Thanks for the recommendation, John. It's a bit more detailed than the default, and has a slightly improved flight model done by Jordan Moore of Hovercontrol. Owen

Lewis, Just set aside a dedicated period of time on FS9, read all the great advice on Hovercontrol.com , select the Bell 206 and or/ the Robinson 22 and you will be surprised how quickly flying the helicopter will become second nature. Only then move on to the Bell 412 or the Advanced DODO 206. It's taken me quite a long time but I can now land on a peanut shell and haven't destroyed a $100,000 engine in months. It's worth the effort!Gary :-beerchug

Hello,Just a sim pilot here so what I have to offer should be taken with that in mind.I got a little tired of flying my fixed wing addons so I decided to try helos. For the last three months I have been totally immersed in what I consider to be the best helo sim I have tried - the DODOSIM. I tried the fs9 defaults and also a number of HOVERCONTROL freeware. I then went to NEMETH russian helos and they were OK. But, in general, I found all but the DODOSIM quite easy to master - at a simplistic level. With practice, I could fly them OK. I also can startup from cold and dark.The DODDOSIM ADV is not cheap as an addon but I really think it is worth it. The procedures must be followed exactly or really bad things happen. The startup is precise and the flying and landing are really challenging. I'm not qualified to comment on flight characteristics other than I can fly default helos fine - then I switch to the DODOSIM and try the same flights. WOW - wind and weather affect the takeoff, flight and landing (if I survive).After about a month with the DODSIM, my takeoffs and flights are now 100% but landing is another thing! So far, I can fly it onto a landing spot with a "skidding" landing but hover and land is still in the 25% success rate area.Hope this adds to your thought process and happy flying,Ron SagelNEAR KCHSThe link is:http://www.dodosim.com/

Lewis,An easy to start with is the Rotorway Exec 162F. You can download him (her?) at www.munchbros.com .Have pleasure!Hugo

I agree with Gary. I learned on the Robinson thanks to the good stuff on Hovercontrol and some helpful rotorheads. The best tips I found were to start with clear skys and realism sliders set to 50%BTW, we miss you at FSEconomy - you should check out the new look, forum, and management when you get a chance!Cheers,Odaat