Hi, I noticed that Cera helicopters are on sale for a good price and I really want a nice quality helicopter for P3Dv5.4 but the Cera helicopters all seem to be for older P3D versions.  I'm mostly interested in the Bell 407 and Bell 412 as well as their other helicopters.

People that have bought Cera helicopters are very enthusiastic about them and claim they are the best you can get for FSX/P3D, users even claim the flight physics are fairly close to the real thing so I really want to get one or two if they work in P3Dv5.4.

Does anyone know if any of their aircraft will work in P3Dv5?

Thanks

1 hour ago, Kalnon said:

Hi, I noticed that Cera helicopters are on sale for a good price and I really want a nice quality helicopter for P3Dv5.4 but the Cera helicopters all seem to be for older P3D versions.  I'm mostly interested in the Bell 407 and Bell 412 as well as their other helicopters.

People that have bought Cera helicopters are very enthusiastic about them and claim they are the best you can get for FSX/P3D, users even claim the flight physics are fairly close to the real thing so I really want to get one or two if they work in P3Dv5.4.

Does anyone know if any of their aircraft will work in P3Dv5?

Thanks

Looking fwd for any opinions too !

 

I forgot to add a link to them for anyone interested, the Cera Simaircraft helicopters can be found here:

https://secure.simmarket.com/cera-simaircraft.mhtml

I have the Cerasim Blackhawk and the Dauphin helicopters and they work fine in P3D v5.4.

2 hours ago, Joseph29 said:

I have the Cerasim Blackhawk and the Dauphin helicopters and they work fine in P3D v5.4.

@Joseph29, since I never used any of their products, and rotary wings aren't really FSX-derived aerodynamics "cup of tea", how do you find those two helicopters from the flight dynamics PoV ?

Are they convincing ? 

Did they model the systems / engines in some detail ?

Are typical heli aerodynamic effects present, like translational lift, settling with power, VRS, etc.... ?

Thx for any return !

53 minutes ago, jcomm said:

@Joseph29, since I never used any of their products, and rotary wings aren't really FSX-derived aerodynamics "cup of tea", how do you find those two helicopters from the flight dynamics PoV ?

Are they convincing ? 

Did they model the systems / engines in some detail ?

Are typical heli aerodynamic effects present, like translational lift, settling with power, VRS, etc.... ?

Thx for any return !

I have never flown in a helicopter before, so I have no idea if the flight dynamics are convincing or not. When I first got them I couldn't fly them very good, but I have gotten better. As for the model systems, they are pretty good in that area. They are not study level, but just about everything in the cockpit is clickable and works. And for the Blackhawk, you just can't get in it and go, you have to set the helicopter up or else it will not fly.

If you want PM me your email address and I can send you the manuals for both helicopters and you can read them.

 

Edit: If you want the manuals let me know. I have to go now but will send them to you tonight if you want them.

Edited October 24, 20232 yr by Joseph29

I sent CERA Simaircraft an email asking about P3Dv5 compatibility and this is what they told me in response, quote:

"Our products are compatible with all versions of P3d. To install the Cera Bell 212-412 models, you only need to change the installation path. For Bell222, UH60, As 365 models, you need to download the installer corresponding to the P3d version. The installation path that you should put in the installers is:

 C:\Program Files\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v5"

So you can rejoice now.  I think they are definitely worth checking out.  I know there's no helicopters in P3D that can match the physics of DCS World or X-Plane 11 & 12 but from the research I've done, it seems many users are very happy with the physics of these helicopters say there quite good for FSX/P3D helicopters.  I have to say from the screenshots I've seen of them, the modeling and texture work look pretty decent to me too.

You just have to keep in mind the limitations of helicopter physics in P3D.  That being said, I think it's well worth trying one and see how you like it, for the current sale prices, it's definitely worth trying.  P3D helicopters can still be really fun if they're done right, you got six days to agonize over it before the sale ends.  https://secure.simmarket.com/cera-simaircraft.mhtml  I know I'm going to buy at least one, or two.  If you don't end up liking them your only out $15 to $18 US a helicopter so no big loss.

I collect a lot of high quality scenery like Orbx TE and I also buy and collect cityscape sceneries so I have a lot of reasons that make me want a couple high quality helicopters in my virtual hanger to go sight seeing.

Edited October 27, 20232 yr by Kalnon

I also wanted to mention, speaking of FSX/P3D helicopters, MP Design Studios also makes really great helicopters with good physics.  Users of their helicopters also rave about them so I wanted to mention them since the topic is helicopters.  They seem to use special techniques to make the flight models better than average.  They make the best Bell 206 you can get for P3Dv5 I've read.  They aren't on sale but there's some great ones to choose from.  My advice, if your on the fence, is to read the reviews on simmarket as well as other places for both MP Design and Cera helicopters and see for yourself what you think.

https://secure.simmarket.com/mp-design-studio.mhtml

Edited October 27, 20232 yr by Kalnon

Big thank you @Kalnon for the excellent suggestions and hints !

Edited October 27, 20232 yr by jcomm

4 hours ago, jcomm said:

Big thank you @Kalnon for the excellent suggestions and hints !

No problem, it's my pleasure.  I like to go treasure hunting for unique and interesting aircraft that may work in P3Dv5 (even if not officially).  That's why you may see me on forum asking about older FSX or P3D aircraft on this forum to try to get opinions and also share what I've found.

Another Tip:

The helicopters from Milviz are really nice too and they are freeware now and are definitely worth trying.  https://blackbirdsims.com/flight/freebies.php

They have the UH1 Huey (works in FSX - P3Dv5), the Bell 407 (works in FSX - P3Dv4 and my favorite so far) and the MD 530F (only works in P3Dv4).

I've flown the first two and the physics are pretty decent for FSX/P3D, far better than any default helicopter hands down.  The 3D modeling and texture work are very well done inside and out too, I haven't tried the MD 530F since I don't have P3Dv4, I only have FSX and P3Dv5.

Edited October 27, 20232 yr by Kalnon

7 hours ago, Kalnon said:

 

Another Tip:

The helicopters from Milviz are really nice too and they are freeware now and are definitely worth trying.  https://blackbirdsims.com/flight/freebies.php

They have the UH1 Huey (works in FSX - P3Dv5),

That one, as well as their freebie aircraft I did install, and yes the UH-1H feels really nice !

10 hours ago, jcomm said:

That one, as well as their freebie aircraft I did install, and yes the UH-1H feels really nice !

The Huey does feel nice.

Btw the Bell 407 I normally fly in FSX since it's not fully P3Dv5 compatible however I did test it once and the only problem I noticed (so far) is the torque gauge does not read correctly, keeps fluctuation up and down even when I'm sitting on the ground even though I have the collective all the way down.  It's kind of an important gauge for a helicopter but you can get by without it once you get the feel for the helicopter.

Edited October 28, 20232 yr by Kalnon

Bought the CeraSim 365...and I don't know how to start it properly.  Can't find a manual with it.  It is able to fly when I select it, but the attitude indicator is not operating. Something needs to be turned on, and I've tried just about everything.

58 minutes ago, spilok said:

Bought the CeraSim 365...and I don't know how to start it properly.  Can't find a manual with it.  It is able to fly when I select it, but the attitude indicator is not operating. Something needs to be turned on, and I've tried just about everything.

You should contact them at [email protected] and ask for help and where to find the manual.  Sometimes developers hide it in strange places or have you download it from their website.  Also, make sure to open and read any readme files or other text or PDF files, often that can help give specific installation instructions like some add-ons recommend running the installer as administrator, etc..

They are very responsive.  I received a response in just a few hours after I sent the an email asking about P3Dv5 support.

Edited October 28, 20232 yr by Kalnon

1 hour ago, spilok said:

Bought the CeraSim 365...and I don't know how to start it properly.  Can't find a manual with it.  It is able to fly when I select it, but the attitude indicator is not operating. Something needs to be turned on, and I've tried just about everything.

Cera Sim AS365 Engines Won't Start - YouTube

AS365 Dauphin II CeraSim (Cold&Dark Start Up) - YouTube