Are MSFS2024 Helicopters as Terrible as They Say?

Summary

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has introduced significant improvements to helicopter dynamics, adding new rotorcraft like the Airbus H125 and Bell 407, alongside updates to the Bell 47J Ranger and Westland Scout from the previous version. Despite some bugs, like unpredictable ground effect issues on elevated pads and a few glitches in replays, the sim excels with better VR performance, detailed models, and improved ground handling. Helicopter enthusiasts will appreciate the attention to detail in visuals, water effects, and rotor behavior, although missions like firefighting are still missing. Overall, it's a thrilling experience for rotorcraft fans, with room for further development.

Takeaways

• 😀 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has introduced a significant improvement in helicopter dynamics, including the addition of several new rotorcraft.
• 😀 The standard edition includes two helicopters from the 40th Anniversary update: the Gimbal Cabry G2 and the Bell 407, along with three new helicopters: the Airbus H125, Robinson R66, and Erickson S64F.
• 😀 The Premium Deluxe edition includes the H225 and the Blackbird CH47D Chinook helicopters, enhancing the helicopter roster.
• 😀 The Aviator Edition includes two legacy helicopters from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020: the Bell 47J Ranger and the Westland Scout/Bossom combo.
• 😀 One significant bug in the current release is the ground effect on elevated pads around objects and trees, causing erratic behavior during landings.
• 😀 The ground effect is improved on flat surfaces but behaves unpredictably on elevated pads, causing challenges when performing pad landings.
• 😀 The rotor effects, such as coning, are well modeled, but they occasionally appear in unexpected ways, like in replays or when stationary on a barge.
• 😀 Helicopter performance has been significantly improved in VR, with higher settings providing better performance compared to previous versions of the simulator.
• 😀 The water and dust effects for helicopters are well-executed, adding to the immersion, although there are some areas that could use refinement.
• 😀 The career system for helicopters is currently lacking key features, such as firefighting and full helicopter support, and the system still contains bugs.
• 😀 The new lighting engine significantly enhances the visual fidelity of the simulator, making it look incredibly realistic, especially in replays and detailed aircraft models.

Q & A

What new helicopters are included in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 introduces three new helicopters: the Airbus H125, Robinson R66, and Ericsson S64F Aircrane, in addition to the two helicopters from the 40th Anniversary update: the Gimbal Cabry G2 and Bell 407.

Are there any exclusive helicopters for the Deluxe or Premium Deluxe editions?

Yes, the Premium Deluxe Edition includes the Airbus H225 and the Blackbird CH47 D Chinook helicopters. The Aviator Edition also provides two special helicopters from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020: the Bell 47J Ranger and the Westland Scout Bosom Combo.

What major bug has been reported related to helicopter ground effects?

A major bug involves the ground effect behavior on elevated pads surrounded by objects or trees. Unlike in real life, the ground effect engages suddenly rather than gradually, causing an abrupt increase in torque and unpredictable movements when landing.

How does the ground effect work on flat surfaces compared to elevated pads?

On flat surfaces like airport tarmacs, the ground effect works as expected and has been improved compared to previous versions. However, on elevated pads with surrounding obstacles, the ground effect activates suddenly and creates erratic helicopter movements, making landings more difficult.

Has the overall helicopter flight dynamics improved in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?

Yes, helicopter flight dynamics have improved in 2024. These improvements include better ground handling, more realistic interactions between wheels and surfaces, and enhanced helicopter behavior across different flight envelopes.

What are some of the visual improvements in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 for helicopters?

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 introduces enhanced water effects, rotor wash effects that interact with trees and barge environments, and a new lighting engine that makes the helicopters look more realistic, especially in VR.

Is there any issue with rotor animations in the game’s replay system?

Yes, there is an inconsistency with rotor animations in the replay system. In some cases, the blade coning effect appears during replays, but the rotor blades remain static during flybys, and torque data may also be incorrect in certain views.

What challenges exist in the career mode for helicopters in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?

The career mode for helicopters is currently lacking in several areas. Key features like firefighting missions and the ability to use all helicopters in the career system are missing or malfunctioning. The career system also does not support vertical reference or long-line operations, which limits immersion for heli-logging and other tasks.

How does the simulator’s VR performance compare to previous versions?

VR performance has improved significantly in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Users report being able to run the game on higher settings with the same hardware as in the previous version (2020) while maintaining better performance.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the sound design in the helicopter models?

The sound design is generally good, with accurate engine and main rotor sounds. However, the tail rotor is louder than it should be, and the engine sounds could be more representative of the low-frequency noise produced by large rotors like those on the S64 Aircrane.