Sim Update 6: What does it mean for helicopter enthusiasts?

Sim Update 6 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has arrived, and I have spent some time thinking about what matters most for helicopter pilots. There are always small fixes scattered throughout a sim update, but this one feels like it plants some important seeds for future helicopter development. Some improvements help right now, while others quietly set the stage for better realism in the months ahead.

People have been waiting a long time to see meaningful improvements to the H225. It was originally developed by Hype Performance Group and has now been adopted by Microsoft and Asobo. The community has been vocal about its shortcomings, especially since it was a featured inclusion in the Premium Deluxe edition.

There are some welcome fixes. The fuel cut off handles and fire extinguishers now actually shut down the engines. RNAV lateral guidance is working again. The throttle no longer resets to zero after a respawn. And a few visibility issues have been cleaned up as well.

Even with these improvements, the H225 still has a long way to go. The upper autopilot modes remain non‑functional, and the helicopter still pitches into a strong nose‑up attitude once you pass 100 knots. These two issues have bothered people since day one, and they are still present in Sim Update 6. So while I am pleased to see progress, I am also realistic about how much more work is needed.

The default H125 received a couple of nice quality‑of‑life improvements. Previously, the collective could not be operated with the mouse while in VR. That has been fixed. Some warning lights would remain active after an autostart, and that has been addressed too.

I am happy to see these changes. The H125 is one of my favourite helicopters in real life, and even small fixes to an MSFS default aircraft will make a noticeable difference.

The default R66 has also been improved. The developers fixed an issue where the helicopter’s performance exceeded the Pilot Operating Handbook charts for hovering in and out of ground effect. In other words, the helicopter was too powerful! It has now been tuned down slightly to behave more realistically.

For anyone who enjoys flying the R66, this is a positive step. It should now hover in a way that aligns more closely with real‑world expectations.

One of the most interesting changes in SU6 is not something you will notice immediately. The developers have added a new SimVar called FREEWHEELING_UNIT_ENGAGED. This controls whether each helicopter engine transmits torque to the rotor system. In real life, we need the rotor to keep spinning, even if an engine stops!

The addition promises more accurate autorotation logic, better twin‑engine freewheeling behaviour and more realistic FADEC and governor interactions. It is a foundational improvement that developers can use to build more realistic helicopters in the future. And it could mean that burden is reduced because developers won’t necessarily need to custom-code their own unique solutions.

We will not see the benefits right away. But I am very encouraged by what this could mean for future helicopter development.

There are some fun improvements around atmospheric visualization. Thermals, updrafts and downdrafts are now better displayed, and mountain Foehn is included. You can toggle the visualization with Alt+6.

This is important for helicopter pilots who enjoy mountain flying. Being able to see where the air is rising and falling helps you understand why your flight might feel rougher than expected. It also helps with tutorials, and teaching people how to read the terrain.

Wake turbulence draw distance has been optimized too. In previous group flights, large numbers of helicopters created performance issues because of wake turbulence. I am interested to see whether this optimization improves group flying performance.

Sim Update 6 brings a mix of immediate improvements and long‑term potential. Some helicopters, like the H125 and R66, benefit right away. Others, like the H225, still need significant work even though progress has been made.

What excites me most is the groundwork being laid for future development. The new SimVar, the turbine engine enhancements and the improved systems logic all point toward more accurate helicopter behaviour in the future. We might not see the results in the next few weeks or even the next few months, but I think these enhancements will pay off.

Overall, I am feeling positive about this update. It shows that Asobo and Microsoft are continuing to invest in helicopter realism, and that is great news for all of us who love flying rotorcraft in MSFS 2024.

I didn’t think there would be an audience for helicopter flight simulation on TikTok. Turns out: I was wrong! I started posting my short-form content to TikTok and I’ve been getting up to 35,000 views a day. Wow! I really hope this will funnel more simmers into our helicopter community.

Over the past month, there’s been a lot of interest in my MOZA content. I made a configuration guide for helicopters, and it’s been interesting to hear people’s reactions and experiences. I even had a veteran Huey crew chief get in touch to point out how I could do a better job explaining force trim. Naturally, I turned this into a new short!

I’m now a MOZA affiliate, so if you’re planning a purchase and want to support the work I do with our helicopter simulation community, please consider using my LetsFly code or my Let’s Fly link when buying MOZA products.

If you’re looking to elevate your flight simulation experience, please consider my affiliate links and codes. If you use them and then make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. It costs you nothing extra and helps support the work I do with our helicopter simulation community. So: thanks!

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MOZA’s flagship AB9 and the smaller but very capable AB6 have been extremely popular with helicopter simulation enthusiasts. Their throttle and pedal controllers are also well worth a look.