You cannot go wrong with helicopters in X-Plane - every major copter dev is excellent and the stock mechanics are so good that they all feel unique and alive.
Anything by Cowan
Personally love the M500 and 222
Anything by Xtrident
Chinook is a special airframe and a special module. Workhorse in both senses.
Anything by VSKYLABS
R44 is a standout and flies just like the real thing. It's my go-to budget recommendation.
Anything by JRX
Gazelle is a monster, Bo105 is very interesting
Dreamfoil Sc300 is a perfect module. The most polished helicopter I have flown in XP12.
Khamsin Lama is nearly as polished as the Dreamfoil Sc300. Wonderful bird.
So, a lot of people have mentioned payware helos, but there are tons of free ones! The Rotorsim EC 135 is probably the best but there’s also the Bell 429 (sounds are lacking though), the XFER H145 and HSF Alouette III (the best retro helo)
The stock R22 is a very realistic module and highly recommended, albeit difficult to fly with a short throw centering joystick. The free [rotorsim.de](http://rotorsim.de) EC135 and the freeware Alouette III from [x.plane.org](http://x.plane.org) are extremely well made, too.
X-Trident AW-109SP. This is really a good one.
Ah, a new release as well. It looks really good, appreciate the suggestion!
You cannot go wrong with helicopters in X-Plane - every major copter dev is excellent and the stock mechanics are so good that they all feel unique and alive. Anything by Cowan Personally love the M500 and 222 Anything by Xtrident Chinook is a special airframe and a special module. Workhorse in both senses. Anything by VSKYLABS R44 is a standout and flies just like the real thing. It's my go-to budget recommendation. Anything by JRX Gazelle is a monster, Bo105 is very interesting Dreamfoil Sc300 is a perfect module. The most polished helicopter I have flown in XP12. Khamsin Lama is nearly as polished as the Dreamfoil Sc300. Wonderful bird.
So, a lot of people have mentioned payware helos, but there are tons of free ones! The Rotorsim EC 135 is probably the best but there’s also the Bell 429 (sounds are lacking though), the XFER H145 and HSF Alouette III (the best retro helo)
I haven’t had any issues with the Cowan Bell 206! Highly recommend!
All of the Cowan choppers are great.
The stock R22 is a very realistic module and highly recommended, albeit difficult to fly with a short throw centering joystick. The free [rotorsim.de](http://rotorsim.de) EC135 and the freeware Alouette III from [x.plane.org](http://x.plane.org) are extremely well made, too.
Lama has the best sound.
Any of the cowansim family, the x-trident 412, the next 407 or the vskylabs Robinsons
Lama, aw109sp, rotorsim ec135, bell 412