The folks at Hype Performance Group (HPG) have revealed that their next helicopter project is the H160 and its coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator in just a couple of weeks. Let’s have a look at the announced product and see if its something that might interest you.
Weeks away, feature-packed
If you hate waiting around, Hype Performance Group will probably be in your good books because the reveal and the release of the HPG H160 for Microsoft Flight Simulator are really close together. Coming on Friday October 27 to the HPG website, the H160 is based on the Airbus Helicopters H160 and it comes packed with an array of modern avionics and capabilities and an ample feature list.
Similar to the H145 that HPG spent the last couple of years refining, the H160 is a medium duty helicopter that has greater payload, range and has a lot of automation that make flying helicopters easier to do.
HPG have modelled Airbus’ Helionix avionics package for the helicopter that includes automatic takeoff, 4-axis autopilot with stability augmentation system, ground trajectory command, automatic hover mode in crosswinds up to 30kts, hands-off ILS-to-minimums approach, automatic level off to prevent controlled flight into ground, and two trim modes.
Meanwhile the team have also made full use of MSFS’ helicopter flight model together with their own AFCS (automatic flight control system) and VRS (Vortex Ring State) augmentation programmed in.
The H160 is coming with 2 variants, a civilian and luxury option, with six liveries for each with 12-total. The usual 4K PBR texture pack, custom sound set with over 60 custom sounds, full VR support, working doors, custom blade droop, blade flap, and emergency floats all working and visible. The feature list is extensive to say the least.
HPG will be selling their H160 helicopter through the HPG website store first for $49.99 USD. A separate Action Pack, similar to what they did with the H145, is coming later separately that will also include additional variants of the helicopter.
Should be an interesting time for helicopter fans in MSFS! Check out the announcement here and the store page here.
Stormbirds 
I’ll skip this since I already have the 145 and don’t spend that much time in MSFS anymore. But I’ll vouch for the quality of HPG modules. The 145 is super well done and saw regular updates and additions. Really really nice helicopter.
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Nice! I didn’t end up getting the H145 (yet) but the H160 sounds so cool so that’ll probably get a review here. I’ve got CowanSim’s 500E waiting in the wings too.
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I didn’t buy that much for MSFS, a few planes and few terrains. But I’ve bought plenty! of stuff over the years for other MS flightsims and I know the difference between the good, the bad, and the ugly. The HPG145 definitely stands out as a superior product. If the 160 is up to the same standards it will be a solid module. Odds are if you don’t get the 145 and just get the 160 you’ll be able to see what I’m talking about.
Personally, I’d like to see the DCS Ka-50 ported over to MSFS. Ya gotta dream, baby. 🙂
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I need this one! My flight department is getting one of these next summer. How realistic is the Helionixs suite? It would be a great initial intro before actual sim starts. Getting used to menus and features etc.
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That sounds exciting. I’ve been watching videos of the H160 all last night and it looks like one hell of an impressive helicopter!
I have no idea how detailed the avionics are here. They do say that its a custom suite that they’ve programmed and maybe someone else can speak to how well it works in the H145. I’d guess that as a training tool even the cockpit familiarity is bound to end up being useful.
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It’s an amazing machine. Did a 30min demo flight with an Airbus test pilot. We did things that would have damaged or written off my current ride, Sikorsky 76D, and it did it without a hiccup. But, it was flown by the test pilot and what he did I will never attempt..I’m too scared and I’d like to keep my job.
But I was impressed.
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Oh wild! That must have been fun/terrifying. If you get a chance to check out the MSFS version I’d love to hear a follow up on the experience. I’ll certainly be writing more about this when it comes out!
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Hoo boy…while I like that they’ve re-created the Pilot Relief auto features, that sure does take a lot of the joy out of the rotary wing flight sim aspect 😉
Hopefully the helo allows you to Keep Calm and Go Manual. 🙂
That said, it looks fantastic and if the reviews show that the flight model is up to snuff, I’ll likely add it to my hangar.
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This is true and for the folks wanting a more raw helicopter experience I imagine that something else may fit the bill. Although I saw some wild manoeuvring by the real world version at the Paris airshow demo so it sounds like you can really put this thing through the wringer if the sim version is anything like the real one.
These days for me with some of my neck issues I’m appreciating more helpers that let me get the autopilot on while I cruise from destination to destination so this might be a good option for me on a personal level.
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I hope for your sake you can still get in some good ACM/BFM every once in awhile!
Do all the PT they want you to and heal fast! 🙂
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Yeah absolutely! I’ve been seeing a bunch of specialists on a regular basis and haven’t quite figured it out yet. So I have to be careful and very limited with my flying. Hopefully solved soon!
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