Rework of the EC135

Official Microsoft Flight Simulator Wishlist
, ,
1

It’s a simple wish: Give the EC-135 the love it truly deserves as a local legend. At the same time, extend this love to the helicopter community, showing us that we, as helicopter enthusiasts, are not forgotten or relegated to the sidelines.

We hope for attention to the following specific aspects:

  1. Accurate Flight Model: Faithfully recreate the flight behavior and responsiveness of the EC-135.

  2. Accurate Flight Systems: Ensure precise simulation of avionics, navigation, and other flight systems.

  3. Accurate External Model: Develop a high-quality, detailed representation of the helicopter’s exterior.

  4. Accurate Interior: Deliver a carefully modeled and immersive cockpit and cabin interior.

  5. Accurate Audio: Include realistic external and internal soundscapes, capturing the distinct sounds of the EC-135 and the Fenestron.

  6. Real-life Animations: Incorporate dynamic animations like flight vibrations or other details that bring the aircraft to life.

  7. Configuration Variants:

    • Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS)
    • Double Cargo Hook
    • High and Low Landing Gear variants
    • Winch
    • FLIR System
    • Snow Skids
    • Bear Paws
    • Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF)
    • Radar Nose ( Small and Large )
    • And many more possibilities…

  8. Model and Cockpit Variants:

    • P/T1, P/T2, P/T3, and P/T3H models
    • Cockpit systems like CDS, CPDS, Glass Cockpit, and Helionix configurations

  9. Interior Variants:

    • HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) configurations such as AAT or Bucher systems
    • Police FLIR Variant
    • VIP passenger layouts
    • Cargo configurations
    • Standard passenger models
31 Likes
Local Legend 21: Eurocopter EC135
2

Getting just the flight dynamics right would a good start.

After the disaster that the B407 was at MSFS 2020 launch, and again now with 2024 I am truly surprised this developer is still building helicopters for Microsoft/Asobo. Get a team like Taog in to fix this mess.

8 Likes
3

The current state the EC135 is in, is really… on a scale of quality (1-10) it’s maybe a 2 or 1,5 :man_shrugging:

A lot potential for improvement!

(Plus: the rotor disc isn’t even coning)

3 Likes
4

Being able to see multiplayer helicopters on VATSIM as actual helicopters… that would be the dream.

5

Hi @Damar5555829,

That request is not something that is for the MSFS Development Team to consider. The traffic models you see on the VATSIM network are determined by external ‘model matching’ tools, of which there are a variety such as: AIG, FSLTL, FS Traffic etc.

If you’d like to see helicopters within the model matching packages for VATSIM, you would need to reach out to the development teams of these packages.

Thanks
The MSFS Team

1 Like
6

I think you’re right, but the good thing about the B407 is that it’s “simple” to improve. So there are people who have worked on the flight model etc. The Nemeth EC135 seems more complex to modify. I’ve heard a lot of explanations about “why the EC135 is more complicated to modify than the helicopters on MSFS2020”. For helicopter enthusiasts who are increasingly numerous, the result seems disappointing. In any case, I haven’t heard many positive opinions on specialist forums. But helicopter enthusiasts are very demanding, which is normal.

But I try to look at it positively: maybe Nemeth’s EC C135, which is easier to fly for beginners, will attract new helicopter enthusiasts.

I don’t know if the B407 has attracted any new enthusiasts, but I hope so :slightly_smiling_face:

1 Like
7

Helicopter looks great, at least good enough when flying in vr, there is something very off with the tail rotor authority

1 Like
8

Ad. 6) Make sure the flight vibrations are physically correct and happen on the real aircraft.

Why? I admit this is a bit too nerdy for most :sweat_smile: but as I mentioned in the LL feedback post I find the existing hover vibration/wobbling artificial and distracting and I cannot see it reflected in any cockpit view videos. Take this random CAT-A takeoff on Youtube here:

Once in a hover the 135 seems quite steady to me. My point at least: there is no up/down bumping vibration. Of course if you are sitting in it you will feel -some- vibrations. That is natural and difficult to prevent.

My issue is: there is no “bouncy” up/down vibration on the real machine like in the MSFS 2024 ND EC135 model and analyzing a clip I recorded out of the sim the period of the oscillation as seen on the edge of the moving sunscreen of the instrument cluster versus the outside seems to be around 0,08sec. The inverse of that is the Hertz count, so 12,5Hz. To my knowledge the slowest shaft is the main rotor shaft. Physically viable it -could- vibrate in 12,5Hz, as this frequency is at least somewhat in the realm of the normal operating range (opposed to the turbines and the whole drivetrain, which has way higher fundamentals for each stage and rotational body) -but it doesn’t make sense to me. Does it to someone here?

Here is my reasoning: A rotational frequency of 12,5Hz would be a rotational speed of 750RPM (12,5*60). That is way too high for the rotor. It should rotate at around 395RPM in a hover. My video analysis of the vibration period lacks precision of course, it could in reality very well have been only 0,0759sec and thus 13,16Hz. That would equal 790RPM → twice the speed of the rotor. Or in noise and vibration terms: 2nd order vibrations.
-But- the EC135 has four blades! So this vibration can neither be in rotational speed or 1st order, which in itself would be a sign for an unbalanced rotor (that we don’t want!), nor can it be irregularities in the rotor blades, because there are 4 blades and thus we’d have to expect 4th order vibrations. So either it’s only 6,85Hz or 26,33Hz. An isolated 2nd order aka 1st harmonic doesn’t make any sense to me. Neither does the perceived vibration shape (up/down) that made me analyze this.

I also noticed this wobble vibration on the H125 -if- you play the career mode and do a hoist mission. If you pick up the load the H125 starts to shake as described, -also- at about the same period, hence same frequency. Although the main rotor also spins around the same speed as the EC135, with the H125 it is even more of a mystery for me, because it is a 3 bladed machine.
Another example is the Skycrane also during lifting missions (6 blades). But I didn’t mind to check the frequency.

It’s a minor thing, yes, but I wonder if there is any basis to it I overlooked or if my reasoning is correct and it’s just an overlay effect where some programmer asked the other “People might say our helicopters don’t shake much. We should just add a steady shake… what frequency should it be?” and another programmer went “I dunno… 12Hz or something??”.

For my taste it is distracting in any case, because it moves the whole cockpit relative to the camera. Just statically. It is not an isolated vibration like on a RL or sim Robinson where the compass shakes a little. Or the DCS Huey, where the instrument console shakes when reaching ETL. Like in the joke above, to me it comes across like an attempt to add “a little action”.

9

I’m sure that if Asobo had the resources, they would have created a more complex EC-135. I worked on this helicopter addon a long time ago (years), and the resources required are substantial and costly.

11

I say this with all compassion to devs everywhere, but, considering the quality of other helicopter addons both in graphics and flight model, cost and required effort are not the limitation.

Regarding all the issues MSFS2024 still has, and considering this aircraft is a “make good” module for the community’s patience, it is ironic that the EC135 was released in an equally unfinished state as the entire product.

6 Likes
12

In that case I think the wiser decision would be to release a more dumbed down version that is stable and easy to fly, like the HPG freeware H135. Or just another fixed wing aircraft.

Going with the easy helicopter people will complain of course, but at least it is not again unfinished as in obviously bugged as VoxMortis says.

Instead they dragged an ADAC pilot in front of the camera to be able to say „We even sought out actual pilots(!!) to help us get the flight model as good as possible“ and Jörg even said something like „I hope we got it right“ -all suggesting that their focus was to satisfy the simulation crowd. Then we get to try it, discover it controls badly and from a simulation point of view there is a long list of things that just aren’t right.

And forgive me but bugs like the transfer pumps not working and the helicopter running out of fuel after the small tanks are emptied is not a matter of limited resources. It’s don’t test, don’t care…

6 Likes
13

I was searching for comments about the tail rotor authority. I was beginning to think it was just me!

15

Sadly, the EC135 is still quite a bit away from adequate.
After SU4, the flight model is better, but still bugged.
There are rendering issues in career missions.
The sound is underwhelming at best.
Generally, considering I was mostly waiting for SU4 to have the EC135 fixed, it is quite a disappointment.

2 Likes
16

Just sad to see nothing in SU5 Beta Changelog….

2 Likes
17

Aircraft change logs are not before full release of a sim update, so we dont know yet wich aircraft will have fixes. Only Asobo/Microsoft aircraft are on the beta change log.

18

Does anybody know if the EC135 has also been shifted to a different developer ? ( Like the B407 is now at Asobo/iniBuilds )

19

Please let us change the livery in careermode. Right now we have to do every mission (flightseeing, rescue, people transport) with the yellow ADAC (a german car drivers club with assistance services) livery with “Notarzt” (air rescue with emergency doctor) written on it. This makes absolutely no sense for sightseeing or people transport.

Esp. as a german player, who knows the context, this is weird. In general, we need a livery change option for carreer mode for all vessels

4 Likes
20

This was just posted on SimMarket - will be testing it out tonight. 407 and 206 sound packs make a heck of a difference in immersion for me.

FWX EC135 SOUND + HAPTIC BUNDLE MSFS24

The complete helicopter immersion package — combines the EC135 Sound Enhancement Pack and the Rotor Haptic Engine at a reduced bundle price.

Includes:

  1. EC135 Sound Enhancement Pack — complete cockpit and exterior sound replacement compatible with the Nemeth Design EC135. The iconic Eurocopter twin-turbine sound from startup to shutdown, inside and out.
  2. Rotor Haptic Engine — real-time rotor vibration output for bass shakers and transducers based on live RPM data. Works with any helicopter.

Hear and feel the difference. From the goosebump-inducing turbine whine in the cockpit to the physical rotor blade impulses through your seat — this bundle transforms how you experience the EC135.

All features from both products included. Simple drag-and-drop installation.

Developed by a real-world helicopter pilot (PPL(H) R22/R44) with thousands of hours in flight simulation.

ROTOR HAPTIC ENGINE features :
• Custom cockpit turbine sounds – designed to be compatible with the EC135
• Custom startup sequence – hear the turbine spool from ignition to idle, mixed from real helicopter recordings
• Realistic turbine startup and shutdown sequences
• Authentic cockpit and exterior engine sounds
• Smooth torque transitions – pitch variation reduced to 20% of stock (realistic)
• Smooth torque transitions with reduced pitch variation
• Seamless transition from starter to turbine run – no audio gaps
• No internal bass rumble – ButtKicker/transducer safe
• Full exterior sound replacement — the iconic EC135 twin-turbine whine for replays, flyovers, and external views
• Full exterior sound — replays and external views come alive
• Drag & drop installation – copy folder to Community, done
• Simple drag-and-drop installation
• No dependencies, no third-party software needed
• Instant uninstall – delete the folder, original sounds are back
• Instant uninstall — delete folder, default sounds return
• Multiple custom sound files – compatible with the EC135
• No FPS impact – zero GPU load
• No FPS impact, no dependencies
• Free updates – we keep improving the sound as MSFS evolves

FWX EC135 SOUND ENHANCEMENT features :
• Real 4-blade rotor impulse generation
• 4 physical impulses per rotor revolution – matches real EC135 (4-blade main rotor)
• Automatic RPM tracking from simulator data
• Real-time SimConnect integration – reacts instantly to rotor speed changes
• Low RPM (startup): individual thumps you can count
• Blade rattle simulation at low RPM
• 30-50% RPM: irregular blade rattle (hanging blades slap – like real life)
• Full RPM: smooth bass pulse
• Instant torque response – feel every power change immediately
• Rotor brake feedback – impulses slow down and stop when you brake
• Pause detection — stops when sim is paused
• Smart pause detection – haptic stops in menus, loading screens, and ESC menu
• Steam and Microsoft Store support
• Supports both MS Store and Steam versions of MSFS 2024
• GUI with device selection dropdown
• Device dropdown – select your ButtKicker or bass shaker from all Windows audio devices
• GUI with live controls: volume, bass, impulse strength – adjustable in real time while flying
• Live RPM display – see your exact rotor speed in the GUI as you fly
• Live impulse visualization – watch the impulse pattern change as RPM increases
• Auto/Manual mode (manual for testing your shaker setup without simulator)
• Settings saved automatically between sessions
• Works with any helicopter in MSFS 2024
• Simple installer, no dependencies
• Standalone .exe – no dependencies, no installation
• No Voicemeeter required – select your ButtKicker directly from the device list
• Free updates
• Free updates – new features and improvements included

21

So this sound add-on is very nice as well - very identifiable sounds and pitch changes as the 135 moves, much louder than the stock and outside sounds are completely different. Had a couple of flights and the new sounds made a very nice difference. Recommended.

22

I’ve also tried this.. 100% change with this package, i can also really recommend, even the price is a little bit high

1 Like