The Aircraft

The aircraft under review in this article is FlyInside's recentlyreleased Bell 47-G2. The version in question is the latest update1.20, released on the 11th of May 2021.

The B47-G2, is a single engine multipurpose light helicoptermanufactured by the Bell Helicopter Corporation and this variant wasfirst introduced in 1955. It has a Lycoming VO-435 piston engine, andin real life a number of engine variants were available overtime. However, the model from FlyInside is based on the A1variant. The aircraft has twin blade main and tail rotors and isdesigned to typically carry 3 people. One in the left pilot seat, withspace for two passengers seated on the right seat side by side. Verycosey...

With its iconic bubble canopy, it is still one of the mostrecognised helicopters even today. It definitely has that 1950s retrolook and feel, so if you like a bit of nostalgia this is worth alook.

Initial Thoughts

I obtained my copy over at https://flyinside-helis.com and it ispriced at $34.95.

Installation is simple, just a case of downloading the installerand letting it run. A security key is required, and this is providedwith your purchase, so you need to activate the B47 onceinstalled. This is done via the Heli Manager app provided in thedownload. The documentation provided on the web site and in thedownload is nice & simple and provides you with everything you need toknow. This includes how to set up the flight controls, the flightmodel options, the advised cold and dark start up procedure and a fewother bits and pieces such as how to deal with a few of the commonissues that may be encountered.

The aircraft will be installed into your "Community" folder, withthe Heli Manager app installed by default into your Program Files, inmy case on my 'C' drive. In here you will find the manual, a set ofpaint kit files if you want to create your own liveries, as well asthe main Heli Manager.exe file. This app allows you to make changes tothe flight model (easy, medium, realistic), advises on controllerbindings for the main controls of cyclic, anti-torque pedals,collective and throttle, as well as allowing you to change when HeliManger runs. Under normal situations it is designed to runautomatically in the background as part of the licence managementprotocol, although it can be disabled if you wish.

I found the documentation clear and easy to read and follow, and Ihighly recommend you read it prior to your first flight, as then I amsure you will have no issues with the initial set up.

On The Ground

The exterior details are very nicely done, in fact when doing myvery first external walk around I was really impressed. The clarityand quality of the texturing, combined with the attention to detail isquite simply excellent. One fabulous example of this is the rotatingtail rotor drive shaft and the animation of the tail and main rotorheads. The open nature of the fuselage really gives the user a greatopportunity to get up and close to the B47, and allows you to get agood feel for what is going on inside. The detailing of the Lycomingpiston engine is really something to behold, the texturing isexquisite. The same can be said for the main rotor assembly and thetail rotor, both are enhanced even further as a result of theanimation on inputs from the main controls. Move the respectivecockpit controls and the rotor assemblies move accordingly. It reallyis worth just taking some time when cold and dark to take in theexterior modelling and textures, they are simply stunning!

The famous bubble canopy gives a fabulous view of the front of theaircraft, and both pilot and one passenger are modelled in externalview, and both are animated. Nice touch... I should mention thoughthat they are not visible when in the cockpit. It would have been niceto have the option to add or remove when in the cockpit, as they canbe seen from the outside. The cockpit doors can be removed by clickinga hot spot on the pilot's door, which is great if you want acompletely open 'seat of your pants' view.

The fabric textures of the seat covers and floor coverings, as wellas the clothing and shoes being worn by the crew and passengers areanother fabulous example of the developer's eye for details. Ihonestly do not believe I have ever seen a leather jacket or foot wareso beautifully modelled in a flight sim. Highly impressive, andtherefore this model really deserves to be inspected at closequarters. One slightly odd feature I observed is the feet position ofthe occupants as they look a little unnatural being stretched outhorizontally, instead of resting on the floor. The good news is thatthis did not really distract from my enjoyment. Perhaps something thedevelopers can work on in future updates.

The stock model comes with several different coloured liveries, bymy count 7 in total, and if you wish to create your own livery, apaint kit is provided.

As you look around the cockpit, you will find a very well modelledinterior. All the switches and levers I tried are animated, and thefeel of the cockpit is fantastic. I did notice that at this time thevarious fuses are modelled but not animated, again perhaps somethingfor a future update just to add another level of realism. The cockpitdials I found to be easy and clear to read, although there is no nightillumination as in the dark the instruments are not lit (I assumedaytime flying only in real life as well). However, what is agenuinely nice feature is the spotlight, almost like a head torch thatilluminates wherever you are looking when dark and in the cockpit. Ireally liked this as I have never come across this type of feature inany other aircraft I have tested.

Raindrops are simulated on the bubble canopy when the weather turnsnasty, which just looks fabulous on the window. Looking up from thecockpit to the rotor head assembly above is another view Iparticularly enjoyed, as to me you really get a sense of movement ofthe twin rotors and rotor head assembly whirring around just aboveyour head. I can only imagine what it must be like to sit in the realthing, however I have a feeling this comes very close.

The collective friction wheel at the right of the pilot's seat isanimated, although I could not really tell if it was doing anything ornot. In real life the B47 has no autopilot, so as I understand it,this is basically how real pilots maintain straight and level flightas best they can.

I use several Saitek panels (switch, 2 x radio, multi) and Iconnect these to the sim using Axis and Ohs. I also use this to manageall my controller inputs rather than the hardware settings provided inthe main sim, and I can report that I was able to connect my CHthrottle pedals and MaxFlightstick cyclic and collective with noissues. From my SAITEK switch panel, I could easily operate thevarious switches on the instrument panel in the B47, and from myMaxFlightStick cyclic, collective and throttle, no issues at all.

From what I have read, the real life B47 does not come with anengine governor, however as many people do not have dedicatedhelicopter controls, the developers have provided a governor option tomake life a little easier when maintaining the rotor RPM. In my case Iwas able to test out both features and they worked extremely well as Ihave a separate throttle twist grip on my collective.

Starting from cold and dark was a very enjoyable experience as itwas extremely easy (for a change...) to get the heli ready for aflight. Instructions are provided in the manual, however with theflick of only a few switches and levers you can have the engine androtors up and running in an instant. The sounds as the Lycoming pistonengine splutters to life and the rotors spinning up were authentic andrich, as you would expect from a piston engine like this, although asI have never been beside the real thing, I can only base myobservations on some internet clips of B47's I found. Either way, thesounds are believable in my opinion.

So, with my walk around done, everyone on board, and engines androtors running, it was time to take the B47 for a spin.

In The Air

As I mentioned at the start of this review, the package comes withwhat FlyInside call Heli Manager, an app that allows you to control afew features including the flight model. There are 3 options, Easy,Medium and Realistic, and in each, the settings for CyclicSensitivity, Helicopter Stability and Tail Stability can beadjusted. The differences are quite marked, and I estimate it willtake quite some time and effort to master the Medium and Realisticsettings, as the B47 is sensitive to control inputs, a trait in reallife I believe. For the purpose of my test flights, I just left thesettings on Easy and notched the sensitivity down a little bit,primarily so I could really enjoy the B47 without having to fight withit too much. More challenging flight conditions will comelater.... The fact you can adjust these features I believe isimportant, because this will allow everyone from absolute beginners,right up to pros, to be able to enjoy the B47. In my opinion, there isnothing worse than buying an aircraft that is just so unstable thatyou give up before you get started. The Heli Manager allows you toramp up your proficiency over time as your confidence and pilotingskills develop.

During my numerous flights, I found the B47 to be very responsiveto the input controllers without being too sensitive, and I was easilyable to control my rate of climb & descent, airspeed, anddirection. Once in my cruise, the feel of the B47 was excellent,although I did get a few oscillations from time to time when adjustingmy flight level, although I am unsure if this is a B47 issue, a MSFSissue or an armchair pilot thing.... I should also add that I also useSmoothTrack and Opentrack as my headtracking device, and this Ibelieve makes a big difference with the user experience andimmersion. The B47 was built for headtracking in my opinion, as thebubble canopy gives essentially unobstructed views of its surroundingsand is therefore an ideal aircraft if you just want to do somelow-level VFR flying and look out the window.

I think it is interesting that although MSFS2020 has not yet beentailored to cater for helicopters, developers like FlyInside havetaken the initiative and already released fantastic models like theB47 with their own bespoke flight models. Although I have never flowin a real B47, I have flown many helicopters across several flight simplatforms over the years, and I can safely say this is one of the mostenjoyable flying experiences I have had in a rotary wingaircraft. Everything provided sets you up for success, and I justloved the simplicity and beauty of the B47. Although this is veryearly in the life of the aircraft (as well as MSFS2020 for thatmatter), there are still many bugs and issues to be worked out,however I can only assume things will only get better and better withtime.

Final Thoughts

As I mentioned above, I have been a flight sim helicopter fan formany years, primarily because of the freedom that helicopters provideis unparalleled (you can get into all the nooks and crannies of alocation, which would be impossible in a fixed wing aircraft). So,when I was given the opportunity to review the B47-G2 by FlyInside, Iwas really excited to see how it performed.

All I can honestly say is that I was not disappointed by what Ihave experienced, and the overall package on offer from the FlyInsideteam is extremely well thought out and executed. Even if you are aseasoned helicopter fan or someone thinking about sticking their toeinto this market for the first time, the B47-G2 is well worthconsidering in my opinion. As I said, the freedom you can experiencein a helicopter will take you to places that I am sure you will neversee if you stick to fixed wing aircraft, especially the larger ones.

I appreciate that helicopter flying in MSFS 2020 is in its infancyand therefore extremely limited at this time (there is only one othercredible model that I am aware of), however the release of the Bell 47-G2 is a massive step in the right direction, and really showcaseswhat is possible with the right development team pushing the existingenvelope.

I for one am extremely excited to see what comes next from theFlyInside team as I have already had many hours of enjoyment flyinglow and slow over all the places I know well. I would go as far to saythat for me, the power of what MSFS 2020 has to offer has only now comealive, and I can't wait to get out there and explore the wonderfulworld Asobo/Microsoft and FlyInside have created for us.

For now, the B47-G2 from FlyInside will be my rotary wing aircraftof choice, and genuinely, it is as if a whole new world has literallyjust been opened up in front of me. I can't wait to get back behindthe stick again.... happy days!

Stuart McGregor

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