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CS R66

Cowan Simulation

R66COWANSIMROBINSONROBBIEHELICOPTER

4.7/5 (231)


CowanSim R66 - Fly Light. Fly Smart. Fly Anywhere.

Experience next-generation helicopter realism in Microsoft Flight Simulator with the CowanSim R66, a light turbine utility helicopter built for versatility, agility, and immersion. From private flying to utility missions, the R66 delivers the perfect balance of power and control.

The CowanSim R66 is the result of thousands of hours of development, pilot feedback, and refined coding. Every system, animation, and performance detail was crafted to bring this helicopter to life with realism and reliability in mind. This latest version introduces the new SAS Autopilot System for reduced workload, smoother handling, and precise control in every phase of flight.

For more detailed guidance, please consult the included manual, which covers hardware bindings and other essential instructions. The manual is located in the package folder, and an online version with checklists is also available for convenience, including for Xbox users: https://cowansim.com/manuals-checklists/

Advanced SAS Autopilot System

Take full advantage of the newly developed Stability Augmentation System (SAS) and integrated autopilot modes, designed to reduce pilot workload and improve handling.

  • Force Trim Release (FTR) and trim hat support
  • Attitude hold with proportional trim adjustment
  • Heading hold (HDG)
  • Navigation modes (VLOC and GPS)
  • Speed hold (SPD)
  • Altitude hold (ALT)
  • Vertical mode (VRT) for ILS and GPS approaches
  • Autopilot disconnect for quick reversion to SAS

Interactive Cabin and Features

  • Pilot and copilot visibility toggle
  • Passenger visibility toggle
  • Cargo options: baggage and crates
  • Removable doors and optional accessories
  • Persistence system saves your loadout, weight and balance, and options
  • Realistic rotor visuals with blur effects
  • Side storage basket
  • Animated passengers
  • In-cockpit interactive checklist

Realistic Flight and Systems Simulation

  • Cold-and-dark or ready-to-fly starts
  • Accurate startup and shutdown sequences
  • Realistic systems and procedures
  • Functional circuit breakers
  • Bindable throttle control
  • Fully compatible with MSFS hardware bindings
  • Dynamic weight and balance options
  • In-sim checklist and detailed manual included
  • Solo controls optional
  • Emergency floats
  • Optional upper window
  • Individually removable doors
  • Optional windshield visor
  • Working A/C

Audio and Immersion

  • Wwise fully dynamic sound pack
  • Rotor slap, blade speed, and environmental effects
  • Spatial 3D sound for cockpit and external views
  • Vibration and environmental immersion
  • Working rain and wiper effects
  • Exhaust blur FX
  • Night lighting throughout cockpit and cabin

Performance and Visual Detail

  • 51 included paint jobs (liveries)
  • High-detail 4K PBR textures
  • Custom 3D instruments
  • 3 panel variants (G530, GTN, GX3, Analog)
  • PMS GTN 650/750 integration
  • TDS GTNXi 650/750 integration
  • VR-ready for maximum immersion
  • Professional paint kit in Photoshop and GIMP formats
  • Blender model provided for 3D artists
  • Accurate 3D modeling
  • Detailed night lighting
  • Free future updates

The CowanSim R66 brings the agility of a light turbine helicopter into Microsoft Flight Simulator with new SAS autopilot functionality, handcrafted detail, and refined performance. Designed for pilots who demand realism, flexibility, and precision.

Built with passion. Tuned for realism. Ready for your mission.

The R66 is a 5-seat, turboshaft-powered, light utility helicopter. The single-engine rotorcraft features a 2-blade main rotor system and a 2-blade tail rotor. Based on the piston-powered R44 model, the R66 is a design that has been refined through decades of rotary wing experience. Due to its turboshaft powerplant and precision engineering, the R66 is an incredibly capable machine that pilots know to be reliable throughout a wide spectrum of missions. It is operated throughout the world, for uses that include general utility, law enforcement, training, VIP and business transport, aerial surveying, ranching, aerial tours, and others.

The R66 features composite construction for high strength and light weight. It has a high-visibility cockpit, a streamlined instrument gauge to optimize pilot efficacy, high-durability landing gear skids, and hydraulically boosted controls to mitigate cyclic and collective control feedback.

The R66 is 29 feet, 6 inches long, 4 feet, 10 inches wide, and stands 11 feet, 5 inches tall. It is powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft engine that delivers up to 224 shaft horsepower for continuous operation and 270 shaft horsepower for take-off. The RR330 was developed specifically for the R66 to match its power needs and to be low maintenance.

The R66 cruises at up to 127 miles per hour, has a maximum range of 403 miles, and has a service ceiling of 14,000 feet above sea level. It climbs at more than 1,000 feet per minute and has a hover ceiling of 10,000 feet above mean sea level.

Specifications


CRUISE SPEED110 kts
MAX ALTITUDE14,000 ft
RANGE350 nm
EMPTY WEIGHT1,280 lb
MAX WEIGHT2,700 lb
FUEL CAPACITY73.6 gal
LENGTH38 ft 3 in

VERSION 3.1.0 RELEASED SEPTEMBER 5, 2025

UPDATE: MSFS R66 v3.1 - 9/05/25

UPDATE: MSFS R66 v2.0 - 5/30/24

UPDATE: MSFS R66 v1.0.1 - 1/12/2024

CowanSim R66 v1.0.0 - 12/31/2023