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CS 500E

Cowan Simulation

500EHELICOPTERCOWANSIMNEW UPDATEMD500

4.5/5 (459)

CowanSim 500E - Agile. Iconic. Refined.

Fly one of the most recognizable light helicopters ever built with the CowanSim 500E for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The 500E is known for its agility, precision, and iconic design - perfect for utility missions, training, and low-level fun.

The CowanSim 500E is the result of extensive development, real-world pilot input, and careful refinement. Every detail - from startup sequences to rotor dynamics - has been tuned to provide an authentic, seamless experience. This version introduces support for the CowanSim SAS Autopilot System for smoother, smarter control and reduced workload in all phases of flight.

For detailed setup instructions and hardware binding explanations, refer to the included manual located in the package folder. An online manual and checklist are also available for PC and Xbox users: https://cowansim.com/manuals-checklists/

Advanced SAS Autopilot System

Take advantage of the CowanSim Stability Augmentation System (SAS) with integrated autopilot modes designed to improve handling and precision:

  • Force Trim and trim hat support
  • Attitude hold with proportional trim adjustment (SAS)
  • Heading hold (HDG)
  • Navigation modes (VLOC & GPS)
  • Speed hold (SPD)
  • Altitude hold (ALT)
  • Vertical mode (VRT) for ILS and GPS approaches

Interactive Cabin and Options

  • Pilot, copilot, and passenger visibility toggles
  • Optional accessories: spray kit, spotlight, Cineflex camera
  • Functional windshield visors
  • Persistence system saves weight, balance, and loadout between flights
  • Removable front and rear doors
  • Animated floats with realistic floating behavior
  • Realistic rotor blur and downwash effects
  • Vibration animations for added immersion
  • In-cockpit interactive checklist

Realistic Flight and Systems Simulation

  • Cold-and-dark or ready-to-fly starts
  • Accurate startup and shutdown procedures
  • Fully functional circuit breakers
  • Custom bindable throttle and idle stop
  • Complete MSFS hardware binding compatibility
  • Dynamic weight and balance options

Avionics and Panels

  • Multiple panel layouts: G530, G430, GTN, GX3, and analog
  • PMS GTN 650/750 integration (PC)
  • TDS GTNXi 650/750 integration (PC)

Audio and Immersion

  • Wwise fully dynamic sound pack
  • Rotor slap, blade speed, and environmental effects
  • 3D spatial cockpit and external audio
  • Exhaust blur FX
  • Working rain effects
  • Night lighting throughout cockpit and cabin

Visual Detail and Customization

  • 63 included liveries
  • High-detail 4K PBR textures
  • Custom 3D instruments and accurate modeling
  • Professional paint kit (Photoshop & GIMP)
  • Blender model provided for 3D artists
  • VR-ready for complete immersion

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

The CowanSim 500E combines legendary agility with modern flight simulation technology - now enhanced with the CowanSim SAS Autopilot System and improved persistence features. From utility work to pure fun, this is the 500E brought to life for the next generation of sim pilots.

The MD 500E is a single-engine light utility helicopter by MD Helicopters of the United States. The 500E is a member of the venerable, high-performance MD 500 family, the prototype of which took its first flight on February 27, 1963 and was introduced in 1967.

The MD 500E, known for its performance, reliability, and its distinctive egg-shaped body that provides pilots exceptional outward visibility, made its maiden flight in January of 1982 and was introduced later that year. More than 600 of the model have been produced, and they have served throughout the world in a number of capacities, including civil, military, and law enforcement.

The 500E measures 30 feet, 10 inches in length, features a 5-blade, fully-articulated main rotor system that has a diameter of 26 feet, 5 inches and is foldable for storage, and has a 2-blade anti-torque tail rotor. The cockpit has seating for two pilots and is configurable to accommodate up to three passengers.

The 500E is powered by a 450-shaft horsepower Rolls-Royce 250-C20R turbine engine that, through its drive system, delivers 375 shaft horsepower to the helicopter. It has an in-ground effect hover ceiling of 11,300 feet above sea level and an out-of-ground effect hover ceiling of 9,500 feet. It has a maximum operating altitude of 16,000 feet, a range of 334 miles, and a maximum cruise speed of 155 miles per hour.

Specifications

CRUISE SPEED135 kts
MAX ALTITUDE16,000
RANGE290 nm
EMPTY WEIGHT1,481 lb
MAX WEIGHT3,000 lb
FUEL CAPACITY60 gal
LENGTH23.88 ft

VERSION 3.3.0 RELEASED OCTOBER 9, 2025