Right before I started flying in DCS, I did a bit of research about the game and the aircraft that were available for it. I saw that it was mostly fixed wing, with most of them being modern fighters and some classic aircraft, too. What actually caught my eye was the fact that, at the time, there were two helicopters available for the game.
I wondered: why would I ever fly a helicopter in a game where almost everyone is going to choose supersonic fighters? As it turns out, I was very much wrong in the way that I used to look at things. Nowadays, I think that one of the best activities you can do in DCS is fly helicopters, be it in combat or support roles. I know that might sound crazy for someone that primarily flies fixed wings, and that the lack of speed might drive them insane; but I ask that you listen to my story for a bit.
When I got my first rotary wing module, the UH-1H Huey, I thought I would dislike it. It was something I had never done in flight sims at that time, nor did I have any experience with helicopters in the slightest. I was extremely surprised when I found myself setting up for a flight and enjoying just the thrill of flying the damn thing. The way the pedals responded, the sensation of flight, was some of the most fun I have ever had in a flight sim.
That experience opened my eyes and, as soon as it released, I found myself preordering the Mi-24P Hind just because I knew how much I would enjoy it. Was I right in thinking that? Well, my over 1000 hours of flight time with the module should be enough evidence that I might have been right about it.
The Hind has now become, alongside the Viper, my most flown module in DCS. I used to think its flight model was the best one in the game, aside from some smaller issues. That being said, I was brought into a completely different flying experience when Polychop's Kiowa released.
That helicopter has the best flight model in the game, and that is a hill I will die on. It just feels right, everything from the ground effect, transitional lift, vortex ring state, etc. All the effects, along with the airframe itself, are an awesome package.
Helicopters are some of the most fun you can have in DCS, and you should definitely try them at some point. I think that everyone stands to gain something from trying any kind of helicopter in DCS, or any flight sim. They might be strange machines for those that have only flown fixed wing aircraft, but I can guarantee that you can find fun if you are to
About the writer:
Santiago "Cubeboy" Cuberos
Longtime aviation fanatic with particular preference towards military aviation and its history. Said interests date back to the early 2000s, leading into his livelong dive into civil and combat flight simulators. He has been involved in a few communities, but only started being active around the mid 2010s. Joined as a Spanish to English translator in 2017, he has been active as the co-founder and writer ever since. Twitter | Discord: Cubeboy
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