Find aircraft background, systems descriptions and manuals for the aircraft you are researching. Each note keeps its source and version context close by.
Simulator manuals describe the developer’s implementation. Aircraft background is research-based; pilot accounts describe an individual’s experience. Coverage here is limited to the selected notes and linked resources, not the full contents of every manual.
Bell 206 family · CowanSim · CowanSim · MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
Cockpit switches and bindings can expose different positions
The 206B3 guide describes a three-position landing-light switch in the cockpit, while the hardware binding provides only on/off operation. Its starter is a toggle that must be cycled off before another start. These distinctions matter when matching physical controls to the virtual panel.
Gathered Cowan 206B3 manual · PDF pp.10–11
Bell 206 family · CowanSim · CowanSim · MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
Stability assistance and upper modes do different jobs
Cowan's HeloSAS uses small cyclic corrections to stabilise the helicopter. The manual distinguishes force-trim behaviour with SAS engaged and disengaged, and explains the difference between spring-centred and non-centring controls. Its upper autopilot modes become selectable above 44 knots in the documented implementation. Stability assistance, rotor-speed governing and route-following modes are separate systems.
Archived document; installed package version not observed · PDF pp.1-2
Bell 206 family · CowanSim · CowanSim · MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
Two different meanings of trim
On Cowan's 206B3, engine trim adjusts the governed rotor-speed setting, while rotor trim changes the cyclic trim state. The latter has its own reset binding. Keeping the two separate avoids treating a rotor-RPM adjustment as a change to the cyclic controls. The guide also records the hydraulic-switch binding limitation for this version.
Archived document; installed package version not observed · PDF pp.4-5,9
Bell 206 family · CowanSim · CowanSim · MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
LongRanger controls have their own guide
The 206L3 manual separately documents engine-RPM trim, longitudinal and lateral cyclic trim, and cyclic trim reset. It also identifies a hydraulic-switch hardware-binding limitation. The longer cabin does not make the LongRanger's instructions interchangeable with every JetRanger package.
Archived document; installed package version not observed · PDF pp.4-5,9
B-206 · FlyInside · MSFS 2020
Choose the flight model through FlyInside Heli Manager
FlyInside’s guide represents a 1982 206B-3 with a 250-C20B engine. The Heli Manager offers Easy, Medium and Realistic modes, with further controls for cyclic sensitivity, stability and engine failures. Those settings alter this developer’s simulation and should be considered when comparing handling reports.
Gathered FlyInside guide · PDF pp.3,12–13
B-206 · FlyInside · MSFS 2020
Throttle and starter bindings are documented separately
The guide accepts Set Helicopter Throttle Axis or Propeller 1 Axis for the twist throttle, with increase/decrease alternatives for buttons. It recommends Set Starter 1 for starting. These assignments are specific guidance for FlyInside and differ from Cowan’s documented controls.
Gathered FlyInside guide · PDF pp.10–11
B-206 · FlyInside · MSFS 2020
A developer-specific helicopter model
FlyInside's Bell 206 guide describes its own helicopter operation, including longitudinal and lateral force-trim bindings, governor adjustment and a hydraulic switch. The manual discusses the changing corrections needed as speed changes. Its controls and flight model should be identified as FlyInside's implementation rather than inferred from the bundled helicopter.
Archived document; installed package version not observed · PDF pp.11,17,21
Bell 206 family · CowanSim · CowanSim · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
The X-Plane 206 uses Wing Sweep for the twist throttle
Cowan’s XP12 206B3 manual explicitly maps a hardware twist throttle to Wing Sweep. Its configuration menu also offers an automatic starter-button hold, allowing the pilot to manipulate the throttle during starting. These are simulator interface choices rather than real-aircraft control names.
Gathered Cowan XP12 206B3 guide · PDF pp.2–3,6
Bell 206 family · CowanSim · CowanSim · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
Camera controls and AviTab extend the working cockpit
The Cineflex camera can be operated from the rear cabin or mapped to separate controls. Optional AviTab integration supports maps and PDF documents, including in VR. X-Plane’s Show Instrument Click Regions view exposes the model’s interaction points for easier cockpit exploration.
Gathered Cowan XP12 206B3 guide · PDF pp.4,9
Bell 206 family · CowanSim · CowanSim · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
Disconnecting an upper mode can leave SAS active
The X-Plane SAS guide distinguishes trim release, upper-mode disconnection and the underlying stability system. Its published force-trim-release and autopilot-disconnect commands have different effects: disconnecting the upper modes can preserve SAS. The documented 44-knot threshold applies to mode availability, not to a universal helicopter operating limit.
Archived X-Plane SAS/AP manual · PDF pp.1-4
Bell 206 family
Bell reworked an unsuccessful military observation-helicopter proposal into the commercial JetRanger. The resulting 206 family became widely used for passenger transport, observation and utility work. The familiar single-engine versions use a two-bladed main rotor.
The 206B JetRanger and stretched 206L LongRanger are separate branches of that story. Their cabins, engines and equipment are not identical. Cowan's simulator documentation also separates the models and their stability-assistance features, making the exact add-on name important when reading about trim or autopilot controls.
Aircraft / family
Tur-bine or not Tur-bine?
James Berry · May 2021, personal type-rating account
