Description

Current Version:
For Microsoft Flight Simulator
CowanSim 206B3 v3.2 (10/03/25)
Compatibility Notice:
This product is designed for MSFS2020 but is compatible with MSFS2024. If starting cold & dark (engine/s off), use Shift + C to enter the cockpit on PC and if you’re on Xbox use LB + B. The EFB (tablet) can be used to adjust options, though some overlap issues persist. An official version tailored specifically for MSFS2024 will be released following the completion of its development. The MSFS2024 version will include new features exclusive to the 2024 release.
🚨 ATTENTION PMS GTN650/750 USERS (PC) 🚨
👉The PMS GTN requires an extra package to be installed into the community folder.
👉CowanSim PMS GTN650/750 package can be found in the main product folder.
👉PMS GTN 650/750 base package can be found at https://pms50.com/msfs/
CowanSim 206B3 – The Classic. Refined.
Experience timeless helicopter flying in Microsoft Flight Simulator with the CowanSim 206B3 – a light, versatile helicopter built for training, touring, and missions. This aircraft delivers a perfect blend of stability, realism, and performance.
The CowanSim 206B3 is the result of countless hours of development, pilot feedback, and careful refinement. Every system, animation, and handling characteristic has been tuned to feel authentic and seamless. This version introduces G3X Touch avionics and the CowanSim SAS Autopilot System for smoother, smarter control in every phase of flight.
For detailed setup instructions and hardware binding explanations, refer to the included manual found in the package folder. An online manual and checklist are also available for your convenience – including 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, skid mirror
-Persistence system saves weight, balance, and loadout for next flight
-Removable front and rear doors
-Animated floats with realistic floating behavior
-Realistic rotor blur and downwash effects
-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
-Solo flight control option
Avionics and Panels
-G3X Touch glass cockpit option
-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
The CowanSim 206B3 combines classic helicopter flying with modern simulation technology – now featuring G3X Touch and CowanSim’s advanced SAS autopilot. Perfect for training, sightseeing, or mission flying, this is the 206B3 refined for the next generation of sim pilots.
Installation Instructions
- Unzip the Files: Extract the downloaded files into the “Community” folder for your version of Microsoft Flight Simulator.
- Reveal Hidden Files:
- By default, Windows hides the AppData folder.
- Open File Explorer, go to the View tab in the menu, and select Hidden items to make it visible.
Default “Community” Folder Locations
For Windows Store Installations:
- MSFS 2020:
C:\Users\[Your User Name]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community - MSFS 2024:
C:\Users\[Your User Name]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Limitless_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community
For Steam Installations:
- MSFS 2020:
C:\Users\[Your User Name]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightDashboard_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community - MSFS 2024:
C:\Users\[Your User Name]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024\Packages\Community
For Custom Installations:
If you chose a custom installation path during setup, your “Community” folder will be located within the directory you specified
Come join our community!
CowanSim’s Discord server was born out of a desire to elevate customer service and foster a supportive community. Your active participation and invaluable feedback are the cornerstone of our progress. Stay up to date with development and make some new friends along the way! We’re thrilled to have you as a part of our journey. Join Now!








Gabe Muniz (verified owner) –
The best holiday gift, this must have helicopter from x-plane finally on Microsoft Flight Simulator!
Cowan Simulation –
Glad you are happy!! 🙂
Keenan Roberts (verified owner) –
Very pleased as expected with any CowanSim product. I own almost every CowanSim X-Plane model. Looking forward to more MSFS ships from CowanSim.
Cowan Simulation –
Thank You!!!
Gergely Debreceni (verified owner) –
Absolutely worth the price
Cowan Simulation –
Thank You!!
Sam Cody (verified owner) –
Just found about this and took her for a test-spin (not literally :p). Fantastic 3D modeling inside and out, extensive livery selection and solid flight model. No doubt, a worthy addition to the growing library of rotors.
Excellent work!
Cowan Simulation (verified owner) –
Thank you!!
Philip Middlemiss (verified owner) –
Hi, just getting into helicopters and finding them exciting. Just downloaded this and it’s great. Thanks and happy New Year.
Cowan Simulation (verified owner) –
Thank you!!! Enjoy your new experience! 🙂
Sebastian Stephan (verified owner) –
Thanks for this nice helicopter. It’s a pleasure to fly around with it in MSFS in VR. Years ago, I had the oportunity to fly with an instructor to make a short flight with this helicopter. We were focussing on a few flight characteritics. In my opinion these things are also relativly good realised in MSFS. Nethertheless, there are some real pilots with a much greater experience on this helicopter, which reported some vulnerabilities regarding the flight characteristics. If these pilots are right and the MSFS permits, it would be great to bring this with an update regarding the flight characteristics. Overall, however, there is nothing to complain about here from my point of view.
Also the sound is in my option relativly good relised (especially the blade slap and from the outside during fly by and approach to the drone camera)
Maybe I found a tiny bug with the DC indicator. If everything is turned off, the indication should be at 0? For me it’s about 5…
What I miss a bit in VR is the ability to right click to zoom in on the instruments. But that is not so important.
I definitely give this helicopter 5 stars.
I’m looking forward to updates and more helicopters for MSFS.
Cowan Simulation (verified owner) –
Thank you!!! Much appreciated!!!
Bobby Atkins (verified owner) –
Nice helicopter and huge assortment of liveries, one problem is that my fps drops dramatically due to the high detailed textures, otherwise great product.
Cowan Simulation (verified owner) –
Thank you!!!
Paul Denys (verified owner) –
Thanks for the great job, the realism and quality are there. Thank you also for the hours of pleasure to come with this beautiful bird.
Cowan Simulation (verified owner) –
Thank you!!! Enjoy your time with it. 🥰🚁♥️
Paul Lathwell (verified owner) –
The 206 is probably the helicopter I remember as seeing the most of when I was a kid growing up in the 70’s-80’s. To be it is very much an iconic helicopter. I really learned to fly helicopters in flight sims in the Dodosim 206 many years ago.
This Cowansim rendition does not disappoint and the V2.0 update including support for the throttle with hardware controls was kind of the icing on the cake. I think I have around 90 hours in this now, this would be considerably higher by now, but I got the CowanSim R66 more recently which has become my current go-to for use with Neofly. The 206 is still great and highly recommended.
Cowan Simulation (verified owner) –
Thank you!!!