I have to say the following: I was hoping someone would do this one. And I may have been among those who bulli—I mean, asked—Joshua Cowan to make it happen..
I also have to confess that I was aware of the development, but I couldn’t say anything until now. It was hard, though, since this is such an unusual helicopter. But we can finally see it – and talk about it.
CowanSim has been working on the CH-1 for several months already and is getting her ready for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. Joshua Cowan says that this is “not just another helicopter. It's a personal project that took off quickly”.
Although it was developed alongside the S76C++, the CH-1 progressed quickly and is now being released first.
The CH-1, also known as the Cessna CH-1 Skyhook, was Cessna’s only helicopter. First flown in the 1950s, it stood out for its unusual design, including a nose-mounted engine and distinctive layout—making it one of the more unique rotorcraft in aviation history.
As CowanSim says, the CH-1 “is weird, rare, and proudly unique” and the company wanted to do it as a “tribute to aviation history and the kind of handcrafted flight sim experience that's becoming harder to find”.
To do that, the team has built every detail from scratch: from the custom flight model and immersive 3D instrumentation to the Wwise-powered sound pack and 20 included liveries.
Joshua Cowan says “There are no borrowed assets here - it's 100% CowanSim, created with the same passion and pilot-first approach that's shaped everything we do”.
The CowanSim was developed entirely within the MSFS SDK. There are no third-party flight dynamics or external dependencies. It supports native bindings, a fully mappable throttle, and includes a persistence system that remembers your configuration, balance, and in-sim options between flights.
The startup procedure is modeled with authenticity, and the checklist is available both in the cockpit and through the MSFS toolbar.
Want to create your own liveries? CowanSim includes a full Blender-compatible paint kit.
The CowanSim CH-1 is now in the final stages of development and polishing and says that she will be out soon. And, from what I hear, it should be soon. After that, the team will continue to work on the S76C++ to finish her up, as well as continue to update the fleet.
CowanSim says that once that phase is complete, they will focus on MSFS 2024 development and upgrades.
The CH-1 is fully compatible with MSFS 2024. CowanSim is building it with long-term support in mind, ensuring a smooth transition as the studio shifts its focus to MSFS 2024 development and upgrades after finalizing the S76C++ and other fleet updates.
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Official features of the CowanSim CH-1
- Free Future Updates - Stay up to date with continuous improvements based on real pilot feedback
- Fully Bindable Throttle - Map throttle controls to your preferred hardware setup
- Supports Default MSFS Bindings - Plug-and-play compatibility for a seamless setup
- Bindings Clearly Explained - Comprehensive manual walks you through every control
- User Manual - With visuals, tips, and setup guidance
- Professional Paint Kit - Create your own liveries with included model and textures kit
- Persistence System - Automatically saves weight, balance, and in-sim options between flights
- Real Pilot Input - Flight dynamics and systems tested and refined by real-world helicopter pilots
- Authentic Startup Procedure - Experience realistic checklist-driven start-up, run-up, and shut-down
- Animated Passengers - Adds life to your cockpit with subtle, realistic movements
- Accurate System Modeling - Realistic avionics, gauges, and interactive systems
- Custom Animated Pilot - A fully animated 3D pilot modeled after CowanSim’s creator, Joshua Cowan
- 3D In-Cockpit Checklist - Built-in visual checklist at your fingertips
- Default Sim Checklist - Accessible from the MSFS toolbar for quick reference
- Removable Doors - Open or remove individual doors, both in-flight and on the ground
- Subtle Vibration Effects - Adds immersion through dynamic airframe vibrations
- 20 High-Quality Liveries - Includes a variety of beautiful, hand-crafted paint jobs
- Dynamic Weight Options - Add or remove objects like passengers or gear on the fly
- Wwise-Powered Dynamic Sound Pack - Fully spatialized and responsive audio experience
- Full VR Compatibility - Optimized and confirmed to work flawlessly in virtual reality
- True-to-Life Flight Dynamics - No gimmicks, just precision rotorcraft handling
- Custom 3D Instrumentation - Faithfully recreated panel with smooth, detailed gauges
- Realistic Night Lighting - Beautifully balanced lighting for immersive night flights
- Accurate Exterior and Interior Modeling - Meticulously detailed in and out
- 4K PBR Textures - Stunning visuals with crisp resolution and physically-based rendering
