Hi all, I'm new here, so please be patient...

I recently downloaded the Bell/Fuji AH-1S (sorry, but this is really an AH-1F), for FS2K, but there's something wrong with the flight dynamics with this bird.

Having worked on and flown the real AH-1F for the Colorado Army National Guard, I can honestly say that this bird needs some help.  Guessing from what little I know about customizing aircraft for FS2K, I think the AIR file needs some help.  Specifically, this bird can't side-slip from a hover, the nose flies too high (the gun and ammo affect the CG), there's inadequate tail rotor authority, and even with the collective full down, the nose creeps to the left while sitting on the ground.

I've gone spelunking through the AIR file using Notepad, but it's compiled.  What do I need to edit this file, and does anyone have any tutuorials on editing helicopter files?

I'm also interested in building correct instrument panels for both the pilot's and copilot/gunner's stations.  I have photos of the panels but don't know where to begin.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

For editing the *.air file, you would best use AirEd.  Check the thread "flightsim modelling programs" to go to a flight dynamics site that will really point you in a good direction.

A word of caution - through FS2002, helicopter dynamics are either a modification of the default Bell, or highly modified jet dynamics.  Accurate helicopter dynamics is NOT one of flightsim's strengths...