Some notes on sims... Although I'm a rated pilot now I still sim a lot.
1. the Fly-It sim is based on FS2002, but ostensibly with modified flight models. I've flown one a couple times for a few minutes but I couldn't tell much difference in the flying characteristics as compared to the stock version (which I am pretty familiar with). The sim lists for about $100,000 although apparently most operators lease them.
2.
http://www.flightlink.com/hardware/c...tex/index.html shows some R22-like hardware. It can be used with either FS2002/2004 or X-Plane. This is about $50K for what's shown. (Flight-Link also makes other helicopter controls; I have their cyclic/collective/pedals/seat setup and it's pretty good. Not outstanding, but pretty good.)
3. TRC/Simkits has announced an R22/R44 setup, and it looks mighty nice. It's not released yet though. (The advert claims that they're working on flight controls as well as the panel that's shown.) As far as I know their stuff only works with FS2004, although of course custom software could be written.
http://www.simkits.com/announce.php. I have built several of the instruments shown in the R22/44 panel there, and in general they're pretty nice for the $. (They're also available pre-built.)
4. My personal opinion about X-Plane, at least w.r.t. version 7, is that the helicopter flight model is terrible.... Harder to fly than the real thing. But this is apparently very subjective because more than one person will swear that it blows away FS2004. I am not in that group, obviously.
If I was going to do some sort of commercial venture involving a helicopter simulator, I'd probably go for the Fly-It version. I think it's overpriced for what it is but then again they have some fairly amazing FAA certifications (including the ability to log up to 7 hours of VFR flight in it towards the private pilot certificate!).
have fun,
Dave Blevins