Like Gandgetgru said, don't go for Vista, if you can live without some uber graphics.
The sling loads and winches are included in Service Pack 2 (which is also part of Acceleration add-on). It is not perfect though, it feels more like the load is attached on some sort rigid rod not a line. It would be useful to install FSX: Deluxe, than SP2/Acceleration on it, because the deluxe version has SDK, which will allow you for building your own missions - so setting different loads for sling load wherever you want, with time, season and weather of your liking.
The sling load will work with every helicopter, also with those from FS2004, only thing needed is a small modification of
aircraft.cfg file in notepad. You have to add, and modify function:
[Sling.0]
position = -30.5, 0.0, 0.0 //Feet from datum
max_stretch = 2.0 //Max stretch distance at ultimate load
damping_ratio = 0.75 //0 for no damping to 1.0 for critically damped.
rated_load = 10000 //Characteristics tension of cable in pounds
ultimate_load = 25000 //Breaking force in pounds
tolerance_angle=70 //Angle, in degrees, used to determine lateral breaking force limit
auto_pickup_range = 8 //Max Range, in feet, for auto-pickup
auto_pickup_max_speed = 8.5 //Maximum speed (feet per second) for auto-pickup
The length of the line is 60 or 70 feet and cannot be changed... unless you make it a hoist, so it than can be extend and retract manually.
Function for hoist looks like this:
[Sling.0]
hoist_extend_rate = 5 //Feet per second
hoist_retract_rate = -5 //Feet per second
position = -34.7, 6.7, 7.0 //Feet from datum
max_stretch = 2.0 //Max stretch distance at ultimate load
damping_ratio = 0.6 //0 for no damping to 1.0 for critically damped.
rated_load = 600 //Characteristics tension of cable in pounds
ultimate_load = 2250 //Breaking force in pounds
tolerance_angle=45 //Angle, in degrees, used to determine lateral breaking force limit
auto_pickup_range = 8 //Max Range, in feet, for auto-pickup
auto_pickup_max_speed = 8.5 //Maximum speed (feet per second) for auto-pickup
hoist_payload_station = 4 //Payload station in which the hoist will load in and out of. 1 is first station.
hoist_door=2 //Door associated with hoist. Must be open for use.
have fun
