Super Huey for Atari 8-bit computers | Guide

November 29, 2021 • Updated: Mar 21, 2025 - 12:22 AM

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Experience the adrenaline rush of exploration, rescue and combat missions aboard the UH-1X, an experimental high-performance helicopter with the most advanced control and stabilization systems available today.

SUPER HUEY

Posted by: Cosmi, 1986.
Gender: Helicopter simulator.
Extra: 1 player, joystick and keyboard.

CHARACTERISTICS

The UH-1X features a state-of-the-art electronic instrument console and a computer that regulates and monitors the aircraft's systems, as well as providing commands to the pilot for special functions.

The craft is maneuvered with a single lever: a revolutionary and controversial innovation that replaces the collective, cyclic and anti-torque controls of conventional helicopters.

The helicopter is equipped with 16 rockets - which can be armed in groups of four and fired at one-second intervals. The rockets have proximity detonators, so they can destroy an enemy craft without a direct hit. In addition, the Super Huey is equipped with two 2,000-round machine guns mounted on either side of the fuselage.

GAME SCREEN

1. Radio frequency (incoming)
2. Address Finder
3. Range (radar)
4. Rocket indicators
5. Reference frequency
6. Rescue frequency
7. System status indicator lights
8. Fuel gauge
9. Oil pressure gauge
10. Engine temperature gauge
11. Engine RPM Slider Gauge
12. Digital engine RPM indicator
13. Digital rotor RPM indicator
14. Rotor RPM Sliding Gauge
15. Manifold pressure gauge
16. Magnetic compass
17. Artificial horizon
18. On-board computer screen
19. Collective pace meter
20. Anti torque meter
21. Automatic course adjustment
22. Altimeter Sliding Gauge
23. Digital altimeter display
24. Speedometer slider gauge
25. Digital speedometer display
26. Generator indicator (ammeter)
27. Exhaust temperature (cylinder head)
28. Carburetor mixture/temperature

CONTROLS

The joystick: acts as a normal helicopter stick (cyclic mode); and with the fire button pressed, it affects the pitch angle and horizontal acceleration (collective mode).

In the graph, the inner circle describes the four operations of the collective mode; the outer circle, those of the cyclic mode.

The keyboard: The function keys act as switches for:

OPTION - turns on the onboard computer. No instruments will operate until the computer is turned on.
START - turns the engine on. The engine will not start until the POW command turns it on.
SELECT - engages the rotor clutch. It is not advisable to engage the rotor until the RPM is 1600-1700.
ESC – stops the engine, shuts down the computer and cuts all power.

KEYBOARD COMMANDS

ABT: Cancels the current mission.
ACS: Sets the automatic heading setting. When the SET prompt is displayed, enter the heading for the compass. This will cause the helicopter to turn to a specific compass heading without using the controls. If the controls are used by the pilot during departure, the action will be suspended until the controls are released and then the set heading will be continued. The heading will be displayed on the COR monitor to the right of the computer screen.

Note. -Although the UH-1X possesses many stabilizing features, the helicopter is still unstable enough that ACS is only 70-80% reliable.

ASN: Select a new assignment (mission). Enter one of the following commands:

INS - Training flight.
EXP - Exploration Mission.
COM - Combat Mission
RSC - Rescue Mission (in some older versions the code is RES).

CLM: Displays current weather conditions, including temperature, humidity, air density and pressure, and barometric reading. The most important reading, as far as navigation is concerned, is the wind speed; because unless you are flying east or west, the wind will blow you off course to a degree proportional to your speed. The wind direction is always from the west.
DST: Calculates the line of sight distance from the takeoff point.
GTK: Displays a grid on the computer screen and pinpoints the source based on the locating signal: RES in the rescue mission; or VOR otherwise. The range of this map is 15 square miles. The helicopter is always in the center of the grid. Therefore, as the flashing dot approaches the center, the helicopter is getting closer to the transmitting source.
HOM: Launches a device that emits a locator signal to the navigation computer. This function will not activate if the normal VOR or other signals are active.
LAR: Loading and arming rockets. When the LOAD prompt is displayed, enter numbers 1-4 to choose the number of rockets loaded into the tubes. When the ARM prompt is displayed, enter numbers 1-4 to arm the rockets. The fire button is then activated to launch the rockets.
MAC: Activate the machine guns.
POW: Turn on the power.
RAD: Activate radar tracking without using weapons.
SAF: Send coordinates upon landing or during an emergency.
TRK: Displays the grid for radar tracking and targeting. A "crosshair" is activated on the computer screen. When enemy targets are online and within range, the image will flash red. This is the time to fire your weapons.
VOR: Activates radio frequency signal reception for navigation.
VSI: Displays the vertical speed reading. Useful for monitoring your descent rate when landing.
XXX: Cancels the last command entered.

FLIGHT DYNAMICS

On

1. Press OPTION to turn on the computer.
2. Enter ASN to select a mission. At the ENTER ASSN prompt, type one of the three-letter commands mentioned above (INS, EXP, COM, RSC).
3. Then press OPTION again.
4. Enter POW to turn on the console.
5. Press START to start the engine.
6. Hold the fire button and move the lever to the left to increase the throttle to 1600-1700 RPM.
7. Press SELECT to activate the rotor. Allow its RPM to match that of the engine, in a ratio of 10 to 1. For example, if the engine runs at 3000-3100, the rotor should spin at 300-310.
8. Hold the fire button and move the lever to the left to increase the throttle up to 3000 RPM.

Takeoff

9. Hold down the fire button and pull the stick to take off. Rise to a safe altitude (about 100 feet).
10. Release the fire button and push the lever to accelerate. Increase speed to the desired rate.
11. At the desired altitude and speed, level off with the collective and maintain speed with the cyclic.
12. Coordinate steering with rudders (move stick right/left).

Landing

13. Hold the fire button and move the stick to the right to reduce the throttle to 1600-1700 RPM. Release the fire button and pull the stick to decelerate.
14. As altitude reaches 100 feet, hold the fire button and move the stick to the left until the descent levels out.
15. Reduce speed to zero. Hold down the fire button and slowly push the stick to land.
16. Once on the ground, hold down the fire button and move the stick to the right to reduce the throttle to 1000 RPM. Press the ESC key to shut off the motor.

Note. -The motor cannot be restarted until the rotor has come to a complete stop.

MISSIONS

Solo flight (INS command): Computer-controlled flight training will guide you through a series of basic maneuvers, from takeoff to landing. This test flight allows you to become familiar with the aircraft's instruments and controls.

Exploration (EXP command): You must map the terrain around the base. Consider mountainous areas, lakes, pine forests, and dwellings (houses and buildings). There are three main types of land in the area: grassland, desert, and snow. In terms of square miles, the area involved is the largest of all the missions. The method of exploration is entirely up to the pilot's discretion. Just as a recommendation, you can take the base as the center point; fly in a straight line - using the DST command to find the distance you have traveled; and then use the VOR command to find the route back. Maps of any size and scale can be made with distances based on time/airspeed calculations.

Combat (COM command): Use your rockets and machine guns to defend a secret desert facility from hostile helicopters and tanks. Their position is ten miles from your base and they are moving. There is no way to engage the enemy without locating them first. With helicopters, the only defense is to maneuver out of their way. Tanks are out of range if you fly above 500 feet. You can fire your weapons only when banked, so make turns while firing. It is recommended to enter your commands into the computer when the radar is still or while you can see the enemy crossing in front of you. Finally, you can either return to the safe area (within 10 miles of the base) or shoot down 32 enemy ships to end the battle.

Rescue (RSC command): A group of military personnel stranded in a snow-covered mountainous area have a locator device, which transmits their whereabouts to the helicopter. The signal they emit overrides the normal VOR transmission; meaning that DST and GTK commands now replace the base signal until the transmitter is turned off when they are rescued. You must find the stranded personnel and, if possible, pick up the wounded on the ground. Follow the RES reading exactly as you would the NAV heading. If the RES indicator "flips" between "000 and 180" or "180 and 000," you have crossed the target position. Also, when you fly over them, they will release a flare. The mountains have different heights and your rate of descent must be less than 20 feet per second when you land. Once the group is on board, it is time to head home. All navigation systems will revert to the regular VOR signal and the NAV instrument will give you the heading back to their base.

Important. -Refueling and repairs are available only at the original takeoff point. In case of forced landings or damage, the current mission will end.

PROS AND CONS

Pros The simulator offers us 3D graphics, with a perspective from the cockpit. You have 28 different instruments including indicators, compass, radar, etc. Virtually none of the missions feel repetitive.

Cons The abundance of on-screen controls - almost thirty - can be daunting for the casual gamer. The game causes flight systems to randomly fail. In combat mission, it is almost impossible to control the ship and shoot enemies effectively.

EVALUATION

45%

Super Huey

ATARI XL/XE

Graphics 40%

Sound 50%

Controls 50%

Gameplay 40%

Super Huey - User Reviews

0/10 (0 votes)

"Super Huey" aims to be the most realistic helicopter simulation for the Atari XL/XE series computers. Honestly, it doesn't quite cut it: its graphics - even considering the limitations of 8-bit computers - are repetitive and even confusing - for example, when you see enemy tanks floating on the horizon or on the water; or when you notice that the terrain suddenly changes from sand to snow. Likewise, the flight dynamics become monotonous after a few minutes - if you haven't already crashed due to some random failure in the aircraft.

CURIOSITIES

"Super Huey" is the work of Paul Norman, a self-taught musician and programmer who was inspired by the famous television series "Airwolf" and the film "Blue Thunder."
If you land during the exploration mission, the onboard computer screen displays the message “OSS NEVER DIE”.
The game sold more than two million copies across its various platforms: Atari 8-bit, Atari 7800, Atari ST, Apple II, Commodore 64, Amiga and DOS.
According to theDavid Youd's YouTube channel(USA), the title melody is diatonic: no quarter notes are used anywhere. After exploring the entire terrain in the EXP mission, the player could send a copy of the drawn map to COSMI along with the logo from the back of their instruction booklet and a sealed envelope. The company promised to reply with the exact map of "SUPER HUEY EXPLORE".