Flight Simulation developers shared news today, including releases of relevant airports for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and MSFS 2020.
Melbourne International Airport Released for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
Orbx released the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 version of its Melbourne International Airport (YMML) in Australia. It’s available on Orbx Direct for $22.22.
The version for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 has also been updated with the following features.
- Adjusted spawn position at Gates C11 and D8 for better alignment
- Removed an unused building footprint
- Slightly adjusted bridge colors
- Replaced generic 3D models to minimize LOD popping
- Applied CGL color correction for enhanced ground imagery
- Added ALS 3D models and excluded redundant 3D ALS placements to prevent duplication (no visible changes)
- Integrated automatic VDGS installation
If you already purchased it, you get the version for MSFS 2024 as well at no additional cost.
The features included in the airport are as follows.
- Detailed depiction of YMML airport and immediate surroundings
- Realistic custom groundpoly reflecting layout as of May 2023
- PBR texturing throughout
- Photorealistic buildings throughout the airport including the iconic 2 towers, maintenance hangars and more.
- Interior terminal modelling of departure lounges
- VDGS and custom traffic animations
- Meticulously hand-edited aerial imagery
- Custom taxiway signs and lighting
- Detailed recreation of Melbourne Jet Base with interior and static model of the restored DC-3, Kanana
- Densely placed custom-made GSE, vehicles and other apron clutter.
- Includes custom POIs such as the Airservices Australia compound, landside hotels, carparks, Maccas and Mercedes-Benz dealership with helipad
- Entire airport optimised with LODs
- Realistic taxiway lighting with each taxi light at its proper location and direction.
- 155 custom-made taxi signs
- More than 12,000 (!) accurately placed cars landside (optimized for performance and optional)
- More than 1400 accurately placed streetlights
- Elevated roadways – among them the new ones currently under construction and planning.
- Orbx Central configuration to activate/deactivate individual content to your liking and system’s capabilities like dense car parks, VDGS and more
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport Released for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
WF Scenery Studio released Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (ZHCC) in China. It’s available for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on the official marketplace priced at €26.59.
We hear from the developer that a version for MSFS 2024 is also being developed.
Sogndal Haukåsen Airport Announced for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
Orbx revealed the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 version of its Sogndal Haukåsen Airport (ENSG) in Norway. It should be released soon enough with the following features.
- Ultra-realistic, high-definition representation
- Set in a breathtaking fjord landscape
- Provides visually captivating and instrumentally challenging approaches
- Full PBR UHD textures crafted from real-world, on-site photography
- Custom 30cm/pixel ortho imagery tailored specifically for the airport area
Airvan for Microsoft Flight Simulator Delayed, Gets New Video and Screenshots
SimWorks Studios confirmed that the upcoming GippsAero GA8 Airvan, which was supposed to come this month, will launch in mid-May. The MSFS 2024-native version is being developed in parallel with the MSFS 2020 version, so there is a “good chance” that they’ll be released “very close together.”
The developer also released a brief video, and you can watch it on the developer’s Facebook page.
If you’d like to get into flight simulation but you’re perhaps a bit intimidated by its apparent complexity, you can read our introductory guide, alongside the second episode focusing on installing add-ons, and another showcasing the basic instruments.
You can also read more flight simulation news in the previous roundup article.
