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"There I was in my 737, slowing to 190 kts on the downwind and I
looked out and saw the other carrier's 727 next to me on a
downwind departure...climbing slowly...but faster than me."I could see the dark, rocky faces of mountains to the north of the field, and moonlit, summer waters below. I turned base, tight in towards the airport, catching a glimps of the high mountains all around me. I passed over the granite walls below and turned a tight final with the runway lights in sight. I was high. Turning final I unlocked the gear and went to full flaps as the plane shook and slowed under the drag.
"Below I could see sparkling lights in the little shops and homes below. The alpine roads below, winding in and out of the hills. The hills where many famous people live and bask in the warmth of a luxurious oceanside resort. You must make a rapid descent after passing the high hills on final for the west facing runways and be wary of the high mountains all around you as turbulent windshears can grab your wings. Sailboats below, cruise ships, jagged mountains spilling into the sea...what a place! As I pull the 73' out of reverse on the runway I am thankful for the long runway, as I was high and fast. Water on all three sides here. Just spectacular!"
I just described an evening arrival into Nice, in the new stunning Europe II. Europe II takes off where Europe I left off, and if you have both, you'll now extend your viewing pleasure throughout France and Corsica, with Belgium too.
The airports have lit taxiwawy and runway markings, more ground dynamic scenery such as fuel trucks etc., trees and textures everwhere. The Control Towers have see-thru glass in them and the airport terminals are breathtaking. The layout of each airport is true to life and can be navigated accurately with real aviation charts and airport maps.
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| You'll see lots of nice details in your travels, as the passangers of this 737 (from VIP) saw when they landed in Grenoble, France. | I grabbed this photo from row 16G on a 767-300 on the runway awaiting takeoff from Nice, France. Note the begining of the Alps in the background as well as the nice airport surroundings. This is just a little of what you'll discover in Europe II's France. |
The countryside is beautiful, with lots of textures to marvel at. Farms, industry, suburbia, rolling hills that are in fact real! Then the rolling hills become mountains and then Alps! Tall, jagged and magestic...just like in Europe I...except more densly packed in places. Little villages and airports dot the countryside and mountain valleys. As I always say when flying any of the Europe's "the world is alive here". The scenery will have you feeling as if you're there. You'll want to put on your bathing suit at the coast, eat pastries in the detailed cities, and wax your skis in the Alps! You can even buzz the popular historical sites and take a few snapshots while you're there.
The package has all the real nav-aids, and IFR approachs supported along with excellent real Jeppeson approach plates and IFR enroute charts included! This is by far the most complete scenery add-on yet for the FS5 world! (Why can't we have this for the US? - Uggh!)
I flew this on a 486/66 and under clear sky, slightly shrunken window, and no water texture with frame rates between 5 (the big commercial airports) and 11 (out in the country). I got a 6 or so in the heavy mountain airports. Like Europe I, under a clear sky the overall feeling is that it's smooth...even on my machine!
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| An illegal photo as I shut down the Baron after landing on the road near the famous Arc D' Triumph in Paris. I ran quickly, snapped the shot, and got back in and took off before anyone saw me! It was 5:30 am during a national holiday. | Another shot of runway action at Nice, France on a warm summer's day. The 767 is from VIP. |
I would give Europe II the highest grade possible. I found no bugs or problems I can remember (believe me I remember 'em all). This is something no one can live without so pack up and head for Europe again...there's something for everyone!
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| I was lucky to have a friend snap this action photo of me while I flew this MD-82 out of Brussels the other day. Notice the great control cab in the background. This is a common site in Europe II. The jetliner is one from VIP Aircraft Collection 1. | A cool dewey morning at Paris Charles De Gaule as this heavy MD-11 by Tekmate screaches down after a brief trip from Zurich. This airport is greatly detailed and the terminals are so well done, it's worth a long taxi. |