Review of FSFX v1.1

By FlightSim.Com Staff

TERMINAL WINDOWS Awaiting push from Innsbruck in EuropeI after FSFX. Note the detailed windows in the passanger terminal. All the terminals in the flightsim default and commercial sceneries have been upgraded to some extent like this. The 737 panel is from Technique Direct.	THUNDERSTORMS Distant thunderstorms over Europe II farm country after FSFX. Note how the addition of some cirrus clouds really make things look real. The 767-300 is from Tecnique Direct's 737 panel and HQ aircraft CD.	LITTLE POPPER Cruising at FL360 in a 747 shows how a big CB cloud looks popping thru the hazy undercast below.

KLM 737 ON APPROACH This shows one of the gorgeous 737-300s included with FSFX. All the new 737s not only look great.. they fly fantastic too.. and have realistic dynamics, and are a great pleasure to operate.	AUTUMN COUNTRYSIDE This shows a wing shot from my 737 as I turned final for BDL in CT. as the new FSFX autumn colors are coming out... Note the new ground textures with the color..including the "farmy" and "random road" highlites. This is default scenery after FSFX.	DISTANT THUNDERHEAD This shows the great new Thunderstorm cloud appearance, distant as a "Speedbird" 747-400 maneuvers for final. The 747 is from Juan Cabeza's Best4002.zip available as freeware.

irst of all I must start out by saying that I received FSFX with a bit of negativity. I hadn't expected much...and due to that, I am overwhelmed with excitement! I can happily say that my FSFX addition is now the best addon for FS5 since Flight Shop came out! All the features that were discussed are included in the package. It's easy to find all the great eye candy...and the clouds are easy to see also. I will not get into a ton of detail here, as Paul did a nice job in his review of version 1.0. Instead, let your eyes feast on the following snapshots I took while on various flights, and I shall describe the features shown a little more with the following wonderful screenshots. I must say, I was shocked when the frame rate increased by 3 on my P75, even in dense city areas, with the addition of more buildings and ground details. What an improvement to realism!

POPPING THRU A shot from FL320 in an A300 over Europe as a nearby CB top penetrates the cirrostratus deck below. Impressive how the FSFX CBs are when haze and cloud combinations are just right. With a little tinkering anyone will be treated to such an eye feast.	SPEEDBIRD OVER SEATTLE On final for SeaTac International, you'll notice the new building decor. All FS5 structures have undergone a face-lift for the better! The 747 is from Juan Cabeza's Best4002.zip freeware aircraft file.	OCEAN FOAM Slowing down over the coast of Nova Scotia, I snapped this shot that captures 3 FSFX features. The new "beach waves", the sparkling new water textures, and the new suburbian look. This is default scenery.

CLEAR WATER Here's a 737 wing shot showing the varying ocean depth textures near the coast. This is a nice random look, and changes with the geography. This is default scenery.	FARMLAND Farm country far below as shown over Europe II after FSFX was installed. Note the rolling hills and woods look. The 747 is from Juan Cabeza's best4002.zip freeware aircraft file.	READY TO GO Great shot of a default runway after FSFX installation. Grooves, concrete breaks, drainage grates, tire markes and exhaust stains are included!

Note that the default sceneries are updated, but to achieve the greatest scenery changes, one should own New York, Europe I, Europe II (now updated in this version 1.1 of FSFX), Japan, Caribbean and Hawaii. All the photos are shown in default and addon scenery areas. Enjoy!

SMALLTOWN Europe I after FSFX installation shows new village scenery textures and color. This was after takeoff from Innsbruck in an FSFX 737-300.	ALPINE SPLENDOR Wow! Take a look at Europe II alpine scenery after FSFX. More snow and rich foliage were added. With visibility at about 15 miles, you'd swear this were a real photo!	SNOWY APPROACH A freeware Delta 757 prepares for arrival over default scenery with the season selected to winter. This is one of the long-awaited features of any flightsimmer. Now we have snowcover in random places in northern climates. With an overcast above, and low vis, one can imagine landing in a snowstorm. Hip Hip hurray for FSFX winter!

SNOWY MOUNTAINS Samedan in Europe I after FSFX. Note the increased snow cover in the Alps, and the runway details... with a concrete joint in front of the cockpit. The 737 panel is part of Technique Direct's HQ Aircraft collection CD and new 737 Panel.	ALPINE WINTER More snow over Europe II as seen from the warm cabin of an FSFX 737.	SUBURB SPRAWL Enhanced MS New York scenery after FSFX installation shows the incredible new suburbia look outside of JFK on Long Island. Note the streets lined with cars, the houses with swimming pools, the mall under the far engine, the cul de sac near the close engine, baseball diamonds and more! This is perhaps the most stunning part of FSFX ontop of commercial scenery addons. This shot was taken in a 747-400 (best4002.zip) on final to JFK.

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