German Airports 1

I'm a flight simulator stickler when it comes to detailed airports so after reading the description on the back of the box, I was pretty excited. A lot of airports in the Microsoft world don't have anything but "boxy" terminals. There are no passenger bridges, taxi-lines, runway signs, airport vehicles or hangars. Simply put, third party scenery has always offered more to the pilot who wants to see some bustling activity at their favorite airport.

As a product overview, the authors of this project have done a very good job at creating 8 unique and detailed German Airports for FS98, 95 or 5.1. You cannot fault this software for being short on detail and realism. Augsburg, Bayreuth, Egelsbach, Dresden, Friedrichshafen, Munich, Nurnberg and Stuttgart airports are all faithfully recreated. As someone who hasn't spent a pile of time flying in Germany, I must say I'm more inclined to do so now. And it's not just the airports that show a strong effort, it's the area around the airports as well. Nuclear plants, churches and static craft such as approaching aircraft and even a blimp hangs off various approaches in this scenery. Nice the way the mountains enhance the effects, especially in Munich. Airports are lit up like Christmas at nighttime, activating runway lighting is as easy as tuning to a specific frequency on your aircraft radio.

A cold Munich morning.

Clearly, the "creme de la creme" of the package is Munich. It's here where the flight-sim enthusiast will find buses, passengers, taxiways that pass over roadways and terminals that are the biggest and brightest of the package. All taxiways are clearly marked, and roads for airport vehicles are a slightly different shade of gray, similar to what you would find at a real airport. Full airport signage, and all terminals, even those with underground walkways, are faithfully recreated. Check out the mountains in the background:

Ready to turn past the blimp on approach to Friedrichshafen.

Family and friends awaiting the safe arrival at Dresden terminal.

You won't be disappointed with the other airports either. It seems that each almost offers something totally unique. From the smaller Egelsbach to the larger Dresden and Stuttgart, there is something to catch your eye at each destination:

Even the tiny Bayreuth airport, with its airport of less than 3000 feet was faithfully recreated. In this shot, I was just ahead of a small turbo-prop. Unfortunately, the plane hangs in the air and doesn't move. It's slightly off approach, I'm assuming to avoid collision.

Even a small community off to the left of the airport is reproduced.

Packaging and Installation

Installation is easy: pop in the CD and you're on your way. Answer a few basic questions and the scenery is installed. No problems. Even for those who wish to manually install the scenery, the manual clearly lays it out in black and white.

Indicating I need to turn right to line up with the rig before passing through.

Invariably, I will be sent mail following this release asking me if these airports are really all they are cracked up to be. The answer from my point of view, is yes. Great job at all airports from the terminal buildings to the taxi-way signs, night lighting, people in the terminals, ground crew that use those neat little light sticks to bring your craft to a halt.

Can't say enough about the de-icing rigs at Munich. Big enough to accommodate a B747-400. I was impressed with these big rigs and the fact that the appropriate runway signs light up indicating which way the wind is blowing.

So what's the one fault of German Airports1? In my estimation, there is a fault, and it's a fairly disappointing one too. I fully expected to experience the convenience of pulling up to a terminal building, and then have a passenger bridge stretch out and meet with my aircraft. Not the case at all. Instead, the developers have created lighted signs that the pilot follows, showing his progress as he nears the spot in which he needs to finally stop. If the description isn't clear, check out the following pictures, you'll get the idea:

Watch your step, sir.

All in all, I'd rate German Airports1 a 7 or possibly 8 out of 10. It's very hard not to be impressed overall with the entire project. The developers should have tried to put a few more flashing lights or moving aircraft into the airport scenery. There aren't any other aircraft at any passenger bridges, which seems to be a bit unusual for an airport the size of Munich don't you think? For anyone who flies this area regularly, do yourself the favor of buying German Airports 1.

Note: The authors of German Airports 1 maintain a Web site that includes free downloads of static aircraft that can be added to the airports. You can visit them at http://home.t-online.de/home/Th-Hirsch/Gap-Main.htm

John Haley
jhaley@Quetico.tbaytel.net