UK 2000's Part 8 Northeast & Northwest England

By Nigel C. Martin (23 April 2006)

I am constantly surprised at the range and breadth and quality of the products on offer to further enhance the flight simulator experience, and it seems developers have many more subjects at the design stage.

Not content with the, in the main basic default scenery, I have often downloaded some highly commendable efforts of 'localized' scenery. I have to admit, however, these can be, well, frame hungry, or have an annoying trial or free brazened across strategic parts of the scenery; why bother I ask myself? All I do is to delete it and get annoyed...not a good selling gimmick me thinks.

These offerings have been known to freeze the computer, a re-boot required... Now that is frustrating. But my brethren, we have to remember these are free, and I am sure have taken many hours of dedication for general distribution, and it has to be said, I have many such offerings on my computer, enhancing the FS environment, and not causing any issues.

       

The latest offering from Gary Summons is UK 2000 Part 8, scenery providing some 17 airports within the northeast. There are no parts 1 to 7 covering the northeast, as the title may suggest, but the previous range covers other parts of the UK.

You will find a lovely range of civil and military airports available to explore. I have to admit to having a more than a passing interest here as I live in the northeast of England and also have knowledge of a fair few of the airports covered. So I was very keen to have a VFR sojourn! A good friend and fellow pilot Dan Entwisle will be flying in and around various airports provided in UK 2000 North East Airports.

       

I note that Nick Hale produced the RAF Hawk and RAF Tornado models for AI traffic in Part 8, including the appropriate flight plans. And I have to say this element is incredible. OK, the models are not perfect, (Hawks are very nice though) but they are a real bonus, which adds an incredible feel of realism to the package.

It is worthy of note that when you visit the official web site you can in fact buy the entire range parts 1 to 7 on CDRom only for £99.00 (350 mb).

       

Packaging

On the reverse there are some screen shots which reinforce the quality element. If all the airports enclosed emulate that shown we are in for a treat and many VFR flights.

       

Unlike some other commercially available packages from other developers this packaging is well, a little sparse, not as 'slick' as other offerings, but I can assure you that the salient information is presented, the case is sturdy and the CD held firmly.

You will not be surprised in the revelation that there are a previous seven scenery packages available, but not only is part 8 the latest but I understand the most graphically advanced. So onward and upward...

       

Installation

In Use And Conclusion

       

As mentioned I selected Durham Tees Valley at dawn. My reasoning? Well, I wanted to see the taxiway lighting and approach lighting. Positioned at the general aviation parking area you are immediately aware of some quite superb lighting effects on the buildings and the ground lighting is of the same standard, a wonderful job. Eager to take to the air, I selected a Eurocopter, hovered some 400 feet agl above the deck and had a look around. A smile came to my face, need I say more? Maybe one or two things...

Once airborne I selected a fixed wing steed and engaged on a long final. I have to admit, I have made many a approach at night at this particular airport in real life, so I was very interested in the approach landing light system.

       

I have to say that the detail was evident from some height, unlike some other commercially available offerings, that just appear as a 'haze'.

The lighting was crisp and clear, and not, to use a highly technical term, fuzzy; great effects. In daylight the detail is there to behold. (No sign of the police Eurocopter despite it being based here...pity.)

There are some wonderful AI aircraft included, for example the Dassault Falcons operated by FRA. Their operation? Well best ask the Ministry of Defense. All aircraft taxi, take off and land. This really adds to the 'feel' of the airport.

How about some airport's further north of Durham Tees Valley? Well over to Dan...

       

Well what can I say? Wow - go out and buy this!

Often add-ons promise a lot but deliver not quite what was billed. Not in this case. I know it's a cliche "as good as it gets" but hey why not use it if - to use another worn out phrase - the cap fits.

Any user is going to start with places he knows, and I was no exception. This can be a little disappointing if the realism is not evident. Well, straight to EGNT - Newcastle Airport to you and me. What did I find? Well, the 'real' Newcastle Airport. No really - it was THAT real.

Cruising round the field in a little add-on Mercedes van I have, I toured places I know well. Add a good traffic program, and it becomes more real. I passed the FlyBe jet I'd used the week before on a trip to Southampton - sitting at the right gate. Detail is outstanding.

       

The real test - go to the general aviation part of the airport. There - in the real world you find a hangar which used to belong to the now sadly defunct Gill Airways. And yes - you guessed it, right on cue, I rounded the corner and it was there in all its dilapidated glory.

Take off from the field - plane of choice here a lovely Tiger Moth - and have a fly round. There is even a Metro train waiting at the terminal railway station which from a height looks great.

I set off to Carlisle in the Moth....My Roads and Rivers add-on made a great VFR experience, following roads I knew. At Carlisle - more of the same...Superb detail. Some of the smaller fields, Peterlee and Eshott. Not places I knew, but places I feel I know now because of this wonderful program. I think Nigel and I may be making the odd trip to these places in the summer - to see how accurate they are. Hey - it's a day out isn't it?

Now, to some of the bonuses...RAF Dishforth - in a Jet Provost. My tour of Yorkshire's airfields was worth the effort with every detailed field begging you for a touchdown.

Then there is the traffic. Mixed in with my usual Easyjet, BA and Ryanair traffic were Hawks on training missions.

       

High above Teesside - Durham Tees Valley as they market it these days - one bright cold morning in real world weather, I joined a few of the Hawks for some close quarters flying.

I am just very impressed with these programs. Nice to see something from a small software house come together, with such thought and style.

The only downside...Well the positioning of some of the aircraft seemed a bit odd. I started a 757 flight with the aircraft's nose in the departure lounge. That may not be this program's fault though as I am running other scenery on FS.

This is one of those packages that will appeal to all sorts of flyers. If you like your light planes, and hold a virtual PPL - you will love it. If you are a military nut (sorry Nigel) and want to add some realism to your Tornado Hunter AWACS or whatever - you will love it. And if you fancy yourself as a commuter jet pilot - or bigger commercial player - again you will love it.

It is very rare that I find such delight from an add-on. Well done to all those concerned at UK 2000.

       

Dan mentioned Peterlee, a small airfield housing in the main, micro lights and there is a parachute club based there. In the summer months a doorless 172 is almost permanently airborne, and more recently a Russian turboprop is used to transport the parachutists aloft. The detail here is actually very accurate, except for the field elevation. The field is positioned on quite a hill.

And them there parachutists! Now that would be accurate if a few chutes were seen descending!

This program has added a great deal to the FS environment all right, Those outside the UK may not find it as appealing, but if you appreciate accuracy and fabulous attention to detail (you even get marshaled into a parking slot at military airfields) and some lovely AI aircraft that taxi, take off and land in a realistic way, then this is for you. We love it, a cracking job!

I will be keeping an eye on the web site for further releases, and please check the web site for the cost options.

Onward and upward...

Nigel C. Martin
nigel.martin10@tesco.net
Dan Entwisle

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