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Orbx - KCGX Merrill C. Meigs Field for X-Plane 11Written by Stuart McGregor /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2026_.jpgOrbx has come to X-Plane... The following review describes my thoughts and experience of therecently released KCGX Merrill C. Meigs Field for X-Plane 11. Whenasked to review this first X-Plane release from the Orbx SimulationSystems team I was genuinely excited, as never having owned sceneryfrom this team, I was really intrigued to experience first-hand if allthe wonderful things I had read and heard were really true. Read onto learn more... /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2027_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2028_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2029_.jpgPurchase, Download, Documentation And InstallationAs I mentioned, this was my very first experience of OrbxSimulation Systems, and as such, step one was to create an accountover at their web site to allow me to purchase the scenery. This wasvery simple and a literally a two-minute job. The first thing thatstruck me was just the quality of their site, very impressive.Scrolling through the various screen shots was already filling me witha good feeling about what was about unfold. So far so good Ithought... Once my account was set up, being a Windows user, I was able to usetheir FTX Central installer to download and install the scenery. Atthis time, this is only for Windows, so my understanding is if you areon other platforms such as Linux or MacOS, for now, you will have tomanually download and install the scenery, but that is really nodifferent to the majority of other scenery out there. The wholedownload is quoted as being about 0.8 GB in size, so it will take alittle while to download, however when it is all done, you will end upwith three folders in your Custom Scenery folder. These are a base mesh,an overlay folder with buildings, vegetation, facades, etc. and themain airport scenery folder. I really liked the use of the installer,it was just so easy and again the look of the whole thing is extremelyprofessional. I do advise you to check your scenery.ini file just toensure everything is in the right order, however everything in my casewas fine and with no conflicts. FTX Central will also give you accessto the User Guide and also a means of uninstalling the scenery if youso wish. The User Guide can also be found within the main sceneryfolder if you don't want to run the tool every time, which ishandy. /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2030_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2031_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2032_.jpgThe guide itself is well presented and provides basic informationaround installation, which areas are covered by the scenery, where toget tech help if required, acknowledgements, license information, etc.,and I found the whole thing to be self-explanatory. System PerformanceMy assessment of Meigs Field was using X-Plane 11.20b3 andDreamfoil's R22, which incidentally still runs pretty well in X-Plane11, although not really set up for it. I chose a heli in this case soI could really explore the surrounding scenery up close and personal.With so much detail laid out in front of me, it was a great excuse topractice my rotary wing skills. /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2033_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2034_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2035_.jpgMy current system consists of an Intel i7 5820K 3.3 GHz CPU(overclocked to 4.0 GHz), GTX1080Ti 11 GB GPU and 32 GB of Kingston RAMat its core, and my system settings are typically at the high end ofthe range: objects on max, HDR on, although shadows were switched off.Throughout the series of test flights, I was getting good frame rates,generally in the high 20's to mid 30's range when flying low acrossthe city. The R22 bumps about a bit on the ground, but once in theair was a great way to see the sights and sounds of this iconicairfield. Look And FeelIf like me you are not familiar with Orbx, but have read and seenimages of their work, then I think your expectations are likely to behigh. And the good news from what I have now experienced, is that Ibelieve you won't be disappointed. Meigs Field ticks pretty muchevery box I have on my wish list when it comes to scenery, includingpeople! At last, some scenery with people! If you have read someof myprevious reviewsyou will know what I am banging on about, as this is one of thefeatures that really hits the spot for me. Right from the get go Ihad a good feeling about this scenery package (based on what I couldsee out my cockpit window). /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2036_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2037_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2038_.jpgThe quality of the textures was excellent, and the level of detailprovided fabulous! The team has not only provided a nicely detailedairfield, but they have also added many features from the surroundingcity and harbor area. This is where I found the R22 to be a fabulousaircraft to really experience the city up close, and honestly, Iwasn't disappointed. Every time I explore a new part of the worldthrough X-Plane, it still manages to blow me away! It's amazing justhow real the virtual world is getting, and the Orbx team have clearlygrasped this in their work. The use of orthophotos adds a further sense of realism to theairfield, and I thoroughly enjoyed a number of flights just circlingaround the coastline and city. What was also fabulous were the nighttextures and particularly the illumination of the landmark buildingsprovided, such as Soldier Field, Cloudgate, Adler Planetarium, NavyPier and The Shedd - they really stand out amongst the skyscrapers andtower blocks. If you are from this part of the world, I can justimagine what it must be like to come out from the Soldier Fieldfootball stadium with 60,000 other fans around you...awesome. Comingfrom the other side of the Atlantic, I really do need to point out tomy American cousins that this isn't 'real football', but that'sanother story...haha...Nice stadium though... /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2039_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2040_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2041_.jpgIf there was one very small criticism of the scenery, it is thelack of animated flags. Being used to these in many other X-Planescenery packages, it just felt a little strange not seeing them here.This is just a very minor point and doesn't really detract too muchfrom my enjoyment of the scenery, but just something to be aware of ifyou like this sort of animation. On the positive side, I could easilyprattle on and on about the virtues of what is on offer here, but in astrange way I feel I don't need to, as the scenery (and screen shots)really speak for themselves. Sitting on the apron of this historicairfield with Chicago as the backdrop is just fabulous, and if youwere to close your eyes for a moment, you really could imagineyourself being there. /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2042_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2043_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2044_.jpgFinal ThoughtsHaving been lucky enough to review several payware scenery packagesover recent months, the good news is that in my opinion, the X-Planevirtual world is very much alive and in good hands. Welcoming the Orbxteam to the group is great news for sim fans, and from what I haveseen and experienced from this historic corner of the USA, I believeOrbx have raised the bar somewhat; not just with their scenery, butalso in their overall approach to payway scenery. I am not sayingothers are falling short, just that these guys are clearly leading byexample, which has to be a good thing for us customers. This initialrelease is pitched at the asking price of just over 25 USD, which Ibelieve is pretty decent value for money. I really can't wait to see what comes next from the Orbx team,because if Merrill C. Meigs Field is anything to go by, we have lots tolook forward to. Stuart McGregor Purchase Orbx - KCGX Merrill C. Meigs Field for X-Plane 11 Also available for: KCGX for FSX/Prepar3D KCGX for Aerofly FS2 /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2045_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2046_.jpg /images/reviews/orbxmeig/t/screenshot__2047_.jpg

/images/notams/notams18/orbx0304/kcgx1.jpgKCGX - Merrill C. Meigs for X-Plane 11 has been released! Let the X-Plane adventure begin! Few airports hold as much nostalgia, familiarity, and emotion foraviation enthusiasts. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, MeigsField operated as the gateway to corporate Chicago for over half acentury. After its closure, Merrill C. Meigs Field (KCGX) had beenrecreated with the utmost attention to detail and accuracy originallyfor FSX & P3D and then subsequently Aerofly FS2. Now it's X-Plane'sturn! Depicted as it was in its final years, virtual pilots arewelcomed to return to what was once the busiest single strip airportin the United States and enjoy it in high definition. Featuring afully modeled terminal, highly detailed static aircraft, and otherhistorically accurate elements, the airport has been brought back tolife. In addition to the airfield itself, the city of Chicagowaterfront and parks district has received a facelift to bring thearea up to date. /images/notams/notams18/orbx0304/kcgx2.jpgKey FeaturesUltra detailed rendition of KCGX Meigs Field circa late 90's and early 2000'sMany highly detailed Chicago landmarks, including Soldier Field, Cloudgate, Adler Planetarium, Navy Pier and The SheddCustom CBD for Chicago skyline including Sears Tower, Aeon Center, Trump Tower, Hancock CenterThousands of autogen buildings accurately placedAirport imagery at 30cm per pixelBeautifully modelled static aircraft /images/notams/notams18/orbx0304/kcgx3.jpgBUY NOW! /images/notams/notams18/orbx0304/kcgx4.jpg