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Review: Orbx - KCGX Merrill C. Meigs Field for X-Plane 11
Nels_Anderson posted an article in X-Plane
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
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A Visit To Meigs Field By Nels Anderson INTRODUCTION Newcomers to Microsoft Flight Simulator may not appreciate the significance, but for many years Merrill C. Meigs Field (KCGX) was the most important airport in the (virtual) world. Whole generations of flight simmers learned to fly on its single runway 18/36 due to it being Flight Simulator's default airport, the one that always came up each time you started up the sim. At least until you became a sim "expert" it was typical to start flights right there at Meigs. Consequently, many flight simmers have fond memories and warm feelings about that little airport, which is now lost to us. Back in the early 1990's when I started my real world flying it was still possible to visit the real Meigs Field and several flightsim friends decided to do that, in my recently acquired Piper Archer II. It would be a great adventure and a pilgrimage to an airport that was important to the three of us. I know I had done many circuits of the Meigs pattern and had used it for a great deal of my own basic flightsim training so actually landing on the real thing would be a treat. This is the story of that flight, a long weekend adventure from Massachusetts to Illinois with stops along the way, interesting sites, mixed weather and of course the high point, landing at Meigs. GETTING STARTED At the time of this trip I was based at Norwood Memorial Airport (KOWD), located southwest of Boston. Norwood was where I had done my private pilot training and thus where I had done endless circuits of the traffic pattern in the real world. The plan was to depart KOWD after work Friday evening and return late on Sunday. In mid July the sun stays up late so we departed in full sunshine in the late afternoon. We wanted to get as far west as possible the first evening and then explore new territory farther west on Saturday. The Archer has enough fuel to fly for about five hours but I'm not comfortable sitting in one position for that long and so we planned considerably shorter legs. First stop was about half way across New York state at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport (KITH) for a quick fuel stop and to stretch our legs. Back in the air for one more leg and things started getting interesting. Far off in the distance to the southwest we could see flashing lights. Someone using up their 4th of July fireworks? Nope, fireworks of a more natural sort--lightning. We were seeing storms that were 50 to 100 miles away and actually beyond where we were headed (fortunately!). This leg was slow going too, due to headwinds. It was a quiet night so a number of planes asked ATC for a readout of their groundspeed. I remember one guy in a Piper Cub who was making only about 30 knots! Our slow progress almost became a problem. Our destination for the evening was Erie International (KERI) in Pennsylvania, out on that little piece of Pennsylvania that touches Lake Erie. At this time they were doing airport construction at night and the airport was closed late at night. We had planned an early enough arrival but the headwinds slowed up down so much that we arrived after closing time. Fortunately, ATC knew our predicament and the airport tower did let us land. A nearby motel provided lodging for the night with plans for an early start the next morning. SATURDAY The big day started out a bit gloomy, kind of hazy but not bad enough to keep us from continuing westward (especially when one of the pilots is instrument rated). While waiting to depart Erie we watched the Goodyear blimp pass over the airport. The most direct route would take us over the Great Lakes, but we stuck to flying along the shorline. Passing over Cleveland I can't help noticing how much Burke Lakefront Airport reminds me of Meigs...the same sort of small airport out there on a lake next to a major city. Our first stop was Branch County, Michigan (D96) for fuel and lunch. This isn't exactly in a straight line with our desired route, but a secondary goal of the trip is to land in as many states as possible and reaching Michigan requires only the slightest of detours. What a great find this place was. The restaurant was on the far side of the airport...just taxi through the field of corn and park right at the restaurant (adjacent parking areas for planes and cars!) The food was good too. But now we're getting close, it's the final leg to our primary goal. We again head off west and before long reach the shore of Lake Michigan. Again, the most direct route would be straight across the water, but we divert south and follow the shoreline. Nearing Chicago we fly over Gary, Indiana, and I'm struck by the size of the steel mills along the shore...huge buildings with giant chimneys. It's hard to gain a perspective of just how big things are until you notice the little dots next to the buildings, which are in fact rail cars and not little at all! We're getting close now and even with the haze we can soon see the Chicago skyline and the beautiful airport on the lake that is our goal. Flight Simulator always started you on Meigs runway 36 but today the winds are favoring 18 so the tower instructs us to enter on a left downwind over the lake east of the shore. After doing so many touch and goes at the virtual Meigs it was odd to find that touch and goes are not allowed at the real one! They did allow a low pass instead, so we did that and went around the pattern again and landed. Wow, we're here! It's hard to believe, but we make sure to get some photos and then head into the terminal to check in. The bad news is that the airport has a rather high hourly parking fee. The worse news is that the skies to the west are looking ominous. Since we're paying for parking by the hour we make the most of the one hour we paid for but decide to beat a hasty retreat before the meter runs up any higher on us. Next stop, nearby Lansing Municipal Airport (then 3HA, now KIGQ) a friendly non-towered field with no hourly parking charges! With the weather coming at us we needed to plan an escape and pick a place to spend the night. The choice was Fort Wayne, Indiana which despite being a large international airport was actually quite small plane friendly and best of all offered sleeping accomodiations walking distance from the plane. So off we set in the hazy, cloudy weather and before long were at Fort Wayne where 12,000 feet of runway made landing no challenge. SUNDAY During the night the storms we had outrun caught up to us and there was some spectacular thunder and lightning. It was good to be safely in a hotel room! The morning dawned dry and though it was still cloudy and hazy it was good enough for us to continue on our way. The first leg was a short one to Clever Airport (PHD) in New Philadelphia, OH. I guess you have to be clever to have a PHD right? Or I suppose the code is just derived from "Philadelphia"... Anyway, the goal was breakfast and the results were excellent with a nice little restaurant right on the field and in sight of where we parked the plane. Somehow we were doing very well for dining on this trip! With pilots and plane fueled it was off again heading east. From New Philadelphia we could have continued east into Pennsylvania but looking at the map it was noted that just a slight detour to the south would allow for landing in an additional state--West Virginia. The state outline is rather odd, with a spike jutting north between Ohio and Pennsylvania and with a good size airport at Wheeling right in that spike, that's where we headed. This was a quick leg but worth it. The airport lobby had a nice little aviation museum and we also got to watch a C-130 doing touch and goes. But we did need to continue so after looking around for a while we again headed east. Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania was the destination for lunch. This is a good sized airport and had a restaurant right on the field, meeting our needs for a quick stop. I've since been back to this area several times by car to feed my railfan needs; adjacent Scranton is home to Steamtown, a national park built around the original Scranton railyard. Too bad you can't railfan while sim flying, like I sometimes do while real flying. At this point home territory is only a short distance away, and it's only one final two hour leg back to Norwood after a great weekend of flying. This is still the longest trip I've taken in the Archer and one of the most memorable. Maybe you'll want do duplicate all or part of it, or at least visit Meigs Field. FLIGHTSIM SCENERY Most of the airports I flew to on this trip do not have add-on scenery available. Of course, matching the real world, Meigs Field does not exist in the FSX and FS2004 default scenery but there are a number of freeware options that will let you add it back. In addition, I found scenery for Erie (KERI), Fort Wayne (KFWA) and Wilkes Barre (KAVP) in the FlightSim.Com file library. HISTORY Meigs Field has a lot of interesting history. Located on Northerly Island, the land it was on is actually man-made and its first major use was for the 1933 World's Fair. You can learn all about its history at the Friends of Meigs Field web site: http://www.friendsofmeigs.org/html/history/meigs_history.htm FLIGHT PLAN Date Start/End Hours Notes -------- ----------- ----- -------------------------------------- 07/12/93 OWD/ITH 2.9 07/12/93 ITH/ERI 2.1 Erie PA - lightning 07/13/93 ERI/D96 2.9 Goodyear blimp at Erie Great restaurant at Branch County MI 07/13/93 D96/CGX 1.3 Along Lake Michigan, over big factories in Gary IN, to Meigs 07/13/93 CGX/3HA/FWA 1.6 Brief stop in Lansing then to Fort Wayne for the night 07/14/93 FWA/PHD 1.4 Breakfast on field at Clever Airport, New Philadelphia OH 07/14/93 PHD/HLG 0.6 Wheeling WV. Nice little museum in lobby. C130 doing touch and goes. 07/14/93 HLG/AVP 2.1 Wilkes Barre for lunch. 07/14/93 AVP/OWD 2.0 Home again -
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