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Grand ArcticPublisher: HSimulatorsReview Author: Nicholas GarlickSuggested Price: $28.00/images/fsc/wbicons/store-buy-now-button.png /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-31.jpgHello, let me introduce myself. Myname is Nicholas Garlick, aka Mr G as you will come to know me by, andI am what you would class as a casual flight simmer. The mainplatform that I use is X-Plane 11, however I also fly other mainstreamsimulators. In the next few days I will also be adding MicrosoftFlight Simulator to my collection. I am a keen military aviationenthusiast, and this interest extends into my flight simulation world,as you can see in the screen shots immediately below. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-27.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-42.jpgWhereas I tend to favor military aircraft, I also like to flygeneral aviation and helicopters as well. I also like to fly all overthe place, and generally...the more exotic the better! /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-40.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-01.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-12.jpgIt's not that I don't like airliners (they have their place), it'sjust that they aren't normally my first port of call. However, when Ido have a dabble with them, it is generally with the classics. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-20.jpgBeing a military aviation enthusiast, where possible I like to flyfrom scenery files that feature military airfields. In saying that,there are not many dedicated payware military airfields available forthe X-Plane platform. It is at this point that I must say a big thankyou to all those community developers that have produced someexcellent renditions of many of the RAF airfields in good old Blighty(the UK and the area where I live and predominantly fly) and other airbases around the globe. Where would any of our flight simulationplatforms be without these dedicated and talented individualsproducing some remarkable content for our virtual worlds. Thank youto you all! /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-07.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-03.jpgAs I briefly mentioned, I like to fly in exotic places and one ofthe air bases I like to fly from on winter operations is Thule AirBase located right on top of the world. Thule Air Base is featured with X-Plane's default global airportsand it is a plausible rendition of the location as can be seenbelow. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-02.jpgHowever, there is a bit of an issue in X-Plane because even thoughthe air base is featured, it resides as an island in a wash of pastelblue! /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-15.jpgWithin Austin's X-Plane World, above the 73rd parallel there isnothing at the top. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-33.jpgThere is also not much at the bottom of Austin's world either... well not until very recently, but that is another story forsomebody else to tell. Getting back to Thule Air Base and I waslonging to find a scenery package that would fill the area around theairfield to make the experience much more enjoyable. Well, it seemsmy prayers were answered as I recently came across a scenery file thatmight just fill that gap called the Grand Arctic from HSimulators.Essentially this scenery package fills in the missing chunks of landin the Canadian north and northern Greenland which is missing inX-Plane. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-35.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-37.jpgThe illustration below demonstrates approximately the area coveredby the scenery file once installed, and as you can see, it is quiteimpressive. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-39.jpgWhat we will look at in this review is why I like this scenerypackage, and though not perfect (what scenery file ever is) what thefile is able to deliver out of the box to would be customers. They tell me pictures can speak a thousand words, and so over thenext few pages you will see screen shots along with some of mycomments. My screen shots will illustrate the product not only at itsbest but also at its weakest. They were all taken in a stock installof X-Plane 11.51 with no fat, fluff, or sugar candy by way of shaders,ground textures, weather textures or weather engine enhancementpackages. In other words, apart from the scenery being reviewed, itis raw X-Plane. However, the screen shots do feature payware aircraftand community produced liveries. The only tweak applied is well-knownin the X-Plane community, and is the one to improve the look of shadowlines by removing jagged edges. Below are my X-Plane settings and PCspecifications. Intel core i7 4790k, overclocked to a stable 4.9 GHz (liquidcooled), an Nvidia GTX 1070ti, plus 32 GB DDR3 at 1600 MHz. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-36.jpg The scenery employs both custom mesh and textures of the areacovered. The mesh leads to many dramatic landscapes for you to flyover and there is plenty for you to enjoy. One such area I like isaround Gris Fiord as can be seen in the following screen shots. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-41.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-28.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-25.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-14.jpgIt's not all snow and ice though as there are numerous remotelanding strips for you to discover on your travels, plus numeroushelicopter landing pads. These are simple "base sceneries" with no 3Dobjects, but ones which provide somewhere for you to fly to and fromon your travels. They are however placed in the areas where they wouldbe found in the real world and are reasonably accurate in theirplacing. The screen shot below featuring the Twin Otter is of Arctic Bay(CYAB). /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-26.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-10.jpgNot all the airports or airstrips employ just "base scenery", assome benefit from the use of 3D objects. When used, they increase thelevel of immersion, giving you the feeling of an overall purpose toyour flight. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-38.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-34.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-18.jpgThe developer indicates the scenery utilises 3D art objects such asbuildings etc. from X-Plane's own library, so no additional scenerylibraries are required. As I mentioned earlier, it would appear that some custom textureshave been draped over the mesh, and in the screen shot below you cansee the subtle difference between the default X-Plane textures on theright, and those employed in the scenery package. In my opinion, thecustom textures look better, leading to a much better sense ofimmersion when flying over the region. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-19.jpgThule Air Base, also known as Pituffik Airport, is the UnitedStates Air Force northernmost airfield, being located 1,207 km or sonorth of the Arctic Circle on the north-west coast of Greenland. Thisair base was the reason behind my acquisition of the scenery file.The default Thule Air Base is quite good, but the one included in theGrand Arctic package is a better rendition. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-30.jpgHSimulatiors have captured the area surrounding the base extremelywell with reasonably accurate renditions of the surroundingcoastline. The footprint of the sprawling base is nestled between twoprominent ridges which makes for interesting approaches when the windis not with you. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-09.jpgThule also features a small harbor complex at the foot of the airbase, and this is included in the scenery. At night it looks quitepicturesque. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-04.jpgAlso featured are the large storage tanks used for storing oil andfuel. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-05.jpgThe screen shot below shows us touching down at Thule Air base. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-11.jpgAs I mentioned previously, the scenery package appears to draw onX-Plane's default textures for the runways. It also seems to do thesame for the various runway and taxiway line markings. Also presentare 3D objects such as runway lighting, buildings and other items. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-22.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-08.jpgThe control tower, hangars and buildings are fair renditions ofwhat can be seen at the real base, as are the other scenery itemsdotted around. The various radar monitoring equipment andsurveillance infrastructure not only adds to the charm and characterof the base, but also makes it interesting. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-13.jpgOverall, the rendition of Thule and the other airfields present inthe scenery that feature the use of 3D objects are satisfactory andare fit for purpose. However, there are some anomalies to be foundwithin the scenery package. These include misplaced taxiway lines,taxi lights and other misplaced objects. /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-24.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-29.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-23.jpg /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-06.jpgThese are only small niggles but given this scenery file is now atversion 3, one would reasonably have expected for these anomalies tohave been rectified by now. A list of things I would like to see would be an improved runwaytexture with better placement, with the same being said for the linemarkings, plus the implementation of PBR textures throughout. I wouldalso like to see slightly better coastal mesh detail, with less jaggedcoastal edges. And the final icing on the cake would be the inclusionof 3D objects around some of the "base strips." However, these are only small niggles and overall, these issues donot distract from the level of enjoyment this scenery package deliversas a whole. In truth, you should view this package as what it was intended for;a mesh and texture covering of the missing terrain above the 73rdparallel in X-Plane. Viewed like this, the airports are just an extrabonus in my view. Priced at $28 at the time of writing, this scenery package isridiculously cheap considering its size and represents good value formoney in my book. If lots of eye candy is your thing, you may be tempted to dismissthis package, but if you do, then I can honestly say you will bemissing out on one heck of an X-Plane adventure! /images/reviews/grarctic/t/HSimulators-Grand-Arctic-32.jpgRight, that's all from me, catch you all next time, Pip Pip tallyho! /images/reviews/grarctic/title3.jpgNicholas Garlick Purchase HSimulators - Grand Arctic For X-Plane See other scenery from HSimulators
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/images/notams/notams20/hsim1211/hsim1211.jpgToday we announce the addition of a new X-Plane scenery developer tothe FlightSim.Com Store. HSimulators likes to create scenery for thetruly extreme regions of the world, including the Arctic, Antarctica andthe Amazon. Their scenery packages lets you visit parts of the world thatare otherwise unavailable to X-Plane pilots. Antarctica Mega SceneryThe scenery covers the area of S60 to S90 degrees and W180 to E180degrees. There are 51 research stations of different nationalities,with airstrips and heliport. Of the 51 locations, 35 are 3D sceneryand 16 2D scenery. Mesh terrain of Antarctica’s total area, completelycovered by the ice cap, developed with the generation of DSFbuilder,HSimulators’ mesh terrain management and creation program. /images/notams/notams20/hsim1211/grand-arctic.jpgGrand ArcticIt is well-known that X-Plane’s Global Scenery only covers up tothe North 73rd parallel. This scenery completes the Arctic region withmore than one million square miles, approximately 1800x835 miles ofscenery. In includes all mesh for Canada and Greenland in the regionalong with 23 airports. /images/notams/notams20/hsim1211/russia-xtreme.jpgRussia Xtreme ArcticThis scenery completes the Arctic region north of Russia, from 44 eastto 152 east and 72 north to 82 north. In addition to the Russian Arcticmesh, Nagurskoye airport, located on Alexandra Island, is included. Thisis the closest Russian airport to the North Pole. /images/notams/notams20/hsim1211/grand-amazonia.jpgGrand AmazoniaThe Grand Amazonia Scenery comprises a vast region of the extremenorth of Brazil, on the border with Venezuela, a region of the RioUraricoera basins. The region is full of very isolated indigenousvillages and gold mines, where the only access is by airplane orsometimes by river. A region of great conflict where the Brazilian AirForce is very active, both in patrolling and in assisting thepeople. In this first part you have ten airports and aerodromes. View all HSimulators scenery
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/images/notams/notams18/arct0816.jpgGrand Arctic Scenery and Russia Xtrem Arctic are two packs fromHSimulators that cover all Polar Arctic Circle, above 72 degreesnorth, with more than 2 million square miles of mesh terrain andamazing local airports, such as Thule Air Base, Nagursgoye Air Baseand many other very interesting places to fly. This pack completes the X-Plane Global Scenery, adding airports inCanada, Greenland and Russia. /images/notams/notams18/arct0816.pngRussia Xtreme Arctic brings the base of Nagurskoye, still underconstruction, located in Alexanda Island, being the closest Russianair base of the North Pole. Due to the degree of difficulty ofreferences, the construction of the base will undergo severalmodifications in the future, being able the user to buy download thefree updates. Please see more atwww.x-plane.com.br
