| FlightZone is a new breed of Microsoft Flight Simulator
add-on. It is a photoscenery product and it is also a detailed multiple airports
scenery. Along with 3 highly detailed photorealistic airports and broad photoscenery
coverage, this product includes a high resolution 18m. mesh, reworked coastlines
and a custom landclass/waterclass. FlightZone 01: Rhode Island is an integrated
approach, recreating a complete flying environment in which both GA and
commercial pilots can enjoy flying. The scenery is built in concentric areas,
each one adjusted to a level of detail that is in relation with the flying
experience. Created entirely with GMax and the latest Microsoft compilers, this scenery
was made by a real life pilot and is totally aimed at recreating the feeling of
being there. It has been optimized to keep very high framerates while giving
maximum visual impact. FlightScenery products are all about balancing visual
cues and details with framerate to make it as real as it gets. The "outer" area is made of a reworked coastline, mesh, landclass and
waterclass. This area covers all of Rhode Island state and gives a satisfying
visual cue for higher flight altitudes. This outer area then merges with the
"middle" area, the photoscenery. This photoscenery was made from very high resolution USGS aerial photographs
(not satellite), which have been extensively reworked to "blend" seamlessly in
the Flight Simulator environment. All six variations are represented: spring,
summer, fall, winter, harsh winter and night. In winter you'll have (landable) frozen lakes and in harsh winter, the
northern part of Narragansett bay is frozen over. Furthermore, custom autogen is
fully implemented for the whole photoscenery. That's almost 700,000
carefully-placed houses and trees, added one by one. Major VFR references are
represented also. This area is quite large and sets the environment for the
third area, the airports. Enter the "inner" area: the airports as seen on approach and in traffic
pattern. Each of the main 3 airports (KPVD, KOQU and KSFZ) are seamlessly and
completely integrated with the surrounding photoscenery. Ground is made from
USGS very high resolution aerial photographs. There are no repeating textures,
the whole field is there, in photographic precision, as seen in real life. The
airport ground textures also change with the seasons and look radically
different as time goes by, just like the photoscenery. As one gets closer to the airport, even more detailed visual cues start to
come in view. Again, in the spirit of providing visuals that are aimed at
augmenting the flying experience, the runways are made from high resolution
photographs and are also surrounded by grass. Why? The pilot's goal on short
final is to integrate the speed and attitude of his aircraft while maintaining
visual on the fast approaching runway.
In real life, in the last seconds
before touchdown, the pilots don't integrate these variables by looking at the
instruments, the scenery "becomes" the VSI and Airspeed indicator. Because of
the way default scenery is made on FS, and also because of the inherent
shortcomings of looking at a screen instead of being in a plane, that "feeling"
of speed is something we have always felt was missing. These few seconds before
landing are what gets us ticking, hence the grass and a multitude of little
details (taxi poles, sticks, etc.), all there to bring back a bit of that sense
of speed into Flight Simulator. Once landed, you'll find a good amount of details on and around the taxiways,
including whatever hangar/building/terminal you are going to. Gates have
accurate parking codes, allowing AI aircraft to park properly. There are
different levels of complexity at the airports, controlled by the complexity
setting of Flight Simulator. Features: - Airports included: KPVD, KSFZ, KOQU (fully detailed), plus RI20, a sloped
grass strip.
- Photoscenery included: From North Central to Quonset point and from the
Scituate reservoir to Bristol. All "5" seasons and night, full autogen. Summer
photorealistic coverage of Block Island is also included as a "bonus".
- LWM/VTP Coastlines: all of Rhode Island (including Block Island), and the
western part of Massachusetts.
- Landclass/Waterclass: all of Rhode Island.
- Mesh: ultra hires 18meters mesh (the best FS can display)
- Extra: A complete web page for FlightZone 01: Rhode Island with links to
flying schools and clubs of the area, AI resources, region specific aircraft
models and repaints, local flightplans, up to date maps and plates, a
FlightClub forum, etc.
- Fully compatible with any 'road', mesh, LWM/VTP and landclass 3rd party
products, provided they are accurately positionned.
For FS2004. | 
Software (1598)
