This release is the end of the FAMET bases series, featuring the only overseas operational FAMET base: Melilla. However I have created a special heliport pack together with Melilla as this is not the only landing zone used by FAMET in Northern Africa area. None of the included heliports currently exist in game. Be prepared for challenging approaches full of obstacles and for landing on small areas with strong winds, surrounded by amazing landscapes in the coast.
This pack contains the following bases and landing zones:
- Melilla (GEHM)
This is a permanent base but it has no dedicated squadrons assigned to it. Normally Cougar helicopters from BHELMA IV (El Copero) rotate there periodically but you can also find Chinooks from Colmenar Viejo and even Caimans from Agoncillo, which recently started their rotations there. Melilla is the core of the supply operations to the Army detachments spread on the north coast. The main ammunition storage at Horcas Coloradas base, which is next to Melilla heliport, is also included as a POI with basic decoration. You can practice landing there although it´s not an official landing zone.
- Ceuta (GEHC)
This was a former heliport which was degraded to landing zone some time ago due to its low traffic. Before the creation of Ceuta civilian heliport it was a civilian/military heliport but it remained for military use only once the new heliport started service. I decided to reproduce Ceuta as a fully operational military heliport (as before it was degraded) as this allows more flexibility during gameplay. Heliport has a complex downhill approach with the mountains and lake next to it and the additional challenge of a heavily sloped apron.
- Alborán (GEHA)
This base does not belong to FAMET but to Spanish Navy. It´s a remote but strategic location used for surveillance and protection of the underwater communications cable that connects Spain and Africa. It´s a natural aircraft carrier in the middle of the sea as it´s basically a small plateau. Being an isolated station the base is fully dependant on supply hauls performed by sea or air, whenever the weather conditions allow it. Therefore FAMET helicopters frequently visit the base and it´s the reason to include it in the pack.
- Alhucemas (GEHL)
This small fortress next to the coast is the homebase of an Army detachment. It features a helipad in the heart of the citadel with a challenging approach as a high tower is next to it. The station is also used for surveillance operations in the area and it´s full of tunnels and galleries. A real historic gem that helicopter pilots will enjoy.
- Chafarinas (GEHF)
Chafarinas is a set of three islands but only Isabel II island is populated. It´s the homebase of another Army detachment and includes a medium size port as well. The base is not really big but it´s still important for surveillance operations as well as the other ones in the area.
- Vélez de la Gomera (GEHV)
This is another gem for helicopter operations. It´s also the homebase of an Army detachment and similar to the case of Alhucemas it´s located in an old fortress with a citadel. Base features three landing zones: at the citadel, at the top of the hill and at the beach.
Complete features list of the pack is the following:
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Accurate representation of base layouts and their key areas taking into account the limitations of the editor (specially for terrain elevation), including the lighthouses and towers that exist in the real bases.
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Google satellite textures for Alborán island (default location has no textures at all in game).
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Complete apron areas featuring all parking positions and landing zones, sloped terrains and custom terrain elevations.
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PAPI, FATO lights and taxiway lights on the bases that include it in real life.
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Ground services included to take advantage of all game features. Fuel trucks are available at the main heliports only.
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Horcas Coloradas ammunition storage included as a POI with basic decoration.
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Multiple small details added such as marshallers, working crews and decoration.
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Lots of original ground textures corrections and addition of custom vegetation to better match the real one.
NOTE: in order to allow PAPI installation (the heliports in the pack have it in real life) invisible runways had to be added. This is a MSFS constraint as helipads don´t support PAPI without a runway yet but runways are not intentended to be used as starting positions and will be removed as soon as helipads support PAPI. You can select the helipad and parking start positions from menus in world map or directly clicking on them.
Melilla is the only heliport featuring its real ICAO. I have assigned non existing ones to the rest. None of the heliports include any custom approach, as most operations are visual or are supported by nearby VOR/NDBs. You can find the official Melilla charts here: AIP España
The addon requires official game content from several airport addons. Therefore you need to install the World Updates and the 40th anniversary content as well.
You can download the file here:
https://flightsim.to/file/55210/famet-northern-africa-pack
Cheers
