Test machine specs: MSI X670E, AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, AMD Radeon RX 7900XTX, 48gb RAM
There are now two versions of this airport available for MSFS. The other (Fly X Simulations) version is considerably cheaper, and looks like it features a slightly better terminal interior. But overall, I always preferred the look of the FSDG version, so held out for a sale (which finally happened in the Marketplace this week!).
DETAIL
This is my first FSDG airport and I have to be honest: it’s the only one for which the marketing images look good. They seem a very solid outfit (been around a while) but the majority of their products just look mediocre. Luckily, the actual product doesn’t disappoint.
LGKF has a very FlyTampa or Flightbeam feel to it, for me. The texture work looks almost photoreal, everywhere you look. The terminal building is intricately detailed and features a full interior, including static passengers. Its landside area is also impressive, however I can’t help but feel there should be a few more vehicles and people around. Still, those that are here are very well done, and the road leading up the hill (away from the airport, presumably towards civilisation) is lined with extraordinarily high-quality POIs, which include car hire offices, holiday apartments and cafes/bars. This gorgeous detail goes on quite some way from the airport proper, and it’s certainly not present in the Fly X rendition.
Further away, we get more surrounding POIs (hotels, a lighthouse, etc.) but they’re done in less detail than those nearer the terminal. Which isn’t a problem as, when flying in and out, you won’t be in particularly close proximity to these peripheral structures. Beyond the end of runway 32, the terrain has been nicely modified and textured.
On the ramp there are three static light aircraft, parked so as to be out of the way of regular airliner operations.
The sole negative thing to note is that the terminal interior appears way too dull at night (see last image). The night-lighting generally, however, is excellent.
PERFORMANCE
I believe the dev recently released an update that addressed performance. Although I can’t comment on the state of the product prior to this update, it certainly runs without issue in its current state. That said, this is a tiny airport, in quite an undeveloped location, in a non-PG area. Airline traffic in the real world is sporadic at best so I imagine this scenery likely won’t trouble even mid-range machines.
VERDICT
Surprisingly, Greece gets a lot of love in MSFS. There’s a good selection of Greek airports — mostly decent — from the likes of FlyTampa, MXI Design, Terrainy Studios, IniBulds and JustSim. FSDG themselves offer what looks like quite a good version of Rhodes.
If you enjoy island-hopping, or doing bucket-and-spade flights from Western Europe, FSDG’s LGKF is one of the best Greek island airports, and therefore an essential purchase. The texturing is excellent across the board, and the custom ortho covering the airport works remarkably well. Add in some really exquisite detail (both inside and out), plus a handful of POIs on the island, and you have a great little package that’s a real no-brainer at the current sale price. Even at the full asking price, I wouldn’t say it’s bad value, given the quality of what you’re getting. Other than the insufficient interior lighting at night, the only real disappointment is perhaps that FSDG’s other scenery doesn’t seem to have been made with a similar attention to detail.
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