Test machine specs: MSI X670E, AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, AMD Radeon RX 7900XTX, 48gb RAM
Version reviewed:
Airport: 1.0.0 for FS2024 (native)
City: 1.0.0 for FS2024
Add-ons: BATC, GSX Pro, GFX, Global Shipping '24
Before jumping into this review, I’d like to clarify that the airport is FS2024-native, but the city is not.
DETAIL
This review will mainly focus on the airport as little needs to be said about Dfflyer’s city packs and their amazing night-lighting.
My first flight into KBKL was based on a real-world bizjet flight from Columbus, although I swapped KCGF for KCMH (simply because I have scenery for the latter). As with most of the USA, Cleveland boasts photogrammetry and I knew well ahead of my flight that the approach was going to be visually appealing, despite my being totally unfamiliar with Lakefront. I got my first glimpe of the city from about 8,000ft, its tall buildings gleaming in the midday sunshine. Then the runway came into view on my left, and following a turn in that direction, I was on finals for RWY24R.
This is about as ‘downtown’ as an airport can get and the approach from the north follows the lake’s shoreline, meaning the city and its suburbs are off to the left, while to the right is nothing but a watery expanse. You really do pass very close to some of the city’s industrial zones and herein lies my first (minor) criticism: most buildings under the final approach (certainly from the north) are left to PG, which sadly isn’t Asobo’s best. Given their proximity to your aircraft, it would have been great to have seen some of them custom-modelled, since PG is only intended to look good from a certain height. But hey-ho. The city proper is so close than it really does steal much of your attention, especially at dusk or dawn.
Ground textures and markings are good, which equates to about average in 2026. The runway has an elevation profile but airfield lighting is entirely default, as is the perimeter fence (apart from sections of custom railings around the terminal). Being unfamiliar with these GA airports, I’m unsure how much apron GSE one would ordinarily expect, but it is at a bare minimun here (with the exception of animated snowploughs, which only appear when conditions are ripe for snow).
The main terminal building, the Signature facility and the ATC tower are nicely modelled and have full interiors, although parts of the main building are inaccessible due to collision detection (not a problem for me). These interiors are relatively simple but very well done, however they are missing people.
The landside is probably better detailed than the airside — there’s certainly more eye-candy here, including animated cars that come and go depending on time of day (a novelty I’ve not seen to this degree before), a small aviation museum with fully-modelled exhibits, and various bits of fixed clutter. All airport roads and car-parks are custom but again, there are no people anywhere.
The airfield’s peripheral areas do feel a little more basic but this could be a reflection of reality. These small GA airports don’t have the complex infrastructures of their larger international counterparts. There are a few hangars, though, which are modelled well enough.
It may come as no surprise to learn that night-lighting is strong, both externally and internally, with the tint of the glass in the terminal/tower being particularly convincing. This is a department in which Dfflyer is known to excel, and the jump to a 2024-native project no doubt only enhances things further. There are a few Asobo ‘globes’ floating around landside but they’re not invading the scenery proper.
Finally, there’s a GSX profile included (I did wonder if they are a thing with GA airports).
PERFORMANCE
Absolutely fine, even with the surrounding PG and proximity of downtown Cleveland.
VERDICT
The two products are best viewed as a single package, becase the city complements and significantly elevates a fairly unremarkable airport. Sure, geography plays its role but the way in which the city forms an integral and even leading part of the scenery shouldn’t be underestimated.
The airport itself is fairly basic, with a few novel touches. The method by which the cars fill and leave the car-park, depending on time of day, is certainly something new in the MSFS world, but their wheels aren’t animated, and they have no lights at night. I’ve not witnessed the winter snowploughs yet but I imagine they’re more decorative than practical (which is fine).
The terminal/ATC tower complex is the focal point of the airport scenery and I really like the interior, in spite of its fairly basic appearance. That the Signature building also has internal development is a bonus. But I do think there’s room for more fine detail, both airside and landside. A handful of static people here and there would go a long way towards injecting some life into the place, and a few more items of GSE on the ramp would make the airport feel functional. However when an airport has its own city as modelled surroundings, it’s actually quite hard to complain too much!
The airport has the basics to be really good. The foundations are definitely there, to be built upon. In summary, what I’d like to see in an update: addition of static people, more apron GSE, and some custom modelling on the RWY24 approach. The city needs no improvement, being the usual Dfflyer standard.
The city can of course be used standalone, for anyone not wanting the airport; but if you’re going to get the airport, you HAVE to get the city too. I honesrly don’t see the point of having the airport without the city, because they pair so naturally. The price for the bundle is reasonable, and Dfflyer does offer regular discounts, including launch offers (check out his Discord if you want a bargain).
On a final note, another version of KBKL was released on the same day (coincidence?), by a new developer called Orbitforge. Based on its marketing images, I think I’m fairly safe in saying it’s not up to the standard of Dfflyer’s.
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