Test machine specs: MSI X670E, AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, AMD Radeon RX 7900XTX, 48gb RAM
Reviewed for: FS2024
Add-ons: FS Traffic, GSX Pro
Despite having nothing to really fly into these small Norwegian airports (airline-wise), I thoroughly enjoy them as they tend to be in remote, rugged locations that offer pretty breath-taking approaches. Since ENRM is currently half-price at Orbx (the only store that stocks it), I decided to add it to my ever-expanding Scandinavian collection…
DETAIL
Being a small airport, the detail is, unsurprisingly, pretty decent. Ground textures are a real strength and all airfield lighting and signage is custom (as are the windsocks, which have audible effects when you’re close by). Taxiway signs exhibit evidence of wear and tear: rust, dimples and bent corners. The airfield has an accurate elevation profile and a completely encompassing custom perimeter fence (with modelled emergency access gates).
The terminal is a tiny, mostly-brick affair and is nicely modelled. It has a full interior and although it’s not the most detailed I’ve ever seen, it likely authentically recreates the simplicity of these out-of-the-way fjord airports. Looking in from outside, it’s certainly more than good enough to get the job done.
The buildings adjacent to the terminal also feature interiors, though they are only partial and slightly more simple. There exist numerous little animations across the airfield: flags, AC fans, anemometers, etc. There’s a custom-modelled drainage channel running down one side of the apron. It’s the small touches that make these tiny airports feel more intimate.
Moving landside, I’d actually say things get more impressive! Whenever this is the case, you can be pretty sure it’s down to the simplicity of the real airport (the ramp often contains just the bare essentials required to load/offload passengers). There’s a good deal of clutter: road signs, streetlights, cameras, snow-measuring poles (plenty of these airside, also), ornamental decor, flagpoles, barriers, etc. However despite there being a few static/animated people indoors, there are none outside. Perhaps it matters less at an airport of this size but I’d like to see one or two people loitering around the terminal entrance, regardless. The vehicles on the terminal’s car-park are mostly custom (with genuine Norwegian plates) but there are a handful of default Asobo models towards the area’s extremities. I’m not sure what compelled Togstad to use these — surely a couple more custom models would’ve been easy to add, without any noticeable impact whatsoever on performance.
Surrounding detail is minimal but I think it’s safe to say, this reflects reality. There are a handful of buildings and structures modelled in the more remote areas of the airfield but nothing outside the perimeter fence, except a nearby bridge (which is very prominent on approach to RWY22, from the south).
For those conducting winter ops, the runway, taxiways and apron all feature seasonal snow effects, which look great. Lately, I’ve come to realise just how much immersion these simple effects provide, and I now get quite deflated when I see a payware airport with squeaky clean surfaces while the area around them is under 2ft of snow! FS2024 doesn’t inherently do snow totally convincingly so developer input is most appreciated!
Finally, night-lighting, which is excellent. FS2024 really excels when it comes to after-dark lighting but it’s still important for the developer to get it right.
Just one anomaly, manifesting in two places: there’s some weird, corrupt parallax effect going on beneath the terminal airside entrance and one of the hangars. It’s far from a deal-breaker but a bit distracting, nonetheless. Luckily the affected areas are only really an issue when viewed close up and you’re in fact unlikely to notice them from the confines of your flightdeck.
PERFORMANCE
Being far from civilisation — and therefore any PG and/or dense areas of autogen — the airport is predictably fine in the performance department.
VERDICT
These tiny fjord airports aren’t for everyone but if you’re looking to add a quality but inexpensive little gem to your collection, I highly recommend Togstad’s Rørvik. It nicely captures the essence of a remote Norwegian strip and has some really neat little effects that greatly enhance immersion. Granted, it’s not perfect but the positives far outweigh the negatives. It’s reasonable value at its full asking price of £12 but at £6, it’s definitely worth having — even if you rarely use it.
The nature of the surrounding terrain means you’ll get a lot of seasonal variation — these airports tend to look wildly different in opposing seasons.
On a final note, I always like to look at the bigger picture: I’m positive someone, somewhere will eventually make a decent Dash 8. These airports are therefore largely a future investment for me — that they’re inexpensive means I can hedge my bets, and if no Dash 8 comes, I’ll still get sufficient use out of them to justify their cost. Of course I’m really hoping a good Dash 8 is forthcoming, because Norway is probably THE best place in the world to hop around in them!
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