Test machine specs: MSI X670E, AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, AMD Radeon RX 7900XTX, 48gb RAM
Add-ons: FS Traffic, GSX Pro
DETAIL
I’d experience with this developer, having bought their Kirkwall for FS2020 (which works fine in the new sim, incidentally), so I knew what to expect with this 2024-exclusive scenery. After landing and parking at the simple but no doubt functional terminal, the first thing I noticed was how much more refined this airport feels than its 2020 predecessor — the ground textures seem on a par but everything else just looks nicer. Kirkwall’s apron and terminal landside clutter comprises mostly default assets, mixed with a touch of custom; whereas here we’re treated to more custom than default. Loganair use electric baggage carts at their Scottish bases and they’re faithfully recreated here. There are also other custom assets scattered across the airfield, including fuel trucks, mobile airstairs and RAF helicopters.
As is often the case in remote, windswept regions, the terminal is basically a glorified shed but it’s very well-modelled and features a near-full interior (although some clumsy collision detection only lets you explore the airside portion with the drone cam). There’s a lot of high-res detail inside, plus some static people. The building’s outdoor landside is equally detailed but the custom assets don’t stray far from the main entrance, with default cars populating the car-parks. I can’t honestly say I’m loving the Simulación Extrema-branded minibuses but they’re innocuous enough not to affect immersion.
The airfield has a MOSTLY encompassing fence but there are gaps (thankfully in places less likely to be noticed from the cockpit of a plane). Another minor issue is the inclusion of a couple of default buildings within the airport boundary but they’re so small, they’ll likely go unnoticed. The majority of the airfield’s buildings are actually very well modelled/textured (even those some distance from the terminal). My only other gripe is areas of satellite ground imagery showing a few tiny structures and items of GSE but this is perhaps nit-picking. Even the very best are guilty of this.
Night-lighting is typical FS2024 standard (so very good).
PERFORMANCE
Unsurprisingly for a small, remote airport far from any dense PG, performance is excellent.
VERDICT
My experience with Simulación Extrema so far has been positive. Their work isn’t absolutely outstanding but the quality is certainly high. EGPO’s only real weak points are the sometimes generic-looking ground textures, the perimeter fence missing in places, and a lack of modelled surroundings (though there probably isn’t a lot around the airport in the real world). Almost every airfield building has been finished to a high standard (including of course the terminal and its interior) and there are just about enough custom assets dotted about to convince me that I’m actually on a remote Scottish isle. Sure, I’d like to see more custom assets, particularly landside, but what’s currently here suffices.
For anyone who enjoys flying in the Scottish Highlands, EGPO is a worthy addition to the collection. ATR fans can fly schedules from here to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and nearby Benbecula (the latter also being served by Hebridean Islanders, while Loganair also operate ERJ-145 jets on their Glasgow route).
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