Aircraft used: LVFR 320, PMDG 738
Live weather: on
DETAIL
Before I elaborate, I will say that this stands out, along with two other airports, as being the current MSFS benchmark for me (the others being Pyreegue’s EGNX and IniBuilds’ EGHI).
Not content with modelling the small airport and it’s immediate surroundings in great detail, they’ve done the entire island and even a neighbouring one!
Starting with the airport, which has a lovely little terminal, part of which is open plan. The detail in here is superb and no part of the interior (except the toilets) has been left out. Not QUITE as much detail as the other two I mentioned above but that’s not surprising, given the area this scenery covers. As with EGNX and EGHI, everything is done in high-res so looks great even really close up. Sometimes simple things get me excited and I was pleased to see animated ceiling fans in the small check-in hall. We also get a good number of static passengers dotted around, both inside and out (including an embracing couple at the boat jetty taking a selfie).
The apron is very well done, featuring various repair patches and some reflective textures. The runway is grooved to allow water to drain away (when it rains here, I believe it REALLY rains!) and they’ve done a great job reproducing this feature here. The runway appears to be built on reclaimed land and the modelled heaps of rocks around each end are nicely enhanced by the inclusion of ‘no vessels’ signs. Every building on the airfield is modelled just as well as the terminal and there are some static helicopters on the heli ramp. Ground clutter is kept to a minimum (probably as in reality) but what there is is very nice.
The terminal landside is another work of art — full of detail including boat jetties, golf buggies (this is a car-free island), static water vessels, etc.
A for the rest of the island, the detail continues, albeit not quite as intricate as the scenery’s obvious main focus (the airport). But that doesn’t mean the detail is poor — there’s still plenty to be seen, however they have employed some quite aggressive draw distance for SOME textures, meaning they don’t fully ‘pop’ till you get quite close. There are hotels, businesses, homes, the main marina (populated with boats), a boat maintenance facility, plus a variety of smaller seafaring vessels such as canoes, sailyachts and jetskis. They’ve also included neighbouring Dent island, which features a modelled golf course and lighthouse complex. The coastlines have been significantly touched up too and you’ll see all manner of small boats floating just offshore. You’ll also notice a cruise ship anchored in the bay.
PERFORMANCE
Like many complex sceneries I was very nervous adding this one to my collection. I have older, smaller AUScene airports that have given me grief — and the promo images didn’t fill me with confidence, with all that detail — but I’ve been very pleasantly surprised. It’s not perfect but, like Pyreegue’s EGNX, you have to bear in mind the level of detail your console is having to process here. Nosy around excessively using the drone and it will black screen but CTDs are very rare. Black screens have typically returned for me after a few minutes. Using exterior view doesn’t trouble it too much but, again, don’t go totally overboard. It will take a fair bit of punishment but there is a limit.
As for general performance, it’s very good. Some minor stutters here and there, when you’ve a lot of detail in view, but nothing that’s going to frustrate or kill the immersion. My landings/take-offs have so far been mostly very smooth.
VERDICT
Is it perfect? No. But it’s good enough to be in my current top three MSFS sceneries. The island looks beautiful and they’ve touched up a lot of the default coastlines, ensuring the place looks like it belongs in the Tropics. Remember, you’re not just getting an airport here, but two complete islands.
Given the rich detail, and the area that detail covers, performance and stability far exceed my expectations. There is no better performing Xbox scenery with this level and scope of complexity.
I’ve been unable to find anything I don’t really like. Perhaps SOME of the ground textures could have been improved but I say that about almost every scenery I own!
This is about as good as it gets in the current iteration of MSFS. I certainly recommend it, despite its rather steep price.
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