Aircraft used: default 320, LVFR 320, PMDG 738
Live weather: on
Now owning a number of FlyTampa airports, I kind of feel they’re a bit overhyped at times. Don’t get me wrong, they are one of the top devs and make great airports — but I think there are a handful who do things better (certainly with Xbox optimisation). KBOS, however, does buck the trend…
DETAIL
I’ll begin by saying this is without doubt my current favourite FT airport; and in fact one of my favourites in the sim. The location, in close proximity to downtown, makes for some visually stunning take-offs and landings, and the number of runways with their different headings means you’re not short of variety. The runways themselves are beautifully textured — stains, patches, cracks, plus some lovely reflective effects; and the rocks at the ends of those that jut into the sea look fantastic. Same for the taxiways and ground markings — it all looks really good!
The terminals look great too, featuring nicely weathered textures. None of those buildings that fit awkwardly into their surroundings, that we see with some devs. Everything looks natural. My only complaint with FlyTampa is that their terminal interiors are always pretty basic and not particularly thorough, but I guess the majority aren’t too bothered. It’s certainly not ‘make or break’ for me. If I were to be really picky, I’d also point out their use of poor, default ground textures landside, and KBOS is no exception. But these textures do somehow seem a better fit here than they do at, say, YSSY.
There’s some abundant landside modelling too, although as usual much of it isn’t quite up to the standard of the main terminal area. As with many devs, the further you move away from the key areas, the more the detail drops off. I have to point out the quality of the custom animated vehicles that drive around the airport’s internal roads — they really are brilliant with no jerky movements or wandering off course and into buildings. They’re even better at night when you can clearly see their head and tail lights, even from altitude! FT also appear to have modelled a nearby bridge (it looks far too out of place to be default).
PERFORMANCE
The reason I love this airport so much is that it’s the only one of FlyTampa’s that’s proved 100% stable. I couldn’t tell you why as it’s just as detailed as their other stuff, if not more so. But there’s perhaps a clue in the two years it took to migrate from PC to Xbox (there’s hope for CYYZ, then!)…
It runs really well too, especially considering the proximity of the photogrammetry city. maybe the odd micro-stutter at times but nothing that’s going to ruin your experience.
VERDICT
FlyTampa’s KBOS is one of two currently available for MSFS, the other being by FeelThere. I don’t own the FeelThere version but the general community consensus is that FlyTampa’s is better overall. Had FlyTampa’s not performed so admirably there might have been logic in going with the alternative, however when the more detailed version runs superbly there seems little point in looking elsewhere, unless you’re on a tight budget (FeelThere’s is much cheaper).
KBOS is for me FlyTampa’s best airport. It’s not quite perfect (the poor res ground textures will always niggle me) but it’s most of the way there, and it definitely re-establishes FlyTampa as one of my preferred devs.
The release of Sanscene3D’s US Cities Vol.1 means that Boston city gets an upgrade, making it a must for owners of FlyTampa’s KBOS. I’ll be getting it myself… when it finally gets discounted! 
IMAGES
Looks like we’re going to see some internal modelling in the new ‘Lipstick’ terminal…
Seafront Simulation’s Global Shipping enhances most coastal airports. KBOS being no exception. I flew right over this huge container ship minutes before, when it was right under my flightpath to RWY33L!
