Aircraft used: AT7
Live weather: off
Ever since I first laid eyes on this scenery for PC a couple of weeks ago, I was keen to see an Xbox release — an Xbox release that preserved every detail presented to those infernally lucky PC owners! 
Well, it finally dropped on the Marketplace tonight; and so I immediately handed my money over and kept my fingers and toes crossed that all the gorgeous detail — terminal interior included — would be present in the console release. I began my look at EGHI by operating a real-world flight from Guernsey, aboard the Aurigny ATR-72, beautifully painted by Bravoairspace.
The approach over the Solent is pretty nice, and I was given clearance for runway 20. Very smooth approach, but I admit to being quite nervous as I edged towards the airfield, knowing that any minute, all that detail would pop into view (and potentially give me black screens or, worse, a CTD!). Would the sim hold up in exterior view? Was it going to be jerky? Thankfully, the landing was buttery smooth, and so I began the taxi to stand. All the buildings adjacent to the southern taxiway came into view, and finally I clapped eyes on the beautifully-modelled terminal building. Pulled up on stand, with all screens still active. Right… the real litmus test: the drone cam!
I started to tentatively explore my aircraft’s immediate surroundings, instantly impressed by the level of detail. EGHI is quite unique in that its apron is built with paving brick, giving it a very unusual appearance — and Ini have captured the effect superbly. Next, I came upon the entrance doors to the terminal. Would there be anything inside? You bet — the full PC interior, in very high-res! There’s nothing they haven’t modelled here — every sign, every check-in desk, every fire extinguisher, every door handle, every poster, every seat, every window, every ceiling light, every floor panel…
Pyreegue, you got competition!
I’ll let the images below do the talking henceforth but if you’re wondering about performance, I had absolutely no stutters whatsoever. And as for stability, I had the drone out for an hour(!) and when I returned to the flightdeck… all screens still active! My one (extremely minor) complaint is that the LOD draw distance isn’t the best, however it is better than their EGSS and I guess a pre-requisite for getting such a fabulous scenery running well on Xbox.
My immediate surroundings having pulled up on stand.
A few views of the terminal exterior.
Terminal interior.
Airport overview.
Part of the ramp, nicely showing the unique paving brick apron.
landside detail.
They even modelled the railyard near the runway 20 threshold — complete with rusty tracks!
…and the motorway that passes the airport!
This has to be one of the most detailed airports I’ve ever seen… if not THE most detailed. For me, Pyreegue’s EGNX has for a few months now stood alone but this rivals it in every way — and even surpasses it in some respects.
There are no low-res textures to show you, or other annoying anomalies we frequently see in complex sceneries. As I said, the only fault I can possibly find to share is the sub-par LOD draw distance but it’s barely worth mentioning (likely the price to be paid for such good performance/stability).
Of course it was only released tonight but the £8.39 asking price is worth every single penny, even if it is only a small airport. There are few sceneries that have truly blown my mind but EGHI has managed to! I’m off to go exploring the place again… plenty more to see!
