I have reviewed and edited my list of the Orbx freeware and payware airports, with runway description and airport elevation. It includes most airports that were created up to March 30th 2021. The list does not include the airports made by commercial partners. This edition constitutes the last update of the list.
The addition of airports is based on what Orbx releases on its “Orbx Release Announcements” section. There are airports for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MFS2020), X-Plane, P3DV4+, AFS2 and FSX. There are a lot of airports in FSX that were improved over a long period by Larry Isenor and Neil Hill to add a human touch, hangars and aircrafts.
Payware airports often come with secondary, smaller virtual airports included in their package. The data is included in the list.
There are several airports included in the older Orbx regions on the west coast of USA that are not shown here. So the list is not perfect, but it does help the flight simmer. For the rest of the planet, the list is pretty accurate.
The Turner Exhibition at the MNBAQ in Quebec City in 2021.
Before winter 2021 officially ends, here are some photos taken around the MNBAQ (Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec) while there is still snow on the ground and on tree branches. In the spring of 2021, the Museum hosted the exhibition by British painter J.M.W. Turner.
A section of the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec (MNBAQ) in winter.
The architectural design of the MNBAQ, in combination with the contrast between the blue and yellow tones, caught my attention. The scene is partially framed by two trees. The passerby in the center adds a touch of humanity.
The “blue hour”, that special moment of the day, in a park near the MNBAQ.
The photo above was taken during the “blue hour“, near the MNBAQ. The citizens have deserted the park and are back inside, as shown here with the building in the background, with almost all its floors now lighted.
I considered it important to include the nice trees around the museum in all three shots.
Approaching the Narita international airport, in Japan, with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020is an extremely interesting product. Microsoft is taking advantage of the satellite imagery offered by Bing, which allows the flight simulation enthusiast to fly over the world almost like in the real life. With the addition of live weather and air traffic in real time, the immersion is incredible.
Flying over New York in the evening with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
To download the game’s 128 gigabytes using my current internet plan, it took fourteen hours. I still remember when I bought a hard drive that could hold 30 megabytes of data: it was a computer revolution!
Of course, the game requires an adaptation. We are far from the old FSX platform. It goes without saying that you need a high-performance computer. But a new and very positive aspect of this simulator is that you can now use an X-Box controlleras an in-flight camera, with the addition of a rudder and a steering wheel for more reality. This camera offers incredible possibilities and the additional X-Box controller becomes essential.
The Zlin Savage Cub flying over the United States using Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
As with anything new, there are some glitches. Personally, I have been using the CH company products for flight simulation for many years and the new MSFS 2020 has had problems recognizing the functions of CH products. Many virtual flight enthousiasts have had the same problems. So here are the links below that allowed a neophyte like me to solve the problems.
Afirst video of interest is also available. Its author uses a slightly different method, but it is super easy to understand and allows you to acquire additional knowledge if you want to map your CH rudder and control column correctly.
Asecond video gives you access to the CH company products. There you will find the links that allow you to print a representation of your CH flight controls. This will allow you to find which number is associated with a specific command control. You can then remap the controls to your taste and keep a record of all the modifications you made.
