While everyone else is all wrapped up in the release of England, I'm thrilled to see the announcement of Felts Field in Spokane. I've long used Felts in its default (well, Orbx default) form as a hub for exploring much of NRM and CRM, so I'm juiced to have such a well-located field for CRM, NRM exploration done in detail.

 

I have a feeling this will become my Bowerman for this region. Good size for all of my planes, good selection of instrument approaches, plenty of scenic flying possibilities close to hand and, oh yeah, plenty of character as well.

 

What a great surprise announcement!

 

Scott

 

Edit: And, of course, if you have either Carenado's JetProp or RealAir's Turbine Duke, you'll soon be able to fly them "home" for service. :-)

I totally agree with you. I use Spokane a lot - its a nice hub.

 

The screenshots show that this airport and surrounding area is outstanding. Meticulous comes to mind.

 

Now that I see the quality of this work I would have to say, while I like the Yellowstone release in general, I think that it's the poorest of all the Orbx releases especially when you compare it to the screenies for this new one.

 

I'm an Orbx junky and I like the areas they are choosing to work on so I will add this one to my list as well.

My only concern is that all that beautiful detail will make it a frame rate killer? Anacortes got some bad feedback for that (unless this was patched?) as did some of the Oz Airports (not sure exactly which now) so if the frame rates are OK it's extended coverage and the detail shown in the shots make it one for my list.

 

Geoff

Now that I see the quality of this work I would have to say, while I like the Yellowstone release in general, I think that it's the poorest of all the Orbx releases especially when you compare it to the screenies for this new one.

 

I quite like West Yellowstone, which surprises me because it wasn't high on my want list. One of the differences, of course, is that there's just not as much detail there at the airport itself to begin with, and the surrounding enhancements are mostly to the natural environment which is fairly subdued in the immediate area so the enhancements may not be as obvious as something like Felts appears to be - or for that matter KJAC with its combination of both spectacular scenery and a relatively developed field.

 

Anacortes got some bad feedback for that (unless this was patched?) as did some of the Oz Airports (not sure exactly which now) so if the frame rates are OK it's extended coverage and the detail shown in the shots make it one for my list.

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed for reasonable performance as well, but I think there's plenty of reason for optimism in large part because Spokane isn't Seattle :-). Anacortes seems to be almost in a class of its own, at least in terms of Orbx NA airports for me, in part, I think, because of its location. There seems to be a magic triangle or poor performance in and around that particular area. It's the only Orbx airport I own that's almost unflyable even with everything turned off on my modest system. Everything else I can handle with no worse than occasionally moderate stutters in some areas of airports. Even nearby Skagit (KBVS) works OK in most areas of the field.

 

Scott

This is really great news as I live in Spokane Valley and have been to Felts Field numerous times in real life! In my FSX life, I too use Felts a lot as a starting point to fly to the west side of the state.

 

Now I hope that Bremerton National would also be a future choice, as I also spent time at this airport in real life.

 

Ray

My only concern is that all that beautiful detail will make it a frame rate killer? Anacortes got some bad feedback for that (unless this was patched?) as did some of the Oz Airports (not sure exactly which now) so if the frame rates are OK it's extended coverage and the detail shown in the shots make it one for my list.

 

Hi Geoff,

 

I've got a few of the Australian Airports. Brisbane is the only poor performer. The rest are pretty good. I will say though that the NA Airports are all SUPERB when it comes to Frame Rates.

 

Like everyone here, I can't wait for FELTS!!!!! I think ORBX have well and truly optimised their newer airport and scenery offerings so should all be frame rate friendly.

 

Jas

Dang, more money spent!! Honey???

A quick update: Felts has been released. Be sure to get the small patch for NRM as well, as it has a few corrections to match Felts and the surrounding Spokane details.

 

As expected from the screenshots, the detail is amazing. While some airports like KJAC or KWYS may have larger areas of included photoscenery I don't know of any Orbx NA release that has the combined amount and level of added detail that this one does. I'm already loving the place.

 

The first question that always seems to crop up is performance. With the level of detail, multiple waterfalls, grasses, people-flow, and did I mention the level of detail, this one does make my modest system grunt a bit. Nothing too bad in most places, but I did get some significant stutters on short final when flying the ILS in for the first time with everything set to defaults. I'm still experimenting a bit with settings to see where good compromise lives, but I expect the waterfall spray will have to go on my system. Those with more capable systems will probably do fine with the defaults, but it'll be interesting to get reports from others.

 

Scott

 

Edit: Sure was fun to be able to taxi right up to the Rocket Engineering hangar in the Turbine Duke.

Others have identified the latest 3-D grass as a killer. Have you (can you) turn that off? I see that they've turned Goodwood into a "Nature Reserve" with this grass! Don't get me wrong I love the idea but it isn't right for Goodwood and IF it is a frame rate killer it's the first thing I'd Lose. BOB may like watching the grass grow but I'd rather not have frame rates collapse on finals personally?

 

Thanks for posting your findings so far Scott. Keep us posted. It's on my list but with Christmas and all that ...the Sibwings An-2 has reserved a slice of my dosh ^_^ .

 

Geoff

Others have identified the latest 3-D grass as a killer. Have you (can you) turn that off?

 

Geoff, there are two levels of grass listed in the Felts control panel, and the second level (listed as detailed) is off by default. Don't know whether this is the new grass or just a greater amount of the old, but either way I have it off. Funny thing is, I never had a problem with the new grass at S45 (while some with better systems than mine seemed to), but it was definitely, as you say, a killer for me at Bella Coola. Enabling the old grass there instead was like magic. Here it's something (or things) else.

 

I'll do some playing over the next day or so, but will be interested to get a few other reports. As all of the waterfalls were pretty much in front of me as I landed on 21R where I got the stutters, that's a logical place to start.

 

Scott

Went back and did some flying there last night and didn't have even a hint of stuttering. I'm wondering if I didn't have something else going on during my initial flight.

 

This airport is just exceptional, and will serve as my base of operations for a bit, I'm thinking.

 

Scott

I've been there a couple of times and it's very nice...I think! It was chucking it down with snow each time! Be nice in the spring I'm sure.

I've been there a couple of times and it's very nice...I think! It was chucking it down with snow each time! Be nice in the spring I'm sure.

 

I admit I've been season-switching, using REX-E+ historical weather to fly in the spring and summer of late. I'm just not a big fan of any FSX winter scenery, Orbx or otherwise, and after a while I get tired of looking at flat, white.

 

With apologies, in deference to the splendor of your festive seasonal avatar.

 

Scott

 

With apologies, in deference to the splendor of your festive seasonal avatar.

 

Scott

No need to apologise Scott, it's irony. :wink:

No need to apologise Scott, it's irony.

 

Yeppers. Sorry, I couldn't find the tongue in cheek emoticon to properly flavor things. Figured "splendor" and "festive" in the same sentence were over-the-top enough on their own. :biggrin:

 

Scott