Scenery Review: Everest Park - Nepal 3D XP12 by Frank Dainese and Fabio Bellini

[Dominic Smith]

 

Scenery Review: Everest Park - Nepal 3D XP12 by Frank Dainese and Fabio Bellini

 

By Peter Allnutt

Introduction
Mount Everest, known as the world's highest peak, holds a special place in the hearts of adventurers and enthusiasts. Its towering presence, steeped in history and numerous climbing stories, captures one's imagination uniquely. With such a famous landmark, it's natural to expect a lot from its virtual representations. The challenge of accurately and artistically recreating Everest’s grandeur is certainly not an easy task.

In this review, we’re looking at Everest Park – Nepal 3D by Frank Dainese for X-Plane 12. This package aims to meet these high expectations with its detailed landscapes and engaging virtual experience. However, as with any simulation, it's important to be objective. We'll discuss the strengths of this scenery in realistically portraying the Everest region, while also highlighting areas where improvements could be made. This balanced perspective will provide a clear view of what the scenery offers and its potential areas for improvement.

 

 

 

Purchase and Installation
The scenery package is available for purchase at the Org Store for $30.95. Covering an expansive area of around 8,000 square kilometres in the Himalayas, the package includes not just Mount Everest but also other notable peaks in the region.

After purchasing the package, you'll receive a confirmation email with a link to download the product from the store, which you can also access through your account. The download includes two items: a concise 2MB PDF manual and the main scenery file, slightly over 600MB. Once extracted, the file size increases to about 1.5GB and consists of four folders. These need to be copied into the Custom Scenery folder of your X-Plane installation.

Documentation
The PDF manual, separate from the main scenery ZIP file, is downloaded via the link provided. It guides you through the installation process and gives vital details about the package. The manual includes information about the various airfields and helipads, as well as the enhanced villages included in the scenery. Additionally, it features a map showing the area covered, with marked airfield locations. However, it notably does not mark the helipads, which might be an area for improvement.

 

 

Overview
The package features a vast area of 8,000 square kilometres, including seven detailed airfields, eight helipads, and several carefully enhanced villages. The terrain represents a significant upgrade from the default X-Plane scenery. It showcases not only Mount Everest but also other famous peaks such as Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Cho Oyu (8,206m), Nuptse (7,861m), Pumori (7,161m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), Taboche (6,543m), and Baruntse (7,129m)

 

It's important to mention that the ground textures vary in quality. Some areas have lower resolution areas, which we will highlight in the subsequent images. Also, a few of the buildings have minor visual issues, such as gaps in walls near the roof or partially transparent textures. However, these imperfections are not prevalent and are mostly undetectable during flight. The scenery provides some breathtaking views, whether you’re looking at the towering peaks or down through the valleys.

 

 

Airfields

We will embark on our journey from the southern reaches of the scenery, gradually making our way through the diverse landscapes, and steadily progressing northward, culminating in the awe-inspiring presence of the iconic Mount Everest.

 

VNKD – Khanidanda
Elevation: 4,432 ft
Khanidanda, also known as Man Maya Airport, holds a unique position as the southernmost and easterly airfield in this package. Situated at an elevation of 4,432 feet, it features an asphalt runway, which was shortened from 590 meters to 520 meters in 2015 to boost its operational capacity throughout the year. The airfield, nestled among high ground and surrounded by dwellings, features a well modelled control tower. Its apron, accommodating two aircraft, is a hive of activity with workers and tourists. The textures are generally good, though they become less sharp on closer inspection. Animated trees and a windsock add to its charm, and the village surrounding the airfield, especially vibrant at night, contrasts with the unlit runway.

 

 

VNLD – Lamidanda
Elevation: 4,046 ft
Heading northwest, Lamidanda airfield is positioned on a picturesque ridge and exudes a distinct charm. The control tower, resembling Khanidanda’s, is a well-modelled highlight of the airfield. The apron, amidst local houses with colourful roofs typical of the region, contains a moderate amount of detail. However, the runway's plain textures, lacking signs of wear, feel somewhat out of place in the otherwise immersive environment.

 

 

VNRT – Rumjatar
Elevation: 4,500 ft
Rumjatar has a recently upgraded asphalt runway, now 548 meters long in which to support jet traffic. This airport features a distinctive control tower, different from Lamidanda's. The apron, though sparsely detailed, is managed by a few staff members. The adjacent village, marked again by the area's characteristic colourful roofs, is effectively illuminated at night. The absence of airfield lighting, however, limits night-time flying operations.

 

 

VNKL – Kangel Danda
Elevation: 6,764 ft
Kangel Danda, at 6,764 feet, boasts a short dirt runway encircled by a well-detailed village. The airfield stands out with its unique control tower and several buildings along the airstrip. The presence of trees swaying in strong winds showcases the advanced environmental effects in X-Plane 12.

 

 

VNPL – Phaplu
Elevation: 8,054 ft
Phaplu's paved runway, measuring 671 meters, was completed in 2013 and often serves as an alternative landing site for flights originally destined for Lukla. The control tower, set in a lively compound with staff and various equipment, provides a commanding view of the runway, which is lined with buildings and trees bent by the wind. The nearby village, thoughtfully enhanced to blend with the scenery, along with the runway lights, enhances the overall ambiance. However, navigating here at night remains a challenge due to limited lighting.

 

 

VNLK – Lukla
Elevation: 9,100 ft
Lukla, the main access point for Everest expeditions, is the busiest airfield in the area. Famous for its sloped runway and demanding approach conditions, landings are confined to runway 06, and takeoffs occur downhill. The airfield's bustling nature is well captured, with plenty of apron staff, luggage, and general clutter. A minor discrepancy is seen in the welcome message on the runway, which reads "Well Come" instead of "Welcome," a mistake not repeated on the Numbur Hotel's rooftop near the apron.

 

 

The helipad area, while not overly busy, features a helicopter and a few maintenance workers, creating a scene that is both functional and visually appealing. This setup, though quieter, complements the main apron's more dynamic atmosphere, adding a touch of authenticity to the airfield.

 

 

The surrounding village, significantly enhanced, features distinct buildings and hotels, with names visible on their roofs. This area is particularly captivating in daylight and is beautifully lit at night.

 

 

VNSB – Syanboche
Elevation: 12,500 ft
Positioned even higher and closer to Everest than Lukla, Syanboche's airfield sits at 12,500 feet and has a dirt runway. Although lacking clear markings, the runway is encircled by signs of ongoing development, such as building materials, suggesting active efforts to enhance the airfield's capabilities and potentially reduce trekking distances to Everest. These expansion plans, however, seem to have been put on hold, possibly due to resistance from the Lukla business community. The airfield's surroundings, much like the others, have been enhanced with clusters of houses, contributing to the charm of the local village.

 

 

Helipads

In addition to the airfields, each location in this package includes a helipad, adding another layer of detail and functionality to the scenery. These helipads, typically marked with the standard circled 'H', offer a range of unique features and settings. Lukla's helipad, near the control tower and adjacent to the runway, is notable for its vibrant design. It stands out as the only helipad in the package with its own ICAO code, HELK, reflecting its distinct appearance and functionality.

HENB – Namche-Bazar Helipad
Elevation: 11,528 ft
Set on a hill, Namche-Bazar helipad provides a sweeping view of the local village, which is meticulously modelled. The village's night lighting subtly enhances its charm, and the presence of a replicated monument at various points in the scenery adds continuity. The panoramic view from the helipad, especially at night, is particularly picturesque.

 

 

HYET – Yeti Mountain
Elevation: 13,553 ft
Yeti Mountain features a cluster of comfort lodges known for their excellent cuisine and Sherpa hospitality. These lodges, surrounding the helipad, differ from other structures in their size and quality of materials. The view from the main lodge offers a stunning vista across valleys with Mount Everest prominently in the background.

 

 

HETB – Tengboche Helipad
Elevation: 12,634 ft
Tengboche, centred around the significant Tengboche Monastery, brings a unique character to the village. This area's model is bespoke, lending authenticity to the setting. The trail leading north from the village towards Everest is dotted with houses, enhancing the scenery's realism.

 

 

HPRH Pheriche Helipad
Elevation: 13,900 ft
Located further along the trek towards Everest, Pheriche is a simpler Sherpa village. Serving as a resting point for trekkers, it includes several buildings catering to basic needs. A small, significant monument within the village adds a sense of importance to its otherwise modest landscape.

 

 

HCNR Pyramid CNR Helipad
Elevation: 16,929 ft
Pyramid CNR Helipad is characterized by its sparse landscape and a unique pyramid-shaped building near the helipad. This distinctive structure serves as a research facility, operated jointly by the Ev-K2-CNR Committee and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). The model of the research building is accurately rendered, true to its real-life counterpart. However, a closer examination of the building reveals that the textures become less distinct, indicating a limitation in the texture resolution.

 

 

HEBC - Everest Base Camp
Elevation: 17,185 ft
Everest Base Camp, marked by a sprawling array of tents, serves as a crucial staging ground for Everest climbers. The presence of a simple yet evocative monument provides a sobering reminder of the camp's purpose and its remarkable altitude. In the evening, the lit tents highlight the camp's vast scale and its pivotal role as a gathering point for expeditions ascending Everest.

 

 

HBNF – North Base Camp Everest
Elevation: 20,359 ft
The North Base Camp, situated on Everest's northern face at 20,359 feet, is smaller than the South Base Camp and primarily consists of a compact group of tents. Notably, this camp has been closed to tourists since 2019, reflecting a significant shift in its function. Like the main base camp, it includes a monument, although there's a noticeable error in the displayed elevation.

 

 

Performance
My experience with this scenery was impressively smooth, even when running it at maximum settings on a 4K monitor. Notably, the vast number of animated X-Plane trees did not adversely affect frame rates, which stayed consistently high. This smooth performance was a pleasant surprise, given the scenery's complexity and detail. However, I did notice some inconsistency in the resolutions of the ground textures. Adjusting the settings didn't seem to improve this aspect. For reference, my testing setup includes an Intel i9 10900K processor, 32GB of RAM, an NVIDIA MSI RTX 3090 Suprim X graphics card, running on Windows 11 Home 64-bit.

Conclusion
Exploring the Himalayas in this scenery pack was an engaging and challenging adventure. The added realism of carefully choosing aircraft and managing oxygen levels due to the high altitudes is well captured by X-Plane.

The scenery excels in its overall presentation. The animated wind-swept trees effectively suggest the harsh mountainous conditions, while the upgraded villages add depth and charm to the landscape. Bespoke models for certain landmarks, though simple, successfully capture the spirit of these locations. This simplicity is understandable and acceptable, considering the vast area covered by the scenery and the need to keep the product reasonably priced.

 

Therefore, I highly recommend this package to those interested in a virtual exploration of this iconic region. The journey towards the summit of Mount Everest is especially rewarding, culminating in a delightful surprise: climbers positioned as if welcoming you at the peak.

 

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Everest Park - Nepal 3D XP12 by Frank Dainese and Fabio Bellini is now available from the X-Plane.Org Store here:

 

Everest Park - Nepal 3D XP12 by Frank Dainese and Fabio Bellini

Priced at US$30.95

 

Features:

Airports included

• VNLK (LUKLA) Sloped Asphalt Runway
• VNSB (SYANBOCHE) Runway in beaten earth
• VNPL (PHAPLU) Short asphalt runway
• VNRT (RUMJATAR) Asphalt Runway
• VNLD (LAMIDANDA) Asphalt Runway
• VNKL (KANGEL DANDA) Short Runway in beaten earth

Helipads Included 

• HELK Lukla Helipad - HENB Namche-Bazar Helipad - HETB TengBoche Helipad
• HPRH Pheriche Helipad - HCNR Pyramid CNR Helipad - HEBC BaseCamp Everest
• HBNF BaseCamp Everest North Face - HYET Yeti Mountain Helipad -
• All airports have a helipad

Ultra-High Definition Scenery Pack

• The main mountains of the area have been rebuilt with 3D models. 
• DEM data was used and further corrected with 3D graphics programs. 
• Summer and Winter Textures (XP12)
• Manual included

Requirements:

X-Plane 12 (separate package available for X-Plane 11)
Windows, Mac, or Linux
4 GB VRAM Minimum. 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended
 

Review System Specifications

Intel i9 10900K – 32GB RAM - NVidia MSI RTX 3090 Suprim X – Windows 10 Home 64 Bit

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Scenery Review by Peter Allnutt
22nd December 2023
Copyright©2023: X-Plane Reviews

 

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