Scenery Review: PASI - Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport XP12 By Northern Sky Studio

[Dominic Smith]

 

 

Scenery Review: PASI - Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport XP12 By Northern Sky Studio

 

By Dominic Smith

 

Introduction
Everyone has a bucket list, right? After all, you only live once!

One of the top items on mine is a visit to Alaska, specifically the Inside Passage, even if the name does raise a few smiles (I’m looking at you, Mrs Smith!).

One of my favourite airports in this breathtaking region is Sitka. I first discovered the area back in the days of X-Plane 8, through the legendary Tom Curtis and his scenery packages Inside Passage and Final Frontier. A lot has changed since then, with even the default X-Plane terrain now offering a far more convincing environment. But whenever I see new scenery for this area, whether in the file library or the store, I can’t help but remember Tom’s fantastic work. So, when I spotted a new version of Sitka, this time by Northern Sky Studio, I knew I had to check it out.

If you’re not familiar with Northern Sky Studio, you’re missing out as they create some of the best small airport sceneries for X-Plane. Their rendition of Sitka comes packed with high-resolution ground textures, custom runway textures, detailed building textures, PBR effects, custom 3D vegetation, updated lighting effects, and even an optional custom Ortho4XP tile for the surrounding area. If that’s not enough for you, well, I don’t know what is!

 

 

Sitka Airport
The real airport is named after Sitka's former mayor, Rocky Gutierrez (and no, he wasn’t a boxer!). It features a single paved runway, situated on a causeway that extends from Japonski Island. The runway, designated 11/29, has an asphalt surface and measures 7,200 by 150 feet (2,195 x 46 metres). The airport includes a single terminal with a jetway, offering year-round air service by Alaska Airlines, with seasonal flights provided by Delta Air Lines' regional affiliate, Delta Connection, operated by SkyWest Airlines. In addition to the terminal, the airport hosts hangars and offices for local air traffic control, the Civil Air Patrol, and various private enterprises. The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka is also attached to the airport for its helicopter operations, although their rotary-wing aircraft seldom use the runway for takeoffs and landings.

 

The airport’s location comes with its share of safety hazards, including ocean waves washing over the runway during storms, high winds due to its exposed position, and large flocks of birds living nearby. These factors combine to make Sitka Airport one of the ten most thrilling landing experiences in the world.

 

Installation
As has become the norm with sceneries from Northern Sky Studio, installation is straightforward. Once purchased, download the 2.2GB file, unzip it, and place the newly created “PASI_Northern_Sky_Studio” folder into your Custom Scenery directory. The included documentation recommends downloading and installing not only the optional photographic ortho tile of the area but also X-World America by simHeaven and Global Trees from Orbx, all of which I did for this review. There’s no need for third-party launchers or online activation, making it an easy and hassle-free process, unlike some sceneries I’ve come across recently.

 

First Impressions
Having lived in Scotland for most of my life, there’s something very homely about Alaska. For me, it’s the remoteness, the idea that if you wanted to escape the world, it wouldn’t be too hard to do. Of course, Alaska’s landscape dwarfs that of Scotland in size, but the ruggedness and sheer beauty of the topography are strikingly similar, and that’s what makes Sitka such a great starting point for your adventure. The only thing you need to decide is which direction you want to take.

 

 

Default X-Plane 12 does a reasonable job of recreating the airport, the town, the jetties, and the numerous small islands scattered around, but with Northern Sky Studio’s scenery installed, everything is elevated to a whole new level. And it’s a big level at that. Perhaps the most noticeable difference, particularly from above, is the edited coastline and water bodies. X-Plane’s default coastline and its rendering of small islands can be quite poor in places, to say the least, but here, everything is vastly improved. When you combine that with the photographic elements, both included and optional, the results are simply stunning.

 

 

Closer to Home
As you descend, Japonski Island and the custom mesh of the main runway come into view, really showcasing the slightly elevated terrain. While X-Plane’s default mesh captures this to some extent, the custom mesh here makes it far more pronounced. Thanks to the high-resolution photographic tile, both clarity and detail remain impressive, even when viewed relatively close to the ground. When you combine that with X-Plane 12’s incredible volumetric water, it’s as good as it gets, well, almost.

 

 

Runway & Taxiway Textures
As is typical with sceneries from Northern Sky Studio, the custom ground textures around the airport are excellent. The transition between these and the larger photographic elements is seamless, with none of the abrupt texture changes you might notice in other sceneries. Situated close to Sitka Sound, the runway shows signs of environmental weathering, such as cracks, along with rubber marks and oil stains left by aircraft. These details are even more pronounced on the airport apron, adding to the overall realism.

 

 

Signage & Foliage
Northern Sky Studio uses their own custom 3D signs, which are both crisp and easy to read. Personally, I find the use of default X-Plane signs in custom "payware" sceneries a bit off-putting, so I really appreciate it when developers go the extra mile and include details like these. Complementing the 3D signs are a few 2D elements, mostly found on the taxiways and apron.

 

 

As for the foliage, Northern Sky Studio has included custom volumetric grass, carefully placed trees, and shrubbery, all of which enhance the scenery without overdoing it. I mention this because, given the location, it would be easy to go overboard with grass and trees, which could negatively impact framerates or VRAM usage. Fortunately, the developers have been quite disciplined in this regard, balancing realism with performance.

 

 

Airport Perimeter
For me, the difference between a standout scenery and a merely good one often comes down to the small details, and this is another area where Northern Sky Studio excels. It’s those little touches that make a scenery feel alive, and Sitka is no exception. Along the shore and around the airport perimeter, you’ll find small huts, aircraft floats, logs, windsocks, and other minor elements, all of which help bring the scene to life and elevate the overall experience.

 

 

Airport Buildings
In addition to the main terminal (which we’ll cover shortly), the scenery includes several key buildings such as the U.S. Coast Guard building, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, Aero Services, an Alaskan cargo building, Alaska Seaplanes, and a FedEx facility. Each of these buildings features excellent 3D modelling and texturing, with the latter enhanced by PBR effects, adding a layer of realism to the overall environment.

 

 

Ground Clutter & Vehicles
No scenery is complete without ground clutter, and you’ll be pleased to know that Sitka has plenty! Scattered around the airport are numerous small items, including cones, pallets, ladders (even stepladders), fire extinguishers, cargo containers, trailers, and much more. Alongside these static elements, there are also the usual animated airport vehicles we’ve come to expect, such as luggage carts, tugs, and tankers, adding life and activity to the scene.

 

 

Terminal Building
As with most airport sceneries, the terminal building is one of the main highlights, and it’s wonderfully recreated here. The 3D modelling is of an exceptionally high standard, as is the texture work. The painted wooden exterior features plenty of suitable weathering, giving it an authentic feel. The welcoming airport sign and the see-through windows, offering a glimpse of the modelled interior, add to the realism.

 

 

Upon entering the terminal, you’re greeted by a distinctly Alaskan theme. Above you, various wildlife trophies (beautifully modelled), along with maps, posters, and local artwork, create a welcoming atmosphere. These are of good quality and remain sharp, even when viewed up close.

 

 

Adding to the scene are numerous 3D models of passengers going about their business, along with airport staff, a signature feature of Northern Sky Studio. There’s also an inviting dining area, perfect for grabbing a bite before your flight. The waiting area, like the diner, features plenty of seating, along with a few ATMs and boarding pass machines. If you’re heading somewhere remote, now’s the time to take out some cash, it could come in handy if you need to bribe a bear!

 

 

Sitka
As you leave the airport, the town of Sitka comes into view once again. The custom autogen and photographic tile work seamlessly together, bringing this small town to life. Despite the limitations of X-Plane’s default scenery, I’ve always found the area around Sitka reasonably beautiful. But with this rendition by Northern Sky Studio, everything is taken to a whole new level. The varied custom autogen and high-quality photographic tile combine to create an environment that is extremely pleasing to the eye.

 

 

The seaplane base, piers, and numerous jetties, which were already reasonably detailed in the default scenery, are even more impressive here. The custom autogen extends beyond the John O’Connell Bridge, which links the airport to Baranof Island, and into the town itself. Here, you’re greeted by a mix of residential and commercial buildings, offering a glimpse into the town’s character. Beyond this, the autogen ends, but the surrounding mountains and forests continue, maintaining the natural beauty of the area.

 

 

Night Lighting
The dynamic lighting at Sitka Airport is very well done, with just the right balance, not too bright and not too dim. Achieving that perfect middle ground is harder than you might think, but Northern Sky Studio has nailed it here. Both the runway and taxiways are well lit, as are most of the main airport buildings.

 

 

The interior of the main terminal looks particularly inviting at night, though I do wish we could do something about the bear and moose heads, the fish, on the other hand, I can live with!

 

 

Performance
I was very pleased with how the scenery performed on my system. Frame rates, even at night, remained in the upper forties to lower fifties, with most sliders set to maximum (except for antialiasing). Of course, performance is always system dependent, so your experience may vary depending on your X-Plane setup.

 

 

Conclusion
Northern Sky Studio has once again delivered an exceptional scenery. Not only do you get an incredibly detailed rendition of Sitka Airport, but also a highly detailed representation of the town. Add the optional photographic ortho tiles, and it becomes a totally immersive experience.

 

At just $15, the scenery offers incredible value for money, especially considering the level of detail on offer. Whether you're familiar with the area, as I was, or simply looking for a new place to explore in X-Plane, Sitka by Northern Sky Studio is a must-have addition to your virtual world. Just be prepared to bribe those bears!

 

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Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport by Northern Sky Studio is now available from the X-Plane.Org Store here:

 

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport

Priced at $15.00

 

Features

• The most detailed replica of airport buildings and vehicles
• High-resolution ground textures / Custom runway textures
• High-resolution building textures
• Compatible with all X-Plane 12 features:
• Weather effects
• Native jetways
• PBR materials
• New lights
• 3D vegetation
• Ortho4XP tile (link in the manual):
• X-Plane 12 bathymetry
• X-Plane 12 DSF sound
• High resolution elevation
• Edited orthophotos
• Edited coastline and water bodies
• All materials created for full PBR
• Shading and occlusion effects on all airport buildings
• Custom orthophoto for the airport and surrounding areas
• World Traffic 3 compatible
• Compatible with Ortho4XP and default mesh

Requirements

X-Plane 12 (Not for XP11)

Windows, Mac, or Linux
8 GB+ VRAM Recommended
Download Size: 2.2 GB
Current version: 1.0 (September 2nd, 2024)

 

Review System Specifications

Intel i5 12400 – 32GB RAM - Nvidia Asus RTX 4070 – Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit

 

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Scenery Review by Dominic Smith
13th September 2024
Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews

 

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