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Scenery Review : KMIA - Miami International Airport : Butnaru


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KMIA head.jpg

 

KMIA - Miami International Airport : Butnaru

 

Miami International Airport (IATA: MIA, ICAO: KMIA), also known as MIA and historically as Wilcox Field. The geographical position of MIA in South Florida, USA, is it’s main strength in world aviation. It is a hub of many different aspects in the fact that it is the main gateway from North America to South America. Even flights that used to originate in Europe before very long-range aircraft were available, would fly to MIA and then refuel to either go south (Latin America) or continue west to Mexico and Central America.

That is reflected in the first operator of the area, Pan American. The airport opened in 1928 as Pan American Field, the operating base of Pan American Airways Corporation, on the north side of the modern airport property.They moved after a few years to “Dinner Key” (Seaplane Base) but still held the property rights to the airfield.

It was an army field for a while till nonstop flights to Chicago and New York/Newark started in 1946–47, but they didn’t reach west further and beyond St Louis and New Orleans until January 1962. Nonstop transatlantic flights began in 1970. In the late 1970s and early 1980s Air Florida had a hub at MIA until they went broke in 1982 and Eastern Airlines moved their operations to MIA in 1975 until the airline went into bankruptcy in 1989.

Today it is dominated by American Airlines that transfered there in the late 1990s and capitalised on Eastern’s demise. American transferred more employees and equipment to MIA from its failed domestic hubs at Nashville and Raleigh–Durham. Today Miami is American’s largest air freight hub and is the main connecting point in the airline’s north–south international route network.

 

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8L/26R 2,621m (8,600ft) Asphalt
8R/26L 3,202m (10,506ft) Asphalt
8L/26R 2,621m (8,600ft) Asphalt

2/301 2,851m (9,354ft) Asphalt


Elevation 8 ft / 2 m AMSL

 

KMIA_OV1.jpgKMIA_OV2.jpg

KMIA_OV Ter1.jpgKMIA_OV Ter2.jpg

 

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Santiago Butnaru is one of the Classic X-Plane scenery developers and KMIA is a great choice for his talent. Like many large American Hubs, MIA is a wide and sprawling airport. There is so many items here that it is impossible to cover every area, but Butnaru has done a really great job here. The number one factor is that it is up to date and that helps in keeping the airport current, the only thing missing is the new car-rental and car park “Miami Intermodal Center” (MIC) - (The biggest in the world as the RCC is home to 6,500 rental cars and is projected to serve 28,000 customers daily) is missing but it is also situated well off the main airport area. But the Terminal D improvements are all in the scenery.


The airport has four runways 8L/26R, 8R/26L, 9/27 and 12/30 (which is really a cross runway). American Airlines dominates the airport and uses almost half (North) of the airport in Terminal D.

 

MIA Terminals.jpg

 

The main terminal at MIA dates back to 1959, with several new additions. Semicircular in shape, the terminal has one linear concourse (Concourse D) and five pier-shaped concourses, lettered counter-clockwise from E to J (Concourse A is now part of Concourse D; Concourses B and C were demolished so that Concourse D gates could be added in their place) Concourse I was not used because it would have clashed with Concourse 1 (But now that is gone as well?). From the terminal’s opening until the mid-1970s the concourses were numbered clockwise from 1 to 6.

Terminal D (North Terminal)
The North Terminal consists of one concourse, Concourse D, a single linear concourse 1.2 miles (1.9 km) long with a capacity of 30 million passengers annually for American Airlines.

It has one bus station and 45 gates: D1–D12, D14–D17, D19–D25, D29–D33 D37–D40, D42–D51, D53, D55, D60. and American operates two Admirals Clubs within the concourse; one located near Gate D30, and another near Gate D15, American Eagle uses Gates D53, D55, and D60.

 

Airlines: American, American Eagle.

 

KMIA_Gates D west.jpgKMIA_Gates D central.jpg

KMIA_Gates D East.jpg

 

The Central Terminal consists of three concourses, labeled E, F, and G, with a combined total of 52 gates.

Terminal E
Concourse E has two bus stations and 18 gates: E2, E4–E11, E20–E25, E30, E31, E33.

Concourse E  dates back to the terminal’s 1959 opening, and was originally known as Concourse 4. From the start, it was the airport’s only international concourse, containing its own immigration and customs facilities. In the mid-1960s it underwent renovations similar to the airport’s other original concourses, but didn’t receive its first major addition until the opening of the International Satellite Terminal in 1976. Featuring Gates E20–E35 (commonly known as “High E”), the satellite added 12 international gates capable of handling the largest jet aircraft as well as an international in-transit lounge for arriving international passengers connecting to other international flights. The seven story Miami–International Airport hotel and many Miami-Dade Aviation Department executive offices are in the Concourse E portion of the terminal. Concourse E, along with Concourse F, was once the base of operations for Pan Am and many of MIA’s international carriers.

 

Airlines: Aeroflot, Cayman, Iberia, Interjet, WestJet

 

KMIA_Gates E-1.jpgKMIA_Gates E-2.jpg

 

Concourse F
Concourse F has one bus station and 19 gates: F3–F12, F14–F23

Concourse F dates back to 1959 and was originally known as Concourse 3. Like Concourses D and E, it received renovations in the mid-1960s and was largely rebuilt from 1986 to 1988. The gates at the far end of the pier were demolished and replaced by new widebody Gates F10 to F23, all of which were capable of processing international arrivals. The departure lounges for Gates F3, F5, F7, and F9 were also rebuilt, and these also became international gates. Currently the concourse retains a distinctly 1980s feel, and is part of the Central Terminal area.

The south side of the concourse was used by Northeast Airlines until its 1972 merger with Delta Air Lines. Likewise, National Airlines flew out of the north side of Concourse F until its 1980 merger with Pan Am, which continued to use the concourse until its 1991 shutdown. When United Airlines acquired Pan Am’s Latin American operations, the airline carried on operating a focus city out of Concourse F until completely dismantling it by 2004. From 1993 to 2004, Concourse F was also used by Iberia Airlines for its Miami focus city operation, which linked Central American capitals to Madrid using MIA as the connecting point but has been moved to Con, E.

Airlines: Airberlin, British Airways, GOL, Insel Air, Sun Country, Virgin Atlantic and XL Airways.

 

KMIA_Gates F-1.jpgKMIA_Gates F-2.jpg

 

Concourse G
Concourse G has one bus station and 15 gates: G2–G12, G14–G16, G19

Concourse G is the only one of the original 1959 concourses that has largely remained in its original state, save for the modifications the rest of the airport received in the mid-1960s and an extension in the early 1970s. It is the only concourse at the airport not capable of handling international arrivals, though it is frequently used for departing international charters.

Airlines: ArkeFly, Avior, Dutch Antilles Express, Miami Air, Santa Barbara, Sky King, Surinam, Transaero and World Atlantic.ArkeFly, Avior, Dutch Antilles Express, Miami Air, Santa Barbara, Sky King, Surinam, Transaero and World Atlantic.

 

KMIA_Gates G-1.jpgKMIA_Gates G-2.jpg

 

Concourse H
Concourse H has one bus station and 13 gates: H3–H12, H14, H15, H17

Concourse H was the 20th Street Terminal’s first extension, originally built in 1961 as Concourse 1 for Delta Air Lines, which remains in the concourse to this day. This concourse featured a third floor, the sole purpose of which was to expedite access to the “headhouse” gates at the far end. In the late 1970s, a commuter satellite terminal was built just to the east of the concourse. Known as “Gate H2”, it featured seven parking spaces (numbered H2a through H2g) designed to handle smaller commuter aircraft. The concourse was dramatically renovated from 1994 to 1998, to match the style of the then-new Concourse A. Moving walkways were added to the third floor, the H1 Bus Station and Gates H3–H11 were completely rebuilt, and the H2 commuter satellite had jetways installed. Due to financial difficulties, headhouse gates H12–H20 were left in their original state.

Airlines: Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, Bahamasair, COPA, Delta Air Lines, KLM, LAN, TACA and United Airlines.

 

KMIA_Gates H-1.jpgKMIA_Gates H-2.jpg

 

Concourse J
Concourse J has one bus station and 15 gates: J2–J5, J7–J12, J14–J18

Concourse J is the newest concourse, having entered service on August 29, 2007. Part of the airport’s South Terminal project, the concourse was designed by Carlos Zapata and M.G.E., THe company is one of the largest Hispanic-owned architecture firms in Florida. The concourse features 15 international-capable gates as well as the airport’s only 3 Jet-Bridge gate capable of handling the Airbus A380. (Lufthansa are the only airline using the A380 "FRA-MIA" at this time) The concourse added a third international arrivals hall to the airport, supplementing the existing ones at Concourses B (now closed) and E while significantly relieving overcrowding at these two facilities. The J Concourse is distinctive with the Pod shaped ramp tower on the terminal end of the concourse.

Airlines: Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Canada, Air Jamaica, Avianca, Caribbean, IBC Airways
(level 1)
Airlines: LACSA / TACA, Lufthansa, Swiss, TAM, TAP and US Airways.

 

KMIA_Gates J.jpgKMIA_N_ Gate J-2.jpg

 

Features
One of the big features is the Terminals (and Concourses) have great see-through glass and detailed interiors. With-in concourse advertising and people walking and sitting around gives the airport a great working feel.
All the terminals are extremely well designed and represent their real world counterparts. Concourse J is the very best design here with wonderful work and so is Concourse D.

There are plenty of static aircraft and there are all well placed, lots of ground equipment and associated pallets and cargo pallets. However some areas are well done but others are empty (mostly all along the long Terminal North side) which is quite barren if you park there, gate placement via the airport menu is well listed but placement is a bit ad-hoc.

Another feature is that there are walking airport personal all over the scenery. Any animation I love and this is a great idea.

 

KMIA_Terminals 1.jpgKMIA_Terminals 2.jpg

KMIA_Terminals 3.jpgKMIA_Amination.jpg

 

Cargo
The airport is one of the largest in terms of cargo in the United States, and is primary connecting point for cargo between Latin America and the world. Ninety-six different carriers are involved in shifting over two million tons of freight annually.

Central of the airport is “Cargo City” with a long line of ramps.

 

KMIA_Cargo 1.jpgKMIA_N_ Cargo.jpg

KMIA_Cargo 2.jpgKMIA_Cargo 3.jpg

 

And adjacent to RWY 9/27 are two multi-purpose Cargo areas called “Western U” and “Eastern U”. The area is noted as well for the central placement of the Control Tower of which is excellent.

The very northern boundary (Northside) of MIA airport has the Cargo operations of FedEx and UPS.

 

KMIA_North.jpg

 

Pan Am was based here on the Northside as well in the early days, but it is now taken up by hangers and maintenance. The lower part is called the “Northeast Base”.

The extremely huge American Airlines maintenance hangar is represented here.

 

KMIA_AA Main.jpgKMIA_AA Fuel Depot.jpg

 

And so is the large Fuel Depot by Concourse J.

Butnaru uses large underlays (orthophoto) to represent the ground and layout of KMIA. These can work for you and against you in various ways. Items that look real from a small height then disappear when close on the ground, but the biggest problem is if you have to use a lower “texture” render setting then the ground becomes very jaggy and fuzzy. The “High” setting was poor and you needed the setting of “Very High” to make a difference. With a large scenery like this that is a compromise - Its not bad, but it is not great either if your computer can't take the strain...

 

KMIA_Linage 1.jpgKMIA_Linage 2.jpg

KMIA_Linage 3.jpgKMIA_N_ terminals 2.jpg

 

Thankfully the Runway and Taxiway lineage is very good, and so is all the layouts. So is the signage that helps you find your way around the complex taxiway system. (You seem to always taxi a long way out to the runways here)

The OSM (OpenStreetMap) and road networks are simply great all around MIA, only a few breaks on the North Boundary were the underlays just overide a little to far out, but you do get great roads and cars buzzing into the central area of the airport.

 

KMIA_N_ OV traffic.jpgKMIA_N_ OV 4.jpg

KMIA_N_ OV.jpgKMIA_N_ AA.jpg

KMIA_N_ Gate E.jpgKMIA_N_ Gate J.jpg

 

Overall the night-lighting is very good. It is one tone in colour, but all areas are well covered. There is no specialized lighting to highlight certain areas and no lighted advertising either.

 

KMIA_N_ windows.jpgKMIA_N_ windows 2.jpg

KMIA_N_ terminals.jpg

 

I did expect with the clear terminal and concourse glass that the buildings would be great at night. They are but the light is quite muted, they are well lit inside but the dark (blue) glass takes the effect away sadly. They do still however give a great transparent feel to the buildings.

 

KMIA_N_ OV 2.jpgKMIA_N_ OV 3.jpg

 

Conclusions
KMIA - Miami International Airport from Butnaru is a great piece of scenery, Important as well because its position gives you a very wide selection of destinations from the nearby Caribbean Islands and then out to Mexico and central America. And then further south to South America in all its forms. Going North or West there is also a wide selection of American and Canadian routes and finally to and from Europe with the UK, France and Germany as the main entry points of destinations.

The modeling is very well done and in that context the airport delivers very well and every one of the 111 gates are here, but some more attention to detail around the gates of Concourse D would have made a better impact and the frame-rate is marginal (but still very usable) because of having to use the higher texture settings, HDR is tough on the system as the roads and traffic are quite heavily represented and so is the heavy amount of autogen and this all takes some chunk out of the screen rendering. However it is usable like I have already mentioned.

This was one scenery I really wanted and I am not disappointed with the quality. MIA will be put to a lot of use and is already one of my prime destinations, and any scenery released by Santiago is always worth your investment... and KMIA - Miami International Airport is one of his very best.

Installation of KMIA is unzip (163mb) to your “Custom Scenery” Folder (Expanded 231.10mb) and a manual .pdf is supplied.

Review by Stephen Dutton

20th September 2013

KMIA - Miami International Airport is available now from the X-Plane.org Store : KMIA - Miami International

 

Price is US$19.95

The scenery is available for both X-Plane9 and X-Plane10 (HDR lighting and road and traffic will only work with XP10)

Developer Site : None

_______________________________


Review System Specifications:
Computer System:     
- 2.66 Ghz Intel Core i5 iMac 27”
- 6 Gb 1067 Mhz DDR3
- ATI Radeon HD 4850 512mb
Software:     
- Mac OS MountainLion 10.8.2
- X-Plane 10 Global ver 10.22 (final)
- ExtremeSceneryMAXX
Addons
- Saitek x52 Pro system Joystick and Throttle

 

Stephen Dutton

20th September 2013

Copyright:X-PlaneReviews 2016

 

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Underneath the MIA airfield diagram (near the top of the review) the runway lengths for meters and feet are reversed ... or else it has exceptionally short runways in feet or really long runways in meters.

 

Reference: 

8L/26R 8,600m (2,621ft) Asphalt

8R/26L 10,506m  (3,202ft) Asphalt

8L/26R 8,600m (2,621ft) Asphalt Elevation 8 ft / 2 m

 

The elevation seems close to AirNav ... Although AirNav and the current A/FD don't agree. Still it's plenty accurate for a simulator. Or it might be global warming?

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Underneath the MIA airfield diagram (near the top of the review) the runway lengths for meters and feet are reversed ... or else it has exceptionally short runways in feet or really long runways in meters.

 

Reference: 

8L/26R 8,600m (2,621ft) Asphalt

8R/26L 10,506m  (3,202ft) Asphalt

8L/26R 8,600m (2,621ft) Asphalt Elevation 8 ft / 2 m

 

The elevation seems close to AirNav ... Although AirNav and the current A/FD don't agree. Still it's plenty accurate for a simulator. Or it might be global warming?

What they realised Dlogue was that if the runways were far shorter, then the pilots would have to stop quicker and they could cram in more flights (movements) in and out of KMIA during the day!  Fixed thanks :)

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