FSX Smaller Airfields For Southern Africa Scenery

This freeware add-on introduces several smaller airstrips across northwestern parts of South Africa, including Batavia (AW15), Dwaalboom (FADB), and a photoreal representation of Ellisras (Lephalale, FAER). These locations are frequented by international hunting enthusiasts and have been meticulously crafted by developers Martin du Preez, Hannes Steyn, and Aeroworx for compatibility within Microsoft Flight Simulator X. By combining bespoke ground textures and carefully aligned terrain data, these airfields provide a highly accurate regional flying environment for those exploring remote bush strips in this part of Southern Africa.

Regional Landscape Enhancements

This package is designed to work seamlessly with existing Aeroworx scenery and meshes. By integrating fine-tuned elevations, water bodies, and vector details, it ensures that dams, rivers, and other terrain features appear in proper alignment. The environment has been coded to align with the Aeroworx FSXMesh segments (FSXMesh0604, FSXMesh0605, FSXMesh0704, and FSXMesh0705). Although other mesh packages can function, expect variations in water-level placement if Aeroworx meshes are not installed.

Key Airfields Included

• Batavia (AW15) – A compact bush strip suited for light aircraft.
• Dwaalboom (FADB) – Popular for game lodge access in the region.
• Ellisras (Lephalale, FAER) – Presented with photoreal details that reflect local landmarks.

Recommended Setup

For optimal visuals, the developers advise installing all Aeroworx scenery segments in proper numerical order. Additionally, the inclusion of FSXWORX17.ZIP and FSXWORX17UPD1.ZIP is highly encouraged to ensure full coverage of detailed terrain features. Users are also urged to select a 1-meter texture resolution so that slopes, water surfaces, and overall ground textures display accurately without unintended anomalies.

Installation Sequence

1. Unpack: Decompress the “fsxWorx22.zip” archive into a temporary folder. It is recommended to keep all future Aeroworx scenery downloads organized within a specific directory.
2. Run Installer: Execute “fsxWorx22.exe” to initiate an automated process. The path to your main simulator folder will be detected automatically, and on-screen prompts will guide you through each step.
3. File Placement: The installer creates a folder named “SASceneryFSX” under the principal Scenery directory of your simulator. Subsequent Aeroworx packages also use this directory for future expansions.
4. Optional Manual Copy: Alternatively, install to a temp location to examine the file structure and then transfer the content into “SASceneryFSX.” Avoid changing folder paths, as future updates depend on original directory configurations.
5. Activate in the Simulator: If this is your first Aeroworx scenery, open the sim, navigate to “Scenery Library,” select “Add Area,” and point to “SASceneryFSX.” Confirm and restart the simulator so the new scenery can be recognized.

Performance Criteria

This add-on is best viewed at high-resolution settings to minimize any mesh-related misalignment. Bridges will not appear in many crossing areas, so some roads may continue over water surfaces. This primarily stems from default elevation data or conflicting road vectors.

Identified Constraints

• Floating/Uneven Water: Dams may exhibit false elevations when not using the recommended Aeroworx mesh.
• Road Encroachment: Certain roads or rivers might pass over airfield runways because of original simulator airport placements.
• Limited Bridge Support: Areas where highways cross major water bodies could lack visible bridge structures at this stage.

Development and Design Tools

Microsoft Scenery SDK SP2

Ensures compatibility with the simulator’s environment design standards.

Scenery Builder – Luis Sá

Used for advanced layout creation and spatial data manipulation.

Airport Design Editor – ScruffyDuck Software

Facilitates precise airport positioning, navigation aids, and layering of runways and taxiways.

Whisplacer 0.9

Handles object placement and refinement of 3D models within the sim world.

Various Digitizing Programs

Assists with scanning charts and transforming them into geospatial data sets.