• Which the release of FS2020 we see an explosition of activity on the forun and of course we are very happy to see this. But having all questions about FS2020 in one forum becomes a bit messy. So therefore we would like to ask you all to use the following guidelines when posting your questions:

    • Tag FS2020 specific questions with the MSFS2020 tag.
    • Questions about making 3D assets can be posted in the 3D asset design forum. Either post them in the subforum of the modelling tool you use or in the general forum if they are general.
    • Questions about aircraft design can be posted in the Aircraft design forum
    • Questions about airport design can be posted in the FS2020 airport design forum. Once airport development tools have been updated for FS2020 you can post tool speciifc questions in the subforums of those tools as well of course.
    • Questions about terrain design can be posted in the FS2020 terrain design forum.
    • Questions about SimConnect can be posted in the SimConnect forum.

    Any other question that is not specific to an aspect of development or tool can be posted in the General chat forum.

    By following these guidelines we make sure that the forums remain easy to read for everybody and also that the right people can find your post to answer it.

Original FSX Airport Designs that do not match Google Earth

S

SkyzDalimit

Messages
54
Country
unitedstates
I'm seeing consistency in a mismatch between the MS FSX Airport layout vs the Google Maps image in both of the airports I'm interested in working on.

When I underlay an airport in ADE with an image of the airport from Google (after scaling) I see a lot of difference.

For example KFXE, Fort Lauderdale Executive in South Florida. The runways seem to be the only things that line up properly. Nearly all the taxiways and buildings are off by quite a bit. often by a lot.

So I'm wondering if the FSX layout is accurate or if the Google Image is accurate. I can't see how a photo from say 10,000 ft or more would be not accurate but then there's a lot I do not know.

should I adjust the image by stretching it and scaling it until it fits the FSX layout or should I modify the FSX layout to fit the Google Maps Image?

Thanks
 
I suppose it's entirely possible that the airports in question (and many) have been physically altered between the time FSX was published and today.
 
There are other threads about discrepancies between background images and the ADE display. There can be several reasons including the one you suggest. Other issues are around the image projection used for the image. I believe the projection used in Google Earth may be different than that used by the sim.

This article explains a bit about adding background image: https://scruffyduck.screenstepslive.com/s/help_docs/m/20268/l/207785-how-do-i-add-a-background-image

There are differing views on the accuracy of an airport. Some folks want to see it down to a 10s of inches, others are happy that the general relationships between elements look correct. ADE background image philosophy tends more to the latter. Get the largest element in the airport lined up with the image and the rest falls into place. Also use more than one smaller image for larger airports to avoid errors getting worse over distance (and also to make it easier for ADE to handle them).
 
I would trust the images, if you are sure you have not messed up the projection.

I have heard that many of the default airports were manually traced from airport maps for FSX. So in that case it's logical only the runway is accurate, since it's easy to get threshold data for them.
 
arno said:
I have heard that many of the default airports were manually traced from airport maps for FSX. So in that case it's logical only the runway is accurate, since it's easy to get threshold data for them.
Click to expand...
Not even that.
During my Africa project I also noticed very often that the airfield does not match the satellite images at all.
In some cases the airport was even miles away from the one on the satellite image.
I would therefore definitely recommend that you adjust the airfield to the satellite image.
 
That makes sense. In the US the FAA probably has reasonable threshold coordinate data, while in Africa such information might be less reliable.
 
I use two methods for the location of my airports using Google Maps. My preferred method is to find a navaid at or near the airport and then match that navaid with the Google Map. First I versify the the navaid location is correct. To get the scale correct, I make sure the runway shown in ADE and Google Maps are the same length. If there is no navaid near my airport, then I will get the coordinates for each end of a runway (Google Maps) and place a mark in ADE for those coordinates. I then measure the distance between the ADE marks and make sure my ADE runway is the same length as the Google Map runway.

I am currently working on PGUA and found the runways were the correct length, but they were too far apart by a couple hundred meters. One of the main problems I find with FSX/P3d stock airports are the taxiways are not in the correct location.
 
Thanks guys. BlueStar, I find the same thing. Taxiways often do not line up. I like your method of matching locations using Navaids. I use FSX to practice instrument approaches so precision is important. Another factor is that I use Real World Scenery files and they seem to match up to Google Earth maps well.

One thing I can say for sure.....I'm amazed at the capabilities of the software. Wow. I love CAD work and this new (to me) software is tons of fun to work with.
 
Hi all....After updating/correcting and whatever about 130+ mostly Florida airports of all sizes (hard surfaced and turf) I can definitely state that some way off from sat/aero photos. I use a combination of Google Earth and AirNav for the data points. And I find measuring Google Earth to get Lat/Lon data and transferring that to ADE the most accurate. (AirNav info sometimes does not match the photos). Being a retired mech. Designer kind of helps. All this keeps my mind busy.
Later,
FredZ
 
fredz said:
Hi all....After updating/correcting and whatever about 130+ mostly Florida airports of all sizes (hard surfaced and turf) I can definitely state that some way off from sat/aero photos. I use a combination of Google Earth and AirNav for the data points. And I find measuring Google Earth to get Lat/Lon data and transferring that to ADE the most accurate. (AirNav info sometimes does not match the photos). Being a retired mech. Designer kind of helps. All this keeps my mind busy.
Later,
FredZ
Click to expand...

Do you sell those updated Florida airports? I'd be interested ;-)
I've done KFXE and KTNT. VERY extensive (or so I think) update of KFXE. Now ALL the runways and taxiways align well with GE and I've added nearly all the buildings plus some Palm trees and vehicles to bring life to it. Oh, also added a lot of apron edge lighting. it's SO much more exciting to fly into that facility now :)

One small problem tho is that now that the airports are well aligned with GE like they should be....they sometimes do not line up with some of the old original OEM FSX terrain files. Occasionally you'll get buildings on the runway etc with OEM default FSX scenery.

But I seldom use FSX OEM scenery any more as I much prefer RealWorld Scenery. At least during daytime flights.
 
Last edited:
SkyzDalimit said:
Do you sell those updated Florida airports? I'd be interested ;-)
I've done KFXE and KTNT. VERY extensive (or so I think) update of KFXE. Now ALL the runways and taxiways align well with GE and I've added nearly all the buildings plus some Palm trees and vehicles to bring life to it. Oh, also added a lot of apron edge lighting. it's SO much more exciting to fly into that facility now :)

One small problem tho is that now that the airports are well aligned with GE like they should be....they sometimes do not line up with some of the old original OEM FSX terrain files. Occasionally you'll get buildings on the runway etc with OEM default FSX scenery.

But I seldom use FSX OEM scenery any more as I much prefer RealWorld Scenery. At least during daytime flights.
Click to expand...
SkyzDalimit...No, I do not sell the airports that I update. As I use freely donated libraries plus my own creations, I upload all to Flightsim.com for all to enjoy.
FredZ
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top