How to Fly to and from Innsbruck with [FSX] Aerosoft - Approaching Innsbruck X v1.20
[FSX] Aerosoft - Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20: A Review
If you are looking for a new and exciting destination to fly to in Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX), you might want to check out Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20, a product by Aerosoft that offers a detailed and realistic rendition of Innsbruck airport and its surrounding cityscape. In this review, we will take a closer look at what this product has to offer, how it enhances the flight experience, and whether it is worth buying.
[FSX] Aerosoft - Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20
What is Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20?
Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20 is a scenery add-on for FSX that covers the airport and city of Innsbruck, Austria, one of the most challenging and scenic airports in Europe. It is an updated version of the previous Approaching Innsbruck product, with improved graphics, compatibility, and features.
What are the features and requirements of the product?
According to the product description, some of the features of Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20 are:
Detailed representation of the airports placed on high resolution areal images
Includes scenery on the approach and departure routes
Seasonal and night textures
Dynamic vehicle traffic on the airport (and surrounding) based on AESLite
Fully compatible with all AI traffic add-ons
AFCAD file that incorporates the non standard procedures
All navigation aids includes
Fully compatible with AES (from version 2.06)
Fully compatible with ATP2004 and UTE (FSX and FS2004)
Animated Lead in Lights (rwy 26), Airport T and windsocks
Includes LOJO heliport on the hospital
FSX and FS2004 version included
The system requirements for FSX are:
Operating system: Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later
Computer processor: 2.0 gigahertz (GHz) or higher (single core)
Memory: 2 GB RAM or more
Graphics: DirectX9 compliant video card or greater, 256 MB video RAM or higher, Shader Model 1.1 or higher (Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required)
DirectX: Version 9.0c or later
Network: Broadband Internet connection for online play
Storage: 30 GB available hard disk space or more
Pointing device: Keyboard and mouse or compatible game controller (Xbox 360 Controller for Windows)
The airport and the scenery
The history and layout of Innsbruck airport
Innsbruck Kranebitten Airport (LOWI) is the main airport of Western Austria, serving the city of Innsbruck and the Tyrol region. It opened in 1925, with its first commercial flight linking Innsbr Innsbruck airport has a rich and long history, dating back to 1925, when it opened as the first airport in the Reichenau district of Innsbruck. Since then, it has undergone several expansions and renovations, especially for the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics that were hosted in the city. Today, it is the largest international airport in Tyrol, serving more than 1 million passengers per year.
However, flying to and from Innsbruck is not an easy task, as the airport is surrounded by high mountains that create challenging weather and wind conditions. Pilots need special training and certification to land and take off at Innsbruck, as they have to follow complex procedures and navigate through narrow valleys. The airport is classified as a Category C airport, meaning that it has special difficulties that require high levels of skill and experience.
On the other hand, flying to and from Innsbruck is also a rewarding and stunning experience, as the airport offers spectacular views of the Alps and the cityscape. The scenery add-on by Aerosoft captures this beauty and realism in great detail, with high-resolution textures, dynamic lighting, seasonal and night effects, and realistic traffic and navigation aids. The add-on also includes scenery on the approach and departure routes, as well as landmarks and points of interest in the city, such as the ski jump, the Olympic stadium, the hospital heliport, and more. The details and realism of the airport and cityscape scenery
One of the main attractions of Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20 is the level of detail and realism that it provides for the airport and the cityscape scenery. The add-on features high-resolution aerial images that cover the airport and its surroundings, as well as custom-made 3D models and textures that depict the buildings, vehicles, vegetation, and landmarks of the area. The add-on also uses dynamic vehicle traffic on the airport and the city, based on AESLite, which adds to the immersion and realism of the scenery.
Another impressive feature of the add-on is the inclusion of all navigation aids and systems that are used at Innsbruck airport, such as the Instrument Landing System (ILS), the Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), the Non-Directional Beacon (NDB), the Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR), and the Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV). The add-on also incorporates the non-standard procedures that are required for landing and taking off at Innsbruck, such as the circling approach to runway 08, which involves a 180-degree turn over the city before landing. The add-on is fully compatible with all AI traffic add-ons, as well as with AES (from version 2.06), which adds realistic ground services and animations to the airport.
The flight experience
How to start a flight plan from or to Innsbruck
If you want to fly from or to Innsbruck using Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20, you need to create a flight plan in FSX that includes Innsbruck airport as your departure or arrival point. You can use the built-in flight planner in FSX, or use an external tool such as SimBrief or PFPX to generate a more realistic and accurate flight plan. You can also download some pre-made flight plans from Aerosoft's website, which include routes from or to various European destinations, such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Paris, Vienna, Zurich, and more.
Once you have created or downloaded your flight plan, you need to load it in FSX and select your aircraft and weather settings. You can choose any aircraft that you like, but keep in mind that Innsbruck airport has a runway length of 2000 meters (6562 feet), which limits the size and weight of the aircraft that can operate there. Some of the most common aircraft that fly to or from Innsbruck are regional jets such as the Bombardier CRJ700/900, the Embraer ERJ145/170/190, or turboprops such as the ATR 42/72, the Dash 8 Q400, or the Saab 340/2000.
As for the weather settings, you can choose any weather condition that you like, but be aware that Innsbruck airport is prone to fog, snow, wind shear, turbulence, and low visibility, which can make your flight more challenging and demanding. You can use real-world weather data from FSX or from an external source such as Active Sky or REX Sky Force to get a realistic weather scenario for your flight. Alternatively, you can use one of the pre-set weather themes from FSX or from Aerosoft's website, which include different seasons and weather conditions for Innsbruck airport. How to use assistance and air traffic control features
Another aspect of flying from or to Innsbruck that you need to consider is the use of assistance and air traffic control (ATC) features in FSX. These features can help you with navigation, communication, and guidance during your flight, especially if you are not familiar with the procedures and regulations of Innsbruck airport.
One of the assistance features that you can use is the GPS, which shows you your position, speed, altitude, heading, and waypoints on a map. You can also use the autopilot, which can control your speed, altitude, heading, and course according to your flight plan. However, you should not rely too much on these features, as they may not be accurate or realistic for Innsbruck airport. For example, the GPS may not show you the correct approach path or runway alignment for Innsbruck, and the autopilot may not be able to handle the steep turns and descents that are required for landing or taking off at Innsbruck. Therefore, you should always monitor your instruments and surroundings, and be ready to take manual control of your aircraft when needed.
Another assistance feature that you can use is the ATC, which provides you with voice instructions and information from the ground controllers and other pilots. You can use the ATC to request clearance, taxi instructions, takeoff and landing permissions, weather updates, traffic advisories, and emergency assistance. However, you should also be aware that the ATC in FSX may not be realistic or accurate for Innsbruck airport. For example, the ATC may not use the correct phraseology or procedures for Innsbruck, and may not give you the correct runway or approach assignments for Innsbruck. Therefore, you should always check your charts and manuals, and follow the real-world procedures and regulations for Innsbruck airport. How to perform a circling approach to runway 08
One of the most challenging and thrilling aspects of flying to Innsbruck is performing a circling approach to runway 08, which is the only runway that allows landings from the east. A circling approach is a maneuver that involves flying a visual pattern around the airport before aligning with the runway for landing. It is usually done when the runway is not aligned with the instrument approach path, or when the weather or terrain conditions prevent a straight-in approach. A circling approach requires a high level of skill and concentration, as the pilot has to maintain visual contact with the airport and the runway, while avoiding obstacles and other traffic, and following the prescribed altitude, speed, and distance limits.
The circling approach to runway 08 at Innsbruck is particularly difficult, as it involves flying over the city and making a tight 180-degree turn over the river Inn, before descending rapidly to the runway threshold. The approach is only allowed for aircraft with a maximum speed of 185 knots (213 mph), and only in daylight and good visibility conditions. The minimum altitude for the approach is 4000 feet (1219 meters) above sea level, and the minimum visibility is 5 kilometers (3.1 miles). The approach is not recommended for inexperienced or nervous pilots, as it requires precise timing, coordination, and judgment.
To perform a circling approach to runway 08 at Innsbruck, you need to follow these steps:
Request clearance from ATC for the circling approach to runway 08.
Fly the instrument approach procedure for runway 26, which is the opposite direction of runway 08. This procedure involves flying along the radial 066 of the RTT VOR/DME until intercepting the localizer for runway 26. You can use the ILS frequency of 111.10 MHz and the course of 256 degrees for guidance. You should maintain an altitude of 4000 feet until established on the localizer.
Once established on the localizer for runway 26, continue flying until reaching the final approach fix (FAF), which is marked by the outer marker (OM) beacon. You can identify the OM by its morse code signal of "I" (two dots), or by its distance of 4.3 nautical miles (5 miles) from the runway threshold.
At the FAF, start descending at a rate of about 700 feet per minute, while maintaining your speed and heading. You should reach an altitude of about 3000 feet when crossing the middle marker (MM) beacon, which is marked by its morse code signal of "INN" (dot dash dot dot), or by its distance of 1.9 nautical miles (2.2 miles) from the runway threshold.
At the MM, start looking for visual cues to locate the airport and the runway. You should see the city of Innsbruck on your left, and the river Inn on your right. You should also see the ski jump tower and the Olympic stadium on your left, which are landmarks that indicate the position of the airport.
Once you have visual contact with the airport and the runway, request permission from ATC to circle to land on runway 08.
If cleared by ATC, initiate a left turn over the river Inn, while reducing your speed and altitude. You should aim to fly parallel to runway 08, at a distance of about 1 nautical mile (1.2 miles) from it.
When you are abeam of the runway threshold, start another left turn to align with runway 08 for landing. You should complete this turn before reaching a point that is opposite to where you started your first turn over the river Inn.
During this final turn, you should descend rapidly to reach an altitude of about 2000 feet when crossing the extended runway centerline. You should also reduce your speed to about 120 knots (138 mph), and extend your flaps and landing gear.
Once aligned with runway 08, continue descending at a rate of about 500 feet per minute, while maintaining your speed and alignment. You should aim to touch down at the first third of the runway, as the runway is only 2000 meters (6562 feet) long, and has a displaced threshold of 285 meters (935 feet).
After touchdown, apply brakes and reverse thrust to slow down and stop your aircraft. You should exit the runway as soon as possible, and request taxi instructions from ATC to reach your parking spot.
Congratulations, you have successfully performed a circling approach to runway 08 at Innsbruck!
The verdict
The pros and cons of Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20
After flying to and from Innsbruck using Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20, we can summarize the pros and cons of this product as follows:
Pros
Cons
- High-quality and realistic scenery of the airport and the city
- High system requirements and possible performance issues
- Challenging and rewarding flight experience
- Limited compatibility with other scenery add-ons
- Comprehensive and accurate navigation aids and systems
- Unrealistic or inaccurate ATC and assistance features
- Variety of flight plans and weather themes available
- No dynamic seasons or weather effects
- Reasonable price and availability
- No updates or support since 2011
The price and availability of the product
Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20 is available for purchase from Aerosoft's online shop, as well as from other online retailers such as SimMarket or FlightSimStore. The product costs 19.99 euros (about 22.50 US dollars), which is a reasonable price for the quality and quantity of the scenery that it offers. The product is delivered as a digital download, which requires an internet connection and a valid email address. The product also requires activation, which can be done online or offline. The product can be installed on up to three computers, as long as they belong to the same user.
The final rating and recommendation
Based on our review, we give Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20 a final rating of 4 out of 5 stars. We think that this product is a great addition to FSX, as it provides a detailed and realistic scenery of one of the most challenging and scenic airports in Europe. We enjoyed flying to and from Innsbruck, as it tested our skills and rewarded us with stunning views of the Alps and the cityscape. We also appreciated the features and systems that the product included, such as the navigation aids, the traffic, the landmarks, and the flight plans.
However, we also found some drawbacks and limitations that prevented us from giving this product a perfect score. We noticed that the product had high system requirements, which affected our performance and frame rates. We also encountered some compatibility issues with other scenery add-ons, such as ORBX Global or Ultimate Terrain Europe. We also felt that the ATC and assistance features in FSX were not realistic or accurate for Innsbruck airport, which reduced our immersion and realism. We also wished that the product had dynamic seasons or weather effects, which would have added more variety and challenge to our flights. Finally, we were disappointed that the product had not been updated or supported since 2011, which made us wonder if it was still relevant or compatible with newer versions of FSX or Windows.
Therefore, we recommend Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20 to anyone who is looking for a new and exciting destination to fly to in FSX, especially if they are interested in mountain flying or European aviation. We think that this product is worth buying, as it offers a lot of value and quality for its price. However, we also advise potential buyers to be aware of the drawbacks and limitations that we mentioned, and to check their system specifications and compatibility before purchasing this product.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20 is a scenery add-on for FSX that covers the airport and city of Innsbruck, Austria, one of the most challenging and scenic airports in Europe. It is an updated version of the previous Approaching Innsbruck product, with improved graphics, compatibility, and features. It offers a detailed and realistic rendition of Innsbruck airport and its surrounding cityscape, with high-resolution textures, dynamic lighting, seasonal and night effects, and realistic traffic and navigation aids. It also includes scenery on the approach and departure routes, as well as landmarks and points of interest in the city. It enhances the flight experience by providing challenging and rewarding flights to and from Innsbruck, especially the circling approach to runway 08, which involves a 180-degree turn over the city before landing. It is fully compatible with all AI traffic add-ons, as well as with AES (from version 2.06), which adds realistic ground services and animations to the airport. It is available for purchase from Aerosoft's online shop, as well as from other online retailers, for 19.99 euros (about 22.50 US dollars). It is delivered as a digital download, which requires an internet connection and a valid email address. It also requires activation, which can be done online or offline. It can be installed on up to three computers, as long as they belong to the same user. However, Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20 also has some drawbacks and limitations that prevent it from being a perfect product. It has high system requirements, which may affect the performance and frame rates of some users. It also has limited compatibility with other scenery add-ons, such as ORBX Global or Ultimate Terrain Europe, which may cause conflicts or errors. It also relies on the unrealistic or inaccurate ATC and assistance features in FSX, which may reduce the immersion and realism of the flights. It also lacks dynamic seasons or weather effects, which would have added more variety and challenge to the flights. Finally, it has not been updated or supported since 2011, which raises questions about its relevance or compatibility with newer versions of FSX or Windows. Therefore, we recommend Approaching Innsbruck X V1.20 to anyone who is looking for a new and exciting destination to fly to in FSX, especially if they are interested in mountain flying or European aviation. We think that this product is worth buying, as it offers a lot of value and quality for its price. However, we also advise potential buyers to be aware of the drawbacks and limitations that we mentioned, and to check their system specifications and compatibility befo