Upon loading into SKCG, the first thing that strikes the user is the stark contrast between the deep blue of the Caribbean Sea and the warm, terracotta tones of the terminal roofs. PKSIM has moved away from the generic, sterile glass boxes that plague default airports. Instead, they have meticulously modeled the airport’s real-life architecture: the modern, curved glass facades of the main terminal sit comfortably alongside older, colonial-inspired structures.
PKSIM’s Cartagena (SKCG) for FSX is more than just an airport; it is a destination. It transforms a default, forgettable airstrip into a bustling gateway to South America. While the scenery is designed for the now-legacy FSX platform, the visual quality rivals many modern Prepar3D v4 add-ons.
– A must-have for South American flying enthusiasts.
The texturing is particularly noteworthy for the FSX platform. Utilizing high-resolution diffuse and specular maps, the tarmac shimmers under the tropical sun, and the runway asphalt shows realistic wear and tear. Unlike many FSX add-ons that look flat, PKSIM has used custom bump mapping to give the surfaces a tactile feel, even through the monitor.
Given the density of objects—including detailed jetways, ground vehicles, and surrounding city autogen—one might expect a heavy toll on the aging FSX engine. However, PKSIM has optimized the scenery remarkably well. The use of LOD (Level of Detail) models ensures that distant objects become less complex without popping jarringly into view. On a mid-range system, SKCG holds a steady frame rate, even with AI traffic injected. The only minor critique is the installation process, which, depending on the version, may require manual navigation to the FSX root folder, though this is standard for many high-end freeware or payware products.