How do you build a realistic looking airport?

[JFman00 1]

My bad the point still holds though runways need to be really long. The stats says, essentially, that runways for large commercial airports should be at least as long as about 1 medium city tile. I'll also update information on precision runways (the kinds airliners seem to use exclusively) as soon as I can. Disclaimer: I'm also not a pilot, just an avid researcher, so if there are exceptions or errors in what I posted already (in addition to the tile mixup).

[Cob92 360]

I use the medium terminal from the SWAP to give the airport functionality, and then I use the ACE pack and RMIP to build the rest. It's not perfect, but it'll have to do until the ACE pack becomes a functioning airport (if ever).

[DFire870 2]

If you read the readmes for the RMIP packs, I believe volume 1 has some information about runway markings.

And Cobhris96, just build an airport with the ACE and RMIP packs, and use the airport tram in the SWAP to make it functional. It won't act like a true airport, but it's probably impossible to make an entire airport made out of modular pieces functional.

[MidwestSimGeek 0]

Honest to goodness... this thread finally makes me understand why envy is on the list of seven deadly sins... those awesome airports make me homicidally jealous!

In all seriousness, though... this thread is a good jumping-off point for a question I had about custom airports... do they actually serve multiple cities in a region, i.e., do they still play a role in gameplay? I ask because I thought about reserving a small or medium city tile entirely for airport (as I've seen done in many CJs), but didn't want to knock the life out of my main city by removing its stock in-game model...

[Cob92 360]

If the cities are linked, the demand boosts given by airports will spread to all of them. However, in order for this to work, there must be a functional airport lot in the airport (one that shows usage and service quality statistics when queried). As I mentioned earlier, I use the functioning medium terminal piece from the SWAP so that the airport will actually serve its purpose and then connect all the eyecandy stuff from the ACE and RMIP. Since the medium terminal is meant to be a modular component, I can create a function modular airport. The only problem is that the color and texture of the medium terminal do not match those of the ACE pieces.

[feliwi 4]

i always build maximum 3 runways (2 parallel and one crossing) with enough taxiways (the runways should at least have the double length of the terminal). Its also important that you leave enough free space in your standing area and between the concourses. I also watch i have enough free grass space in front and behind the runways to provide a secure landing and starting. Another good tipp is to use bus gates too. For the cargo area just use some warehouses on the landside and some simple concourse pieces on the airside. As said before most time i make two parallel runways with a midfield terminal, but the runways have to be connected with runways. Don't think about bridges over runways, it's very unrealistic, use tunnels. For the terminal be sure you would have enough space to check in and get you luggage from the claim. Make sure the terminal has enough parking facilities for cars and buses. Bigger airports need train or subway stations. Also fo not forget facilities a airport has to have, e.g refilling areas or hangars, as well as fire and police stations. I also use gatehouses for the streets going directly to the plane standing areas or runways. I hope i could help you with my tipps

[waway625 72]

i just try to keep it simple, i have a single 3000m runway airport with a parallel taxiway and a 6 gate terminal

(patterned after a the local airport where i live )

i think an airport of this type would suffice for a metropolis/region of up to 3 million (which is my target region population)

then if i feel confident in doing bigger ones i might, but for starters, i keep it simple

oh, and i try to keep them away from the skyscrapers too

[JFman00 1]

Fantastic region shot!!

[feliwi 4]

well done, really realistic looking airport, i saw some tent roofs in your terminal, did you make them on your own, or are they downloadable. But one question, doesn't your airport need a cargo area, i didn't see one, but great region shot

[JFman00 1]

As I have often bemoaned, there are, at the momment, no cargo areas with textures that match the RMIP runways.

[feliwi 4]

tulane: I know, but you can create a realistic lookin cargo area just by using some other lot and mod (warehouses with truck parking, simple pier, or small hub and some baggage or container on the airfield, that's it)

[waway625 72]

yeah lols, i just imagine that the cargo area is the one with the large hangars the current available terminal doesnt fit the design of the terminal

oh and those tents are available on STEX, forgot the name though as i have compressed all my plugins into one large BAT

i just finished the airport buildings BTW and here are some shots

just finished my airport complex

passenger terminal on top, cargo building at the lower pic and private hangars for the companies located at the freeport at the bottom

another overview shot

passenger terminal

[JFman00 1]

Very nice! I especially like the entrance