Pilot Experience Sim has released an extensive update for their Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (LFBZ) in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France, the airport is situated between the municipalities of Anglet and Biarritz. Established in the 1950s, the airport is unique for being close to the city center, providing quick access to urban areas. Biarritz Airport is the 17th busiest in France and plays a significant role in the economic development of the Basque Country and the surrounding areas, catering to over a million passengers annually.
The latest update, version 2.0.0, introduces numerous enhancements to ensure a highly realistic representation of the airport in 2024. The update brings significant upgrades to key structures, including a redesigned terminal and control tower, both featuring detailed interiors. The business aviation center and car rental areas have also been revamped with high-definition PBR textures. The airport's layout has been modernized with new ground poly textures, updated AFCAD, and realistic sloped runway profiles. Notable additions include hundreds of custom spotlights, dynamic billboards, and ambient sounds to enhance immersion.
Several functional updates also improve the user experience. The addition of animated ground services, custom jetways with sound effects, and GSX Pro integrations like interactive terminal doors elevate the level of realism. The update optimizes performance through improved FPS and Level of Detail (LOD) settings, making it accessible even for lower-spec systems. Updates to lighting include custom approach lights for runway 09, PAPI replacements, and dynamic wig-wag lights, enhancing night operations. Other detailed features include custom ambient sounds throughout the airport, redesigned roadways, and additional parking spots for the aeroclub and business aviation areas. The package also integrates various new elements, such as the "SCI les jardins d'arcadie" complex, advanced night textures, and new fences.
LFBZ Airport is available for $14.00 USD (excluding VAT) and can be purchased from Flightsim.to. All purchasers are entitled to update to version 2.0.0 free of charge.