Aerofly FS 2: France VFR - Paris-Ile-de-France

The France VFR – Paris-Ile-de-France DLC for Aerofly FS 2 was developed by France VFR and published by IPACS. Released on March 6, 2020, this add-on offers a comprehensive and photorealistic representation of the Paris metropolitan area and the surrounding Île-de-France region. It was designed to enhance the VFR (Visual Flight Rules) experience within Aerofly FS 2 by providing detailed scenery and landmarks.

The DLC features high-resolution ground textures sourced from IGN aerial photography, with pixel resolutions ranging from 0.25 to 1.60 meters, ensuring sharp and realistic visuals. The terrain is complemented by an ultra-high-definition mesh at 4.75-meter resolution, enhancing the topographical accuracy of the landscape. The scenery includes thousands of VFR landmarks, such as antennas, towers, wind turbines, and notable buildings, providing a rich and immersive flying environment. Additionally, the package offers detailed models of several airports, including Lognes, Saint-Cyr, and Toussus, while major airports like Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Le Bourget are represented with flattened runways and main building textures.

Promotion for the Paris-Ile-de-France DLC was primarily conducted through France VFR's official channels, including their website and forums. A teaser announcement was made on the Aerofly FS 2 community forum in January 2020, where France VFR expressed excitement about their first scenery release for the simulator. The announcement highlighted the project's ambition to create a realistic and captivating landscape, aiming to offer a visually appealing experience for users. The DLC was also featured on Just Flight's website, emphasizing its photorealistic quality and detailed modeling.

Upon release, the Paris-Ile-de-France DLC received a mixed reception from the flight simulation community. While some users appreciated the detailed landmarks and the effort put into creating a realistic environment, others expressed concerns about performance issues, particularly in the dense areas of Paris. Despite these critiques, the DLC was generally well-received, with many users acknowledging the quality of the scenery and the immersive experience it provided. Overall, the Paris-Ile-de-France DLC contributed to expanding the VFR flying options within Aerofly FS 2, offering a detailed and engaging representation of one of Europe's most iconic regions.