Let’s break down everything you need to know about flying the “Intense Island.”
: The airport is wedged tightly between the ocean and rising mountains like Piton des Neiges .
You might be wondering: Why stick with FSX or P3D when MSFS 2020 has Reunion Island for free? fsx p3d aerosoft fsdg reunion island fmee top
FSDG is known for creating performance-optimized sceneries, and this package is no exception.
: Features SODE/GSX animated jetways , custom apron traffic, and "Manifold AI" traffic with custom aircraft and helicopter models. Let’s break down everything you need to know
Virtual pilots seeking a challenging, visually stunning, and highly accurate destination need look no further than the Indian Ocean. Located east of Madagascar, Réunion Island is a French territory characterized by dramatic volcanic topography, unpredictable weather, and a fascinating aviation environment. Developers Aerosoft and FSDG (FlightSim Development Group) captured this tropical paradise in high definition for Flight Simulator X (FSX) and Prepar3D (P3D). This article covers everything you need to know about why this scenery remains a top-tier choice for flight simulation enthusiasts. The Appeal of Roland Garros Airport (FMEE)
Accurate representations of the passenger terminal, complete with transparent glass textures and interior details. : Features SODE/GSX animated jetways , custom apron
Réunion Island, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean, presents a unique geographical challenge for scenery developers. Its landscape is dominated by the Piton de la Neiges, an extinct volcano, and the Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most active volcanoes. The island’s dramatic topography—characterized by steep cliffs, lush forests, and deep canyons—creates a visually stunning yet performance-intensive environment. For a simulator like FSX, which relies heavily on single-core CPU performance and has a memory ceiling of 4GB, rendering such detailed terrain is a significant test. Enter FSDG, a developer renowned for optimizing complex landscapes without sacrificing visual quality. Their “Réunion Island” scenery, distributed by Aerosoft, transforms the default generic tropical landscape into a living, breathing volcanic island. The inclusion of custom mesh, high-resolution aerial imagery, and autogen tailored to the island’s specific flora (sugar cane fields, tropical forests) elevates the visual experience from a simple airfield to a true geographical adventure.
The add-on doesn't stop at just the major airports. FSDG included highly detailed renditions of two other airports: and Bras-Panon , as well as three additional heliports. This completes the island's aviation network, allowing you to simulate rescue missions, cargo runs, or scenic island tours without ever leaving the Reunion tile.
Using Active Sky for P3D, Réunion generates constant "orographic clouds"—clouds glued to the mountain peaks. You will break out of a thick overcast at 800 feet AGL to see the runway perfectly illuminated, framed by dark volcanic rock and turquoise water.
Before we compare developers, we must understand the airspace. Roland Garros Airport (FMEE) is located in Sainte-Marie, Réunion. It is notorious for several reasons that make it a "top" tier destination in simulators: