BluePrint’s version of KMCO offers the most accurate, up to date and detailed rendition ever offered. Located in central Florida, MCO is the gateway to one of the most comprehensive and popular entertainment destination in the world. Thanks to its unique design, it has managed to maintain a relaxed atmosphere typical of smaller regional airports. Nonetheless, it has nearly one hundred airline gates that stay busy throughout the day. Served by most domestic and numerous international airlines, MCO offers non stop flights to every major airport in the US and Canada plus numerous destinations in Europe, Central and South America.

MCO's passenger facilities consist of a central terminal linked via independent people movers to four remote concourses or airsides. No detail was spared in the rendering of each of the four airsides. The older Airsides 1 and 3 share style and design and they are both currently under renovation. They have, as usual, been portrayed incorporating the ongoing changes. Based on very recent pictures and artistic renderings of the final product we have been able to incorporate as many details as possible. Once we have access to pictures of the fully remodeled facilities we will fine-tune our models as needed.

The relatively newer Airsides 2 and 4 are very different from each other and the older ones. Each has been modeled as accurately as possible. Airside 4 was originally designed to accommodate the once significant Delta Airlines operations as well as to offer more convenient and modern international arrivals facilities. It is now shared by Delta( including their newly acquired Northwest) and AirTran. The latter recently moved its growing operations from the crowded Airside 2. Airside 4 also receives all the European airlines serving MCO, the most frequent visitor being Virgin Atlantic.

Finally, Airside 2 with its unique garden view is by far the busiest serving as hub to both Southwest and JetBlue. We have paid especial attention to this one to honor the fact that it not only brings together the two archrivals of the “discount airline” industry in the US, but also because it serves as ground zero to the fiercest aviation rivalry of all: on one side the Airbus A320 and on the other the Boeing 737 NG.

The main terminal building is significantly less esthetically appealing than most as it appears to be just a hotel next to a huge parking structure flanked by two parking decks. Nonetheless, it has been rendered paying special attention to the few details that enhance its appearance which are essentially the four tram stations. An extra effort was also taken to accurately portray the massive parking facilities which are highly visible from all four Airsides and are an integral part of the airport’s character.

As usual, the air traffic control tower was used as the anchoring feature for this massive airport, even more so in this particular case as KMCO’s tower bears the distinction of being the tallest one in the United States (followed closely by another one of our favorites, KIND’s).

We have also rendered the general aviation, cargo and maintenance facilities located along the west end of the field. Despite some level-of-detail concessions made to accommodate the significantly more complex commercial passenger facilities, all significant structures were rendered including the Cessna/Citation training facility, the FedEx and UPS ramps, the Galaxy Aviation and Signature Flight Support terminals and hangars, and the general cargo area.

Finally, special attention was paid to the terrain representation. Accommodating rather than overpowering the typical Central Florida abundance of water, KMCO’s terminal and airsides intermingle with small lakes and wooded areas. Despite the terrain texturing and elevation detail limitations imposed by the simulators, we believe that we have managed to capture the unique look and feel of the airport as a whole.

The official airport web site containing general information and terminal configuration can be found at:

http://www.orlandoairports.net 

Scenery Features:

• Custom-made, optimized Gmax models of the three terminals, air traffic control tower, and all significant aircraft maintenance, cargo and general aviation facilities
• Custom-made, high-resolution textures for all Gmax generated models including transparency and reflection effects
• Custom-made, high-resolution photo real ground textures carefully blended with its surroundings and including water effects
• Accurate runway and taxiway layout, including detailed markings and signs
• Realistic taxiway and ramp markings and ramp illumination effects.
• Three levels of scenery complexity and detail:
•     NORMAL complexity which includes terrain texturing, autogen vegetation, airport layout with taxiway signs and basic navigation equipment models (actual localizer and glide slope radio signals are available regardless of the scenery complexity setting), most buildings within the field’s boundaries including the terminal and four airsides, the air traffic control tower and general aviation, cargo and maintenance facilities.
•     VERY DENSE complexity that adds detailed instrument approach lighting system models, ramp vehicles and infield trees.
•     EXTREMELY DENSE complexity that adds 50% more ramp vehicles and 100% more infield trees for increased realism. It also adds detailed trucks and cargo containers in the FedEx, UPS, and general cargo ramps and adds a few extra details to the terminal building. EXTREMELY DENSE complexity setting is recommended for computer systems equipped with advanced CPUs (Intel Core2 Quad) and video rendering resources (nVidia GeForce 8000 series or better). For suggested hardware configuration see below.
• Advanced, custom-made AI mapping file including realistic gate and parking spot. A basic AI mapping file without gate assignments is also available.