A small but effective intermediate update

We are glad to announce an exciting update. Version 12.8 has been released just in time for the upcoming VATSIM Frankfurt Real Flight Ops (RFO) event. The update brings with it a range of improvements, including custom jetways, reworked LODs for ground cars, vehicles, luggage and container carts, new taxiway signs, and more.

One of the major changes in version 12.8 is the addition of custom jetways to positions A50-A69. These jetways are designed to provide a more realistic and immersive experience, allowing them to simulate (with the proper installed GSX-Profile) the boarding and deboarding process of passengers in a more accurate and lifelike way.

Another improvement included in this update is the reworking of the LODs for ground cars, vehicles, luggage, and container carts. This change is designed to improve performance, making the experience smoother and more seamless. Additionally, de-icing trucks have been removed, further optimizing the airport for better performance.

The addition of several new taxiway signs around the airport is another exciting feature of the update. These signs will help users navigate the airport more easily, reducing the likelihood of getting lost or confused during taxiing.

For those who prefer a more customizable experience, version 12.8 also includes an option to disable static aircraft. While this requires manually disabling the BGL-file, it provides users with more control over their virtual environment and allows for a more personalized experience. To do so, please navigate to your community folder and rename the following file virtualfra-eddf\scenery\eddf\static-ac\virtualfra-static-aircraft.bgl to virtualfra-static-aircraft.bgl.OFF.

Version 13 will include even more exciting features. These include an own scenery configurator/installer, the completion of the eastern part of the airport, custom ground markings, and custom jetways at all positions with several correct jetway options. These upcoming features are sure to make VirtualFRA an even more immersive and enjoyable experience for flight simulation enthusiasts.

In conclusion, the update to VirtualFRA's airport to version 12.8 is a significant improvement to an already fantastic virtual airport. With the addition of custom jetways, improved performance, new taxiway signs, and more, this update is sure to delight users and provide a more realistic and immersive experience. And with version 13 on the horizon, there's even more to look forward to!

Update 0.12.18 - VATSIM Frankfurt Real Flight Ops Update

Our development team at virtualFRA has been hard at work preparing the new update for the magnificent Frankfurt International Airport. Let's take a look together at the new add-ons, which were worked on and will be present in the upcoming scenery update!

One of the biggest and most apparent changes: The white placeholder Terminal 1, Pier A was modelled. Please be aware that many parts of the Terminal are still WIP and will received major updates later down the road. Check out our new short-term 

Temperatures at virtualFRA have approached 0°C, indicating the possibility for snow! Without de-icing facilities pilots and airplanes will not be willing to even think about a departure out of Frankfurt. With the integration of the de-icing facilities around RWY 18 in this upcoming update no pilot should fear anymore taking off and departing safely from virtualFRA!

Although it is getting quite cold, planespotters are still welcomed to capture their planes. The planespotter area at RWY 18 is included aswell in the new update:

The runway located the furthest from the terminals will be shining as never before. With a complete rework of the lights, elevation data and runway surroundings pilots approaching the runway will have a nice view out of the cockpit. Talking about nice views; After vacating the runways pilots and passengers will be able to view the fully custom made "Feuerwache 4" located at RWY 25R/07L with its training facility:

One of more distinctive building at Frankfurt Airport is the Lufthansa Technik hangar. You will find this very unique building in our scenery.

With the release of update 0.11 the developement team is still continuing to deliver what is missing. Day after day virtualFRA is growing and with this information we, as a team, would like to thank everyone who helped, is helping and hopefully will help to build FRA virtually. Happy holidays for everyone and see you in 2023 with more updates to come!

Update 0.11.0 - No white Terminal

A new update for Frankfurt International Airport is just around the corner with a bunch of new things. Let's take a look and see what major changes have been done by our development team, which work on the scenery at all possible times. 

Update 0.10.0 will feature all parking positions in the north of the airport, as they stand in real life. The basic airport layout is already complete, including all essential taxiways, runways and apron areas, including the first new N8 taxiway implementation in an EDDF scenery for a flight simulator. We also improved the parking stand signs at various parking positions. Further we included all stands and gates in the southern part of the airport including the brand new Terminal 3 as well as the Cargo Stands (S500-600). The General Aviation Terminal (GAT) stands will come in future updates.

As you maybe already have noticed our scenery does also include custom objects around the airport. These include custom taxiway signs, taxiway markings and airport lights, such as the runway guards lights placed at the hold short line.

Especially taxiway signs and runway markings for RWY 18 have been added and updated, to ensure a safe taxi and line-up on to RWY 18.

One of our new developers and 3D-Experts, FRAEDDF, did a great job creating a lot of custom jet blast fences around the airport.

Update 0.10.0 will not feature new terminal buildings, but still the Dev-Team developed important buildings sourrounding the airport, such as multiple DFS antennas around the airport, which can be seen in the screenshot below. 

On our website we have now made it possible for you to report any issues directly to us. On the homepage you will find the 

The work for virtualFRA surely does not stop, our goal is to recreate a realistic, true to life scenery for Frankfurt, which is completely free for all MSFS users. Obviously all buildings and objects will be complete at some point, making our scenery a unique scenery!

Within the next update you can expect a first implementation of the iconic tank farm, improved textures on the terminal buildings, along with many more 3D-Objects.

The major goal is to finish the terminals and their texturing, not only the terminals play an important role in Frankfurt, but also many other buildings placed at different areas at the airport. 

The team has already taken a dive into the area of VDGS. We know all simmers love this feature, and since it is used at the real FRA, virtualFRA will include VDGS aswell. 

We are expecting the AddOn "GSX" from FSDreamTeam this year and will equip it with its own INI config file for our airport. However, since we want to continue to work independently of paid 3rd party addons, we will also offer you a second version of the airport with the NOOL VDGS system. This is already in the works! More on VDGS:

In order to shorten the waiting time, we have included some placeholder for you as seen in the screenshot below.

We can't wait to share more insight with you in the next Dev-Blog, so stay stuned and happy landings to you all!

Update 0.10.0 and beyond

VirtualFRA presents to the flightsimming community its newest and biggest update for Frankfurt International Airport, version 0.9.0. With this highly anticipated update all pilots taking off and landing at EDDF are able to enjoy custom buildings, taxiways and aprons. The most signifcants additions are the Lufthansa Terminal 1 A-Plus extension, many more stands and gates around the airport, especially at terminal 1 and 2, and custom installer for a smooth installation process.

All additions and improvements at FRA can be thoroughly read in the changelog below: 

EDDF - Frankfurt Main International [Beta/Experimental] 

Added some miscellaneous buildings and individual objects like towbars etc. 

A69, A66/A/B, A62/A/B, A58/A/B, A54/A/B, A52, A50, A14, A16, A18, A20, A22, A24, A26, A28, A30, A34, A36, A38, A40

V163, V162, V161, V160, V159, V158, V157 

Added Lufthansa Terminal 1 A-Plus building 

Stand marking C11 existed twice and has now been corrected to C8

Temporary fixed elevation errors by flatten the whole airport 

Some gateway connections and positions are not correct 

Not all Buildings/Terminals are build/textured 

Many gates/parking stands are still missing (coming soon) 

Many Taxiway signs are missing (here I need help from the community)

Website release https://www.virtual-fra.com/

Dev-Blog

Update 0.12.18 - VATSIM Frankfurt Real Flight Ops Update

Update 0.11.0 - No white Terminal

Update 0.10.0 and beyond

virtualFRA is ready for online flying - Update 0.9.0