This scenery represents Brustem Air Base (EBST), located near Sint-Truiden (Belgium).
Brustem AB, is closed since 1996. It used to host the Alfa Jet Training Wing of the Belgian Air Force, now located at Beauvechain AB (EBBE). In 1996, the base hosted the annual air force airshow celebrating 50 years of belgian air force. The dynamic scenery included in this package features 21 (!) F-16's forming the number 50 in flight, which was one of the peak displays at the airshow.
2. TECHNICALITIES
2.1 Compatibility
The scenery should be compatible with FS98, Europe2 (use the exclude file if required), and Global Base Scenery (GBS). It also features changing seasonal textures (polys and bitmaps).
Compatibility does not necessarilly mean seamless integration, especially when it comes to road connections between sceneries. However, duplicate runways and altitude issues should be resolved.
It has not been designed for compatibility with other scenery packages. As a result, it may even conflict with such scenery.
2.3.1. the scenery files:
Follow the standard procedure. Create a new directory - the dedicated directory - (for example "ebst") wherever you choose.
Unzip ebst.zip first and later ebtex.zip in this dedicated ebst directory. The two required subdirectories \scenery and \texture are automatically created and filled.
As a matter of control, you may want to verify that the *.bgl files appear in the \scenery subdirectory, and the *.r8 files in the \texture subdirectory.
2.3.2. the dynamic scenery provided in ebst_dyn.zip:
Unzip ebst_dyn.zip in a temporary directory first. The location where such files belong is not as straight foward as for static scenery, especially with dynamic scenery requiring some memory. Most scenery developpers recommend to put the *.bgl files in the GLOBAL \scenery subdirectory, and the *.af? files in the GLOBAL FS98 \texture subdirectory. They do not recommended to put these files in the dedicated \ scenery and \texture directories, as FS may not find them there. You can try that out, but it did not work in my environment. Personnally, I experienced no problem in putting those files in the dedicated directories. Caveat however, as the memory usage of other sceneries may impact the appearance of the dynamic scenery. This happens when the *.bgl files are located in:
- existing directories already used for other scenery files or,
- dedicated directories with low priority settings.
In both cases, you may very well end up seeing nothing, depending on memory requirements from other sceneries. I put the dynamic scenery *.bgl files in dedicated \scenery and \texture directories of their own (there is no obligation that they should share the same directory as the static scenery directory), to which I assigned priority 1. Those settings worked without any flaw in my environment.
So some of you will need to do some trial and error to find out which location works best in their particular environment.
To view the display, position yourself at the end of the (old) runway 32, turn to heading 155 and look above the horizon. The display moves at an altitude of 500m heading 315 - thus crossing the airfield - and continues for about 8 Nm. The display starts from the moment FS loaded all other scenery bitmaps. If you don't see it after 15 seconds, don't wait for it, because it won't show up.
2.3.4. other files:
The files will appear in your main ebst directory after execution of point 2.3.1. above.
Keep ebst.txt and ebst.jpg for further reference and discard fileid.id. Put the *.iap approach plate in your FINAL APPROACH directory.
Finally, activate the new scenery and set the appropriate priority level either by the FS98 menu, either by third party software (such as AREAMAN - see 4. below -, for example).
2.4 Scenery complexity
Visibility levels are designed as follows:
- very sparse = runways and taxiways only;
- sparse adds taxiways to shelters;
- normal = basic scenery
- dense = normal + additional shelters + trees;
- very dense = dense + lined up 3D objects + more trees.
Dynamic scenery only appears at 'very dense' dynamic scenery settings. The display will cycle continuously. To get rid of it, when you get bored, you have following alternatives:
- delete the ebst_dyn.bgl files,
- switch dynamic scenery settings to dense,
- switch the aircraft button off in the dynamic scenery dialog box.
The 21 fully textured F16's display heavily reduces the frame-rate. While the faster machines (PII 400MHz) will still allow a confortable frame-rate (even with static scenery settings set to 'very dense') , I suggest to reduce the static scenery complexity level on slower machines in order to achieve a smoother display.
2.5 Textures
This scenery requires some AIRPORT textures, which are not included as they are readily available on most download sites.
The specific textures included in ebtex.zip are also used by other of my sceneries (see list below). Where applicable, you can overwrite the older files with the more recent ones.
3. OPERATIONS
3.1 "Go To Airports" Menu
Point to the button FS 6.0 scenery and select "EBST". Three initial locations are available:
- Rwy 24, about 30 ft from threshold;
- Scramble (quick reaction alert);
- Shelter.
The scenery also appears under the FS standard menu, but only with two initial locations, one for each runway. Search for 'Brustem AB' airport , under 'Europe/Belgium/Sint Truiden'.
Airport coordinates are N 50 47 21 and E 05 11 40. Airport elevation is 75m (246ft MSL).
3.2 Navaids
The sole navaid related to this scenery is the BVG VOR (TACAN) - frequency 109.60. As it is a standard navaid on FS98, it is not included in this scenery.
There is no ILS available in reality. However, the scenery includes ILS facilities on runway 24 to add functionality: 110.00 STR 240°; range 15Nm; GS 3°; no markers. One approach plate is provided for the ILS approach on rwy 24.
This list is for reference purposes only. I do not necessarily endorse the various items listed below nor does this list reflect the result of any evaluation. I am however most grateful to these software designers whose efforts allowed me to build this scenery.
4.1 Software reference
* FS98, by Microsoft : the flight sim engine;
* AIRPORT v2.10, by Pascal Méziat & Co: scenery design;
* AREAMAN v8.0, by Central Park Informatica: scenery activation;
* DYNKIT v2.03, by Konstantin Kukushkin: dynamic aircraft models;
* DOD 3.0, by Rafaël Sanchez: dynamic scenery creation;
* HMARK.zip, by Nazar Lichtchinsky: holding mark pattern;
* FINAL APPROACH v5.03, by Georges Lorsche: approach plates design;
* AIRPORT FACILITY DIRECTORY v1.0, by Rafaël Sanchez: airport directory data.
4.2 Other Belgian Air Bases Sceneries
By the same author:
* Beauvechain (EBBE20.zip), Goetsenhoven (Tienen) (EBTN.zip), Kleine Brogel (EBBL11.zip).
By other authors:
* Koksijde (Koksdeab.zip), by Fabien Prevost;
* Bertrix (act_ebbx.zip), by Aeronautic Conceptor's Team (ACT);
* Chièvres (act_ebcv.zip), by ACT;
* Brasschaat (Ebbt.zip), by Danny Leenknegt;
* Bierset (Liège) scenery (eblg122a.zip), by Jean Michel Evrard.
4.3 Military Aircrafts in Belgian Air Force colors
* Marchetti SF260 (sf260_20.zip), by Angelo Moneta;
* Hawker Sideley HS748 (acths748.zip), by Aeronautic Conceptors' Team (FS98 only);
* F104 Starfighter (act104b.zip), by Aeronautic Conceptors' Team;
* Mirage V (MirageV.zip), designer unknown;
* F16 Falcon (f-16mp.zip), by Rune Foshaug;
* Fouga Magister (fu170baf.zip), by Shlomo Hakim;
* Seaking (sk48baf.zip), by Martin Fleurman.
4.4 Links
* www.mil.be: official military web site;
* www.scramble.nl: spotters' site.
5. USAGE TERMS
I wish to retain all rights on this scenery. You are allowed to use it, even modify it, for your own individual use free of charge. No part of it may however be used directly or indirectly for commercial purposes. It cannot be directly nor indirectly linked, even free, to any commercial offering. Only Internet distribution and uploads are allowed, but are restricted to these forums or services where the user has the (effective!) possibility to download free of charge.
I made this scenery for my pleasure and I'm best willing to share my pleasure with other flight-simmers. Nobody should therefore make money with it, neither directly neither indirectly.
There are no further representations or warranties whatsoever associated with these files' functionalities. If this scenery does not satisfy your expectations, please discard it. If you wish to keep it, use it at your own risk.
Feel free to let me have any constructive feedback you may have, allowing me to improve and complete this scenery.
