REVIEW: KBOI For MSFS By VerticalSim

Boise Air Terminal

Official description and key features:

KBOI or Boise Air Terminal is located in the state capital of Boise, Idaho. It’s the main airport of the state of Idaho, and features many different types of aviation operations. GA, commercial, cargo, and military all service Boise. The most interesting being Alaska Airlines, and their Q400s. Explore the Air National Guard/USAF base.

Boise’s approach is one of the best in the United States, tasking you with navigating mountains and other terrain. It’s use is also perfect for those on the PilotEdge & VATSIM networks.

Animated and static passengers with full-scale partial interior
Custom jetways and LOD optimization
2022 airport layout
HD texturing with full-scale PBR mapping
Custom ground polygons with accurate markings & materials
Correct taxiway signage and HDR night lighting (such as guard lights)
Surrounding areas included (Denny’s, Rodeway Inn, Kopper Kitchen, Motel 6, etc.)

Sim Pilot HQ’s Take:

I really enjoy KBOI, particularly because of the location. There’s just something about those distant mountains that flatten out into a wide expanse of land that stretches out for as far as the eye can see. It’s a beautiful sight.

The gates are modeled beautifully and the texture work leaves nothing to be desired, although I did notice a few broken textures on the landside segments. No points deducted for that though - you’d never be able to see that from the air.

Jumping back to the modeling - I particularly like the attention to detail that went into some of the static aircraft and buildings in KBOI. I particularly like the Idaho Air National Guard A10’s and Blackhawk Helicopters, but I also enjoyed seeing the civilian landside models for hotels, gas stations and the parking area just outside of the airport.

The inside of the terminal is…well…it’s modeled, but definitely not to the extent of some other payware airports. I have to say that I don’t mind this too much: I really don’t like having my FPS get hit to model the inside coffee stands that I’ll never see and I usually turn off as many superfluous details as I can. Still, KBOI gets points for having a modeled interior at all.

Rainy scenarios leave nothing to be desired at KBOI, and the same goes for night scenes: there’s just enough bright lighting here to make KBOI stand out from the default airport counterparts. Finding the taxiway ramps and making your way to your gate at night isn’t going to be an issue here.

I also think that you’ll definitely run into plenty of chances to see this airport covered in snow. Luckily the snow textures and overall feel of the airport in these colder conditions work well. The snowy landscape and texture work definitely helps to add to the immersion when the temperature drops.

If you find yourself flying around the Pacific Northwest or originating from airports on the west coast (and some from Denver and Austin), KBOI is an excellent addition to your collection. You’ll regularly see Delta, United, Alaska and Southwest flights occupying the gates here.

So would I recommend KBOI? Absolutely. It provides just enough custom elements to really add to the immersion of landing in this area. It also opens up a ton of opportunities to use GA aircraft to visit those mountains on the horizon that are just waiting to be explored.