Rise of FairFalcon's Airport District

[moeom]

Welcome everyone to my 1st ever MD, or any SimCity 4 story/diary. I have been playing this game on and off for a few years now and i have always been fascinated by the diaries that some of the lads write here and Simtropolis. So for my first go at this, i have decided to go my own seperate way and focus only on a fantasy Airport District. There is really no city in the neighboring regions. I just took a huge region and will start work on it. Im a huge fan when it comes to airports, planes, travel. I even work in the travel industry and have been working here at Dubai Airport for the past year after moving from Montreal, Canada.

This Airport will be similar to Singapore's Changi Airport. Voted as of the nicest airports around the world, why not use it to my advantage to tackle my skills? So i hope you follow my progress and enjoy it as much as i do creating it.

PS: Big respect to the Airport Community out there for giving us Airport fanatics the chance to create them in SimCity4.

[moeom]

We will first take a look at the highway that will run under the Taxiway that will connect both runways. The contractors have started their work in that important area as they though it would be a crucial starting point. From there, the engineers would be able to get a better perspective on how to work on the surrounding terrain.


The entrance into the 'Tunnel' is under construction. This was originally to be a 6-Lane-Wide Highway that didn't come to fruition. Creating a tunnel for such a wide planned highway proved a difficult task and the engineers didn't want to take any risks due to safety issues. Until further studies, the contracting company have decided to go the safe way and stick to a 4-Lane-Wide Highway for now.


This is the other end of the Highway after passing through the 'Tunnel'. This will lead to the main FairFalcon Terminal with a few exits that will take employees to some of the hangars.


So that is it for my first update. I will try to provide more pictures as the Airport Construction goes along. Next update, i will hopefully provide you guys with a sketched plan of how the FairFalcon Airport District might look.

[apeguy]

Interesting, I'm looking forward to seeing this airport develop.

[Dantes]

Wow, you build a airport  Good start  Keep it up! 

[art128]

Nice start!

Seems like you're planning one big airport! My only advice is... you should use an avenue tunnel there, as it can be connected perfectly to the RHW, and gives a better looking result!

[moeom]

@apeguy: Thx for the interest. Should be a fun one to build.

@Dantes: Ya man, if it goes as planned, should be a huge one. Not sure if Sims will enjoy such an airport taking a whole region.

@art128: Thx for the Avenue advice. I will check it out and give it a try later on. Didn't think of that. Im telling, got a headache trying to make the RHW into a tunnel.

UPDATE #2

There has been much work going on at the FairFalcon Airport District. The most significant one is the start of Terminal 2. Terminal 2 will be also be known as the South Terminal. It is planned to hold the 747s, 777s and A380s of the world. Organizers have said the Terminal will be able to accommodate anywhere between 15-20 such planes at once.


Next we will move to the Taxiway that will be connecting to the South Runway. This is also the Taxiway that will run parallel to the South Terminal, which the construction has already started as seen in the above picture. The road tunnel at the bottom right hand corner that you could see is a temporary tunnel for the employees to access their working stations.


This is the Exit/Entrance for both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Organizers have thought of many ways for it, but beleived this would be the best and most economical way of doing things. It also gives them room for future development if they think it would be necessary. For now though, it should do the job for travels and greeters.



In other news, Intergolf International have signed an agreement with the FairFalcon Governement to develop and design a golf course in the Airport District vicinity. With offices in USA, Dubai, China, Japan and South Korea, Intergolf International is a well known golf course building company with golf courses such as Pinehurst Golf Club in USA, Lake Hills Country Club in South Korea and Royal Oakwood Golf Club Varna in Bulgaria. Now, the company will leave its name in FairFalcon with what many will hope to be a Golf Course with high standards that will attract golfers from all corners of the world.

[noahclem]

Nice start     I've been wanting to make a nice custom airport for many months but still haven't done it--hopefully I can get some ideas from your work here. Good luck continuing 

[feliwi]

looking quite nice. I always thought about doing something similar like this, but I haven't done yet.
A little notice on the layout of the taxiways. When building taxiways, there should be more space between (taxiways over highway update 1) the taxiways. Otherwise it will be hard for 2 planes to pass them independently.

I've visited Singapore and Dubai some months ago (and of course saw the airports) and I'm lookin forward to see a SIN-inspired airport.

[moeom]

@noahclem: Ya man, making a custom airport is a not an easy task. It could be as simple or as hard as you wish it to be. Ive done a few simple airports and this will be my first 'full' scale airport and im hoping it turns out nice.

@feliwi: Ur right, having the taxiway stuck together is not the way to do things in aviation, especially when u think of the safety issues that it creates. I'm sure FairFalcon's well educated Sims will have enough wisdom to work around it...they will have to. Because I say so.  Dubai Airport is one special airport i have to say. Terminal 1 and 3 (which are connected), is a city in itself. They are now expanding the Airport by adding a new Terminal, which will be Terminal 4. Built exclusively for A380s and are also expanding Terminal 2, to accommodate the ever growing Fly Dubai Airlines. Its mental here in Dubai these days. Emirates Airlines already got themselves 20 A380s in the 150+ fleet and its growing monthly. I have read and seen great things about the Singapore Changi Airport and would love to visit sometime soon. The country too. 

UPDATE #3

This update we will start by looking at Terminal 2. Since our last update, the construction has moved forward nicely and talks have it that it should open ahead of time. So good progress until now, hopefully there wont be any delays. A good reason for their fast progress is the FFCA's decision to halt Terminal 3's construction for now until both Terminal 1 and 2 open their gates.


Next on our stop will be Terminal 1. As you can see here, the construction has started. You can also see the intricate street design the engineers have come up with. It has to be said that this might not be popular with the Sims in the coming years, but one cant deny the possibility of it looking very nice with the right set of landscaping. Time will tell, until now, enjoy the start of what might be a very special airport in the making.


This here will be the FFCA Administration Office building that is already taking shape slowly. The Government and the Engineers have been working closely together to create very smooth design. The final design is yet to be decided upon.


The last picture is just an overview of the FairFalcon Airport District. As you can see, the Taxiway is planned out to some extant, even though its not final. But it would give the viewer the idea of how it will be near completion.

[rooker1]

Very interesting start indeed!
So this MD will be a construction one.  I find these more and more interesting now a days, as we get to see how a city goes together and everyone has a different method and ieas.

Robin

[Swordmaster]

Mmmm, airports.    Very interesting pictures so far.

Cheers,
Willy

[feliwi]

Thx a lot for the reply. I really love to talk about about tht worlds' airprts and airlines. Must bei quite impressive to work at DXB.
Your ne update is really looking quite good and i can identifiy the first comonents of your plannes terminal. Keep it up!

[Dantes]

You're very quick updates.   I missed an update. I'm Sorry. 
I like your building site. Slowly, it can be seen as you have everything planned. Your implementation is great. 

I'm looking forward to more pictures. 

[moeom]

@rooker1: Your right. I was thinking at first starting a new classic Region story, but decided to go this way instead as im very interested in Airports.

@Swordmaster: Thx.

@feliwi: To tell you the truth, from the exterior, Dubai Airport isn't much to look at. I thought it would be better. Maybe i just never had the time to appreciate it yet. But Terminal 4 is looking mighty huge from where i am most of my working days/nights. It the building speed is freaken fast! Just last year when i joined, it was just the foundations laid down, and now its this big Terminal that towers over Terminal 1 and 3. Its as if to say: "Im the Boss here!"

@Dantes: No worries if you missed my last update mate. No hard feelings.  I would rather start using Lot Editor, but i just dont feel confident enough to tackle it just yet. Soon hopefully.

UPDATE #4

Here is the start of the Runway where planes will have to taxi their way for take-offs. Will also be using as the landing end for arrival flights. Of course, it will all depend on the wind and the ATC's judgement on which direction the planes will land/takeoff.


Picture #2 is the first intersection where planes will have the opportunity to exit the runway after landing their planes safely. From there, they will taxi their way to Terminal 2.


One can see Terminal 2 is well and truly underway to finishing in time. Fingers crossed at the same time as the runway. Which seems to have run into a slight delay. This hasn't stopped the builders from finishing their part of the bargain. You can also see the start of the first of 2 parking areas. Their might be a slight change of plans for that though. Not totally convinced of the area. 


Side Note: Anyone know how i can get rid of that shadow from the construction equipment lot in pictures 1 and 2? Its the only lot that gives such an ugly shadow effect.

[RickD]

An airport MD. Great idea. 

Side Note: Anyone know how i can get rid of that shadow from the construction equipment lot in pictures 1 and 2? Its the only lot that gives such an ugly shadow effect.

Hmm, you could disable all shadows in the graphics options menu.

[moeom]

Hey guys, i have had a problem with my PC and was forced to reformat it. So i lost all my files because like an idiot i forgot to backup my files before doing so.

What i will do now is restart a new airport and will continue with my story here. I will update it as soon as possible. Right now im redownloading all the files and mods. Its going to be a hell of a process. At least i will place them in a neat way this time around and keep my plugin from looking like a mess.

[apeguy]

Damn, that's a bummer. Still, I look forward to you new airport.

Don't forget to backup your files this time.

[moeom]

Damn, that's a bummer. Still, I look forward to you new airport.

Don't forget to backup your files this time.

Oh for sure man. I will make sure everything is safe every few days from now on.

[Dantes]

It is a pity that your PC makes you problems.  I hope you can play simcity again soon. 

[bat]

Nice first updates of your airport! Looking forward to more of it...