Hi Folks
I've been wanting to fly some helo routes between mainlands and oil rigs,
either in the Gulf of Mexico, or in the North Sea.
Are there any oil rigs present in these locations in the default FSX?
Yes,
but there's very few in default FSX compared with IRL.
e.g.
For the UK/Norway/Netherlands sectors,
theres 10 platforms in FSX, versus approx 300 IRL platforms.
If no,
are there any payware out there that do add rigs in those locations?
No FSX payware I know of.
For some freeware see [urlhttp://www.fs-odg.com/]
The ODG Project[/url].
N.B.
ODG FSX update version is NOT released yet.
Currently undergoing alpha/beta testing.
As far as navigation, how do you get to those rigs?
Do you have to enter their location in the GPS,
or do they have a VOR/NDB/ILS/some sort of beacon guidance system that lead you to them?
For IRL -All have NDBs, (10-20 mile range limited).
Fly designated "Helicopter Manouvering Routes", (HMRs),
out to rig's locale, then by NDB to helideck.
That data would also be programmed into your GPS.
For the default FSX versions -Each has an NDB, (haven't checked their ranges),
though not selectable via the "Go To Airports" dialog.
I've some unreleased AFDs for these, I'll take a look at packaging them up.
Here's a preview of the ongoing ODG FSX Beta-test - It shows the completed object placements for the UKEZ Northern areas -
WIP @ 20100914
Incorporates -
- 117 AFDs
- 108 HPZs
- 5 HMRs
- 4 ATC Boundary areas
HTH
ATB
Paul