Global Vectors , and Global openLC North America . I will explain the pros and cons and the price . Let ’ s start with Global Base , the engine that drives them all . FTX Global base is a total upgrade of the stock textures in FSX and P3D . In addition to ground textures , you get new autogen buildings , meaning that you get 3D buildings that are varied and somewhat match what you would see in the real world . You get 3D night lighting with low to no FPS Impact , and you get textures for all 4 seasons and a hard winter texture set . FTX Global Base does not significantly impact FPS or VAS , but it comes in at a hefty $ 75 US . The next step up is ORBX FTX Global Vectors . You must already have purchased Global Base to use this product ($ 75 ) prior to installing Vectors . With FTX Global Vectors you will get a further upgrade including : accurate coastlines , rivers , and lakes ; motorways , freeways , with moving traffic ; golf courses , city parks , and forest , as well as power lines , corrected airport elevations for all default airports , and port and dock concrete textures . For rural and midsized cities , the FPS hits is small , but in big cities like New York and D . C ., the FPS hit can bring you to a literal standstill , unless you do some fancy adjustments to the settings . Add an additional $ 60 US for this little beauty . The Latest product is FTX Global openLC Europe and North America . I will be reviewing the openLC North America here . Again you must already have Global Base ($ 75 ) and it helps to have Vectors as well ($ 60 ). With openLC , you get a hand crafted land class for 24 million sq . km , to include all of the US , Canada , the Caribbean , Central America , Greenland and Hawaii . Improved 5 seasons support , new night lighting for major cities ( FPS Killer ), accurate cities and towns , and some photoreal volcanoes in Mexico and Nicaragua . This product weighs

12 | FlyUAA | www . FlyUAA . org | September Issue