Airport Enhancement Package (AEP)
The Airport Enhancement Package (AEP) by X-Codr Designs is a scenery addon for X-Plane that enhances default airports with more detailed models and high-resolution textures.
Background
- Developer: X-Codr Designs
- Website: x-codrdesigns.com/xp-aep
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Compatibility: X-Plane 12
Features
AEP replaces default airport elements with new developments:
- Buildings and facades: Airport buildings, facades, static vehicles, and ground objects
- Runway equipment: Lights, beacons, and navigation aids
- Ground markings: Revamped ground textures with procedurally generated skids, oil leaks, and regional grunge, plus ultra-detailed decals and marking textures based on FAA guidelines
- Vegetation: Default airport vegetation replaced with new 3D vegetation
- Custom taxi signs: The bundled AEP Live plugin replaces taxiway signs in real time with FAA-conformant models, including at third-party airports
All models are equipped with modern technology:
- Decal-based detail textures with normal maps, delivering close-up detail at lower VRAM cost
- PBR normalmaps for details and reflections
- LODs for good performance at high detail level
- Simple interiors for additional depth
- Regionalization
Value in Flight Simulation
AEP upgrades default airports worldwide in a single package — an alternative to buying payware scenery for each individual airport. The PBR materials and detail decals create a significantly more realistic appearance than the default elements. Through regionalization, buildings and objects adapt to the respective region.
Installation
AEP is payware and is purchased from the X-Plane.org store, which the official website links to. Extract both included folders (AEP and AEP Overlays) to Custom Scenery/; the scenery_packs.ini is updated automatically on the next X-Plane startup. Subsequent updates are delivered through the SkunkCrafts Updater.
System requirements:
- Graphics card with 8 GB or more VRAM recommended
- Approximately 2 GB download size