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Beginner’s Guide: Creating an Airport Scenery for MSFS

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Creating your own airport scenery for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, aka MSFS 2024, is one of the most rewarding ways to personalize the simulator. You can recreate your local airfield, improve an existing airport, or design a fictional one from scratch. Even as a beginner, MSFS 2024 provides powerful built‑in tools that make scenery creation accessible without deep programming knowledge. This guide walks you step‑by‑step through the entire process—from setup to in‑sim testing—using simple language and beginner‑friendly methods.

Step 1: Install and Set Up Developer Mode

  1. Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  2. Go to Options → General Options → Developers
  3. Turn Developer Mode = ON
  4. A developer toolbar will appear at the top of the screen

This toolbar gives you access to all scenery and airport creation tools.

Step 2: Open the Scenery Editor

From the Developer toolbar:

  • Click Tools → Scenery Editor

The Scenery Editor is your main workspace. It allows you to:

  • Create airports
  • Place runways
  • Add buildings
  • Insert lights, signs, and objects
  • Modify terrain

Step 3: Create a New Project

  1. Click Project Editor in the Developer toolbar
  2. Select New Project
  3. Choose a folder (e.g. Documents/MSFSProjects/)
  4. Enter:
    • Project Name: MyFirstAirport
    • Package Name: myfirstairport-package
  5. Click Create Project

This creates the folder structure MSFS uses to store your scenery.

Step 4: Create a New Airport

  1. In the Scenery Editor, click Create New Airport
  2. Fill in the basic data:
    • ICAO Code (e.g. ZZZZ for custom)
    • Airport Name
    • City
    • Country
  3. Click Create

Your empty airport now exists in the simulator world.

Step 5: Add Runways

  1. Select your airport in the left panel
  2. Click Add → Runway
  3. Set properties:
    • Length
    • Width
    • Surface type (asphalt, concrete, grass)
    • Runway numbers (e.g. 09 / 27)

You can rotate and move the runway using the transform tools.

Step 6: Add Taxiways and Aprons

Taxiways

  • Click Add → Taxiway Path
  • Draw lines connecting runway to parking areas

Aprons

  • Click Add → Apron
  • Draw the apron area
  • Choose surface material

This forms the ground layout of your airport.

Step 7: Place Parking Spots

  1. Click Add → Parking
  2. Choose type:
    • Gate
    • Ramp GA
    • Cargo
  3. Set aircraft size (Small, Medium, Heavy)

These determine where aircraft spawn.

Step 8: Add Buildings and Objects

Open the Object Library and search for:

  • Terminals
  • Hangars
  • Towers
  • Fuel trucks
  • Ground equipment

Drag and drop objects into the world.

You can scale, rotate, and position them freely.

Step 9: Add Airport Details

Enhance realism with:

  • Lights – runway lights, taxiway lights
  • Signs – taxiway signs
  • Windsocks
  • Fences
  • Vegetation

Small details make a big difference.

Step 10: Terraforming (Optional)

If terrain is uneven:

  1. Select Terraform Tool
  2. Use flatten or smooth tools
  3. Adjust elevation around runways and aprons

This prevents floating buildings and bumpy runways.

Step 11: Save and Build the Project

  1. Open Project Editor
  2. Click Save All
  3. Click Build Package

If there are no errors, your airport is compiled into a scenery package.

Step 12: Test In Simulator

  1. Exit Developer Mode
  2. Load a flight
  3. Select your airport as departure
  4. Spawn and explore your scenery

Check for:

  • Misaligned buildings
  • Floating objects
  • Broken taxiways
  • Lighting issues

Fix problems in the editor and rebuild.

Beginner Tips

  • Start small (simple airfield first)
  • Don’t aim for realism immediately
  • Use default assets before custom models
  • Save often
  • Test frequently
  • Learn one tool at a time

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Optional Next Steps (Advanced Learning)

After basics, you can explore:

  • Blender for custom 3D models
  • GIMP/Photoshop for textures
  • Custom ground polygons
  • Night lighting profiles
  • PBR materials
  • LOD optimization

Conclusion

Creating airport scenery in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is much easier than it looks. With Developer Mode and the Scenery Editor, beginners can build fully functional airports without coding. By following a step‑by‑step approach—runways first, then taxiways, then buildings, then details—you’ll quickly develop both skills and confidence.

Start simple, stay consistent, and enjoy seeing your own airport come alive in the simulator. Your first custom airport is only a few clicks away. To study further, you should continue with the official SDK Documentation.