Greetings IFC!
I would like to propose a feature request regarding airport runway surface textures and ground detailing.
Currently, many airports use generic runway and taxiway textures, which reduces immersion and realism, especially at large international airports. Adding more varied and airport-specific runway surface textures would significantly improve the visual experience for users, particularly aviation enthusiasts and virtual pilots who value realism.
Suggested Improvements:
• Different runway material textures
- Concrete runways with visible slab joints, weathering, rubber buildup, and patch repairs
- Asphalt runways with darker tones, resurfaced sections, cracks, and worn centerlines
- Mixed-surface airports where taxiways and runways differ realistically
• Regional and airport-specific appearances
- Older Soviet-era or regional airports could have faded asphalt and uneven textures
- Modern international hubs could feature brighter concrete with realistic tire marks and drainage patterns
- Tropical airports could show weathering, discoloration, and moisture effects
• Dynamic runway wear
- Heavy touchdown zones should display darker rubber accumulation
- Frequently used taxiways could appear more worn than secondary areas
- Seasonal variation such as faded paint or slightly reflective wet textures during rain
• Improved airport atmosphere
- Accurate runway textures would greatly enhance realism for spotting, replay mode, screenshots, and content creation
- It would also make airports feel more unique instead of visually identical
IF already excels in many areas such as flight physics, live ATC, and global scenery. Enhanced runway surface detailing would be another major step toward making airports feel truly alive and authentic.
