Firstly, I hope the Canadians get the improvements they need to their update, but I think MS / Asobo will try really hard on the New Zealand update now, as they don't want a repeat of what happened.

Certainly judging by the amount of content they are providing (which surprised me), if the quality is good, it could be the best world update up to now.

The size of New Zealand makes it easier to get around; probably possible to see every corner of it over time, and with such beautiful and varied scenery, I think it will be an absolute joy to fly around.

I am actually thinking of going all in on this one and making it the most complete country in my sim. 
On top of all the Asobo content, I might look to buy up any other third party airports to fill any gaps, from people such as Orbx, and NZA simulations.
I want the country to be complete as possible when I fly around.  There may be some good free stuff over on flightsim.to as well.

I already have the Orbx mesh (which is very good), but apparently Asobo will be supplying their own.  Will it be better, or will it just be the Orbx one do you think?

Also, I know there has already been some debate about the famous flyer aircraft. 
I will buy the Caribou as it has some unique features, but I agree, Jean Batten's Percival Gull would have been more appropriate, or even the little New Zealand built CT/4, which I loved in FSX.  Hopefully someone will do the CT/4 one day - a lovely little aircraft.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PAC_CT/4_Airtrainer

After the update, I hope some Kiwi's will give us some local knowledge on the best sight-seeing flights.

I want to know how to get down to Milford Sound from Queenstown to start with!   
Do they fly out over the sea and up the sound on approach?  Or just drop down quickly from the mountains?

Edited February 17, 20233 yr by bobcat999

Rob, I share your enthusiasm.

(Others will know more than do I here - at least one local professional pilot is a flight simulation enthusiast. On my only passenger flight into NZMF, on a C208, fixed-wing aircraft were  flying in from the west, through the sound. The approach from the east is more challenging for everyday use.)

One might hope that Asobo/Microsoft will solve the "real world weather" glitch that blankets much of the island's west cost with mid-Summer snow cover. This phenomenon has been much noticed by our community, but still in need of attention.

But overall, this development promises much.

34 minutes ago, bobcat999 said:

Will it be better, or will it just be the Orbx one do you think?

This is my greatest doubting.

36 minutes ago, bobcat999 said:

I already have the Orbx mesh (which is very good), but apparently Asobo will be supplying their own.  Will it be better, or will it just be the Orbx one do you think?

MS subcontracted the NZ WU to Orbx, didn't they ?

Just now, Dominique_K said:

MS subcontracted the NZ WU to Orbx, didn't they ?

Yes, in the main (there are some NZA airports going in as well).  So this why I wonder if it is just the Orbx mesh.  If so, there will be no point in them selling it afterwards.

19 minutes ago, bobcat999 said:

  If so, there will be no point in them selling it afterwards.

Common wisdom is that you do most of sales in this business the days/weeks after the release. If true, the market for the mesh has dried up anyway.

It seems that NZ is increasing its LIDAR survey so who knows

 Elevation Aotearoa (arcgis.com)

New Zealand is certainly near the top of my list.  From just a few days ago (into NZQN):

I must admit that I was wondering about the snow in the western regions the other day...

It’s a gorgeous country (i hope to visit some day) so hopefully the WU does it justice.  I’m also really excited for the release of the Caribou.

Can't wait as it's where I fly the most...and I live there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seriouy, as long as they do not get their bugged snow coverage fixed, I am NOT looking forward to the NZ WU, because the NZ Alps are one of the heavily affected regions. No joy to fly into NZMF using real weather and getting snow when OAT is around 20°C... 

Not me either, they better should get their other buggy stuff (AI traffic to name just one) sorted instead of pushing more eye-candy out.

I’m really looking forwards to WU NZ, I can’t wait, orbx said their mesh is compatible with their WU also so either way there’s loads of new photogrammetry and updated airports to enjoy ALL FOR FREE. 

I hope some ground imagery is updated too. The satellite images near Christchurch could use an update for instance.

17 hours ago, Lange_666 said:

they better should get their other buggy stuff (AI traffic to name just one) sorted instead of pushing more eye-candy out.

Different team. 🙂

 

1 hour ago, bvdboomen said:

Different team. 🙂

Yes, I don't know how many times it has been mentioned, but code and scenery are different teams. 
The New Zealand update doesn't work against any bug fixing or new features being developed.  I just don't understand why people don't get this.  

Edited February 18, 20233 yr by bobcat999

2 hours ago, bobcat999 said:

Yes, I don't know how many times it has been mentioned, but code and scenery are different teams. 
The New Zealand update doesn't work against any bug fixing or new features being developed.  I just don't understand why people don't get this.  

While that's very true, it would be hard to effectively showcase Milford Sound while it's permanently ice-bound.  Common sense would suggest such a fix be done before a NZ update, or maybe even made ready to bundle in with it.  Then again maybe they expect us to 'authentically' land our Caribous on the ice.