Just picked up the Orbx S43 and W16 pack - about 20 USD.  I was a little skeptical because their P3D ported airports looked pretty bad (BUR/SBA etc).  These ones are new native MSFS versions and while I haven't looked at W16 yet, I am very impressed with S43.  They really did a nice job and if they continue this trend I could easily see myself picking up more PNW packages as they come out.

Here's a fun VFR flight I flew via the mountain passes from S10 to S43.  Cruised anywhere from 130-150 mph over the ground between 4500 - 8500 ft.  I was just on the northern edge of a cold front which honestly made for some spectacular views.  I hope you guys enjoy!

Oh and of course a shameless plug for me and Tim's paint scheme hah!  

The moment I lift off we're already greeted with lovely views...

Untitled-1 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Untitled-4 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Initially we'll follow this river towards EAT VOR

Untitled-5 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Then we turn NW towards 27W (over the town of Wenatchee, WA here in this pic)

Untitled-6 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Wow the views...  I think that's Rainier on the far right of my frame 

Untitled-7 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Over flying 8S2 Cashmere-Dryden (beautiful freeware from Windhover at the usual place)

Untitled-8 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Went a bit off course to look at this awesome glacial lake

Untitled-9 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

We're nearly half way through our trip - still clear of the rain

Untitled-10 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Untitled-12 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Looks wet over there (free plane washes!)

Untitled-13 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Over S88 Skykomish State

Untitled-14 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

I love this view of the dark and light of the Skykomish River approaching the town of Monroe (W16)

Untitled-17 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

I'll have to check out that strip some other time 

Untitled-18 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Chart calls for RP runway 15L so it's an over the top at pattern altitude entry

Untitled-19 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

A bit high on base but speed was good...

Untitled-21 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

I ended up with a forward slip out of necessitythough the Comanche doesn't really slow down much more even in that configuration

Untitled-22 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Untitled-23 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Can't be too noisy here

Untitled-24 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

I spy something red that I need in my life!

Untitled-25 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

This airport pack I highly recommend!  It's like quality Orbx products we've always known and loved for the PNW.

Untitled-26 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

 

 

 

Excellent set Ryan! Looked like a great flight.

Fantastic!! Love the angles

Edited August 7, 20232 yr by Phantom88

Stunning pictorial Ryan, love the aircraft, local scenery and of course angles.

Darryl 

Amazing pictures! I need to fly more on the west coast too.

On 8/6/2023 at 11:05 PM, Pugilist2 said:

Excellent set Ryan! Looked like a great flight.

Thanks it's a really nice area actually mostly covered with hi resolution PG

On 8/7/2023 at 7:47 AM, Phantom88 said:

Fantastic!! Love the angles

Thank you Patrick

On 8/7/2023 at 11:50 AM, SP2472 said:

Stunning pictorial Ryan, love the aircraft, local scenery and of course angles.

Darryl 

Thanks Darryl I love these little GA Gems

4 hours ago, Tim-HH said:

Amazing pictures! I need to fly more on the west coast too.

Thanks Tim it's a lovely area

Beautiful set of images, Ryan.

Being a fan of small airports, I always pay special attention to your trips between small airports .... you know, with designations (one letter and two digits ...🙂 ...) ...who needs KJFK/KORD...

Totally agree, the view is lovely from start to finish...loved the mountains too ...!!

I've been flying out of Harvey since 1982 and have had my Aeronca based here since 2007.   A couple of comments on the airport.

a. There are no embedded lights in the runway for the threshold.

b. The static runway lights are too high and appear in on the west side of the runway of 33.  The runway has been completely redone about a year ago and so the scenery of the runway is out of date already.

c. There are no signs in the helicopter pads, that is really a distraction.

d. There is no place on the Harvey's airport that doesn't have grass groomed to a front yard lawn status. 

e. The elevation is really off to the east of the runway.  There is a significant drop in the northern east side of the runway environment.

f.  I flew the new Cessna Skycatcher into Harvey and the static planes were the Skycatcher and were sunk up to the top of the tires into the ground.

Other than that, it does seem to be pretty close.  I have a couple of hundred of photos of the field if anyone is interested in seeing what it is really like.

 

23 hours ago, skyking32 said:

I've been flying out of Harvey since 1982 and have had my Aeronca based here since 2007.   A couple of comments on the airport.

a. There are no embedded lights in the runway for the threshold.

b. The static runway lights are too high and appear in on the west side of the runway of 33.  The runway has been completely redone about a year ago and so the scenery of the runway is out of date already.

c. There are no signs in the helicopter pads, that is really a distraction.

d. There is no place on the Harvey's airport that doesn't have grass groomed to a front yard lawn status. 

e. The elevation is really off to the east of the runway.  There is a significant drop in the northern east side of the runway environment.

f.  I flew the new Cessna Skycatcher into Harvey and the static planes were the Skycatcher and were sunk up to the top of the tires into the ground.

Other than that, it does seem to be pretty close.  I have a couple of hundred of photos of the field if anyone is interested in seeing what it is really like.

 

You should definitely contact Orbx with this information.  They may be able to make adjustments.