Flying in New Zealand

[Bobsk8 12,754]

I read a post a few days ago about how good New Zealand looked in MSFS. I am flying with A Pilots LIfe, and was offered a job with New Zealand Airways, which I took. Not only is the scenery gorgeous, but some of the airports are a real challenge to get in an out of. I just took of at NZQN in the Fenix, and it was a real nail biter to clear all the mountains on departure. There is also a large airport with no RNAV or ILS approach's, and it is in a valley, so getting down in time to make a landing, is a bit scary. Love flying around this area. 

[Farlis 2,288]

New Zealand is perfect for me when I want do some flying in the the evening during winter nights, because they are exaxtly 12 hours ahead and have summer. So I get a chance to do some morning flights without too much turbulence, and mostly good weather. Airliner wise the routes are limited. You can only do flights to Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland and Queenstown ever so often without it getting boring. But Helicopter flights are the best. And the Southern Alps really deserve their name.

Edited March 23 by Farlis

[Ixoye 1,823]

Yes it is a beautiful country, very fun with GA as well

[Jure 36]

I am also flying in New Zealand these days, trying to complete the "Middle Earth" tour for the VA I am a member of. It's a beautiful country and there are many interesting and challenging places to visit. As Bobsk8 wrote,  NZQN is not only beautiful, flying there can be a challenge. I flew the approach in the Fenix and it was a great experience!

I got me the ATR just for this tour and combined with the Fenix for longer flights it's one of the best experiences I've had in MSFS2020. And something quite different after all the helicopter, DC3 and smaller aircraft flights I've done earlier. 

MSFS never ceases to amaze me... 🙂

[cianpars 1,170]

Lots of really good payware and freeware airports for NZ.  Apart from the obvious areas mentioned above, the bay of islands is nice and the NZ world update provides some nice photogrammetry.

[cowpatz 243]

4 hours ago, Farlis said:

New Zealand is perfect for me when I want do some flying in the the evening during winter nights, because they are exaxtly 12 hours ahead and have summer. So I get a chance to do some morning flights without too much turbulence, and mostly good weather. Airliner wise the routes are limited. You can only do flights to Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland and Queenstown ever so often without it getting boring. But Helicopter flights are the best. And the Southern Alps really deserve their name.

If you are operating aircraft like the 737 or A320 there is still Dunedin NZDN, Invercargill NZNV, Palmerston North NZPM, Rotorua NZRO (a challenge, Napier NZNR (short runway) or Hamilton NZHN (short). There is also plenty of 2.5 to 3.5 hour international options as well such as: Sydney YSSY, Brisbane YBBN, Melbourne YMML, Gold Coast YBCG, Norfolk Island YSNF, Hobart YMHB, Launceston YMLT, Noumea NWWW, Nadi (Fiji) NFFN, Tonga NFTF and the Samoan group Apia NSFA and Pago Pago NSTU.
As for regional turbo prop, or biz jet ops, there is plenty of other great regional airports to try out.

So no need to get bored…….and if you do then welcome to an airline pilots life!

 

[JYW 2,984]

5 hours ago, Bobsk8 said:

There is also a large airport with no RNAV or ILS approach's, and it is in a valley

I'm guessing that would be Queenstown.   There are some real world old cockpit videos on YouTube of 737-200s flying that approach down the valley.

EDIT:    Found it.  (3 parts, this is the 1st):-
 

 

[Bobsk8 12,754]

Approaching Auckland INTL....  NZAA

 

 

 

 

[Lonesome Cowboy Burt 160]

1 hour ago, JYW said:

I'm guessing that would be Queenstown.   There are some real world old cockpit videos on YouTube of 737-200s flying that approach down the valley.

EDIT:    Found it.  (3 parts, this is the 1st):-
 

 

Been there for real, the approach is wonderfull

[brucewtb 249]

Try your hand at landing at NZWN (Wellington) on a typical windy day.  A short runway with water at both ends it is a nail biter in real life (which I have done many times as pax) and a challenge in the sim.

Bruce

[Bobsk8 12,754]

8 hours ago, brucewtb said:

Try your hand at landing at NZWN (Wellington) on a typical windy day.  A short runway with water at both ends it is a nail biter in real life (which I have done many times as pax) and a challenge in the sim.

Bruce

Landed there twice already. Fun.