Every few days, when I log into my Xbox/MSFS...having previously thought (off-line) of flying an a/c, that I am really fond of, but have not flown in a while, I occasionally run into one or more MSFS Updates (either Optional or Mandatory). Being on the (humble) Xbox system, this is accompanied by a bit of personal weary...🙂... And, today, when I initiated installation of the latest Mandatory (DEV) Update, I was struck for the first time with a dreadful (Xbox) pop-up message, "You don't have enough data space on the console"...Oh Oh...I thought to myself. Fortunately, lo and behold, I discovered, by going to the Xbox home screen, that, since the time I was away in command of the "Curtiss C-46 Commando" flying under rather challenging environments...🙂...in dense fog above the Mississippi River (please see my previous post), my teen had installed into "my" Xbox certain (large) number of video games...names not too familiar to me, but they deal with fast (racing) cars and incredible (death-defying) warriors...have to say, though, those sceneries always appear outstanding. Anyway, without seeking prior permission (bit of a risk but OK), I swiftly uninstalled a bunch of those Games meant for the kids... (and who says mine is a "Game"...🙂...), leaving only one or two others. After all, this Xbox is (supposed to be) for use only by this dedicated aviator engaged in lot more serious missions...🙂...The Mandatory Update installation was then a cinch...

I noted this Mandatory Update has 16 new airports, including CYYT (St. John's Intl.) that has been always of interest to me. This Canadian city of Newfoundland and Labrador province, located on the tip of an island, on the Atlantic coast, is the most easterly city of North America (the Land's End of America so to speak...🙂...) i.e., you cannot stand on land in North America (excluding Greenland) and be any closer to Europe (and to European cities such as London, Paris, and Frankfurt). I mention Frankfurt, because I vividly recall my first ever B747 transoceanic flight between Chicago and Frankfurt, watching intently the route MAP, displayed on the overhanging TV monitors of the cabin (never imagined that one day I would have a (seatback) display and entertainment screen, all to myself...🙂...even in much smaller airplanes...my recent 737 MAX trip coming to mind here). On the 747's (cabin) TV monitor, I'd then noted that the "Great Circle Route" for KORD-EDDF, passed exactly overhead of St. John's, and if I recall, the Pilots even announced that we were passing over "Newfoundland and Labrador". The thought of about to enter the space over the waters of the vast Atlantic Ocean, the first time I did it, gave me some butterflies in the stomach...🙂...to eventually become a routine experience. BTW, those kind of (occasional) announcements from the cockpit always felt nice e.g., it was exciting to hear and know that, for some legs, we were flying 35,000 ft directly above the Black Sea, a place read (and dreamt) about in Geography books. Such announcements have now almost become a thing of the past in today's long-haul with modern seatback displays with access to all such information available on demand at one's fingertip...

The city of St. John's in Newfoundland (not to be confused with St. John of the U.S. Virgin Islands) is touted, deservingly, as the most beautiful city in Canada. Myself, being more a fan of natural beauty (rather than of man-made structures and attractions...🙂...), today, I explored virtually quite a bit the coastal regions in the vicinity of St. John's airport. I wholeheartedly agree. This part of the oceanic shoreline jutting out dramatically, into the open Atlantic is enchanting indeed (see my final screenshot below for a sample). Gentle hills, (numerous) picturesque inland waterbodies, plentiful high cliffs on the shoreline, densely covered with Pine trees (see images below), and the pristinely beautiful sight of the sun rising above the oceanic waters of the Atlantic, must make it all seem like a place worthy of visit...certainly so in the warmer seasons...🙂...

St. John's Airport cannot be mentioned without reference to the likes of Air Canada and WestJet, of which, here, I've picked the latter, a favorite airline of mine, since the earliest days in this hobby. WestJet provides service from St. John's to destinations within Canada, to continental U.S., and interestingly also seasonal non-stop (transoceanic) 737-800 service to London Gatwick. This is possible because of St. John's curious geographical location. The (great circle) distance from St. John's to London is the shortest transatlantic flight, of just about 2,300 miles, and to think that once, when younger, I'd driven the ~2,000 miles (Chicago-New Orleans-Chicago) on a whirlwind round-trip...🙂...in a matter of days...

Hope you enjoy this collection of images of the WestJet 736...out of St. John's airport (CYYT). I've lifted off eastward from Rwy 11 (i.e., out into the Ocean) for a short discovery flight, and then rounding back to land on ILS Rwy 29. 

Thanks for viewing...!

Edited August 9, 20241 yr by P_7878

Like you, I found the St. John's area (and the rest of Newfoundland) to be a great place to explore in MSFS. But while I checked it out in an ATR, you got to do it in style with a 737. 🙂

Edited August 9, 20241 yr by John F

Nice shots P_7878. Always thought of installing the 736 just to compare a PMDG but so far I didn't, I am more using helicopters.

Nice set of shots! 😉 

Fine set !

cheers 😉

Wonderful shots, P_7878, especially the last ones. 

Folks: Thanks for your enthusiastic and kind comments...🙂...

[John: Prompted by your comment, I couldn't resist one last tour of this region, before heading home ...🙂...]