I have been lately flying high and fast...🙂...in ultra-haul jetliners such as the A350 and B777. So, for a change of pace, I wished today, to do a scenic (low and slow) exploration flight. And, of course, New Zealand (especially the South Island of New Zealand) came foremost to my mind...where else...🙂...? For this flight, I track along one of my most favorite natural landmarks, a river, and, here, South Island's Waitaki River, a most significant one in all of New Zealand. Waitaki River is not only a symbol of deep historical and cultural significance for both the indigenous Māori people and European settlements, but also, in modern times, it has been a key source of hydroelectric power, with a scheme of eight power stations utilizing its flow, vital for New Zealand's electricity supply. 

The river's Māori name, Waitaki, is often interpreted as "the waterway of tears," potentially linked to the tears of Aoraki, a mythical figure associated with the Southern Alps, and with the majestic Mount Cook (also known as Aoraki). Here, however, I am tracking the Waitaki River, starting my flight at Pukaki-Twizel Airport (NZUK), south of Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki, with this river originating at the southern edge of the Southern Alps (see EFB Maps for my route). I have travelled the entire length (~130 miles) of the river, from its origin just north of Lake Benmore, then overflying a couple of more Lakes (Lake Aviemore and Lake Waitaki) on my way, to the final dissolution point of Waitaki River in the vast Pacific Ocean, on the eastern coastline of the South Island.  

En route, I passed between the scenic mountain ranges and valleys of Waitaki River, and picturesque rolling hills and undulating pastures of verdant green landscapes (the latter features, unmistakable in New Zealand and quite pleasing to the virtual tourist...🙂...).  

Interestingly, Waitaki River is considered a "braided river" characterized by multiple channels that divide and rejoin, separated by gravel or sand bars (see images), a network of channels that shift and divide over time, creating a complex pattern. As a coincidence, I also learned today that the Brahmaputra River (of the Himalayas), one of the world's largest river systems, and one I'd happened to explore in MSFS, a while ago...🙂...; is also one of the largest examples of a "braided river" (if not the largest). I now distinctly recall (from my virtual visit) how the Brahmaputra River displays a (similarly) complex and massive pattern of braided channels; the river, therefore, often running rampant in the monsoon season, causing widespread flood and havoc in the upper plains of India.

Braided rivers occur due to a unique combination of geological and climatic factors including high concentration of eroding mountains, abundant sediment supply, and high rainfall, which are all packed into New Zealand's unique topography, particularly in the Southern Alps. Thus, the resulting braided river systems of New Zealand are a defining feature of the country's landscape.

Today, it was a most enjoyable ~130 miles flight that I've flown in the SIM in a while, low and slow, in the comfort and convenience of the (FSW) 414A Chancellor. This aircraft is still listed in the MSFS2020 part of my Library, but fortunately without the dreaded markers of "Unverified by Publisher" or "Permanently Disabled" etc...🙂...I'm not sure, though, why these nice aircraft are yet to be officially approved for MSFS2024 (my other favorite PMDG 737 being another such example...). 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this collection of images from my trip today, from the southern edges of the Southern Alps, across multiple lakes and rivers, all the way to the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean (see my last image). It was finally time to bid farewell to the Waitaki River that had given me company throughout this flight...and become a friend of mine...🙂...so to speak...

Thanks for viewing and happy flying...!

Edited August 14, 2025Aug 14 by P_7878

Nice set !

cheers 😉

On 8/14/2025 at 3:00 AM, pmplayer said:

Nice set !

cheers 😉

Thank you, pmplayer, for the comment...!

Cheers...