jt_williams

Thanks Gunter. Great flightplan. MM and I flew (virtually) over the Rwenzori many years ago on a multi-year journey around the world. It will be fun to see how it looks in MSFS2024. Lots of cloud cover in the region so arial imagery may not show how impressive this area is. The link below will take you to a Guardian photo essay on the retreat of the glaciers. Africa’s last glaciers: an expedition to map ice loss in the Rwenzori mountains – in pictures | Global development | The Guardian

Idaho – Rivers and Mountains The Flight Plan includes 45 bush strips / fire lookouts. We will likely need two sessions to complete the journey. The first leg of the route includes 10 bush strips. It begins at Fish Lake in the north, follows Wounded Doe Creek toward the Selway River drainage, continues south along the Selway, and then climbs up Running Creek to Crofoot Ranch, perched on a ridge above Rattlesnake Creek near its junction with the Salmon River. From there, the route follows the Salmon south to Hettinger Ranch (IDHT). The second section of the route includes 10 additional bush strips, including the Big Four. From Hettinger Ranch, the route climbs to Pilot Peak Fire Lookout, continues toward the bush strips in the Big Creek drainage, and ends at Hoodoo Meadows (4D2) after crossing the Middle Fork of the Salmon at Big Creek Junction. The third section, a zig-zag route, includes 14 bush strips on both sides of the Middle Fork of the Salmon and ends at Sulphur Creek Ranch (ID74). The final section heads south into the Boise National Forest, features 9 bush strips, and ends at Pine (1U9). I have included a PDF in the flight plan archive with links to 36 freeware airport downloads and 5 payware scenery options for Idaho bush strips. It is likely that you will already have many of these strips, but quite a few new strips have been added in the last six months and a number of airports have be updated for 2024 compatibility, so it is worth checking and updating your Idaho collection. FlightPlan and Airstrip Links Package Here This tour was designed for a capable bush plane. The Cessna C-185 Skywagon is a strong backcountry option, but I will be flying the default Zlin Savage Norden in the Got Friends Classic Blue Bolt livery (link below) because of its excellent STOL performance. Its integrated G3X avionics are ideal for bush flying, since all airports in the scenery are recognized and imported correctly, so no external navigator is needed. Norden: Classic Livery Pack – Got Friends Videos about the Savage Norden and Eprops: Zlin Norden In Depth E-Props blades : ESR effect explained (English) The GravityKnightFlying channel on youtube has excellent videos of Idaho backcountry flying including extended footage on quite a few of the airfields we are visiting. They are longish but worth a watch if you have the time. Exploring the IDAHO Backcountry in a Bushplane - 2021 edition Search and Rescue Idaho Backcountry - Bushplane Adventure 2022 part1 Adventure in the Idaho Backcountry 2022 part2 Backcountry Bushplane Adventure 2023 - episode 1 Recommend Departure time of 1:00 PM Particulars: Date and time: Wednesday June 6, 19:00 UTC RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel MFS Multiplayer: Southeast Asia Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

Biz Jet over the Altiplano The flight starts at San Juan De Marcona (SPJN) on the Pacific coast of Peru. A key regional and military facility in Peru, San Juan De Marcona serves as a training base for the Peruvian Navys Aviation Force, supporting maritime patrol, search and rescue, and coastal defense operations. The first leg takes us to Arequipa (SPQU), the White City. This serene metropolis is blessed with a pleasant climate and eternal sunshine. Among its many treasures are photogenic plazas lined by palm trees, colonial-era architecture that have earned the city its UNESCO World Heritage title, and regional dishes. As you wander the cobblestoned streets, you’ll quickly see why Arequipa is called the “White City” or “Ciudad Blanca.” Sillar is petrified ash from decades worth of volcanic eruptions. Used as the primary building material for Arequipa’s churches and mansions, it bestows the city with a radiant appearance. Continuing east into Bolivia our next stop is El Alto Intl (SLLP). El Alto (Spanish for "The High One) is the second-largest city in Bolivia, located adjacent to La Paz on the Altiplano highlands. El Alto is today one of Bolivia's fastest-growing urban centers and is also the highest major city in the world, with an average elevation of 4,000 m (13,123 ft). Proceeding southeast we reach Cochabamba (SLCB), the fourth largest city in Bolivia, known as the "City of Eternal Spring" or "The Garden City" because of its spring-like temperatures all year round. Cochabamba is one of Bolivia’s boom cities and has a distinct, almost Mediterranean vitality that perhaps owes something to its climate. The spacious, ever-expanding new-town avenues have a wide choice of restaurants, eagerly grazed by the food-crazy cochabambinos, and the bar scene is lively, driven by students and young professionals. Turning south we head to Uyuni (SLUY). The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world, with an area of approximately 4,086 at 11,995 ft above sea level. Following rain, a thin layer of dead calm water transforms the flat into the world's largest mirror 80 miles across. The final leg takes us over the Salar and on to the Pacific coast to Chilean port city of Iquique (SCDA). This journey was designed for business jets which can cope with the longer legs and high terrain. I will fly the Cessna Citation CJ4 N221S Aircraft Livery. The Pilatus PC21 or Longitude are also good default business jet choices. As always, you are free to fly what you like. Flightplan HERE Freeware Scenery SPJN - San Juan De Marcona SLLP - El Alto International Airport - La Pazto SLCB - Jorge Wilstermann International Airport - Cochabamba SLUY - La Joya Andina Puerto Iquique Optional Payware Scenery simMarket: SPQU AREQUIPA AIRPORT V2 MSFS24 Sierrasim Simulation El Alto (SLLP) for MSFS-2024 – iniBuilds Store simMarket: SCDA DIEGO ARACENA INTL AIRPORT MSFS Recommend Departure time of 1:00 PM Particulars: · Date and time: Saturday May 30, 19:00 UTC · RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel · MFS Multiplayer: US Eastcoast Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

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A number of RTWR participants will likely have memories of landing in Narsarsuaq (BGBW) in February. It has officially been closed this month (April 2026). This youtube video shows the final commercial flight as well as the opening of the nearby Qaqortoq (BGQO).

I I don't think the GTN750 will like starting at XGS17. We could use Josh's plan but just select XGS17 when we load into the sim, then fly to Wanaka for the first leg. Jeff

FYI. The Grey Skies Scenery need these libraries Grey Skies Simulations' Common Library - Scenery Enhancements for MSFS | Flightsim.to

Hi Jock. Good to see you are still around. Hope you are doing well.

Mt Cook Heli Tour This tour features NZA Simulations Mt Cook Scenery. We depart from Asobo’s hand crafted Lake Tekapo Airport (NZTL) which was included in World Update XII and fly to Glentanner (NZGT) which has been enhanced in the NZA Mt Cook Scenery. After a brief look around, we proceed to Mount Cook Airport (NZMC) to pick up passengers heading up the Hermitage Hotel where we will drop them in the parking lot. Then we begin our tour of the mountain huts in the Mt Cook Scenery package. We return to Mt Cook (NZMC) to conclude the helicopter tour. Time permitting, we will fly a second flight plan using C208 Caravan to Wanaka (NZWF) to finish this tour. Flightplan HERE (Note 2 flight plans included) Scenery Recommendations NZMC - Mount Cook Region - NZA Simulations NZWF - Wanaka Region 2024 v2 Remake - NZA Simulations Recommend Departure time of 2:00 PM Date and time: Wednesday April 8, 19:00 UTC RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel MFS Multiplayer: Southeast Asia Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

Japan Tour 9 – Tōhoku Region The tour of Japan continues with a departure from Sendai (RJSS) and a tour of the Tōhoku region with stops in the Akita, Iwate, and Aomori prefectures. Time permitting, we will cross the Tsugaru Strait near Cape Ōmazaki and land at Hakodate (RJCH) on Hokkaido. Flightplan HERE Scenery Recommendations RJSS - Sendai RJSR - Odate-Noshiro RJSA - Aomori Airport RJCH - Hakodate Intl Airport Akita Prefecture is in Japan's Tōhoku region on Honshu, bordered by Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Yamagata Prefectures, with Akita city as its capital. Originally part of Dewa Province, Akita remained remote until after 600 CE, when settlements began following military campaigns against the Ezo tribes. The Satake clan later governed during the Tokugawa era, focusing on agriculture and mining. Hanamaki is in central Iwate Prefecture, positioned at the meeting point of three rivers with the Kitakami River. The city stretches from the foothills of Mt. Matsukura in the west to Mount Hayachine in the east. Major reservoirs include Lake Tase, Lake Hayachine, and Lake Toyosawa. Parts of Hanamaki are within Hayachine Quasi-National Park, and the Hanamaki Onsenkyo Village features a chain of 12 hot springs along the Ōu Mountains. Akita-Komagatake is an active stratovolcano 10 km east of Tazawa Lake, on the border of Akita and Iwate prefectures in Honshu. Its most recent eruption was from September 1970 to January 1971. It is Akita Prefecture's highest mountain and the second tallest in Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Mount Iwate is a 2,038-meter stratovolcano in the Ōu Mountains of western Iwate Prefecture, Japan, and the region's highest peak. Akita-Yake-Yama is a small stratovolcano in Akita Prefecture, Japan, that is known for its radioactive waters. A small parasitic lava dome is located four kilometers from the volcano. Kitaakita sits in the mountains of north-central Akita Prefecture, about 80 km northeast of Akita city, covering roughly 10% of the prefecture. Bordered by the Ōu Mountains to the east, its urban center lies around the Takanosu Basin and along the Yoneshiro River and its tributaries. Much of Kitaakita is forested, with some areas within Towada-Hachimantai National Park. This inland city is known for its heavy winter snowfall. Mount Iwaki is a symmetrical andesitic stratovolcano rising from the Tsugaru Peninsula plains. Its summit crater measures two kilometers across, with three lava domes on the west and south slopes. The mountain was frequently active during the Edo period, mainly with small to moderate phreatic explosions, and last erupted on March 23, 1863. Hirosaki University has operated an 18-station observatory there since 1981. Lake Towada is Honshū’s largest crater lake, straddling Aomori and Akita prefectures at 400 meters above sea level. At 327 meters deep and covering 61.1 km², it ranks as Japan’s 12th largest lake. Its striking blue color comes from its depth, and it features two peninsulas jutting in from the southern shore. The lake is a well-known tourist spot. Hachinohe lies on the southeast coast of Aomori Prefecture, bordered by the Pacific Ocean and crossed by the Oirase and Mabechi Rivers. Once a key center for the Emishi people, Hachinohe suffered severe damage and the loss of about 100 homes during the 2011 Japanese tsunami, which also wrecked its port and stranded large fishing vessels inland. Aomori Prefecture, located in Japan's Tōhoku region, is the northernmost prefecture on Honshu with Aomori City as its capital. It borders the Pacific Ocean, Sea of Japan, Iwate and Akita Prefectures, and faces Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait. The region is known for its unique culture shaped by remote geography and snowy winters, traditional crafts like Tsugaru-jamisen music, embroidery, pottery, and distinctive local dishes such as porridges and soups. Mount Osore is a Buddhist temple and pilgrimage site in the Shimokita Peninsula, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. Situated in an active volcano's caldera, it is regarded in Japanese mythology as a gateway to the underworld. Hakodate, in Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido, is Japan's third largest city in Hokkaido after Sapporo and Asahikawa. Its port was the first in Japan opened to foreign trade (1854) under the Convention of Kanagawa and was once northern Japan’s most significant port. Originally inhabited by the Ainu, its name likely derives either from an Ainu expression meaning "shallow fort" or from the Japanese word for "box" or "building," referencing a fifteenth-century castle. Hakodate remained Hokkaido’s largest city until the Great Fire of 1934. Recommend Departure time of 2:00 PM Date and time: Wednesday March 18, 19:00 UTC RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel MFS Multiplayer: Southeast Asia Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

D'Entrecasteaux (Redux) This is a revisit to an area we toured in Caribou’s in 2023. Situated near the eastern tip of New Guinea in the Solomon Sea the D'Entrecasteaux Islands are volcanic in origin and are separated from the Papua New Guinea mainland by 20 mile wide Ward Hunt Strait in the north and the 11 mile wide Goschen Strait in the south. The tour begins at Tagula Airport (TGL) in the southeast of the Louisiade Archipelago and will finish with a series of landings on the southeastern tip of PNG. The route is 570nm with 14 landings. Most of the airfields have been enhanced by Mountainair – some of which have been updated to version 2 for compatibility with the Oceania World updates (links below). Flightplan HERE The route was planned with WW2 warbirds in mind as they have the speed to get us across the longer over water legs quickly and are good for primitive airstrips. There are a wide variety of planes to choose from. Historically appropriate choices would include the Flying Iron P-38 Lightning, F6F Hellcat, Got Friends - F4F Wildcat, Blackbird Simulations FG-1D Corsair or Blackbird Sim A6M5 Zero. I plan to fly all of these aircraft (except for the Corsair), switching planes at the intermediate airstrips. I will fly the Zero A1-1-129 (Olive Grey) livery by Bomber12th. Required Mountainair Scenery (Freeware): Tagula TGL Version 2 Guasopa AYGJ Misima AYMS Kitava KVE Kiriwina AYKA V2 Vivigani VIV Version 2 Wapolu AYWJ V2 Salamo SAM Esa'ala ESA Version 2 Sehulea AYSL V2 Panasesa AYSC Version 2 Doini Island resort AYDO V2 Wedau WED V2 Recommend Departure time of 1:00 PM Date and time: Saturday February 28, 18:00 UTC RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel MFS Multiplayer: South East Asia Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

Japan Tour 8 – Ibaraki, Fukushima & Niigata The tour of Japan continues with a departure from Tokyo Haneda (RJTT), then heads north to Hyakuri Aero (RJAH). The route repeatedly crosses Honshu north of Tokyo before finishing in Sendai (RJSS). Flightplan HERE Scenery Recommendations RJTU - Utsunomiya RJSF - Fukushima Aerial and Terrain RJFH - Fukushima-shi RJSN - Niigata Airport RJSN - Niigata Enhancement RJSY - Shonai RJSC - Yamagata RJSC - Yamagata DEM RJSS - Sendai Ibaraki Airport, also known as Hyakuri Air Base, is a key Japan Air Self-Defense Force facility near Tokyo. Originally established by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1937, it occupies land taken from local farmers. In 1976, a defected Soviet MiG-25 was transported here for inspection before being returned to the Soviet Union. Utsunomiya, the capital and largest city of Tochigi Prefecture, is less than an hour north of Tokyo by shinkansen and near Nikko’s historic sites. Once rooted in mining, the city is now known for its Oya stone and especially its gyoza dumplings, with many local restaurants offering a variety of fillings like pork, kimchi, and seafood. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami was Japan's most powerful recorded earthquake and the world's fourth since 1900. The quake triggered tsunami waves reaching up to 133 ft in Miyako and traveling at 435 mph, reaching 6 miles inland near Sendai. Residents had only eight to ten minutes of warning, and more than a hundred evacuation sites were destroyed. As of 2021, official figures list 19,759 deaths, 6,242 injured, and over 228,000 people displaced or relocated. The Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant, operated by TEPCO in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, was shut down after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Unlike its nearby sister plant, Daiichi, Daini's four reactors were quickly stabilized. The plant has remained inactive since then, and was officially slated for decommissioning in July 2019. Engineer Who Saved Nuclear Plant From Meltdown Shares Leadership Lessons | Catholic University The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant was severely damaged by the 9.1 earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, resulting in radiation leaks and irreparable reactors. The disaster disabled cooling systems, led to ongoing radioactive releases, and prompted a 19-mile evacuation zone around the plant that remains in effect as of February 2025. Since 1993, Fukushima Airport (RJSF) has been a regional hub and attracts Ultraman fans due to displays and the first Ultraman store in Tōhoku, commemorating creator Eiji Tsuburaya from Sukagawa City. Sado Island, rich in history, was once an exile destination for political figures who introduced new culture and religion, building shrines and temples resembling Kyoto's. The discovery of gold transformed it into a major mining site, attracting people from across Japan and shaping the island’s distinctive cultural heritage. Niigata, a historic port city, became a key junction for maritime and river traffic. Named one of five treaty ports in 1858, it began operations in 1869 and remains important for land and water transport today. Rice is essential to Japanese cuisine, providing flavor through sake and mirin. Niigata, with ample land and water from the Shinano river, produces the highly regarded "Koshi Hikari" rice. Fresh harvests are enjoyed at local restaurants in late October, and local breweries like Hakkaisan start their sake batches for the coming year. Shonai Airport (RJSY) is an airport, located in Sakata and Tsuruoka, which are cities facing the Sea of Japan in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. The Dewa Sanzan—Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Yudono—are three sacred Japanese mountains central to Shugendo, a faith blending nature worship and esoteric Buddhism. Each mountain symbolizes a different time: Haguro (the present), Gassan (the past), and Yudono (the future). Edo period people viewed visiting these peaks as a spiritual journey towards rebirth. Yamagata Airport (RJSC), located 14 miles north of Yamagata city, began as Kamiyama Training Airfield during World War II. It was later used by the U.S. military and then by Japan's Self-Defense Force. Commercial flights started in 1964 with All Nippon Airways to Tokyo, upgraded to YS-11s in 1972. After the 2011 Tohoku disaster, American forces used the airport for transporting supplies—marking the first use of a private Japanese airport by the U.S. military outside of emergency landings. Sendai Airport (RJSS) is an international airport located in Natori of Miyagi Prefecture, 8.5 mi south-southeast of Sendai, Japan. The airport sustained serious damage in 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Tsunami, Great East Japan Earthquake, Sendai airport, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan [11 Mar 2011] - YouTube Recommend Departure time of 2:00 PM Date and time: Saturday Feb 21, 18:00 UTC RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel MFS Multiplayer: South East Asia Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

Michelvp has provided some excellent freeware renditions of bridges on this stretch of the Oregon coast. Links below: Conde McCullough Memorial Bridge North Bend Oregon Yaquina Bay Bridge Newport OR Railway Bridge North Bend Oregon Jeff

Japan Tour 7 – Tokyo Heli Tour Tokyo, located at the head of Tokyo Bay in the Kantō region on Honshu, is part of the world's largest metropolitan area. The Greater Tokyo Area, including Tokyo and six nearby prefectures, had 41 million residents in 2024. We depart from Atsugi Aero (RJTA), head south to the coast, then proceed in a counterclockwise direction. We turn towards Yokahama, then Tokyo Bay, followed by a tour of Tokyo landmarks. Leaving the city center we head west to the Tama River and follow it to our finishing airport Tachikawa (RJTC). Flightplan HERE Naval Air Facility Atsugi (RJTA) is a joint Japan-US naval air base in Yamato and Ayase, Kanagawa, Japan. It is the largest US Navy air base in the Pacific and previously hosted all squadrons of Carrier Air Wing Five, which deploys with the aircraft carrier at Yokosuka Naval Base. The Enoshima Sea Candle is an observation tower and lighthouse in the Samuel Cocking Garden on Enoshima island. Built for the 2002 centenary of the Enoshima Electric Railway, it stands beside the original 1951 lighthouse. Kōtoku-in is a Buddhist temple in Kamakura, best known for its large outdoor bronze statue of Amitābha, The Great Buddha of Kamakura, a famous Japanese icon and designated National Treasure. Yokohama, the largest port city and tech centre in the Greater Tokyo Area, was once a small fishing village during Japan's isolationist Edo period. In 1853–54, Commodore Perry's arrival with American warships led to Japan opening its ports by signing the Treaty of Peace and Amity. Minato Mirai 21 (MM) is Yokohama's central business district, known for bay views, cruise ships at Ōsanbashi Pier, modern skyscrapers, and the iconic Yokohama Bay Bridge. The Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line is an expressway combining a bridge and tunnel across Tokyo Bay, Japan. The artificial island Umihotaru separates the two sections and offers a rest area with amenities. The Kaze no Tō ventilation tower uses bay winds to supply air to the tunnel. Tokyo Gate Bridge is a truss cantilever bridge over Tokyo Bay. Its height allows ships to pass below but does not obstruct flights to Haneda Airport. Due to its shape, it is nicknamed 'Dinosaur Bridge'. The Rainbow Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning northern Tokyo Bay from Shibaura Pier to Odaiba in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, officially known as the Tokyo Port Bridge. Century Park Tower, part of Tokyo's River City 21 complex in Chūō ward, is a 590-foot-tall residential building completed in March 1999. It ranks as Tokyo's 45th tallest and Japan's 66th tallest building. Tokyo Skytree, Japan's tallest tower since 2012, features seismic proofing with a reinforced concrete shaft. The main pillar connects to the outer structure up to 410 ft, and from there to 1,230 ft, oil dampers cushion earthquake shocks. An added mass control mechanism helps keep the structure stable during tremors. Tokyo Station, opened in 1914 to serve several major lines, was damaged in the 1945 Tokyo bombing but quickly reopened. It became the starting point for the Tōkaidō Shinkansen in 1964 and now handles over 4,000 scheduled trains daily, making it Japan’s busiest station by train volume. The Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda ward is home to Japan’s emperor. It features park-like grounds, several buildings including living quarters, ceremonial halls, residences for the Imperial Family, an archive, museums, and offices. The 1.15-square-kilometer site was formerly Edo Castle. The National Diet Building is Japan's parliamentary building. German architects Wilhelm Böckmann and Hermann Ende were invited to design it in the late 1800s, initially proposing a European-style structure, but later adapting their plans to include traditional Japanese elements due to public resistance. In 1918, a public competition was held, resulting in Watanabe Fukuzo's winning design, which resembled those of Ende and Böckmann. Tokyo Tower, also known as Japan Radio Tower, is a communications and observation tower in Minato's Shiba-koen district. Built in 1958 and standing at 1,092 ft, it was Japan's tallest tower until Tokyo Skytree opened in 2012. Its design is based on the Eiffel Tower and features white and international orange colors for air safety. Shibuya, once a mediocre area developed around the railway terminus, overtook Shinjuku as a hub for youth culture in the 1970s. Shibuya Crossing, near Shibuya Station, is known as the world's busiest pedestrian scramble, with up to 3,000 people crossing per green light. Opened in 1973, it's a major tourist spot and an iconic Tokyo landmark featured widely in media. Yoyogi National Gymnasium, located in Yoyogi Park, Shibuya, is renowned for its suspension roof. It seats 12,898 people with a 43,000 sq ft arena, mainly hosting ice hockey, futsal, basketball, and volleyball. The gymnasium was highlighted as one of the most beautiful 20th-century buildings when Kenzō Tange won the 1987 Pritzker Architecture Prize. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku was designed by Kenzo Tange. The complex includes three structures, the tallest being the 48-story Building No.1, which divides into two sections at the 33rd floor and has three underground levels. Its design resembles both an integrated circuit and a Gothic cathedral. It is the world's tallest city hall. Shinjuku is a major commercial and administrative hub in Tokyo, home to Shinjuku Station - the world's busiest railway station. The 1945 Tokyo air raids destroyed most local buildings, but postwar reconstruction retained the area's pre-war roads and rails as its foundation. In the 1960s, Shinjuku became Tokyo's center for new ideas and artistic innovation, similar to New York's Greenwich Village. Mode Gakuen Cocoon is a 669-foot, 50-story educational building in Nishi-Shinjuku, designed by Paul Noritaka Tange's team. Finished in 2008, it's the world's second-tallest educational building and was named Emporis' 2008 Skyscraper of the Year. The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, displays Studio Ghibli’s animation works. Located in Inokashira Park, it blends elements of children's, technology, and fine arts museums. Highlights include a Catbus replica, café, bookstore, rooftop garden, and a theater showing exclusive Studio Ghibli short films. The Tama River, marking the border between Tokyo and Kanagawa, runs through the Greater Tokyo Area. Its Tokyo banks feature parks and sports fields, making the river a popular picnic destination. Due to frequent flooding—sometimes so severe the river changed course and split settlements—several nearby communities share the same names, such as Todoroki. The present river path was established after a major flood in 1590. Tachikawa is a city on the Musashino Terrace in western Tokyo, about 40 km from central Tokyo, with the Tama River separating it from Hino. Once a small Edo-period village along the Koshu Kaido, Tachikawa became a town after the Imperial Japanese Army established an airfield there in 1922, then gained city status in 1940. It was a military center before WWII and remained a major U.S. base until 1977. Tachikawa AFB (RJTC) was redesigned from Tachikawa Army Air Base on March 5, 1948. In 1949, logistics moved to the eastern section, and military activity grew in 1950 to support the UN in the Korean War. The 375th Troop Carrier Wing managed airlift operations, while the 801st Medical Air Evacuation Squadron transported over 70,000 wounded to the base hospital—the largest U.S. military medical facility in the Far East—for treatment. Japan in 8K -Tokyo Scenery Recommendations World Update 1 Japan 3D Photogrammetry Cities Japan Points of Interest World Update 20 Japan – Japan II - 3D Photogrammetry Cities Japan 2 Points of Interest Tokyo City Times MSFS20/24 by SamScene3D | Contrail Shop Recommend Departure time of 2:00 PM Date and time: Saturday Feb 7, 18:00 UTC RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel MFS Multiplayer: US Eastcoast Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

Japan Tour 6 - Helo Tour of Japan's Northern Alps This tour features landings at two Samurai Castles, seven mountain helo pads, a mountain hotel, and four dams. Departing from Matsumoto (RJAF) it is a short leg to Matsumoto Castle then climb into the alps for a landing at Dakesawa Hut below Mount Hotaka. Climbing steeply up to the main ridge we make our way to Mount Yari before descending to the west down into the steep gorge of the Kanakido River and attempt a landing at the Hokuriku Electric Power Ikenoo Power Station. Heading downstream to the Takahara River junction we turn north and make our way to Kamioka Castle. The route proceeds northward over rugged mountainous terrain with brief stops at several landing pads before reaching the resort Hotel Tateyama below Mount Tate. The final section of the route takes us to four hydroelectric dam sites followed by several helipad landings before reaching our destination Nagano. Flightplan HERE Matsumoto Castle, once called Fukashi Castle, is located in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Built in the late sixteenth century, it retains its original wooden interiors and stonework. As a flatland castle, it was constructed on a plain and featured interconnected walls, moats, and gatehouses for defense. Dakesawa Hut is a seasonal mountain lodge in Japan’s Hotaka range near Kamikochi, offering dorm-style lodging, meals, and scenic alpine views for hikers. Reservations are required, cash is advised, and there are no showers—only basic, welcoming hospitality. Mount Yari, located in Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, is known for its spear-like shape and is often called Japan's Matterhorn. The mountain attracts many climbers during hiking season, with lines forming for popular routes in summer. In 2005, a new trail from Hidarimata Valley to Mount Okumaru made access to Yari-ga-take easier from Shinhodaka onsen. Kamioka Castle, also called Kamiokajō, is a historical site in Kamioka Township. The original fortification, Higashimachijō, featured moats and stone ramparts. Today, the main keep and gatehouse are modern reconstructions from 1970. The castle's faux donjon and metal roofing contrast with its Sengoku period theme, highlighting an amusing blend of history and modern elements. Mount Tate, also known as Tateyama, is a mountain located in the southeastern area of Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the tallest mountains in the Hida Mountains at 3,015 m (9,892 ft) and one of Japan's Three Holy Mountains along with Mount Fuji and Mount Haku. Tateyama consists of three peaks: Ōnanjiyama The Oyama Shrine is located on Oyama Peak. The Kurobe Dam is a 610 ft high variable-radius arch dam on the Kurobe River in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. The tallest dam in Japan, it supports the 335 MW Kurobe No. 4 Hydropower Plant and is owned by Kansai Electric Power Company. It was constructed between 1956 and 1963 at a cost of 51.3 billion yen. The project had taken the lives of 171 people by its completion. The Shin-Takasegawa Pumped Storage Station, located 12 km west of Ōmachi in Nagano Prefecture, uses the Takase River for hydroelectric power. Partly within Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, construction started in 1971 and ended in 1978, with commissioning in 1980. The upper reservoir is created by the Takase Dam, Japan's tallest rock-fill dam at 176 meters, and the country's second tallest overall. The Nanakura Dam creates the lower reservoir. To protect against rapid draw-down in water levels the top of the dam is coated in hard rock materials. The Ōmachi Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Takase River just west of Ōmachi in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Construction of the dam began in 1975 and it was completed in 1985. The primary purpose of the dam is water supply and it also supports a 13 MW hydroelectric power station. It is owned by TEPCO. Nagano City began as a temple town during the Nara period and is known for Zenkō-ji, a 7th-century Buddhist temple recognized as a Japanese National Treasure. It was the site of the Battles of Kawanakajima in the Sengoku Period and served as an important post station on the Hokkoku Kaidō highway during the Edo period. After the Meiji restoration, Nagano became the first modern town in its prefecture in 1897. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, leading to improved transportation links, including the introduction of the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Recommend Departure time of 1:00 PM Date and time: Wednesday Jan 14, 18:00 UTC RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel MFS Multiplayer: US Eastcoast Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

Japan Tour 5 - Central Honshu Starting from Toyama we fly south over the mountains to Nagoya, then on to Chubu and over Isa Bay to Akeno. The route proceeds east over Shizuoka before heading out to sea for several “interesting” landings on islands in Japan's Izu archipelago. Back to the mainland for a landing at Camp Takigahara (below Mt Fuji) then on to Matsumoto to complete the tour. Flightplan HERE The Hida Mountains, also known as Japan's Northern Alps, are a dramatic mountain range in central Honshu, famous for their rugged peaks, glacial valleys, and biodiversity, stretching across Nagano, Gifu, and Toyama prefectures with popular destinations like Mt. Hotakadake (the highest point) and trails for hiking and skiing. Nagoya, Japan's fourth largest city with over two million residents, is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and a main center of industry on the Nobi plain. Originally a castle town for the Owari branch of the Tokugawa family in the Edo Period, much of Nagoya was destroyed during 1945 air raids. The Toyota Motor Corporation's headquarters are located nearby. Chubu Centrair International Airport (RJGG) serves Nagoya and Japan's third largest metropolitan area, a major manufacturing hub home to Toyota and Mitsubishi facilities. The former Nagoya Airport couldn't meet regional demand due to limited capacity and its residential location restricting flight operations. Ise Bay is a significant bay in Japan, located between Mie and Aichi Prefectures, known for its connection to the sacred Ise-Jingu shrines, rich fishing grounds, pearl farming, and as a route for the Ise Bay Ferry connecting the region. It's a culturally important area, part of the scenic Ise-Shima National Park, where visitors can explore Shinto shrines and enjoy coastal landscapes. Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport (RJNS) is situated in Makinohara and Shimada. Built to support regional air travel and ease congestion at Tokyo's airports, Shizuoka Prefecture acquired 190 hectares for the airport to serve Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, and the Mount Fuji area. Kōzu-shima is a volcanic island about 6 km long and 4 km wide, made up of eighteen lava domes with rhyolite and ash deposits. Its highest dome, Tenjō-san, rises to 571 metres and last erupted in 838 AD. Unlike other Izu islands, Kōzu-shima is mostly flat with small hills and few cliffs. Earthquake swarms have occurred there in the 20th century. Miyake-jima is a volcanic island in Japan's Izu archipelago, about 180 kilometers southeast of Tokyo. Part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the island is a stratovolcano with an active peak, Mount Oyama, which stands at 759 meters. The coastline is roughly circular and measures 88.3 kilometers. Mount Oyama has erupted 13 times over the past 890 years, with several eruptions recorded since the Meiji period. Nii-jima stands out among the Izu Islands for its elongated shape, measuring about 11 km by 2.5 km with a total area of 23.87 km². The island consists of eight rhyolitic lava domes split between its north and south ends by a flat isthmus. Its southern tip once hosted an experimental and sounding rocket launch site. Izu Ōshima is a volcanic island in the Izu archipelago, located off Honshu, Japan, near Sagami Bay and the Pacific Ocean. At 91.06 km², it is the largest and nearest of Tokyo’s outlying islands, and is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. JGSDF Camp Takigahara is a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force base in Gotemba, Shizuoka, near Mount Fuji. Founded as an Imperial Japanese Army training site in 1908, it became "North Camp" under US Army control after WWII. In 1953, half was given to the US Marine Corps (now Camp Fuji), and the remainder became Takigahara Garrison under JGSDF. Matsumoto, in central Nagano Prefecture's Matsumoto Basin, is known for its scenic mountain views. It lies 75 km south of Nagano City and 167 km from Tokyo, with the Hida Mountains to the west and Mount Hotakadake (3190 m) marking its highest point. Once the provincial capital of Shinano from the Heian period, Matsumoto later developed as a castle town during the Edo era under the Tokugawa shogunate. Our Honshu tour will include the following freeware airports. RJNT - Toyama RJNA - Nagoya RJGG- Nagoya Chubu Japan airports Model Library KRC RJAZ - Kozushima RJTQ - Miyakejima RJAN - Niijima The route is 445 nm and an aircraft capable of 200+ knots will be needed. Once again, I plan to fly the World Update 20 Japan Local Legend NAMC YS-11 in the All Nippon Airways (Mohican) livery. The default Saab 340 would be a comparable commercial transport option. As always you are free to fly what you like. Recommend Departure time of 1:00 PM Particulars: Date and time: Saturday Jan 3, 18:00 UTC RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel MFS Multiplayer: US Eastcoast Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

Japan Honshu – Sea of Japan Beginning in Shikaku, this route crosses the Inland Sea to Okayama and traverses the mountains to Sakaminato on Japan's west coast. It continues to Okinoshima, then returns to Honshu at Tottori, moving east along the Sea of Japan to Toyama before ending south in Nagoya. Flightplan HERE The Great Seto Bridge or Seto Ohashi Bridge is a series of double deck bridges connecting Okayama and Kagawa prefectures in Japan across a series of five small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Built over the period 1978–1988, it is one of the three routes of the Honshū–Shikoku Bridge Project connecting Honshū and Shikoku islands and the only one to carry rail traffic. Sakaiminato sits at the northern tip of the Yumigahama Peninsula in western Tottori Prefecture. Surrounded by Lake Nakaumi, the Sea of Japan, and the Sakai Channel, it borders Matsue in Shimane Prefecture via the Sakai Channel or Eshima Ohashi Bridge. The city is built on a flat sandbar about two meters above sea level. Okinoshima occupies all of the island of Dōgo, in the Oki Islands archipelago in the Sea of Japan, along with numerous offshore uninhabited islands and rocks. Tottori, the largest city in its prefecture, is located in Japan's Chūgoku region near the Sendai River and Chūgoku Mountains.. The city is well known for its Sand Dunes, which draw visitors from across the country. Toyooka, in northern Hyōgo Prefecture and the Kinki region, faces the Sea of Japan and sits within the San'in Kaigan Geopark. The Maruyama River runs through its center, with the large Toyooka Basin in the middle of the city. Known as part of Japan's "snow country," Toyooka experiences heavy winter snowfall. Komatsu is in southwestern Ishikawa Prefecture, Hokuriku, Japan, bordering the Sea of Japan and Fukui Prefecture. It's about an hour's drive southwest of Kanazawa. Toyama is a seaside city by the coast of the Sea of Japan. Despite winter in Toyama being relatively mild, its position near the Sea of Japan places it within the heavy snow belt of Japan. Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture, is the largest city in Chūbu and Japan’s fourth most populous city with 2.3 million people (2025). Its seaport is the largest in the country. Our Kyushu tour will stop at the following airports. RJOT - Takamatsu RJOB - Okayama RJOH - Miho Aero RJNO - Oki RJOR - Tottori RJBT - Tajima RJNK - Komatsu RJNW - Noto RJNT - Toyama RJNA - Nagoya The route is 547nm and an aircraft capable of 200+ knots will be needed. Once again, I plan to fly the World Update 20 Japan Local Legend NAMC YS-11 in the All Nippon Airways (Mohican) livery. I have included a camera.cfg with custom cabin wing and engine views for the YS-11. The default Saab 340 would be a comparable commercial transport option. As always you are free to fly what you like. Recommend Departure time of 1:00 PM Particulars: Date and time: Saturday Dec 20, 18:00 UTC RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel MFS Multiplayer: US Eastcoast Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

NOTAM: I have edited the flightplan and updated the dropbox file adding two airports to the tour.

Japan South – Chūgoku & Shikoku The Chūgoku region, the westernmost part of Honshū in Japan, means "middle country," though its origin is uncertain. Historically, provinces were classified by power and distance from Kansai as "near," "middle," or "far" countries. One theory suggests Chūgoku once referred to the "middle countries" west of the capital, but only a few included provinces fit this classification. Another explanation is that the term described provinces between Kansai and Kyūshū, serving as a key link between Japan and mainland Asia. Shikoku is the smallest of the four main islands of Japan. It has a population of 3.8 million, the least populated of Japan's four main islands. Mountains running east and west divide Shikoku into a narrow northern subregion, fronting on the Seto Inland Sea, and a southern part facing the Pacific Ocean. Shikoku has historically been quite isolated and therefore it has kept the original characteristics of Japan for a longer period, especially in regards to vegetation and some architectural techniques. There are many Buddhist temples. Flightplan HERE Kitakyushu, in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, is the region’s second-largest city with about 940,978 residents as of June 2019. Established in 1963 from several merged municipalities around Kokura, it sits at northern Kyushu, opposite Shimonoseki across the Kanmon Straits. The two cities are linked by the Kanmon Bridge and multiple tunnels. Kitakyushu comprises seven wards and is one of three designated cities in Kyushu. Shimonoseki, once part of Nagato Province, has long been a strategic gateway to Honshu from Kyushu, China, and Korea. Noted in the Nihon Shoki as a Kofun period imperial site and first called "Shimonoseki" in Heian documents (869 AD), it served as a checkpoint for access to the Seto Inland Sea. German explorer Engelbert Kaempfer described it as a major port in 1691. Events like the Bombardment of Shimonoseki (1864) and the Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895) marked its significance. In 1899, Shimonoseki became an open port for Western trade. Ozuki Air Field is a military aerodrome of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Ozuki Air Base. On September 28 2009, Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force YS-11M-A serial number 9044 overran the runway upon landing and was substantially damaged. Yamaguchi City is located almost in the center of Yamaguchi Prefecture. The city area, which is the largest in the prefecture, is long from north to south, facing the Seto Inland Sea (Yamaguchi Bay) at the south end, and bordering Shimane Prefecture at the north end. The Fushino River runs through the center of the Yamaguchi Basin from north to south, and urban areas are formed on both sides of the river. Masuda, located on Honshu's western edge between the Sea of Japan and the Chugoku Mountains, borders Yamaguchi and Hiroshima Prefectures. It is the largest municipality in Shimane Prefecture, with its urban area situated on a narrow floodplain between the Takatsu and Masuda Rivers. Iwami Airport opened in 1993, initially facing low passenger demand despite subsidies and reduced fees. Passenger numbers increased in 2013 after Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni began offering flights, enabling tour packages that connect regional attractions via both airports. Hiroshima, established as a castle town on the Ōta River delta in 1589, became a city and industrial center after the 1868 Meiji Restoration. It gained official city status in 1889 and served as a key military base during the imperial era, including major wars such as the First Sino-Japanese War, Russo-Japanese War, and both world wars. On August 6, 1945, Hiroshima became the first city targeted by a nuclear weapon when the U.S. dropped the atomic bomb "Little Boy." The blast destroyed much of the city, causing between 90,000 and 166,000 deaths by year's end. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial now commemorates this event. The Tatara Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge on the Shimanami Kaidō, connects Honshū and Shikoku over the Seto Inland Sea in Japan. Initially planned as a suspension bridge in 1973, its design switched to cable-stayed in 1989 to reduce environmental impact. The steel Y-shaped towers stand 220 meters tall, with side spans measuring 164.5 and 257.5 meters. Matsuyama is located in central Ehime Prefecture, facing the Seto Inland Sea to the north, the mountains of the Takanawa Peninsula to the north and east, and the Saragamine Mountain Range, an extension of the Shikoku Mountains, to the south. Matsuyama Airport (RJOM) was built on the coastline facing the Seto Inland Sea. The airport opened as an Imperial Japanese Navy airfield in 1941. At the end of the war it served as the base for the 353th Fighter Squadron which defended against B-29s' raid. During the Korean War, the airport was used by the US and British Military. It was the first airport in Shikoku to see jet service following a runway extension project in 1972. Mount Ishizuchi is the highest peak on Shikoku and west of Mount Haku, earning it the nickname "the roof of Shikoku." Its sharp summit resembles a stone hammer. The mountain is significant in local worship, serving as a major Shugendō centre, and features the Ishizuchi Shrine at its peak. It is also one of the Seven Holy Mountains. Kōchi is located on the southern coast of Kōchi Prefecture, facing the Pacific Ocean to the south. The city area can be divided into three distinct geographic sections. The urban centre lies at the head of Urado Bay, in a narrow alluvial plain crossed by several rivers, notably the Kagami River and Kokubu River. The plain is bounded by mountains to the north and a range of hills to the south and west. Our Kyushu tour will stop at the following airports. RJFR – Kitakyushu (Asobo Enhanced) RJOZ - Ozuki Aero RJOF - Hofu Aero RJOW - Iwami RJOA - Hiroshima & RJOA Hiroshima Airport Enhanced - 2024 Corrections RJOM - Matsuyama RJOK - Kochi The route is 425nm and an aircraft capable of 200+ knots will be needed. Once again, I plan to fly the World Update 20 Japan Local Legend NAMC YS-11 in the All Nippon Airways (Mohican) livery. I have included a camera.cfg with custom cabin wing and engine views for the YS-11. The default Saab 340 would be a comparable commercial transport option. As always you are free to fly what you like. Recommend Departure time of 3:00 PM Particulars: · Date and time: Wednesday Dec 10, 18:00 UTC · RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel · MFS Multiplayer: US Eastcoast Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

Kyushu Tour Kyushu is the third-largest and most southerly of Japan's four main islands. There is a theory that Kyushu was in ancient times home to its own independent dynasty, where a unique, southern-influenced culture and tradition distinct from that of Honshu flourished. The island is mountainous, and Japan's most active volcano, Mount Aso at 5,220 ft, is on Kyushu. There are many other signs of tectonic activity, including numerous areas of hot springs. The most famous of these are in Beppu, on the east shore, and around Mt. Aso in central Kyushu. The island is separated from Honshu by the Kanmon Straits. Being the nearest island to the Asian continent, historically it is the gateway to Japan. Flightplan HERE Tanegashima, the easternmost and second largest of the Ōsumi Islands, is renowned in Japan for its traditional iron tools like knives and scissors. Its craftsmen maintain unique forging techniques dating back to the Taira clan’s exile from Kyoto in 1185, and the local dialect still reflects a Kyoto accent. The island also produces iron sand used in these crafts. The Tanegashima Space Center, operated by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), is the country’s largest space facility. Founded in 1969, it handles satellite assembly, testing, launches, and rocket engine firing, including orbital launches of H-IIA rockets from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex. Miyazaki sits at the southern end of the Miyazaki Plain, bordered by the Hyūga Sea to the east and crossed by the Ōyodo River. Most of the city is flat alluvial plains, except for its southern mountainous area. Historically part of Hyūga Province, a market town called Jogasaki flourished along the river in 1551, later coming under the control of various feudal domains. After administrative changes in the late 19th century, Miyazaki became the prefectural capital and grew rapidly with the development of the nationwide railway system. Kagoshima, formerly Satsuma Province's center and the Shimazu clan’s base, became a political and commercial hub during the Edo period. Despite foreign trade restrictions, it thrived through ties with the Ryūkyū Kingdom and was notable for its role in early Christianity and opposition to the Tokugawa shogunate. The British bombarded Kagoshima in 1863 after the Namamugi Incident. The city contributed major leaders to the Meiji Restoration. Japan’s Industrial Revolution began here, sparked by nineteen Satsuma youths who studied Western technology in the UK and brought modernization home; their statue stands at the station. Kagoshima is also the birthplace of Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō, celebrated for his victories in the Russo-Japanese War. Amakusa and the nearby Shimabara Peninsula were central to the 17th-century Shimabara Rebellion, which involved Christian leaders and survivors known as Kakure Kiriword not allowedan, who continued their faith in secret despite persecution. Although often described as a Christian uprising against Matsukura Katsuie’s oppression, scholars generally view it as a peasant revolt due to misgovernance, with Christians joining later. The Shimabara Rebellion was the largest civil conflict of the Edo period and one of the few major uprisings under Tokugawa rule. Nagasaki, the capital of Nagasaki Prefecture in Kyushu, Japan, was founded by the Portuguese and served as Japan’s primary port for Portuguese and Dutch trade from the 16th to 19th centuries. It features UNESCO-listed Hidden Christian Sites and was a significant naval base. In World War II, Nagasaki became the second city to endure a nuclear attack before being rebuilt. Hashima Island, also called Gunkanjima ("Battleship Island"), is an abandoned island 15 kilometres off Nagasaki. Among the region’s 505 uninhabited islands, it stands out for its deserted concrete buildings and seawall. Once a symbol of Japan’s industrialisation, the island also served as a site of forced labour before and during World War II. Covering 6.3 hectares, Hashima’s undersea coal mines operated from 1887 until they closed in 1974 when the reserves ran out. At its peak in 1959, the population was 5,259; after closure, all residents left, leaving the island uninhabited for decades. Ojika is a town in Kitamatsuura District, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, comprising 17 islands, six of which are inhabited. The area is within Saikai National Park and known for over 20 surrounding volcanoes, earning it the nickname "Eastern Galapagos Island." The main island's circumference is about 34 km, with all islands totaling 97 km. Archaeological finds date back to 10,000 B.C., and Ojika was first mentioned in the Nihon Shoki. Historically, whaling was prominent around 1600, especially by the Oda family, whose former home now serves as the Ojika History Museum. The Ikitsuki Bridge is a continuous truss bridge that connects Ikitsuki to Hirado Island. Completed in 1991, it has a main span of 400 meters (1,300 feet). It is the longest continuous truss bridge in the world. Saga City lies in southeast Saga Prefecture and dates back to the Jōmon and Yayoi periods as part of ancient Hizen Province. The area was ruled by the Ryūzōji clan until Nabeshima Naoshige took control in 1608 under the Tokugawa shogunate. Originally focused on water transport and agriculture, Saga grew into a castle town with thriving commerce and industry. Its location near Nagasaki helped it become a center for Western science and technology and play a key role in the Meiji restoration. Fukuoka is the capital of Fukuoka Prefecture and a major city in Kyushu, Japan. Located on Hakata Bay, it has been an international trade hub since ancient times due to its proximity to mainland Asia. The area has been inhabited since the Jomon period and became prominent during the Yamato period, developing a unique local culture and dialect distinct from other Japanese regions. Today, Fukuoka is the most populous city on Kyushu, surpassing Kitakyushu, and is the largest metropolitan area west of Keihanshin. It was designated a government ordinance city in 1972, and by 2015, it became Japan’s sixth-largest city, overtaking Kobe and Kyoto in population size. The Kanmon Bridge, part of the Asian Highway Network AH1, is a suspension bridge crossing the Kanmon Straits between Honshū and Kyūshū. Opened to traffic on November 14, 1973, and linked to the Kyūshū Expressway in 1984, it spans 1,068 meters (3,504 feet), making it one of the world’s 50 largest suspension bridges. Kitakyushu, in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, is the region’s second-largest city with about 940,978 residents as of June 2019. Established in 1963 from several merged municipalities around Kokura, it sits at northern Kyushu, opposite Shimonoseki across the Kanmon Straits. The two cities are linked by the Kanmon Bridge and multiple tunnels. Kitakyushu comprises seven wards and is one of three designated cities in Kyushu. Our Kyushu tour will stop at the following airports. RJFG - Tanegashima RJFM - Miyazaki RJFK - Kagoshima RJDA - Amakusa RJFU - Nagasaki (Asobo Enhanced) RJDO - Ojika RJFS - Saga RJFF – Fukuoka (Asobo Enhanced) RJFR – Kitakyushu (Asobo Enhanced) The route is 425nm and an aircraft capable of 200+ knots will be needed. Once again, I plan to fly the World Update 20 Japan Local Legend NAMC YS-11 in the All Nippon Airways (Mohican) livery. I have included a camera.cfg with custom cabin wing and engine views for the YS-11. The default Saab 340 would be a comparable commercial transport option. As always you are free to fly what you like. Recommend Departure time of 3:00 PM Particulars: Date and time: Saturday November 8, 18:00 UTC RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel MFS Multiplayer: US Eastcoast Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

Ryukyu Islands The Ryukyu Islands (also called the Nansei Islands or the Ryukyu Arc) are a chain of Japanese islands stretching from Kyushu to Taiwan. They are grouped into the Satsunan Islands and Okinawa Prefecture, with larger islands being mainly volcanic and smaller ones mostly coral. Okinawa Island is the largest in the group. The islands' climate varies from humid subtropical in the north to tropical rainforest in the south. Rainfall is heavy due to the rainy season and typhoons. Geologically, the chain is divided by the Tokara Strait and Kerama Gap, with coral reefs common beyond the Tokara Strait. Flightplan HERE Starting from Shimojishima (RORS) the route proceeds to the northeast with stops at the following airports/airstrips (optional freeware downloads linked): RORS - Shimojishima - Asobo Enhanced ROKR - Kerama - Asobo Enhanced ROTM - Futenma MCAS RORY - Yoron RJKN - Tokunoshima RJKA - Amami RJX8 - Suwanosejima Airport - Asobo Enhanced RJX7 - Satsuma Iojima Airport - Asobo Enhanced RJFK - Kagoshima The route is 553nm and an aircraft capable of 200+ knots will be needed. Some of the airports are quite short and will be a challenge to get in and out of. Consider yourself notified. I plan to fly the World Update 20 Japan Local Legend NAMC YS-11 in the All Nippon Airways (Mohican) livery. I have included a camera.cfg with custom cabin wing and engine views for the YS-11. The default Saab 340 would be a comparable commercial transport option. As always you are free to fly what you like. Recommend Departure time of 2:00 PM Beginning October 26, Europe is back to Standard Time. Traditionally, we stick with the European departure time until North America changes the time as well. That means that this flight departs 1 hour later for the North American pilots. Particulars: Date and time: Saturday November 1, 19:00 UTC RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel MFS Multiplayer: US Eastcoast Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

Kobe - Osoka - Kyoto Helo Tour This marks the commencement of a series of flights dedicated to exploring Japan as part of World Update 20. The itinerary includes visits to Kobe, Osaka, and Kyoto, which now feature enhancements through Photogrammetry/TIN technology. The tour incorporates three airports and 37 helipad waypoints; for brevity, only the principal stops are enumerated. Pilots may elect to land at any of the helipads according to their preference. Our tour starts at Kobe Airport (RJBE), passes through the port terminal and the Kobe Port Tower (KB01), then heads northeast over industrial zones including Kobelco Steel Works. We leave the harbor, cross the Muko River, follow the JR Kobe Line, cross the Yoda River, and continue along the JR Tōzai Line, flying over Kyocera Dome Ōsaka (OS03) before heading south to Sakai City. After flying over Daisen-ryo Kofun, we regroup at Yao Airport (RJOY). We return to Osaka, flying over Kumata Shrine (OS04), then follow the JR West Yamatoji Line to Tennoji Station, where several nearby helipads offer pilots valuable practice. Next, we head north to Osaka Castle (OS01), a World Update POI with a grassy landing area on the east side—perfect for exploring the grounds. The route finishes northwest with a crossing of the Yoda River and landing at Osaka International (RJOO). The route briefly follows the Inagawa river to Kawanishi before backtracking to the southwest. We make our way towards Settsu and the JR West Kyōto Line which we will follow northeast in steps towards Kyoto. Kyoto, established in 794 as Japan’s imperial seat, is renowned as the nation’s cultural capital and a top tourist destination. Key points of interest include Tō-ji Temple (KY01), Kyoto Tower (KY02), Higashi Hongan-ji Temple (KY03), Kiyomizu-dera (KY04), Chion-in Temple (KY05), Heian-jingu Shrine (KY06), and Takaraga Pond (KY07). The route proceeds westward, passing through the Takagamine and Murasakino artisan districts before entering the forested hills above Kyoto toward the Takagamine Heliport. The journey continues across densely wooded mountain slopes until reaching Route 162, which leads back to Kyoto through a distinctly rural landscape, as illustrated in the videos below. Beautiful Kyoto: Autumn Adventures at Mt.Takao Beautiful Kyoto: Snow Day in Mt. Takao [4K] Re-entering Kyoto we reach Nijō Castle (KY09) then Kyoto Gyoen National Garden (KY08). We depart Kyoto, climbing to the northeast following the Mt Hiei Cable Car (KY01) to Mt Hiei before descending to Lake Biwa. Time permitting we will cross the lake and finish at Shimogasacho (RJSG7) which is an open field without any specific Helo landing markings but is big enough to accommodate multiple aircraft. FlightPlan) Here Recommend Departure time of 2:00 PM Particulars: Date and time: Saturday October 11, 19:00 UTC RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel MFS Multiplayer: US Eastcoast Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

IniBuilds released a freeware rendition of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (KMKE) that is compatible with MSFS2024. It will require a $0 purchase and download via the IniManager App. iniBuilds Milwaukee (KMKE) for MSFS-2020 – iniBuilds Store

Idaho – River of No Return Wilderness This tour features a return to a favorite bush flying region – The River of No Return Wilderness – in the rugged mountains of central Idaho. Starting from Challis (KLLJ) we head into the mountains to Twin Peaks South Fire Tower, then land at several airstrips before reaching the Middle Fork of the Salmon at Mahoney Creek (0U3). We fly up the middle fork landing at Lower Loon (C53) and Flying B Ranch (12ID) before turning west up the Big Creek drainage. We will land at seven airstrips fly by two fire towers before heading north to the Sheepeater Fire Tower and our run south along the Salmon with landings at more airstrips and another fire tower. A final climb from Krassel (24K) will bring us to destination Mc Call (KYML) FlightPlan(s) Here This tour was designed for and will require a capable bush plane. I will fly the default Cessna C-185 Skywagon. I recommend that you elect NOT to carry a passenger and go with 50% fuel to keep weight down and performance up. Freeware Airstrips Mile Hi Airstrip | CREATIVE MESH Flying B Ranch Landing Strip 12ID Taylor Ranch Landing - 09ID ID28 Mackay Bar Hettinger(South Fork) Ranch Krassel USFS Airport Optional Payware IDA Idaho Fire Lookouts - MSFS2024 - Orbx 85U Soldier Bar Airstrip - MSFS2024 - Orbx IDA Not So Deadly 3 - Cabin Creek, Wilson Bar and Marble Creek - Orbx IDA The Deadly 3 - Dewey Moore, Simonds and Vines Airstrips - Orbx KMYL McCall Municipal Airport - Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 - Orbx Recommend Departure time of 1:00 PM Particulars: Date and time: Wednesday September 24, 19:00 UTC RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel MFS Multiplayer: US Eastcoast Server If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!