The article is a recommendation for flight simulation enthusiasts, highlighting scenery add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS2020 and potentially MSFS2024) developed by Kiwiflightsim, a relatively new label from New Zealand. The focus is on two specific airport sceneries:
- Rarotonga International Airport (NCRG) on the Cook Islands.
- Hokitika Airport (NZHK) on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
Kiwiflightsim
- A New Zealand-based developer specializing in aircraft liveries and airport sceneries for flight simulators.
- Known for high-quality and detailed add-ons.
Rarotonga International Airport (NCRG)
- Location: Cook Islands, Pacific Ocean. IATA code: RAR
- Main airport of the Cook Islands, home to Air Rarotonga.
- Runway: Single concrete runway 08/26 measuring 2,329 x 45 meters.
- Can accommodate aircraft up to A320 or B737 size.
- Facilities: Two parking positions on the apron, no approach lights. VOR/DME and NDB available.
- Approaches: Visual, ILS, RNAV (RNP), VOR/DME, and NDB procedures.
- MSFS Simulation:
- The airport is modeled with attention to detail.
- The open terminal is furnished inside.
- A notable landmark, “Te Rua Manga” (The Needle), is accurately represented.
- Considerations: Remote location, suitable for long-haul flights over water.
- Availability: Available for purchase at simMarket.
- Navigation Charts: Available at transport.gov.ck and Navigraph.
Hokitika Airport (NZHK)
- Location: West coast of the South Island of New Zealand, near the town of Hokitika. IATA code: HKK
- Runways: Two asphalt runways: 03/21 (1,152 x 30 meters) and 12/30 (1,176 x 18 meters).
- Navigation: NDB and DME located southwest of the airport. RNP procedures available for runways 03 and 21.
- Facilities: Small apron with two parking positions for regional aircraft. Unmarked apron for private planes south of the main apron.
- Airlines: Air New Zealand connects the airport with Christchurch using ATR 72-600 aircraft.
- MSFS Simulation:
- The scenery is well-made and detailed, considering the airport’s size.
- The terminal is furnished, and the landside area is represented.
- Considerations: A good addition to existing New Zealand airports in MSFS.
- Availability: Available for purchase at simMarket.
- Navigation Charts: Available at aip.net.nz and Navigraph.
Bert Groner
… if you like, feel free to: paypal.me/BertGroner
+2
These are great sceneries. With respect to NCRG, the airfield is capable of supporting aircraft up to 747-400. In fact they used to operate through there routinely until they were replaced with 777 and 787 wide body aircraft. The widebodies normally occupy stand 1. Guidance is unique in that there are 2 marchallers used. When entering the ramp you would follow the commands of a marchaller positioned almost straight ahead, at the base of the terminal. He would command a left turn and then hand over to a marchaller positioned out to the left hand side of the apron and standing on a step ladder. He would bring you right up to the edge of the ramp and then command a sharp RH turn. It almost felt as if the wing tip would strike the tower. From there you would be handed back to the original marchaller who would adjust the turn rate to align with the gate marking and stop position. Get it wrong and the fuelling bowser would not be able to hook up to the underground fuelling connections. There is no tow tractor to correct the error. Normal parking is facing to the east.
Very interesting detail! Thank you!