Aircraft used: default/LVFR 320s, AT7, PMDG 738
Live weather: on
The decision whether to buy this airport or not is complicated by the inclusion of a hand-crafted version in this year’s New Zealand World Update. There’s no denying Ini’s version is superior but it will depend on how often you use NZQN, and what level of detail you’d be satisfied with.
DETAIL
Being one of Ini’s earlier airports it’s obviously not as detailed as, say, their new Southampton. But there is plenty of custom modelling that was omitted in the WU12 rendition, including a relatively basic terminal interior. The terminal exterior looks good but not stunningly so — some of the texturing, while not particularly low-res, is a little on the bland/generic side. The landside area, however, really shines and looks stunning. Every roadsign, every road marking, every lightpole, a ton of highly detailed vehicles, plus plenty of custom vegetation, developed in-house…
There’s quite a bit of airfield periphery detail, including a couple of shopping complexes but they’re noticeably repetitive if you have a diligent look around. They’re also lower-res than the airport buildings.
PERFORMANCE
Stability is not the best I’ve ever experienced but certainly very good. I’ve had black screens once but I don’t ever recall getting a CTD. General performance is fine — smooth, with no stutters.
VERDICT
Like the USA, I think Asobo did a particularly good job with the photogrammetry in New Zealand, and this helps to give Ini’s NZQN a bit of character. The surrounding hills inhibit the approach from either direction and it can get particularly hairy in winter when flying the ATR! It’s definitely an impressive place to fly in and out of and the runway is unusually short to support regular international ops by 320s and 737s.
It’s definitely a step up from the handcrafted version in WU12 but picking it up at a discount obviously makes it a more worthwhile purchase. The detail around the terminal’s landside really does deserve another mention to close my review!
IMAGES
Airport overview.
Ini have attempted to recreate the grooved runway but far less convincingly than they did in their more recent Southampton scenery.
The ground clutter is plentiful and of exceptional quality. The terminal texturing is good but a little ‘clean’.
The landside is particularly well done, featuring tons of custom detail inlcuding high-res vehicles, roads and their markings, signage and vegetation.
The terminal interior is fairly basic but more than adequate for peering into from the flightdeck.
A handful of airside peripheral buildings.
Oops!
