Aircraft used: default Cessna Caravan, PMDG 738
Live weather: on
DETAIL
These reviews are I’m afraid getting a bit samey, given the quality now expected (and delivered) with each NSS product.
This airport does actually feel a little more basic than some of the others in the NSS Alaska series but it’s likely because it is that way in real life. It’s also a fair big bigger than most of the others — being more comparable to the likes of Sitka and Juneau — which likely serves to accentuate any perceived sparseness.
The terminal is stunning, as they always are with NSS. Exactly the right amount of weathering, super-high-res textures everywhere and a passenger-populated interior that matches the very best 2023 can offer. As always every peripheral building is modelled/textured to exactly the same standard and we get the usual custom clutter and signage out on the apron. There seems to be a bit more modelled away from the perimeter fence here, with various hotels, shops, homes and businesses included on the route into town (which is a stone’s throw away).
Ground textures and markings both airside and landside are excellent, with the runway being differently textured to those by NSS I’ve come across before.
As usual, my only complaint is the presence of very generic-looking parked cars, which are the lowest resolution assets to be found here (and in all NSS sceneries). Many other devs use exactly the same ones so I can only assume they’re offered as royalty-free stock somewhere.
PERFORMANCE
I didn’t want to write a review on the same day I purchased this scenery as I’ve been having great luck with a lot of new airports within the first few hours, before then suffering subsequent bouts of black screens. It strikes me as odd that I make and initially use most of my purchases in the middle of the night, when the Northern European servers are inevitably very quiet — and it’s only during busier times of the day that my problems start to occur.
So, two days in and I’ve managed to black screen it once, by tanking around with the drone for about 20 minutes. Each time I’ve flown in here I’ve exclusively used exterior views, plus the drone (sparingly), and it hasn’t given me any real trouble apart from that one time. Like all NSS airports I advise taking care but PAEN does feel a little more robust than the others. I’m certainly more confident about landing here in external view than I am at Juneau or Sitka.
Framerate-wise I’ve had no problems. Smooth as butter.
VERDICT
Predictably (by now), it’s probably fairly obvious how I’m about to sum up Northern Sky’s Kenai.
It’s a fab airport, in a beautiful part of the world; and while not a part of the famous Alaska Airlines ‘Milk Run’, there are a handful of small airliners (mostly C208s, Tecnams and Beech/Metroliners) that ply their trade from here — plus regular Everts DC-6 freight flights if you’re looking to fly your classic PMDG prop somewhere!
Definitely recommended, as long as you don’t mind being conscious of the demands NSS’ airports place upon your console’s hardware.
