This is ALPHA's recently-freeware FS2002 model of the A-90 Orlenok.
For those who've been living without electronic communication for the last 15 years: an ekranoplan doesn't fly...
it is a ground effect vehicle, riding on the cushion of air its "wings" and body generate between it and land or water.
Think of it as a small ship that goes really quickly and you get the idea.
Airborne surprisingly quickly as the air cushion builds up under the "wings", you sort of just go shooting off the end of the runway.
It cruises along happily at 160 kts.
Ride is exceptional, and choppy seas don't worry it at all.
Turning can be a bit problematic "“ two options exist:
Either:
Hit the power and go for a lunge over the top of the obstacle (Can jump surprisingly high) or, and this is not for beginners,
Dip a float, (rather like dropping an oar off a rowboat.) Do it wrong, and it turns into a spectacular cartwheel"¦
Landing needs a bit of room, you just plop down in the water with the gear down, and waddle out.
Just some fun, the model is a bit aged.
This would make a great West Coast Ferry. From Picton, travel time would be about 3-4 hours.
Beats taking a bus out of Te Anau, any day.
Milford Sightseeing 
, the noise alone will kill that operation ! , The concept and were it came from ?- many a WW2 bomber and Coastal Command aircraft return,d crossing the North Sea and Atlantic in such a back condition , shot to hell , bits falling off and sometimes only half a plane 
to the surprise of erks and base commanders .
..... 
...SKIN the LOTTA EM! we'll give em the slip
