Microsoft Flight Simulator - Milford Sound

[Radar88]

Just to let everyone know that I submitted a request to the Microsoft Flight Simulator Support Team, asking them to investigate and look into the Milford Sound Terrain Bing Map satellite imagery issues.

I supplied them with information on the area, that includes the Civil Aviation Authority CAA Safety Publication pdf booklets, for Good Aviation Practice GAP for flying In, out and around Milford Sound. Along with the pdf booklet Good Aviation Practice GAP for flying In, out and around Queenstown.

I've also provided them the below links to You Tube videos as an example of real world, tourist flights in a Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, Cessna 208B Caravan and an Airvan from Queenstown to Milford Sound. To give them an idea of what the Milford Sound Mountainous Terrain looks like in real life and the landing perspective from both runway directions.

Queenstown to Milford Sound Flight - New Zealand - Copilot Seat

Queenstown to Milford Sound Scenic Flight onboard a Cessna 208B Caravan (New Zealand) 4K

Flying to Milford Sound New Zealand

I've suggested that they look at making Milford Sound a Landing Challenge in a future update, once they have sorted out the known Terrain/ DEM Issues and have pointed them in the direction of the Topomap.co.nz website for the Milford Sound Topgraphical Terrain contours reference data as a guide.


Some Good News, the Microsoft Flight Simulator Support Team have responded back to my request with the following.


Thank you for contacting Microsoft Flight Simulator support today.

We are planning to have discreet World Updates that focus on a specific region of Earth. The current plan is to do this every 2-3 months.

In order to really celebrate that particular part of the planet we are updating, we are also planning on creating some new hand-crafted airports, some new POIs and we will also attempt to provide some more activities ... like landing challenges.

We are very excited about this as it will—over time—spotlight all regions of Earth, which we hope will bring focus to areas that might not be a current aviation hub.

Kind regards,
Microsoft Flight Simulator Support Team

[NZ255]

Good stuff, so good to have regular updates. Fun times