XWind Studios recently issued a major update to their rendition of Dunedin Airport (NZDN) for Microsoft Flight Simulator, including improvements, bug fixes, further optimization, and more.
Built in 1962 to replace a nearby airfield (Taieri Airfield) deemed not economically feasible to expand for the expected air travel demand, Dunedin was idealized for short-haul aircraft services. NZNAC was one of the first airlines to serve the airport with its fleet of Fokker Friendships and Vickers Viscounts.
The airport first underwent upgrades in the late 1960s and 1970s, with the inclusion of automatic sliding doors in 1969 and a toilet expansion in 1971. Three years later, it also got a new mezzanine floor and an aircraft viewing deck.
It was upgraded again in 1988 when the administration built airline lounges and airbridges to accommodate Ansett New Zealand’s Boeing 737 operations (later replaced by BAe 146s). A runway extension followed soon after in 1993, bringing it to its current length of 1,900 meters.
A new terminal building was inaugurated in October 2005, considerably increasing its passenger handling capabilities.
It’s served by Air New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington) and Jetstar (Auckland), averaging around 1 million passengers per year.
Update 1.1 brings a vast list of changes to their rendition, including new hangars (entirely redone), a new ATC tower, LODs on terminal and hangars for extra performance, night lighting improvements, improved jetway docking, texture optimizations, and more. The complete changelog follows below:
Changelog V1.1:
– New & Improved Mainland Hangar
– New & Improved Flightline Hangar
– New & Improved Elevate Hangar
– New & Improved ATC Tower
– Added two portable buildings by terminal
– Added LODs on Terminal + Hangars
– Reduced Gloss on Cows
– Improved Night lighting inside terminal
– Improved Night Lighting on the ramp
– Fixed texture issues on Firehouse
– Improved Jetway docking
– Improved Terminal Glass look
– Added 3D People to terminal interior
– Added SuperShuttle vans
– Texture optimization
– Fixed some issues with missing trees
It’s available on the iniBuilds Store for roughly $7.67, requiring at least 4.05 GB of free hard disk space to install.
Stay tuned to Threshold for more flight simulation news!