---------------------------------------------------------------------- MS Flight Simulator Flightplan - "Through the Ureweras" Rotorua (NZRO) to Wairoa (NZWO) via Lake Waikaremoana ---------------------------------------------------------------------- With this README file you should find a flight plan file "Rotorua-Wairoa.PLN" which begins at Rotorua airport (NZRO) and ends at Wairoa (NZWO) with waypoints at Murupara, Minginui, Waiau river valley, Ruatahuna, Waikaremoana lake front and on to Wairoa. The Miginui to Waiau and back route is one my family and I fly once a year or so on fishing trips into the Waiau river. We fly with Lakeland helicopters who have a base in Murupara from where they service the Urewera forest region. see: http://www.lakelandheli.co.nz/ How to use the flight plan: * copy the .PLN file to "My Documents\Flight Simulator Files" * in the flightsim select "Flights" -> "Flight planner" * click "Load", select Rotorua-Wairoa.PLN and click "OK" * select "VFR" flight plan type * select "Direct - GPS" routing * click "OK" A dialogue will pop up asking you if you want to start at the designated airport. Click Yes and you will be taken to Rotorua which is the starting point of the flight plan. Each flight plan needs to start at an official Airport location. The fun part of the flight really starts at Murupara though so once you are on the runway at Rotorua you can skip the first leg by doing this: * open the map from the menu ("World -> Map") you should now see the legs of the loaded flight plan * click the small black Aircraft icon in the centre of the map and drag it to the end of the first purple leg line * set the Altitude box to zero * click Ok You will now be on the ground in Murupara. Display the GPS in your helicopter and you should see the legs you need to follow. You may want to zoom in and out on the GPS for more detail. Flying low and close to the terrain is part of the fun of helicopter flying so try and keep below 2000ft. For a challenge and to add to the atmosphere try setting your weather to "Gray and Rainy", it's not for nothing afterall that the Tuhoe people of Te Urewera are known as 'Children of the Mist' It's wonderful country, hope you enjor the flight. Dean Stringer (deeknow@pobox.com)