Flight #001 - NZAA -> NZCH

The FSX Journal's inaugural flight saw us make the short trip from Auckland on New Zealand's North Island to Christchurch, 415nm away on the South Island

VH-VWY waits at the gate, awaiting pushback clearance to begin the early morning rotation from NZAA (Auckland) on the North Island of New Zealand, to NZCH (Christchurch), 415nm away on the South Island

Holding short of RWY 05R on instruction of ATC, due to Cathay Pacific B-HXJ A340-300 on short final

Just a minute later, and JQ243 is airborne, leaving NZAA by way of the BROOK1B SID

Flaps fully retracted as we climb to our cleared cruise altitude of FL350

The 94 passengers aboard enjoy unrivaled views on a glorious New Zealand summer day

Clear skies ahead as we head towards the Southerly coast of the North Island, ~200nm into the flight

Currently 80nm from Christchurch, over the mountainous terrain of the South Island. We have been cleared for an ILS approach to RWY 20 via the appropriately named PEAKS4B approach

Completing the turn to short final at the GDISI waypoint, as we prepare to intercept the localiser for NZCH's RWY20

And touchdown in Christchurch, 1hr and 35mins after pushback from NZAA

Just moments later, we are parked at gate 25 and our passengers are on their way