Highly Recommended Payware Add-ons that greatly enhance the PG areas

NZA Simulations: Wanaka Region ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why I recommend it: While New Zealand is already a highlight of MSFS, NZA Simulations takes the South Island to a level of detail the default World Update can’t match. Covering over 5,000 km2, it’s more than just an airport—it’s a massive playground for bush pilots and helicopter enthusiasts. It’s the gold standard for "mission-based" flying, giving you specific, hand-crafted destinations to discover deep in the Southern Alps.

Key Highlights:

✅ The Ultimate Bush Hub: Includes not just Wanaka (NZWF), but 9 airports and 4 heliports in total, including tricky strips like Makarora and Dingle Burn.

✅ High-Country Exploration: Models over 20 legendary mountain huts (like French Ridge and Brewster Hut) with full 3D interiors. You can literally land your heli, get out, and walk inside the cabins.

✅ Local Landmarks: Features the world-famous “That Wanaka Tree,” the National Toy & Transport Museum (with custom vintage vehicles), and even the iconic Red Bridge.

Performance Note: Despite the insane level of detail—including fully modeled terminal interiors—this region is remarkably well-optimized. It uses advanced LOD (Level of Detail) techniques, making it a "buttery smooth" experience even on mid-range systems.

NZA Simulations: Milford Sound Region ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why I recommend it: Often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World," Milford Sound is a bucket-list destination for any pilot. While the default MSFS World Update improved New Zealand, it still suffers from "melted" mountain textures and generic water. NZA Simulations fixes this with their "Proline" treatment, covering 2,900 km2 of Fiordland. It transforms the area from a static landscape into a living ecosystem, making it the definitive way to experience one of the most dangerous and beautiful approaches in the world.

Key Highlights:

✅ The "Big 8" Airstrips: Beyond the main Milford Sound Airport (NZMF), you get 7 additional high-detail strips like Quintin Lodge (T004)—famous for its short, one-way approach—and various remote beach strips like Big Bay.

✅ Dynamic Fiordland Life: The water isn't just a flat texture anymore. You’ll find 76 animated custom watercraft, including the Milford ferries, plus animated waterfalls and even local wildlife like seals and birds scattered throughout the sounds.

✅ 3D Exploration: The level of detail is granular. You can explore fully modeled interiors of the Ferry Terminal and the Underwater Observatory. There are also over a dozen mountain huts tucked away in the peaks, perfect for helicopter "search and rescue" roleplay.

Performance Note: This region is quite dense due to the high-resolution mountain meshes and custom biomes. However, it is exceptionally well-balanced; while it uses heavy 4K textures for realism, the optimization ensures that frame rates remain stable even when flying through heavy weather or thick clouds in the sound.

NZA Simulations: Mount Cook Region ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why I recommend it: Aoraki/Mount Cook is the crown jewel of the Southern Alps, but the default sim struggles to capture the sheer scale of the glaciers and the ruggedness of the high-country huts. NZA’s "Proline" version covers over 600 km2 and turns the region into a specialized hub for ski-planes and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions. It’s the best place in the sim to practice technical mountain flying, especially if you enjoy landing on snow or narrow ridgelines.

Key Highlights:

✅ Glacial Airstrips: Includes highly detailed versions of Mount Cook (NZMC) and Glentanner (NZGT). The set also features 8 legendary mountain huts (like Plateau Hut and Sefton Bivouac) with custom landing areas designed specifically for ski-equipped aircraft.

✅ Fully Modeled Interiors: In true NZA fashion, you can walk inside the Mount Cook terminal, the Glentanner Park Centre, and even several of the remote mountain huts. The attention to detail extends to animated smoke from chimneys and custom-modeled local "Heliworks" and "The Helicopter Line" liveries on static aircraft.

✅ SAR Operations: Includes the Twizel Medical Center (NZTW) helipad, perfect for roleplaying emergency medical evacuations from the surrounding peaks back to civilization.

Performance Note: This is one of NZA's most efficient regions. Because the environment is dominated by rock, ice, and snow rather than dense urban buildings, it maintains very high frame rates. It is also fully compatible with the Orbx New Zealand Mesh, which further enhances the jaggedness of the Southern Alps without a significant performance cost.

NZA Simulations: Christchurch International Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why I recommend it: As New Zealand’s second-busiest airport and the primary gateway to the South Island, Christchurch (NZCH) is a "must-have" for airliner pilots. NZA Simulations has designated this a "Proline Plus" airport, their highest tier of quality. It’s not just the airport that’s modeled; the entire surrounding business park—comprising over 300 buildings—is hand-crafted, making the final approach feel incredibly realistic compared to the generic buildings found in the default scenery.

Key Highlights:

✅ Living Terminal: Features a massive, fully modeled 3D interior for the domestic and international terminals. You’ll see animated passengers, 3D shopfronts, and even a playable piano. The ambient "terminal chatter" audio adds a layer of immersion rarely seen in the sim.

✅ Antarctic Operations: Christchurch is the world's hub for the International Antarctic Centre. The scenery includes the specialized US Air Force Antarctic hangars, where you can park the LC-130 Hercules or C-17 Globemaster next to detailed snow-clearing equipment.

✅ High-Tech Ground Detail: Includes NZA's proprietary Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) and custom-coded jetways that match the real-world airport’s movements. Even the roads, car parks, and fence-line weeds are modeled with high-resolution PBR textures.

Performance Note: Because this is a "Proline Plus" product with heavy interior modeling and high-res textures, it is more demanding than their smaller regional packs. However, the installer allows you to toggle "SD" or "HD" textures and disable specific animations (like the 3D people) if you need to claw back some frames for a smoother experience in complex airliners like the PMDG 737.