Alicante, Spain (PG City)

The Flight Experience Alicante offers a stark, sun-bleached beauty that defines the "Costa Blanca" (White Coast). In the simulator, the visual experience is dominated by the sharp collision between the arid, dusty Iberian terrain and the deep azure of the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to World Update 8 (Iberia), the elevation data and photogrammetry in this region have been significantly sharpened, allowing you to fly low over centuries-old fortresses that overlook modern, sprawling tourist resorts.

Alicante-Elche Airport (LEAL) Situated just south of the city, LEAL is one of the busiest tourist hubs in Spain, yet it offers a surprisingly tricky approach for virtual pilots. The airport features a single runway (10/28). The challenge? Runway 28 has no ILS. While Runway 10 offers a standard ILS approach over the sea, landing on 28 often requires a VOR approach or a visual "circle-to-land" maneuver. It forces you to hand-fly the final segment over the sloping terrain of El Altet, fighting the thermal turbulence coming off the hot ground. It is a fantastic place to practice non-precision approaches in an A320 or 737.

Visual Highlights

• Castillo de Santa Bárbara: This is the undisputed king of Alicante’s skyline. Perched 166m high on Mount Benacantil, this 9th-century fortress dominates the harbor. It is a massive VFR reference point; if you are approaching from the north, you align your downwind leg with the castle before turning base for the airport.

• Benidorm Skyline: Fly about 20nm northeast, and the scenery changes drastically. Benidorm is often called the "Manhattan of the Mediterranean" due to its incredible density of skyscrapers. Look for the Intempo Building—a distinct, M-shaped golden tower that stands out among the high-rises. It renders impressively well in the sim and marks the northern limit of the standard VFR corridor.

• The Pink Lakes of Torrevieja: Head south of the airport to find the Laguna Salada de Torrevieja. In real life, this salt lake is bubblegum pink due to algae. In the simulator, the water mask often renders it as a striking reddish-rose hue that contrasts sharply with the green lake (Laguna de la Mata) right next to it. It’s a surreal visual quirk that is worth a low pass.

• Tabarca Island: A small, flat islet about 10nm offshore. It is a perfect turn-point for VFR flights entering the pattern from the sea. The photogrammetry captures the small walled town and the shallow, turquoise waters surrounding it beautifully.

Pilot’s Note: The "VOR Rwy 28" Challenge For a break from "magenta line" flying, set up for the VOR Z Runway 28 approach. You will track the ALT VOR (113.8) inbound. The approach brings you in at an offset angle; you cannot just follow the needle to the ground. You must descend to minimums and then visually align with the runway centerline in the final mile. It is a satisfying, hands-on conclusion to a flight that tests your stick-and-rudder skills in a modern jet.