Ancona (PG City)

The Flight Experience Ancona offers a distinct coastal flying experience on the Adriatic Sea. The city name comes from the Greek word for "elbow," and from the air, you can clearly see why: the city sits on a sharp promontory that juts out into the sea, creating a natural harbor protected by a curve of high ground.

The primary hub is Ancona Falconara (LIPY). It is situated just north of the city along the coast. The approach is scenic and serene, often involving a long final over the water or a descent over the rolling hills of the Marche region. The photogrammetry here captures the dense, terracotta-roofed historic center climbing steeply up the slopes of Monte Guasco.

Visual Highlights

• Cathedral of San Ciriaco: Perched on the very peak of the Monte Guasco overlooking the port, this Byzantine-Romanesque cathedral is the absolute visual anchor of the city. It serves as a perfect lighthouse for VFR pilots approaching the harbor.

• Mole Vanvitelliana (Lazzaretto): Located inside the harbor, this 18th-century quarantine station is a geometric masterpiece. It is a perfect pentagon built on an artificial island. Its strict geometry stands out sharply against the organic shapes of the water and boats.

• Passetto Monument: On the eastern cliffs of the city, this white marble war memorial is unmistakable. In high-quality scenery, you can spot the long white staircase that cuts down the cliff face to the beach below.

• The Port: Ancona is a major ferry hub for routes to Greece and Croatia. The photogrammetry renders the massive ferries and the industrial cranes in high detail, providing a sense of scale against the historic city behind them.

Pilot’s Note: Fly the "Conero Riviera Run." Depart LIPY and fly south past the city. Immediately south of Ancona, the flat Adriatic beaches abruptly turn into the massive limestone cliffs of Monte Conero. This is the highest coastal mountain on the Adriatic sea. Flying a low VFR loop around the "Two Sisters" (Due Sorelle) rock formations at the base of the cliffs is a visual highlight of the Italian east coast.