Florence, Italy (PG City)

The Flight Experience

Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, offers a low-altitude flying experience defined by exquisite historical detail and tight geography. The city is nestled in a basin, bisected by the narrow but historically crucial Arno River, and immediately surrounded by the lush, green, rolling foothills of Tuscany. The cityscape is dominated by terracotta-tiled roofs, medieval street grids, and a few towering Renaissance landmarks. The photogrammetry, significantly enhanced in World Update IX (Italy and Malta), captures the city’s compact, historical heart with impressive fidelity, making the approach one of the most visually stunning in Italy.

Florence Airport (LIRQ)

Florence Airport, officially Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola, is notorious among sim pilots for having one of the most challenging commercial approaches in Europe. It is located just 4km northwest of the city center.

• The Strip: LIRQ has a single runway (05/23) that is only 1,750 meters (5,741 feet) long. Its short length restricts the size of aircraft that can operate here (typically A320s and B737-800s, but often weight-restricted).

• The Challenge: The "Vespucci Approach" (Runway 23): The primary approach to Runway 23 is mandatory. Pilots must fly an initial approach over the Apennine foothills before joining a tight, 40-degree-offset final. This final approach requires a manual, low-altitude turn to align with the short runway, often with wind shear due to the surrounding hills. It demands perfect speed and bank angle management, making it an excellent skill-testing maneuver.

Visual Highlights

• Il Duomo (Florence Cathedral): Brunelleschi’s massive, terracotta-tiled dome is the single most dominant and recognizable landmark. Its sheer size and striking color make it visible from the air long before any other part of the city. The PG beautifully renders the intricate marble patterns of the adjacent Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile.

• Ponte Vecchio: This is the city's famous medieval stone bridge. Unique because it has shops built along its length, it is one of the few Arno River bridges to survive WWII. Look for the distinct line of buildings crossing the river in the heart of the city.

• Piazzale Michelangelo: This vast terrace, located high on a hill south of the Arno, offers an incredible panoramic view that is perfectly mirrored from the air. It serves as a great visual anchor point for VFR flying on the southern side of the city.

• Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens: South of the Arno, the large, fortress-like Pitti Palace is notable, but even more so are the massive, orderly gardens that sprawl uphill behind it, creating a large, green geometric pattern contrasting with the city’s red-tiled roofs.

Pilot’s Note: Conquering the Offset

For the most realistic and demanding flight in Florence, attempt an approach into Runway 23 using a medium jet (like an A320 or B737).

The Maneuver: Follow the RNAV approach procedure, which brings you in high over the Tuscan hills. When you reach the visual decision point, you must disconnect the autopilot and execute the sharp, descending right turn to align with the runway, all while maintaining a low approach speed to account for the short strip. It is a high-pucker-factor approach that rewards precision flying and energy control.