Las Vegas (PG City)

The Flight Experience Las Vegas is arguably the most visually "electric" city in flight simulation. The transition is startling: you fly over hundreds of miles of desolate, red-hued Mojave Desert terrain, only to suddenly encounter a dense, neon-soaked metropolis rising out of the sand.

For airline pilots, Harry Reid International (KLAS) is a high-intensity hub located right next to the famous Strip. The approach is visually distracting in the best way possible; landing on Runway 26L/R often feels like you are skimming the roofs of the casinos. It is one of the few places where the "night lighting" engine of modern simulators is pushed to its absolute limit.

Visual Highlights

• The Sphere: The newest addition to the skyline is impossible to miss. In updated photogrammetry, this massive orb glows with animated textures (often looking like a giant eyeball, planet, or emoji), acting as a surreal beacon for VFR pilots.

• The Strip & Fountains: The density of custom landmarks here is unmatched. You can clearly see the Bellagio Fountains (often animated), the Eiffel Tower replica, and the High Roller observation wheel.

• Luxor Beam: At night, the skyward-pointing beam of light from the Luxor pyramid is visible from over 100 miles away at cruising altitude, serving as a literal lighthouse for the city.

• Allegiant Stadium: The "Death Star" (black glass stadium) sits just west of the I-15 freeway and is a massive, dark anchor point during the day.

• Red Rock Canyon: Just a few minutes west of the city, the urban sprawl hits a wall of red sandstone cliffs. The contrast between the grey city grid and the fiery red rocks is stunning.

Pilot’s Note: Be wary of Density Altitude. Las Vegas sits at roughly 2,200ft elevation, but in the summer, temperatures frequently exceed 40°C (104°F). This creates a density altitude often exceeding 5,000ft. Your takeoff roll will be significantly longer, and your climb performance much more sluggish than you might expect for a major city airport.