Philadelphia (PG City)

The Flight Experience Philadelphia offers a flight experience defined by heavy industry and colonial history, centered around the wide sweep of the Delaware River. The photogrammetry captures the "blue collar" grit of the massive shipyards and refineries in the south, which transition sharply into the polished glass skyline of Center City.

The airspace is anchored by Philadelphia International (KPHL). It is a major hub located right on the riverbank. The location is notorious for crosswinds whipping off the water, making approaches to the main parallel runways (9/27) a constant battle for stability.

Visual Highlights

• City Hall: For nearly a century, no building was allowed to be taller than the hat of the William Penn statue atop this masonry masterpiece. In the sim, the statue is a distinct, tiny detailed figure standing guard over the center of the grid.

Shutterstock
Explore

• Comcast Technology Center: The "new" tallest building in the city looks like a giant glass vape pen or USB stick. Its distinct vertical spine lights up the skyline and serves as the primary altitude reference for the downtown area.

• The Sports Complex: South Philadelphia features a massive cluster of stadiums: Lincoln Financial Field (Eagles), Citizens Bank Park (Phillies), and the Wells Fargo Center. Flying over this sea of asphalt and stadiums is a staple of any VFR arrival from the south.

• Ben Franklin Bridge: This massive blue suspension bridge connects Philly to Camden, NJ. It is the visual "start line" for the city center when flying up the river from the bay.

• Philadelphia Museum of Art: Located at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, you can clearly see the "Rocky Steps" leading up to the Parthenon-style building.

Pilot’s Note: Fly the "River Visual Runway 27R." This is the signature approach into Philly. You fly up the Delaware River at 1,500ft, passing the oil refineries and the Navy Yard. Your visual cues are the river bridges; you must stay over the water to avoid noise-sensitive areas before turning final to land parallel to the shipyards.