Porto (PG City)

The Flight Experience Porto offers a dramatic, granite-hewn flying experience that contrasts sharply with the white limestone of Lisbon. The city is defined by the deep gorge of the Douro River cutting through the urban landscape just before it spills into the Atlantic. The terrain is rugged and hilly, creating a multi-layered city that looks spectacular from the air.

Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (LPPR) is the main hub. It is a favorite for sim pilots because of its pristine, modern layout and its location just north of the city. Approaches here are often fast and smooth, but the Atlantic winds can create significant chop as you cross the coastline on final.

Visual Highlights

• Dom Luís I Bridge: This is the icon of Porto. A double-deck metal arch bridge (designed by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel) that connects Porto to Gaia. Flying low over the upper deck while the metro crosses is a cinematic moment.

• The "Six Bridges": Porto is famous for the sequence of bridges spanning the Douro. From the massive concrete arch of the Arrábida Bridge near the sea to the railway grandeur of the Maria Pia Bridge, counting them off as you fly upstream is a classic VFR activity.

• Vila Nova de Gaia: On the south bank of the river, you can spot the vast rows of long, red-roofed warehouses. These are the historic Port wine lodges. In high-quality scenery, you can often read the brand names (Taylor's, Graham's, etc.) painted on the roofs.

• Estádio do Dragão: The home of FC Porto is a distinct open-roof stadium with a translucent glowing canopy. It sits on high ground to the east, acting as a perfect visual waypoint for entering the city airspace.

• Clérigos Tower: This tall baroque bell tower needle stands out amidst the dense grey and orange buildings of the city center, serving as the "north star" for the historic district.

Pilot’s Note: Fly the "Douro Valley Run." Start at the river mouth near the Foz district. Fly upstream at 1,500ft, passing under (or over!) the six bridges. As you continue east, the city quickly gives way to the spectacular terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley. It is one of the most drastic scenery changes in Europe, going from heavy urban density to rural beauty in minutes.