Reno (PG City)

The Flight Experience Reno ("The Biggest Little City in the World") offers a high-adrenaline flight experience defined by high altitude and racing heritage. Sitting at nearly 4,500ft in a high desert valley at the foot of the massive Sierra Nevada range, the air here is thin and the winds are often gusty.

For virtual pilots, Reno is synonymous with one thing: Speed. While Reno-Tahoe International (KRNO) handles the commercial traffic in the city center, the true spiritual home of aviation here is Reno Stead (KRTS) to the north. This is the home of the legendary National Championship Air Races, offering simmers a dedicated playground for low-level precision flying around the pylons.

Visual Highlights

• The Reno Arch: The famous "Biggest Little City in the World" sign spans Virginia Street. In high-quality photogrammetry, you can clearly see the arch and the neon lights of the casino strip ("The Row") flanking it.

• The Silver Legacy Dome: The massive white sphere of the Silver Legacy Resort is the most distinct shape in the downtown skyline, acting as a perfect visual bullseye.

• Mount Rose: Looming to the southwest, this 10,776ft peak is the gateway to Lake Tahoe. It provides a stunning, snow-capped backdrop to the desert city and serves as a critical weather block.

• Sparks Marina Park: Just east of the city, this rectangular lake (a former quarry) stands out as a patch of deep blue against the brown desert scrub, making it an excellent VFR checkpoint for the downwind leg into KRNO.

• The Pylons (Stead): At Reno Stead Airport, the race course markers (pylons) are often visible in the scenery. Flying the "Unlimited" course at 400mph just 50ft off the sagebrush is the ultimate test of stick-and-rudder skills.

Pilot’s Note: Fly the "Unlimited Course." Even if you aren't in a multiplayer race, head to Reno Stead (KRTS) and fly the 8-mile oval course. Keep the guide pylons on your left wing. The terrain is deceptively uneven; the "Valley of Speed" on the back stretch requires you to dip below the level of the surrounding hills, which creates a terrifying sensation of speed.