Austin (PG City)

The Flight Experience Austin ("The Silicon Hills") offers a diverse topography that makes VFR flying incredibly engaging. Situated right on the Balcones Escarpment, the landscape shifts dramatically: fly east and it is flat coastal plains; fly west and you enter the rolling, rugged terrain of the Texas Hill Country.

Austin-Bergstrom International (KAUS) is the primary hub. It is spacious and efficient, but the real charm lies in the smaller airfields scattered in the hills to the west, such as Lakeway (3R9), which require tighter patterns and offer scenic approaches over the lakes.

Visual Highlights

• Texas State Capitol: This pink granite dome is technically taller than the U.S. Capitol in D.C. It sits as the distinct centerpiece of the downtown grid and is the primary visual anchor for the city.

• Circuit of the Americas (COTA): Located just southeast of the airport, this Formula 1 track is a photogrammetry standout. You can clearly identify the winding track layout and the distinct red-and-white observation tower (the "Mullet") rising 251ft into the air.

• Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium: The home of the Longhorns is a massive horseshoe structure near the university campus. The "Godzillatron" scoreboard is often visible from miles away.

• Pennybacker Bridge (360 Bridge): Spanning the Colorado River to the west, this rusty-weathered steel arch bridge is a scenic icon. Flying low through the river canyon and under the arch is a favorite challenge for local simmers.

• Frost Bank Tower: Known locally as the "Owl" or "Nose Trimmer," this skyscraper’s unique jagged glass crown makes it the most recognizable building in the modern skyline.

Pilot’s Note: Fly the "River Run." Depart KAUS and head west to intercept the Colorado River (Lady Bird Lake). Follow the water through the heart of downtown. You will fly right past the skyscrapers, the graffiti-covered railroad bridge, and the Zilker Park green space. It is the best way to see the density of the city’s recent construction boom.