Copenhagen & Helsingør (The Øresund Gateway)

The Flight Experience This region offers a sophisticated mix of Scandinavian urban design and royal history, defined by the narrow Øresund Strait that separates Denmark from Sweden. The flight experience here is all about the water; you are constantly navigating the interface between the Baltic Sea and the city harbor.

Copenhagen (Kastrup) Airport (EKCH) is the primary hub, situated on the island of Amager. The approach is famously scenic, often requiring you to fly low over the distinct offshore wind farms and the Saltholm island nature reserve before touching down. A short 20-minute VFR flight north up the coast takes you to Helsingør, where the strait narrows to just 4km, creating a dramatic visual chokepoint between the two nations.

Visual Highlights

• The Øresund Bridge: This engineering marvel is the region's signature landmark. In the sim, observing the transition where the massive bridge plunges underwater into the Drogden Tunnel (to avoid interfering with the airport approach) is a highlight.

• Kronborg Castle (Helsingør): Immortalized as Elsinore in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, this star-shaped Renaissance fortress dominates the northern coastline. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a perfect visual pivot point when flying between Denmark and Sweden.

• The City Lakes & Kastellet: Copenhagen’s inner city is defined by the rectangular "Sortedam" lakes and the incredibly preserved star fortress of Kastellet near the harbor. These geometric shapes stand out sharply against the organic city streets.

• Amalienborg Palace: The home of the Danish Royal Family consists of four identical palace facades around an octagonal courtyard. It sits right on the waterfront and is a distinct architectural bullseye for VFR pilots.

• Tivoli Gardens: Located right next to the City Hall, the dense greenery and rollercoasters of the world's second-oldest amusement park are easily distinguishable in the city center.

Pilot’s Note: Fly the "Whiskey Route" (The Riviera Run). Depart EKCH and fly north along the coastline at 1,500ft, keeping the land on your left. You will pass the Tuborg harbor, the affluent villas of Strandvejen, and the Karen Blixen Museum. Your goal is to reach Kronborg Castle in Helsingør, circle the fortress towers, and then cross the narrow strait to Helsingborg (Sweden) before turning south to land at Roskilde (EKRK), the region's dedicated General Aviation hub.