The Flight Experience: Davenport ("The Quad Cities")

Flying over Davenport in MSFS 2024 provides a unique look at one of the most significant industrial and geographical hubs in the American Midwest. Known as the largest of the Quad Cities, Davenport sits on the "Great Bend" of the Mississippi River. Unlike many Midwestern cities, Davenport is highly detailed in the sim due to its extensive Photogrammetry (3D scanning) coverage, which captures the distinct brick architecture and riverfront infrastructure.

The airspace is primarily influenced by Quad City International (KMLI) just across the river in Moline. You’ll often find yourself sharing the pattern with regional jets and heavy cargo traffic, while the river itself acts as a massive VFR highway for pilots navigating between St. Louis and Minneapolis.

Visual Highlights

• The Centennial Bridge: This is your primary visual reporting point. Its massive white steel arches span the Mississippi, connecting Davenport to Rock Island. In the sim, the photogrammetry captures the bridge's scale perfectly, making it the anchor for any low-level river run.

• Modern Woodmen Park: Located right on the river's edge, this minor league ballpark is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. It’s famous for its Ferris wheel (visible in 3D) and the way the Mississippi River can occasionally flood right up to its walls during the spring.

• The "Figge" & Downtown Skyline: The skyline is dominated by the Figge Art Museum (a distinct glass box structure) and the Wells Fargo Mansion. These buildings rise sharply from the riverbank, providing a clear vertical reference for your approach into the local airstrips.

• Rock Island Arsenal: Just east of downtown Davenport, this massive island in the middle of the river serves as a major military manufacturing hub. From 2,000ft, you can see the sprawling industrial complexes, the historic stone buildings, and the Lock and Dam No. 15, which manages the river's heavy barge traffic.

Pilot’s Note: The "Arsenal Loop" Challenge

For a true test of low-altitude precision, try the "River Run" challenge.

Depart Davenport Municipal (KDVN) to the north and head south toward the river. Your goal is to drop down to 1,000ft AGL as you reach the shoreline. Follow the Mississippi eastward, keeping the Davenport skyline on your left and the Rock Island Arsenal on your right.

The challenge is to maintain a constant altitude while navigating the slight "S-turn" the river makes between the Centennial and Government bridges. Keep a sharp eye on your airspeed; the river valley can create unpredictable "venturi" winds that will try to pull you toward the water or push you into the downtown skyscrapers!