The Flight Experience: London ("The Forest City")

The Flight Experience London offers a masterclass in navigating the transitional landscapes of Southwestern Ontario. Known as the "Forest City," London is a pilot’s dream for VFR (Visual Flight Rules) navigation because its urban core is essentially hidden beneath a massive canopy of trees, punctuated only by a cluster of modern glass towers and the silver ribbons of the Thames River.

The airspace is dictated by the strategic position of London International (CYXU) to the northeast. As a major regional hub, you’ll navigate a mix of heavy commercial traffic—like Boeing 737s and Dash 8s—and a swarm of training aircraft. To the west lies Centralia (CYCE), an old RCAF airbase now used for commercial pilot training, making the corridor between London and Lake Huron a busy highway of students perfecting their cross-country navigation.

Visual Highlights

• The "Forest Canopy": True to its nickname, the most striking feature from the air is the sheer density of the urban forest. Unlike the rigid grids of many North American cities, London’s suburbs appear as a continuous parkland. From 2,500ft, the city looks like a vast woodland with a modern skyline emerging from the center like a glass island.

• The Forks of the Thames: The city was founded where the North and South branches of the Thames River meet. This "Y" shape is your primary visual reference for the downtown core. In the autumn, the riverbanks turn into a vibrant trail of orange and red, providing a natural guide path right into the heart of the city.

• Western University & TD Stadium: To the north of the CBD, the Western University campus stands out with its distinct grey limestone "Gothic" architecture. The white stadium and the iconic University College tower serve as perfect landmarks for pilots tracking north toward the Great Lakes.

• The "Two Seas" Horizon: One of the most unique aspects of flying over London is the perspective provided by geography. At 4,500ft on a clear day, you can see the deep blue of Lake Erie to the south and the turquoise expanse of Lake Huron to the northwest. London sits perfectly on the land bridge between these two "inland seas."

Pilot’s Note: The "Lake Effect" Energy Management

For a true test of your stick-and-rudder skills, try the "Port Stanley Dash."

Depart London International (CYXU) and head due south at 3,500ft. As you cross the Highway 401 corridor, you’ll notice the terrain begin to roll toward the Lake Erie bluffs. Once you reach the shoreline at Port Stanley, perform a 180-degree steep turn and pull the power back to flight idle.

The challenge is to glide back toward the city, managing your energy to stay above the "sink" often found over the open farmland, and aim to arrive over One London Place (the city's tallest tower) at exactly 1,500ft. It requires a delicate touch on the trim and a constant eye on your glide ratio, especially if a "Lake Effect" wind starts pushing a wall of clouds in from the west!