Architectural Extravaganza
Description: Check out some of the most fanciful creations in 20c architecture as you fly around the capital of Dubai.
The "World Islands" are a manmade group of 300 islands in the shape of a world map. Palm Jumeirah is a group of artificial harbours in the shape of a palm tree. Burj Al Arab is a 321m (1,053ft) tall luxury hotel, with a helipad at 210m (689ft). Burj Khalifa Tower is the world's tallest building at 830m (2723ft).
Dubai
location_cityDubai City
flight_takeoffOMDB Dubai
airline_seat_recline_extraMiddle East 1
tagArchitectural WondersCairo's Pyramids
Description: As soon as you take off on HDG 240, you will see the Giza Pyramids. Fly directly west over Cairo to the Tahya Misr bridge Turn south and take a leisurely flight along the Nile River and through Cairo.
At the Marazeek Bridge turn west to the Bent Pyramid and proceed north, saving the magnificent Giza Pyramid complex for last!
The largest collection of monuments is at the Giza Pyramids, with the Giza, Khafre and Menjaure pyramids and the Great Sphinx. NOTAM: You will see spectacular lighting on the faces of the Giza pyramids at about 0550 hrs.
Egypt
location_cityCairo
flight_takeoffHECA Cairo
airline_seat_recline_extraMiddle East 1
tagBridgesSuez Canal North
Description: Explore the northern portion of this geopolitically crucial waterway. Fly out of Port Said and down the Suez Canal for about 50nm.
Return via the territory west of the canal, which is lush for about 100 nm. The east is barren desert all the way to Israel.
NOTAM: Follow the canal from WP1 to WP4. On the way fly past 4 aiports: Al Ismaillia Airport (HE44), Ismaillia Airport (HEIS), Abu Suwayr airport (HE35) and As Salihiyah Airport (HE39). It's always good to be familiar with local places to land!
16 nm: Fly around Port Said
121 nm: Entire route
Egypt
location_cityPort Said
flight_takeoffHEPS Port Said
airline_seat_recline_extraMiddle East 1
tagBridges
tagAiportsTehran Local
Description: Take off from Mehrabad Intl and fly across the northern border of Iran's capital, Tehran.
Notes on the landmarks and their location in Tehran:
WP 1-3 are in a straight line along the N edge.
Chitgar Lake is about 5nm from the NW corner.
Milad Tower, Iran's tallest structure, a good navigation reference point.
Imam Hossein University is the last building complex on the NE corner.
Ghale Morgi Airport OIIG is 5nm S of Milad Tower and 2.5nm from RWT 29 at Mehrabad Intl.
NOTAM: RWY ALT is 3,281 ft. Cruise at 5,500 feet as the ground rises to the north.
Iran
location_cityTehran
flight_takeoffOIII Mehrabad
airline_seat_recline_extraMiddle East 1
tagBorder Patrol
tagAiportsBasrah, Iran and Kuwait
Description: Fly out of Basrah in the southern part of Iraq, where Iraq narrows to a 20nm strip between Iran and Kuwait.
SHORT route:44nm | Basrah City
MED: 89nm | Visit the borders with Iran and Kuwait. At WP 2 the Iran/Iraq border flows from the N to the Arvand River. From that point on remain on the S side of the river. At Al Seeba you will be within 2 nm of Abadan Airport in Iran. At Hajjam Island you will be within 3 nm of Umm Qasr Airport in Kuwait.
LONG: 126nm | Go to the mouth of the Arvand River on the Persian Gulf.
Iraq
location_cityBasrah
flight_takeoffORMM Basrah
airline_seat_recline_extraMiddle East 1
tagBorder Patrol
tagBridgesMosul and Duhok Dams
Description: The first two legs to the Mosul Dam make a nice 50nm flight.
Either fly in a straight line to WP 1, or you can take a leisurely flight along the Tigris River in the shade of the palms.
If you have the time or the available speed, carry on to a second dam at Duhok and return through the lush valleys found in this part of northern Iraq.
Following the road after WP 3 will take you slightly S of the track and set you up nicely to fly through the gap in the range to Duhok Dam.
Iraq
location_cityMosul
flight_takeoffORBM Mosul
airline_seat_recline_extraMiddle East 1
tagDam spotting
tagCanyon runs & Mach LoopsJerusalem, Bethlehem and the Dead Sea
Description: 20nm: Fly over the biblical towns of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
120nm: The border between Jordan and Israel runs up the centre of the Dead Sea. Fly across the biblical towns of Jerusalem and Bethlehem and Jerusalem, look at the vast hydro projects at the south end of the Dead Sea and return at low level along the western shore.
NOTAM: Jerusalem RWY is 2,461 ft. The Dead Sea is below sea level, so if you have an analogue altimeter it will bottom out if you fly at low level.
Israel
location_cityJerusalem
flight_takeoffLLJR Jerusalem
airline_seat_recline_extraMiddle East 1
tagBorder PatrolKuwait City
Description: Explore one of the geographically smaller gulf nations, at 91 by 75 miles in dimension.
Located next to Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia at the NW corner of the Persian Gulf, Kuwait is in a strategically important location.
The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Causeway is a bridge that runs 12 miles NE across Kuwait Bay to Shumaymah, near the borders of Iraq and Iran.
Fly NW out of Kuwait International to Al Jahra and return via the shoreline.
27 nm WP 3,4,5 | 78 nm Entire route
Kuwait
location_cityKuwait City
flight_takeoffOKBK Kuwait
airline_seat_recline_extraMiddle East 1
tagBorder Patrol
tagBridges