FS9 World Tour: Jerez to Gibraltar

Sunday, 30 January 2011

Jerez to Gibraltar

DAY 5, LEG 21 - Jerez to Gibraltar

After one too many sherries the night before, I arrived at Jerez airport early to take advantage of good weather at Gibraltar in the morning. The Rock of Gibraltar gives the airport some unique weather patterns, especially during southerly winds, but today the wind is from the west and thankfully the cloud has stayed away as well so it looks like a good day to go! Thanks to the good weather I decided to fly the route without the autopilot for the first time on the tour! The aircraft had been fully fuelled for me and I left with full tanks.

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory and historically played an important strategic role in the Mediterranean by guarding all access from the Atlantic Ocean. The territory has been subject to much discussion between Britain and Spain and flights inbound to Gibraltar used to be prohibited from Spanish airspace, making access very difficult. Thankfully the restrictions have now been lifted and our flight today can fly directly from Jerez.

Taxi out at Jerez.

Departing Jerez and turning west towards Rota.

The city of Jerez.

The port city of Cadiz.

Rota Airport - a joint Spanish / US Naval base.

Rock of Gibraltar visible on the horizon.

Over the city of Algeciras looking at the Rock of Gibraltar with the airport located slightly to the north of the rock.

Downwind at Gibraltar.

Crossing the road at Gibraltar. This road runs across the runway and is the only access route from Gibraltar to the Spanish border. It closes during scheduled aircraft movements!