Sicily is a mountainous, triangular-shaped island located just off the southwestern coast of the Italian Peninsula. One of the country’s 20 national regions (and one of five considered autonomous), it is separated from the mainland by the narrow Strait of Messina and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
Steeped in history that dates back thousands of years to the Ice Age, Sicily is inhabited by roughly 5 million people today. The region maintains a heritage of rich agricultural bounty, the foundation of its economy due to its favorable climate combined with its fertile, volcanic soil. Olives, grapes, and wine are its most notable products.
The Sicily Journey explores the best of this region from the air. It begins at Palermo-Boccadifalco Aiport (LICP), just to the west of Palermo, Sicily’s capital and largest city, and heads east, starting a clockwise circumnavigation of the island.
Some of the highlights of the flight include the port city of Messina, which lies on the Strait of Messina, just a little more than four miles from mainland Italy, Mount Etna, the highest mountain in Italy outside of the Alps and one of the largest volcanoes in Europe, and Agrigento, a hilltop city on the southern coast.
The Sicily Journey concludes with a landing just inland of the Tyrrhenian Sea at Falcone Borsellino Airport (LICJ).
Assistance on the trip will be available in the form of a ‘Back on Track’ button on the VFR Map — however, be advised that using this will disable achievements tied to the activity.
Total Legs: 6 Total Distance: 400 Total Time(125kts): 3 hours 12 minutes
Leg 1
Boccadifalco Mil to Aviosuperficie Minotaurus E Medusa
Leg Distance: 60.89 Approximate time at 125kts: 29 minutes.
Boccadifalco Mil(LICP) to Palermo(POI1)
Distance: 2.39NM Bearing: 78° 1 minutes
After taking to the Mediterranean sky from Palermo-Boccadifalco Aiport, head east, to Sicily’s capital, Palermo, beginning a journey that is visually spectacular and also reveals the area’s geography and varied history.
Palermo(POI1) to Bagaria(POI2)
Distance: 7.3NM Bearing: 106° 4 minutes
Turn into an east-southeast heading and pass over a small strip of the Bay of Palermo to the historic seaside city of Bagaria, home at one point to all of Sicily’s aristocracy.
Bagaria(POI2) to Termini Imerese(POI3)
Distance: 10.42NM Bearing: 120° 5 minutes
Continue along the coastline, flying in a southeasterly heading, to the town of Termini Imerese, which traces its roots to prehistoric times.
Termini Imerese(POI3) to Cefalu(POI4)
Distance: 16.03NM Bearing: 75° 8 minutes
East-northeast of Termini Imerese, directly on the coastline of sea cliffs and coves, is the town of Cefalù, a major tourist attraction due to its beaches.
Cefalu(POI4) to Santo Stefano di Camastra(POI5)
Distance: 15.48NM Bearing: 91° 7 minutes
Due east of Cefalù lies Santo Stefano di Camastra, a town overlooking the turquoise water of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Santo Stefano di Camastra(POI5) to Aviosuperficie Minotaurus E Medusa(LIAC)
Distance: 9.27NM Bearing: 72° 4 minutes
Follow the coastline to the east-northeast from Santo Stefano di Camastra and land at Minotaur and Medusa Airfield (LIAC), directly on the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Leg 2
Aviosuperficie Minotaurus E Medusa to Aviosuperficie Angelo D’Arrigo
Leg Distance: 82.19 Approximate time at 125kts: 39 minutes.
Aviosuperficie Minotaurus E Medusa(LIAC) to Capo d’Orlando(POI6)
Distance: 11.7NM Bearing: 52° 6 minutes
From Minotaur and Medusa Airfield, head to the northeast, skirting the water’s edge, to the town of Capo d’Orlando, located at a rocky prominence.
Capo d’Orlando(POI6) to Marina di Patti(POI7)
Distance: 10.57NM Bearing: 88° 5 minutes
Due east of Capo d’Orlando, located on the shore of a small cove, is Marina di Patti, a small town that dates to medieval times.
Marina di Patti(POI7) to Marina di Portorosa(POI8)
Distance: 6.89NM Bearing: 101° 3 minutes
Turn slightly to the south and quickly come upon Marina di Portorosa, located within a sheltered cove.
Marina di Portorosa(POI8) to Milazzo(POI9)
Distance: 8.35NM Bearing: 42° 4 minutes
Turn northeast and on a finger of land that extends into the sea lies the town of Milazzo, on the highest point of which is the Castle of Milazzo.
Milazzo(POI9) to Messina(POI10)
Distance: 15.1NM Bearing: 92° 7 minutes
Head due east, over a small sliver of water in the cove above which Milazzo sits, and into the highlands of the northeast horn of Sicily. The port city of Messina lies in a nearly enclosed cove on the eastern flank of the mountains over which you are flying.
Messina(POI10) to Bosco San Ferdinando(POI11)
Distance: 14.18NM Bearing: 224° 7 minutes
Turn into a southwest heading, tracking away from the coastline to your left. Fly along a loosely-defined ridge of peaks toward the highest mountain in front of you, Monte Cavallo, below which lies Bosco San Ferdinando.
Bosco San Ferdinando(POI11) to Taormina(POI12)
Distance: 11.12NM Bearing: 188° 5 minutes
Turn into a south-southwestern heading, aiming obliquely toward the sea. Sight a headland with two distinct points, the location of Taormina, a town perched on a cliff that stands above the Ionian Sea.
Taormina(POI12) to Aviosuperficie Angelo D’Arrigo(LIPP)
Distance: 4.28NM Bearing: 216° 2 minutes
From Taormina, fly to the southwest, skirting the coast just inland of the shore, and land at Fiumefreddo Airport (LIPP).
Leg 3
Aviosuperficie Angelo D’Arrigo to Aviosuperficie Eremo Della Giubiliana
Leg Distance: 89.06 Approximate time at 125kts: 43 minutes.
Aviosuperficie Angelo D’Arrigo(LIPP) to Mount Etna(POI13)
Distance: 11.25NM Bearing: 251° 5 minutes
After returning to the sky, set a course for the domineering Mount Etna, southwest of Fiumefreddo Airport, and begin gaining altitude. One of the most famous, and most active, volcanoes in the world, Mount Etna stands just over 11,000 feet above sea level.
Mount Etna(POI13) to Catania(POI14)
Distance: 15.33NM Bearing: 160° 7 minutes
Turn southeast after visiting Mount Etna and sight Catania, the third most populous city in Sicily, on the shore of the Ionian Sea. The city is recognizably by it distinct breakwater and harbor.
Catania(POI14) to Augusta(POI15)
Distance: 17.36NM Bearing: 155° 8 minutes
Continue on course, flying over the Ionian Sea to a large promontory of land. Pass over the north end of the point to find Augusta, one of Italy’s most important harbor cities.
Augusta(POI15) to Siracusa(POI16)
Distance: 10.13NM Bearing: 159° 5 minutes
Maintain your heading, flying over a gentle cove to arrive at another point of land that is the location of Siracusa, one of the most important cities of ancient Greece and Rome and birthplace of mathematician Archimedes.
Siracusa(POI16) to Canicatti(POI17)
Distance: 10.99NM Bearing: 253° 5 minutes
Turn inland at Siracusa, on a west-southwest heading, and pass over the town of Tivoli, and then gain a visual on the next town, Canicattì, which dates to pre-Roman times.
Canicatti(POI17) to Lago Santa Rosalia(POI18)
Distance: 14.28NM Bearing: 251° 7 minutes
Maintain your heading and find the lone lake in the distance directly ahead, Lago Santa Rosalia, a large reservoir.
Lago Santa Rosalia(POI18) to Ragusa(POI19)
Distance: 3.91NM Bearing: 214° 2 minutes
Turn into a southwest heading and soon arrive at Ragusa, the capital of the province of the same name.
Ragusa(POI19) to Aviosuperficie Eremo Della Giubiliana(LIRB)
Distance: 5.81NM Bearing: 228° 3 minutes
Continue on course, paralleling Highway SP25 to your left, and sight Ragusa-Giubiliana airstrip (LIRB), where you’ll land.
Leg 4
Aviosuperficie Eremo Della Giubiliana to Aviosuperficie Agrigento
Leg Distance: 53.4 Approximate time at 125kts: 26 minutes.
Aviosuperficie Eremo Della Giubiliana(LIRB) to Vittoria(POI20)
Distance: 7.08NM Bearing: 315° 3 minutes
Lift off from LIRB and set a heading to the northwest. Pass over a low finger of mountains to arrive at the town of Vittoria.
Vittoria(POI20) to Gela(GELA)
Distance: 14.85NM Bearing: 295° 7 minutes
Turn slightly southward, flying obliquely toward the sea, and just beyond a small lake you’ll arrive at Gela, a coastal town founded by the Greeks.
Gela(GELA) to Licata(POI21)
Distance: 15.6NM Bearing: 275° 7 minutes
From Gela, adjust your heading just slightly to the south and fly over the water. Licata, a seaport city, lies on the next point of land.
Licata(POI21) to Aviosuperficie Agrigento(LITY)
Distance: 15.87NM Bearing: 298° 8 minutes
Fly just inland of the coast from Licata, following Highway SS115, and land at Agrigento Airfield (LITY).
Leg 5
Aviosuperficie Agrigento to Birgi Mil
Leg Distance: 75.6 Approximate time at 125kts: 36 minutes.
Aviosuperficie Agrigento(LITY) to Agrigento(POI22)
Distance: 5.46NM Bearing: 311° 3 minutes
Lift into the sky and set a northwest heading, paralleling the coast to your left. Agrigento, once one of the great cities of Ancient Greece, lies straight ahead, just inland of the sea.
Agrigento(POI22) to Laghetto Gorgo(POI23)
Distance: 13.11NM Bearing: 292° 6 minutes
Flying northwest from Agrigento, roughly parallel the coastline to your left, and sight a prominent bay with a distinct hook at its northwest end. The town of Laghetto Gorgo lies just inland of the bay.
Laghetto Gorgo(POI23) to Sciacca(POI24)
Distance: 13.15NM Bearing: 294° 6 minutes
Maintain your heading, crossing over the water at the small coastal town of Secca Grande, then fly over the city of Sciacca, a coastal city founded in the 5th century BC by the Greeks known for its thermal springs.
Sciacca(POI24) to Menfi(MENFI)
Distance: 7.78NM Bearing: 312° 4 minutes
Turn slightly toward the north, paralleling the coast on a northwest heading, and the town of Menfi will come into view. Menfi is one of the oldest settlements in Italy, with artifacts dating back to the Iron Age.
Menfi(MENFI) to Mazara del Vallo(POI25)
Distance: 17.95NM Bearing: 277° 9 minutes
Turn slightly toward the south and follow Motorway SP56, passing the town of Campobello di Mazara, then follow Highway A29 to Mazara del Vallo, a port town that is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in Italy.
Mazara del Vallo(POI25) to Marsala(POI26)
Distance: 11.02NM Bearing: 318° 5 minutes
Head northwest, following Motorway SS115, to the coastal town of Marsala.
Marsala(POI26) to Birgi Mil(LICT)
Distance: 7.13NM Bearing: 10° 3 minutes
Turn to the north-northeast, roughly following the coastline. Pass three low islands just offshore, then land just to the north of the islands at Trapani-Birgi Airport (LICT).
Leg 6
Birgi Mil to Punta Raisi
Leg Distance: 38.91 Approximate time at 125kts: 19 minutes.
Birgi Mil(LICT) to Trapani(POI27)
Distance: 6.4NM Bearing: 13° 3 minutes
Continuing along the shore—flying just inland of the coastline—pass over the fishing port of Trapani, which is built on a complex natural harbor.
Trapani(POI27) to Castellammare del Golfo(POI28)
Distance: 16.85NM Bearing: 85° 8 minutes
Turn due east, and fly inland toward a small collection of low mountains. Pass over them to arrive at the coast and the town of Castellammare del Golfo, which is notable for its medieval fortress located in the adjacent harbor.
Castellammare del Golfo(POI28) to Balestrate(POI29)
Distance: 6.11NM Bearing: 69° 3 minutes
Follow the gently curving coastline toward the north-northeast to the beach community of Balestrate.
Balestrate(POI29) to Fiume Nocella(POI30)
Distance: 3.79NM Bearing: 54° 2 minutes
Continue following the shoreline to the small village of Fiume Nocella.
Fiume Nocella(POI30) to Terrasini(POI31)
Distance: 3.95NM Bearing: 0° 2 minutes
Fly north, just inland of the coastline, to the town of Terrasini, which lies on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Terrasini(POI31) to Punta Raisi(LICJ)
Distance: 1.81NM Bearing: 24° 1 minutes
Continue following the coastline to bring the circumnavigation of Sicily to a close at Falcone Borsellino Airport (LICJ).
