Saint Petersburg to Moscow by railway
This plan offers an unusual VFR flight: follow from the air the railway line between Saint Petersburg and Moscow, noticed during the Deruluft adaptation.
The GPS provides the general Pulkovo-Domodedovo axis, but the real pleasure is keeping the railway on the ground as a visual thread.
An aerial route guided by a train line.
Observe, correct, follow rails and towns.
A slow aircraft makes visual tracking easier.
The GPS remains on your right for much of the flight.
Understanding the flight
The route turns a simple trip between two large Russian cities into a visual navigation exercise. The railway becomes an artificial river.
The flight works best in calm weather, at moderate altitude and slow enough not to lose the thread.
Before departure
- Program a direct ULLI-UUDD and use it as reference axis.
- Reach the Saint Petersburg railway intersection before turning southeast.
- Keep an altitude that lets you clearly see the tracks.
- If using a railway addon, make sure it does not hide useful road references.
Suggested route
Pulkovo and Saint Petersburg exit
Depart Pulkovo, identify the railway intersection and head toward Kolpino.
TVER → UUDD
Following the line southeast
The railway becomes the main reference. Intermediate towns and stations pace the progression.
Approach to Moscow
The final third requires keeping the line while preparing the Domodedovo arrival.
Experience tips
Choose a slow aircraft: this page is an observation exercise, not a speed run.
The rail may disappear at times. Keep GPS as safety, but return to visual tracking whenever possible.
Copyright Michel Lagneau 2011