The descent often follows the winding path of the Mississippi River, offering views of the Brainerd city center and the transition from rural woodlands to the airport grounds.
The left side offers a superior view of the sprawling Voyageurs National Park region upon takeoff and provides a better vantage point for the massive open-pit mines of the Mesabi Iron Range and the dense lake clusters of the Northwoods.
The right side offers a superior vantage point for Minnesota's iconic '10,000 Lakes' landscape, featuring the massive Mille Lacs Lake and the dense resort clusters surrounding Brainerd.