Video of approaches into now closed Kai Tak in Hong Kong, set to music. Used to fly this approach in the 747 and it was always a rush. Luckily, I never got sideways.
If I remember correctly, there was a huge, billboard-sized marker or sign on the top of the mountain that, to my simple mind, indicated that it you flew into it, you'd missed your turn.... and were shortly going to become a permanent resident of China?
I guess the last time I flew into the airport was in 1971?
JudgeG ... just counting time 'til I am again finding balm in Gilead chilled out somewhere in the Selous.
Posts: 7763 | Location: GA | Registered: 27 February 2001
In AR way down the bottom in "members videos" there is a bigger shot of the Cathay 747 trying to crash. About page 2 titled "worlds worst pilot", and somewhere there maybe the big checker-board sign on the cliffs that means,"GO BACK".
Posts: 2355 | Location: Australia | Registered: 14 November 2004
IIRC, the checker board meant turn coming up. You could see the end of the runway in plenty of time on right base. All you had to do was judge your turn properly. Lots of guys had problems with that, hence the overshoots. Back to the basics...just stay ahead of the airplane.
Posts: 11729 | Location: Florida | Registered: 25 October 2006
Originally posted by Mississippian: What kind of wind velocties are these guys experiencing? Why not come in from the opposite end? Can the hillside be cleared on a go around?
The wind varied with the weather, of course, but it was usually pretty much down the runway when I went in there. Don't recall if there was an approved approach from the other end. Last time I went in there was 1997.
You could look out the side window on final and see people in the hotels looking back at you.
Posts: 11729 | Location: Florida | Registered: 25 October 2006