NationStates Jolt Archive

As if flying itself didn't add enough stress to vacation travel, imagine having to deal with something like these:

http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/the-worlds-scariest-runways


I've never really experienced something like this. The airport near my house, Ontario Intl., is flat, wide, and has an easy approach 99/100. However, I know this isn't true for some of you, so I'm wondering if any of you have had to deal with watching something like this out of your seat window. I know the 2nd picture in the slideshow would scare the living shit right out of me. :eek2:

I want to try that approach!

Now there's an airport in Japan that also has a tricky approach. I believe it's the Hong Kong airport. It's called the Checkerboard approach because there's actually checkerboards painted onto the hillside to direct pilots into the airport. Then the fun begins when you have the extreme crosswinds.

I've been to 5 of those airports...

I've been to 5 of those airports...

I love airports with crazy approaches, it makes for a nice challenge. :D

I want to fly into St. Maarten someday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w-9G8z4RCI

This is from the cockpit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksmDuXO_k6E

It's honestly not that hard - all you have to do is keep the VASI/PAPI from showing 4 red and you won't have any loss of life. :D

EDIT: Well, nevermind, I guess they have neither. Just don't overshoot by about 800 ft like the pilot on JooTube did.

Now there's an airport in Japan that also has a tricky approach. I believe it's the Hong Kong airport.

I'd like to cancel that ticket to Hong Kong with Wilgrove Airlines please.

I love airports with crazy approaches, it makes for a nice challenge. :D

I want to fly into St. Maarten someday.

That's one of the 5. My father lived there for a time. The tarmac is literally RIGHT on the waterfront and RIGHT at sea level, as you approach it, you really begin to realize, that if the pilot is off by 10 feet, the front wheels will hit water.

I want to try that approach!

Now there's an airport in Japan that also has a tricky approach. I believe it's the Hong Kong airport.

...uhhhhhh

...uhhhhhh

It's a REALLY LONG approach. About 1700 miles long, in fact.

It's a REALLY LONG approach. About 1700 miles long, in fact.

and covers the entire South Pacific!

and covers the entire South Pacific!

Well, really, I have no doubt it is difficult to descend over Japan and land in Hong Kong! That completely deserves to be considered a tricky approach, doesn't it?

I think also that the People's Republic of CHINA, having recently reacquired Hong Kong from the British, will be quite miffed to learn that it's now part of Japan.

Japan, on the other hand, is probably fairly thrilled. I think that ought to raise their GNP by a tidy chunk of cash...

I once took a plane to Wellington, NZ. Not the best of experiences, as the following clip will show:
http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=P_LaAkAyoz0

Japan, on the other hand, is probably fairly thrilled. I think that ought to raise their GNP by a tidy chunk of cash...
They won't be happy when they find out they have to use the long defunct Kai Tak airport to land on - especially as it's nothing but overgrown weeds now.

...uhhhhhh

It's a REALLY LONG approach. About 1700 miles long, in fact.

and covers the entire South Pacific!

Well, really, I have no doubt it is difficult to descend over Japan and land in Hong Kong! That completely deserves to be considered a tricky approach, doesn't it?

I think also that the People's Republic of CHINA, having recently reacquired Hong Kong from the British, will be quite miffed to learn that it's now part of Japan.

Japan, on the other hand, is probably fairly thrilled. I think that ought to raise their GNP by a tidy chunk of cash...

Ok, so I got China and Japan mixed up. Not my proudest moment on NSG, but I had a rough week, and I'm not exactly concentrating on these posts.

Ok, so I got China and Japan mixed up. Not my proudest moment on NSG, but I had a rough week, and I'm not exactly concentrating on these posts.

You know that one is going to come back and haunt you (and all Americans) for ever and ever, right? ;)

I'm really surprised London City isn't up there, the approach and take off are both absolutely nightmarish. 5,000 foot runway ending abruptly in the middle of King George V basin. Splash... The west isn't much better as you run into the new docklands skyscrapers, so the decent path is 5.5 degrees, which is a bit toe curling to watch (it's actually been reduced, prior to the runway extensions - yes it was shorter before(!) - it was 7.5 degrees)

People still prefer it to Heathrow...

Ok, so I got China and Japan mixed up. Not my proudest moment on NSG, but I had a rough week, and I'm not exactly concentrating on these posts.

Clearly.

I do find the idea of a checkerboard approach amusing though.

You know that one is going to come back and haunt you (and all Americans) for ever and ever, right? ;)


Heeeey, why all Americans? What did I do?

I've never really experienced something like this. The airport near my house, Ontario Intl., is flat, wide, and has an easy approach 99/100. However, I know this isn't true for some of you, so I'm wondering if any of you have had to deal with watching something like this out of your seat window. I know the 2nd picture in the slideshow would scare the living shit right out of me. :eek2:

Ontario was the first airport I ever flew into - back when it was not much more than a shack, with an open-air waiting area (a cage, really) where you'd meet whoever was picking you up. It's the closest airport to me, too. Looks a lot different now. :tongue:

As to odd landings, nah, nothing interesting. I used to fly a lot, too. Just been lucky I guess.

The scariest airport in the world must be LHR (especially terminal 5)

The scariest airport in the world must be LHR (especially terminal 5)

I, I gave them my luggage, and, and I never *sob* saw it *sniff* again!

I'd like to cancel that ticket to Hong Kong with Wilgrove Airlines please.

:tongue:

As for the topic, the St. Maarten and Lesotho ones look way scary.

Landing in La Paz was a tad disquieting because it's at an altitude of more than 4000 meters and the air is so thin that apparently planes have to land & start with higher speeds, can't be too heavy, and need reinforced tires.