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Page 3 of 5 3. Hong Kong - Kai Tak International ( HKG / VHHH / VHHX (FS) ) (closed) 
The approach to runway 13 at Kai Tak airport, in Hong Kong, was for sure the most challenging approach we have ever had. The hill just behind the airport makes a "straight-in" approach impossible, so the only solution was to place an IGS not aligned to the runway and make aircraft turn to final only when extremely close to the runway. This might sound fine for a Cessna 152, but this airport used to serve Boeing 747-400 from airlines all over the world. The pilots obviously needed many hours of training to try that in real life, and even with all the constant training, several accidents occurred. The approach to runway 13 is the best place for you train descents and turns with minimum error - a mistake can be fatal here.The only scenery that reproduces the airport and surrounding area with some level of realism is FlightSoft's Hong Kong 2004 - you can get it here: www.flightsoft.com Some background information ... Kai Tak was located in Kowloon, Hong Kong - it is a very mountainous area with terrain that can reach 2000 feet. With only one runway (11,100 feet long), the approach to Kai Tak's runway 13 was very difficult to perform and visually spetacular from the ground - the aircraft had to pass, in low altitude, a very populated area of the city and do a sharp right turn to make it to the runway. Due to extreme noise pollution, the relatively small capacity of the airport (passenger and aircraft-wise) and the difficult/dangerous landings, Kai Tak became insufficient for Hong Kong and the government started looking forward to another airport. Finally, the Chek Lap Kok airport was build and Kai Tak was finally retired. The most challenging approach: IGS RNW 13 ! | This is the approach plate used for the IGS RNW 13 procedure at Kai Tak. If you are not familiar with approach plates, check the "How to interpret approach plates" tutorial: [TUTORIAL] Interpreting approach plates Once again, this is an extremely challenging non-precision approach ... many experienced pilots had their aircraft damaged at touchdown, so that's another great way to practice your visual landings and turns skills! The IGS is not available on FS2004 scenery by default, but there are some small add-ons that can add it easily - use Google and find one of them before you continue. This approach plate provides the pilot the average terrain altitude and a on-scale map - make good use of it. Now, choose your best 747-400 add-on and try this approach! The IGS RNW 13 approach starts at the CHEUNG CHAU VOR (CH - 112.30), at 8000 feet - there is also a published holding point for this VOR. When you are ready, pass the VOR station at heading 270 and go straight ahead for 7 more miles, descending at the same time to 6000 feet. As you will probably be over 180 knots, make a turn to heading 045 to intercept the localizer (KL - 088º - 111.9) and start a descent to 4500 feet. Once you have intercepted the localizer, things are much easier: the IGS should work like an ordinary ILS. Follow both localizer and glideslope correctly and you should make the outer marker at about 1700 feet. You should soon realize that the runway is not aligned to the IGS, but about 45 degrees off course!! Strange, for sure, but that's the way it should be. Now comes the most challenging part of this approach - you must remain concentrated and act quickly and smoothly should anything not normal happen. Continue on the GS and LOC until the middle marker, where you should have visual contact with the checkerboard; if you don't, go missed immediately! Shortly after you hard the middle marker beeps, start a right turn to align with the runway - watch your speed, altitude and turn rate carefully in order align correctly and safely. The HONG KONG NDB (RW - 377) is just in front of the runwnay, so you can tune it for a more precise orientation. After you have turned and aligned with the runway, follow the PAPI lights to ensure a correct glidepath and landing. It takes many tries to align and land perfectly, especially when you have crosswinds, but the sensation of accomplishment after you have landed correctly is amazing. Get on the simulator and fly the most challenging approach that existed in the world; do it correctly and you can consider yourself an outstanding pilot! |
Virgin Atlantic 747-200 turning right to align with the runway ...
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