Memories Of Kai Tak Airport

[+ azdr0710]

until its closing in 1998, it was one of the most legendary, and perilous, airports in the world.......check out this great video and, as usual, go full screen and turn up that volume to 10!.....watch beginning to end

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PCOcyt7BPI

[+ azdr0710]

look for the famous checkerboard at 3:10-3:20.....

 

Edited May 31, 2019 by azdr0710

[+ azdr0710]

the famous "checkerboard approach" now is slowly weathering away......

 

 

[+ WilliamM]

 

I remember

[+ bashful]

It always amazes me the skill of those piloting an aircraft.

[+ azdr0710]

https://simpleflying.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-kai-tak/

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/business/global/hong-kongs-old-airport-reopens-as-a-cruise-ship-terminal.html

[+ nycman]

Thanks for the memories........

 

That airport was truly insane.

 

The “new” one is beautiful....but it certainly lacks the “drama” of landing in downtown Hong Kong!

[mike carey]

I remember looking out the window to see whether the washing was dry on the tower block balconies.

[+ Charlie]

I used to the think that Kai Tak was the most unnerving airport to fly into, until I flew into Juneau.

[+ bashful]

I used to the think that Kai Tak was the most unnerving airport to fly into, until I flew into Juneau.

 

I haven't landed at either, and probably no comparison, but my first time landing at LaGuardia (in a 767), for a moment I thought we were going in the water.

[Rod Hagen]

Catalina Island runway, Avalon, recently upgraded, has always been a blast.

[mike carey]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Sint Maarten yet.

[+ sync]

It always amazes me the skill of those piloting an aircraft.

 

I'm with you, the runway in that video looks like a band-aid.

[spider]

I remember looking out the window to see whether the washing was dry on the tower block balconies.

 

The other way I’ve heard this expressed is that you could tell what they were having for dinner.

[+ Charlie]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Sint Maarten yet.

That one was scarier when I was on the beach than on the plane.

[MikeBiDude]

Was early 80’s when I had my carrier landing experience there. Loved it!

[+ g56whiz]

I can remember landing at the airport in downtown Kowloon and the smell of laissez faire capitalism (smog) as soon as the doors opened.

 

At the new HK airport I get attacked each time by a mask wearing heath official with a wipe thermometer who wants to make sure this keailou isn’t bringing in a disease. How times have changed.